Craps is the loudest, friendliest game in the casino. When a shooter gets hot, the whole table wins together, and strangers turn into high-fiving teammates. But walk up without knowing the unwritten rules and you can get some side-eye fast.
Here's everything a beginner needs to know to fit right in at the table.
1. Buy in between rolls
Wait until the dice are in the middle of the table, not in the shooter's hand. Then lay your cash flat on the felt in front of you and tell the dealer you'd like to buy in. Dealers can't take money straight from your hand, so don't try to pass it to them.
2. Keep your hands out of the way
Once the stickman pushes the dice to the shooter, keep your hands up and out of the table. If the dice hit your hand, nobody will blame you for the result out loud, but everyone will be thinking it. Wait until the dealers finish paying bets before you reach in to grab chips or place new bets.
3. Get your bets in before "no more bets"
Call out or place your bets while the dice are in the middle. Once the shooter has the dice, it's too late. Late bets slow down the game and annoy the crew.
4. Shooting the dice
When it's your turn to roll, you'll need a Pass Line or Don't Pass bet on the table. Then:
- Pick up the dice with one hand only.
- Keep them over the table. Don't take them past the edge of the rail.
- Throw them so they hit the back wall. That's the rule, and dealers will remind you if you come up short.
- If a die flies off the table, don't panic. The game just keeps rolling with a fresh one.
5. Never say "seven"
It's pure superstition, but don't say the word "seven" at the table, especially when a shooter is on a roll. A seven ends the hand for most players. Call it "the big red" if you have to mention it at all.
6. Drinks go under the rail
The top rail is for your chips. Your drink goes in the shelf underneath it. Spilling a drink on the felt is one of the fastest ways to stop a game cold.
7. Keep your chips in your spot
Each player has their own section of the chip rail. Keep your chips there and don't spread into your neighbor's space. It saves everyone from "wait, whose chips are these?"
8. Play the dark side quietly
Betting Don't Pass means you win when most of the table loses. It's a perfectly legit bet, but don't cheer when the shooter sevens out. Keep the celebrations to yourself.
9. Take care of the dealers
Tipping is part of craps culture. The easiest way is to place a bet "for the dealers," like a Pass Line bet or a hard way, so they win when you win. A happy crew makes for a better game.
10. Have fun and know your limit
Craps is a social game. Cheer for the shooter, learn the names of your table neighbors, and ride the streaks together. Just set a budget before you sit down and stick to it, win or lose.
Dress for the table
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Keep on crapin'.