Any craps tips

[Maple Leafs]

On our upcoming Vegas trip, Mrs. Leafs and I are planning to try our hand at a few games we haven't played before. Normally we stick to slots and the sports book, but what's the fun in Vegas if you don't get to a table?

I want to stay away from poker or blackjack, since I don't have any in-depth knowledge of those games and I don't want to screw over other players and/or be the easy pickings. So I'm thinking we could give craps a try. I know the basic rules and terms, we can control how much we're betting, and I think the wife would enjoy the atmosphere of getting into it with the other players.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for a beginner. Not looking for any in-depth strategies or systems, just basic advice for someone who was going to kill a few hours at the craps table. As a beginner, do you just keep it simple? Any etiquette tips we should know? That sort of thing.

[sachmo71]

Immodium

[Samdari]

You should definitely play blackjack, not craps. It is much easier to understand, and at a much slower pace. You actually need more "in-depth" knowledge to play craps well than blackjack - and craps is far more intimidating. Blackjack is a very simple game.

But, a good, simple craps strategy is to play the pass line, and then play "come" bets (basically additional pass line bets that you can place at any time) until you have three numbers covered. If one of the come bets wins, you play another one.

[Esquared1]

I would also recommend black jack for this reason:

You can pick up a "Basic Strategy Card" from any Vegas gift shop, and it will tell you what to do every time. I assure you as a Intermediate player that the whole table will appreciate you doing it, and more than 1/2 the time, black jack is a very friendly game to play. (The other 30% time people want to stay to themselves, but you can figure that out before sitting down.) It lends itself to converstation and wit, whereas craps is big swings of mania and depression.

Plus, if you are a drinker, black jack is much easier to play with that card while drinking.

[Esquared1]

Dola,

When are you going? I'm going April 4-8. ..

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

On our upcoming Vegas trip, Mrs. Leafs and I are planning to try our hand at a few games we haven't played before. Normally we stick to slots and the sports book, but what's the fun in Vegas if you don't get to a table?

I want to stay away from poker or blackjack, since I don't have any in-depth knowledge of those games and I don't want to screw over other players and/or be the easy pickings. So I'm thinking we could give craps a try. I know the basic rules and terms, we can control how much we're betting, and I think the wife would enjoy the atmosphere of getting into it with the other players.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for a beginner. Not looking for any in-depth strategies or systems, just basic advice for someone who was going to kill a few hours at the craps table. As a beginner, do you just keep it simple? Any etiquette tips we should know? That sort of thing.

Roulette is pretty easy. The only time I ever really gambled was in Lake Charles, LA. I only played roulette. After about a half hour I developed a system and walked away $100 richer. Not big money, but it was nice way to spen an evening while on a business trip.

[digamma]

Play the Pass Line, and back it up with odds.

Playing the pass line is what most of the table does--though a lot of people will throw other bets out there. If you play the pass line, on the "Come Out" roll, you win with 7 or 11 and lose with 2, 3, or 12. Everything else creates a point. You win if the point is rolled before a 7 is rolled again. You can put another "odds" bet behind your initial bet after the point is established. If you hit the point, the table will pay your odds bet based on what the point was (4 and 10 pay at greater odds than 6 and 8).

Playing the Pass Line is a good way to start playing craps, because you are basically playing with the table. Everyone will usually be cheering for the point to hit (because they have a bet there too).

As a beginner, you should not play the Don't Pass Line, which is basically the opposite of the Pass Line. You are betting a 7 comes up before the point. You are playing against the table, and it can create some ill will.

Good luck. It can be the most fun and exciting game in the casino.

[albionmoonlight]

Don't play any "proposition" bets (any seven, etc.). They have much worse odds than playing the pass line.

[Z²+]

Always throw your friendly dealer a tip every few minutes, or place a $1 or $2 bet for him every so often. If you are treating the dealers well, they will be more than willing to explain what everything means and make sure you understand why you won/lost on a particular roll. And karma is good too

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Esquared1

When are you going? I'm going April 4-8. ..

Me too... well, 5th-9th actually. There seem to be good deals that week.

Thanks for the tips guys, keep them coming.

[thealmighty]

If you get crabs, go see a doctor.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by thealmighty

If you get crabs, go see a doctor.

Would that be from touching the dice and then adjusting the hardware?

[cthomer5000]

if you're just looking for simple fun, I think blackjack and roulette are by far the easiest games for those not previously familar with them.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

if you're just looking for simple fun, I think blackjack and roulette are by far the easiest games for those not previously familar with them.

Not when some dickhead starts giving me the fish eye because I feel like hitting...I hate that. I normally play by the numbers but occasional go on feel. I don't need mr. helper to my right sighing loudly...

