Special Sub-Topic: Beginner's Craps Authored by: root17 Sub-topic of: Casino Craps

The betting layout (pattern printed on the table felt) on a standard-size table is alike at both ends of the table (although in some casinos the layout is a mirror image).

True. Bets in the center betting area on the table felt (also called "proposition bets") all have a high house edge and are not recommended to any player, beginner or experienced. Some players do bet them because many of them have high payoffs, but a steady diet of these bets with their high house edge almost guarantees losses in the long run.

How many casino personnel are stationed at a standard-size table? (Hint: include the Boxman—the casino employee behind the table sitting down—in your count.)

4. A normal crew working at the table consists of a Stickman (uses a hooked stick to retrieve the thrown dice and push them to the player who is throwing the dice), a Boxman (seated behind the table, counts out a new player's money and pushes it through a slot in the table), and two Dealers standing at both ends of the table (place bets in correct position and pay off players who win). A fifth person is on break. The two Dealers, the Stickman, and the person on break rotate positions, usually every 20 minutes.

How many dice are thrown?

2. Tossing the dice passes around to all the players at the table in a clockwise rotation. When it's your turn to be the "shooter" (person throwing the dice), the Stickman will push several dice (usually five) to you. Pick up any two of them. Your objective should be to bounce them off the far table wall.

Everyone at the table must take a turn throwing the dice.

False. If you don't want to shoot, just say "pass" to the Stickman when the dice are pushed to you. There is no stigma attached to passing your turn to be the shooter.

If the dice accidentally bounce off the table when they are thrown, the player throwing the dice loses his turn.

False. The retrieved dice are first examined by the Boxman and then the same shooter continues his roll. He may request that the same two dice be used (say "same dice" to the Stickman), or select new dice to throw.

A bet on the pass line has what house edge? (Hint: This is one of the best bets in the casino.)

1.4%. The house edge for the pass line bet is 1.4%, which makes it one of the best bets in the casino. A "free odds" bet can reduce this house edge even further, but a larger bankroll to start with is recommended (to weather losing streaks, since more of your money is at risk doing this).

When the marker puck (shaped like an over-size hockey puck) has the white side up and is positioned on a number on the felt, that number is the current "point".

True. Once the point is established, the objective then is for the shooter to roll that point number again before he rolls a 7. If he does, your pass line bet wins (2 to 1). If he rolls a 7 first, you lose. Once the point is established, ANY number rolled except 7 or the point is immaterial to the outcome of your pass line bet (other bets are affected, however). When either the point or a 7 is rolled that series ends, the black side of the marker puck is turned up and the next series begins.

What number is sometimes called a "yo"? (Hint: This name is used to avoid confusion with a verbal call of "seven.")

11. If the shooter rolls an 11 ("yo") or a 7 while the black side of the marker puck is up, your pass line bet wins (2 to 1 times). If the white side of the marker puck is up, your pass line bet is not affected by a yo, (but loses if a 7 is thrown).

What number(s) are called "craps"?

any of these numbers. If the shooter rolls any of the craps numbers while the black side of the marker puck is up, you lose your pass line bet. If the white side of the marker puck is up, your pass line bet is not affected.

If the marker puck has the white side up and is positioned on the number 5 on the felt, your pass line bet wins if what number is rolled?

5. If you want to learn more about craps, call the Gambler's Book Shop at 1-800-522-1777 and request their free catalogue (or order online at www.gamblersbook.com). Two paperbacks for beginners I recommend: "The Basics of Winning Craps" by J. Edward Allen and "Craps — Playing to Win" by Tony Korfman.