Many casino games have their own unique rules and traditions. If you’re just getting started with craps, it’s best to learn the expected behaviors of the game. You don’t want the crowd at the table to turn against you. Learn these seven common craps mistakes to avoid.
Mistake #1 – Fumbling Bets
The goal for most players (and certainly the dealers) is to keep the table running smoothly. When you want to make a bet, don’t toss the chips on the table. If you spill them across multiple bet spots, you’ve made what is called a “string bet,” and it’s not a good thing. It’s hard for anyone to tell what bets you really meant to make. Instead, follow these simple steps when it’s time to bet
- Wait for the previous round to complete.
- Then, make eye contact with dealer.
- Now, place your bet neatly.
Want to bet on a number? Say “place the six.”
For an odds bet, place your bet behind the pass line bet and say, “odds on my six.”
Need change for a large denomination chip? Don’t interrupt a roll. Wait for a quieter moment and place your large chip on the felt near the edge (not on a bet). Then say, “change please.”
Ready to leave? Stack your chips and say, “Can I color up?” He or she will exchange your small chips for larger ones, making it easier to carry them without spilling.
Mistake #2 – Mishandling the Dice
When the dice are passed to you, you become the shooter. There are formal rules that are in place to keep games fair and secure, so you need to pay close attention and follow them. After the dealer says, “Dice are out!” it’s time to make your roll. Here’s a simple way to correctly roll dice at a craps table:
- Pick up the dice with one hand only.
- Shake up the dice in your hand.
- Toss them all the way to the other end of the table so that they hit the wall (this is essential).
Dos and Don’ts of Rolling Dice at Craps
- Keep the dice over the table. Never bring the dice back past the edge of the table. They need to be trackable at all times by the casino staff.
- Make sure your throw is hard enough to hit the back wall. A short toss that does not connect with the far wall is a “no roll.” It has to be shot again. If you’d rather pass, just shake your head or say, “Pass.”
- Keep your hands off the felt after the betting window has closed. You don’t want to interfere with dice rolls at any point in a craps game.
Mistake #3 – Betting at the Wrong Time
The traditional betting window closes when the stickman passes the dice to the shooter. Dealers will often say, “hands high” or “no more bets” to let players know the betting window has closed. Make your bets before this happens.
Last-second bets are a faux pas. If you’re late, just wait for the next round and jump in then. This will give you a chance to observe the flow of the table and get ready to participate in the action smoothly.
Mistake #4 – Saying the “S-word”
Once the point is established, it is traditional not to mention the word “seven.” In fact, it’s best to consider it a banned word. It’s thought to bring bad luck, and the other players will give you nasty looks for saying it. All the pass line bettors are looking for any other number to come up. Seven makes them lose money. You don’t want to sound like you’re trying to “summon a loss” for the whole table.
Actors in a theater don’t say “MacBeth” or “good luck.” The craps table has a similar rule that savvy players will all observe to keep the peace and preserve the good vibes at the table. What can you say instead? Call it the “big red,” “red,” or even “The Devil.”
Also, don’t say “eleven.” It sounds too much like seven. Instead, call it “yo” or “yo-leven.”
Mistake #5 – Being a Loud Dark Side Player
Most people at a craps table bet the pass line and root for the shooter to make the point. It creates a team atmosphere at the table.
Some folks, however, like to take the opposite position and bet don’t pass. This puts them at odds with most of the players. It’s considered a “dark side” practice. In fact, many players call folks who make this wager “wrong bettors.”
If you make this wrong way bet and also loudly cheer for your bet to come in – and other players to lose – you can expect everyone at the table to hate you. Let your bet ride and keep it on the down low. If the shooter rolls a seven and you win, don’t burst out in cheering. Just collect your winnings and move on.
Mistake #6 – Forgetting the Dealers
The dealers, stickmen, and other staff keep the game humming along smoothly. They manage payouts, bets, dice, and generally ensure that the craps table operates efficiently. To show gratitude, many players will make bets on behalf of the casino staff as a way of tipping. Players can’t hand money directly to the dealers, so this is a generally acceptable practice to reward the people working hard to run the game.
You can put a bet down and say, “Bet for the dealers.” You can also make a specialty bet called a ‘two-way yo” on the eleven. If it hits, you get your bet back and the dealer gets the matching winnings. You can also call your staff bet a “unit for the boys” or “the crew.” Seasoned players rarely forget to tip the dealers, no matter what game they are playing, and craps is no different.
Mistake #7 – Not Knowing the Number Lingo
Craps has nicknames for many numbers and dice rolls:
- 1+1: aces or snake eyes
- 1+2: ace-deuce
- 6+6: boxcars or midnight
There are names for almost any combination (e.g. 2+3 is Michael Jordan, after the Chicago Bulls legend’s jersey number). You don’t need to learn them all. Keep your ears open and you’ll likely pick up a few in any session at a craps table.
One last thing: “hardways” bets refer to bets on rolling number pairs. Two fours is a “hard” eight (a five and a three would be an “easy” eight).
Follow these etiquette rules and you’ll fit in much more easily the next time you take a spot at a craps table.
