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If you have ever entered a casino and heard a loud roar coming from an area where people are lined up three-deep all around, chances are it was a craps table. Craps is not only one of the most exciting table games in the casino, but it is also one of the most mysterious. Fast-paced and emotionally electrifying, jargon is the best place to begin if you want to join the rollers.

There are two strategies I like to use for betting craps that can invite the appearance of Lady Luck to your side. The two bets are the Right Bettor — when a player will wager with the shooter and is hoping that he or she will win the roll. This is the main focus of this column. The other bet is the Wrong Bettor — wagering against the shooter, hoping that he or she will lose the roll.

To move a further into the strategy, it helps to know some of the craps lingo:

• Buy In — the amount of your gaming allotment used to buy chips

• True Odds — advantage to the casino

• Racking your Chips — a way to store your chips at the game table

• Point Numbers — the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 established on the come-out roll

• Pressing Up or Press a Bet — increasing a winning bet, usually by doubling it

For example, you buy in at a $5 minimum table. You want to choose a table that offers at least double odds, because it pays off in true odds. I always buy in for $120, which affords a reasonable play session. When you are ready to play, place the money on the table. It’s good to know that gaming protocol does not allow handing the money directly to the dealer. Ask for 20 $5 chips and 20 $1 chips. At the outer edges, off the gaming area of the table, there are concave grooves that are there for racking your chips. Rack your $5 chips and place 10 $1 chips on each side. Keep a watchful eye on your chips, even amidst the roars of the crowd. Sometimes predators circle the craps tables hoping that the excitement of the game will distract the players long enough to swipe their chips. Always keep a watchful eye on your bounty.

The dealer will announce that a new game is about to start by shouting “Comin’ out!†At this time, place a $5 chip on the “Pass Line.†Place three $1 chips on the table toward the dealer and say, “three-way craps.†He’ll put $1 each on the 2, 3 and 12. This will keep you in the game on the “come out†roll with the following possibilities:

If the shooter rolls:

• 7 or 11 — win 5, lose 3

• 2 or 12 — lose 7, win 30

• 3 — lose 7, win 15

• 4, 5, 6, or 8, 9, 10 — lose 3 (the $5 stays on the Pass Line)

For example, if a 4 is rolled, your $5 is still active. The 4 becomes the point number. The 4 must be rolled again before a 7, in order for you to collect your wager.

The Odds Bet

Always take double odds with the (point) number. Put $10 behind your Pass Line wager (which was $5) for two times the odds. If you win, the payout is in true odds. There are three ways to win with 4 as a point number: 1, 3; 3, 1; or 2, 2. There are six ways to lose with a 7: 4, 3; 5, 2; 6, 1; or 3 ,4; 2, 5; 1 ,6. In other words, there is 2:1 payoff if the 4 comes up before the 7. So if a 4 comes up before a 7, you will win $25: $5 for your Pass Line wager and $20 for your odds bet.

The true odds of other (point) numbers are as follows:

Point numbers Ways to Roll True Odds

4 3 ways to a 6 way 7 2:1

5 4 ways to a 6 way 7 3:2

6 5 ways to a 6 way 7 6:5

8 5 ways to a 6 way 7 6:5

9 4 ways to a 6 way 7 3:2

10 3 ways to a 6 way 7 2:1

Place Betting

After you have placed your odds bet, put $12 on the table and tell the dealer to place 6 and 8. He will place $6 on each number. Each time a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7 or your 4, you’ll be paid $7. While the place bets are not true odds, it is still a nice payout. I always “press up†one time to have $12 on each number.

The objective is to invite Lady Luck to drop her 6s and 8s before your point number is made or the dreaded 7 is rolled. While there are many other betting strategies, they have a higher casino advantage.

Final Tip

Craps is a game of pure chance. Limit your play. Don’t try to outsmart the dice when they are going against you. And mange your emotions so you can affordably play another day. Good luck!

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Dennis Occhino, a Buffalo, N.Y., resident, has been playing the casinos for 25 years. His regular casinos include Seneca Niagara Casino, Fallsview Casino Resort, Casino Niagara and Harrah’s proprieties in Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas. He also enjoys sharing his strategies in a column for a local senior publication.

Posted November 4th, 2009 under Craps Tips, In this Issue, Winning Tips. Tags: Free Craps Tips
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