How to Play and Win at Craps
as told by a Las Vegas crap dealer
By Dale S. Yeazel
Copyright 2009 Dale S. Yeazel
Smashwords Edition
Smashwords Edition, License
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Introduction
The Game
Pass Line
Don't Pass
Come
Don't Come
Field
Big 6 and Big 8
Proposition Bets
One roll bets
Hardway bets
Taking and Laying Odds
Place Bets
Table Etiquette
How to Win
Chapter 1: Introduction
There are two groups of people that I would like to reach with this book. The first is the person that has always been attracted to the allure of a hot crap game but were intimidated by their ignorance of the rules. The second is the experienced gambler that is tired of losing his bankroll before getting to be part of one of those famed “hot” crap games.
At this point you may be wondering why I choose to refer to a “crap” game instead of the more modern usage of “craps” game. The reason is that I don't have a very modern approach to the game. I have been dealing and supervising “crap games” for thirty-two years. Most of that time has been in downtown Las Vegas and on the “Strip.” But it doesn't matter if it’s in Vegas or a riverboat on the Mississippi, I see gamblers doing the same stupid things until maybe they encounter the one person that might teach them how to win: the right dealer. Yes that's right, the right dealer can help you avoid making bad bets and the pitfalls of chasing money on losing streaks or not winning enough on winning streaks. I am that “right” dealer.
When I teach someone how to play the game of craps while being a dealer on a live game, I am very concise. There are two reasons for this. The first being that I have to deal to other players as well as deal to you. The second is I've discovered that an excess of words just get in the way of teaching. OK, maybe there's a third reason. Either you are the type of person that is going to listen or you're not. If you listen to (or read) my words you will have a complete understanding of the game and sound strategy for winning. If you are like those dizzy chicks that claim to want to learn how to play but can't seem to concentrate longer than it takes to order a cocktail, then no amount of words will help you.
I hope you don't find the title of this book misleading as neither myself nor anyone else can teach you how to win every time you play. I will however, teach you how to play and win in situations that other people would either lose or not win as much as they should.
Chapter 2: The Game
The game of craps is played with two dice. Shooters are generally offered their choice of five dice. The option to shoot rotates in a clockwise fashion. Betting options remain the same whether a player is shooting or not.
The game consists of two main bets: the “pass line” and the “don't pass.” There are also numerous side bets available. The key to understanding the game is to learn about the pass line and don't pass bets, without allowing yourself to be distracted by the side bets.
Chapter 3: Pass Line
The pass line is one of two main bets in the game of craps. Once you understand the pass line, you can follow the game.
You make a pass line bet by setting a check (chip) or stack of checks on the section of the pass line that is directly in front of you. On the first roll of the dice your bet wins even money if the shooter throws a 7 or 11. You really need to remember this so think of “oh thank heaven for 7-11.” However, if on the first roll of the dice (what we call and I shall henceforth refer to as the “come-out roll”) the shooter throws a 2, 3 or 12 (the “craps” numbers) all pass line bets lose.
The numbers 7, 11, 2, 3 and 12 are referred to as “naturals” because if one of them is thrown on the come-out roll: all bets on the pass line either immediately win or lose. If you can remember “On the come-out roll, seven or eleven wins and two, three and twelve lose” then you know half of what you need to know to enjoy the game of craps.
The other half of what you need to know is what happens when the shooter doesn't throw a “natural” he instead throws a “point number.” On the come-out roll, if the shooter throws a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, then that number becomes the shooter's “point” for the pass line. The dealers will then indicate the point by placing the “puck” on the point number section of the layout.
Once the shooter has established a point the only way for it to win is by throwing the point number again, before throwing a seven (called seven-out). It doesn't matter if the shooter throws a 2, 3, 11 or 12. It also doesn't matter if he throws the other point numbers. The shooter will shoot until he wins even money by throwing the “point” or loses by throwing a “seven-out.” When the shooter throws a “seven-out” the option to shoot rotates to the next player.
It's not that difficult. It is either the come-out roll for the pass line or there is a point. If it's the come-out roll 7 or 11 wins, 2, 3 or 12 lose. If there is a point, then that number needs to rolled again, before a 7 is rolled. Pass line bets always pay even money and once the shooter has come-out on a point, you can't remove or reduce the bet until it wins. Only bet the pass line if it's the come-out roll and don't forget to look for the puck so you know if it’s the come-out roll or there is a point.
Chapter 4: Don't Pass
The other main bet on the table is the “Don't Pass.” It is the opposite of the pass line. In other words: if the pass line bets win, the don't pass bets lose. If the don't pass bets win, then the pass line bets lose. On the come-out roll, if the shooter throws a 7 or 11 the don't pass bets lose. If the shooter throws a 2 or 3 the don't pass bets win even money. But if the shooter throws a 12 on the come-out roll the don't pass bets “push.” If a bet “pushes” it means that it doesn't win but it also doesn't lose. This exception is listed on the layout as “Bar 12.” “Bar” meaning the same as “except.” Casinos were forced to create this exception in order to give the house a percentage on don't pass bets.