***end of mini rant

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Not when some dickhead starts giving me the fish eye because I feel like hitting...I hate that. I normally play by the numbers but occasional go on feel. I don't need mr. helper to my right sighing loudly...

***end of mini rant

I get the same crap at times (although I haven't played blackjack in a while).

I tend to actually stand more than "the book" says I should.

[Z²+]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

if you're just looking for simple fun, I think blackjack and roulette are by far the easiest games for those not previously familar with them.

It all depends on your personality. From experience, I will tell you that trying to squeeze in at a craps table and keep up with the frantic pace was much more intimidating to me than staring at a 16 facing a dealer 7 and worrying about messing up the rest of the blackjack table ever was. (And don't worry about upsetting other players. Play how you feel comfortable. If basic strategy in blackjack is too conservative/aggressive for your style, then take a risk...your odds may decreaes a little, but you're not a professional, just someone having a little fun!)

As for craps, once you pick up the lingo and the way bets are placed (which can be explained, but only really "learned" by experiencing it at the table live) it's a great game to play - probably one of the most exciting in the casino. As someone said earlier, fortunes can change on one roll. Two weekends ago in Atlantic City at the Taj, i had a $1400 swing at 4:00 am that saved my whole trip (this after discovering that my average bet somehow rises exponentially to the number of drinks I've had). Sometimes a shooter (the person rolling the dice, the results of which obviously apply to everyone at the table) will hit a 7 (all "right way" betters lose on this) right after establishing a point, and everyone will lose all their bets just like that. This can happen over and over and you're bankroll dwindles quickly. But that one great shooter that rolls for a half hour, making everyone money on every roll, can bankroll an entire trip. For my money, blackjack is great to sit down and relax for a few hours, but nothing beats the excitement of a craps table.

As for roullette, I avoid it, and would recommend the same to you. I realize some people enjoy it's simplicity and lottery-like appeal, but from an odds standpoint, it's a vacuum. It involved no skill (ala blackjack) and is purely a game of chance (like craps), but has much poorer odds than craps. If you are going to play roullette, I would set a pretty low limit for loss and just "try it out" for curiousity. Long term, it'll kill you faster than the big table games such as BJ and craps.

This advice brought to you by the OFFICIAL youngest ever member of the President's Select Club at the Taj Mahal

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Z²+

This advice brought to you by the OFFICIAL youngest ever member of the President's Select Club at the Taj Mahal

Lose enough money and you can get into any club...

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by Z²+

Always throw your friendly dealer a tip every few minutes, or place a $1 or $2 bet for him every so often. If you are treating the dealers well, they will be more than willing to explain what everything means and make sure you understand why you won/lost on a particular roll. And karma is good too

Best advice ever!

I usually bet a $1 yo for myself and one for the dealers once in a while. Once, I threw in 2 $25 chips by mistake and the dealers understood and were going to throw them back for me, but an 11 came up, so we were all happy.

[primelord]

Originally Posted by digamma

Play the Pass Line, and back it up with odds.

This is the best strategy. The odds bet on your pass line bet is the best bet in the casino. It has no house edge. The pass line bet still has a house edge, but the odds bet doesn't. So the optimal strategy is to bet the minimum on the pass line and the maximum on the odds. However the maximum odds bet depending on the table could be as much as 10 to 20 times your pass line bet. And that is a lot of money to lose when a 7 comes up. (This is of course assuming you aren't counting cards in black jack which actually gives you the edge.)

Now if you are just looking to have some fun playing some of the other bets on the board can be a good time (And most of the time an easy way to lose money quickly.) Still a hot craps table is without question one of the most fun places to be in the casino. Since for the most part everyone wins at the same time everyone is rooting for each other and when it gets hot everyone is getting chips pushed to them. Good times.

You should give it a try. If you stand near one of the casino people they will help you understand the game and what bets mean what. You can also learn a lot just by watching the table for awhile. However if you were lookign for your best chance to come back with money then taking 20 minutes to memorize a blackjack basic strategy chart is still your best bet.

[Esquared1]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Me too... well, 5th-9th actually. There seem to be good deals that week.

Thanks for the tips guys, keep them coming.

Ol' drinking buddy and I will be spending a lot of time playing black jack downtown and betting on sports at the Stardust. If you see two guys about 5-7 and look like brothers, there is a good chance it's us. Heck, if you and Ms. Leafs what to spend a little time playing blackjack with friendly fun people, let me know. I like winning, but I really like having fun (as long as I'm not losing TOO much. )

(I should say, as long as you and the wife don't mind potentially vulgar talk; we can be an acquired taste in Vegas sometimes. )

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by primelord

However if you were lookign for your best chance to come back with money then taking 20 minutes to memorize a blackjack basic strategy chart is still your best bet.

I'm paying for the trip with my winnings from the sports book, so I don't mind losing a few bucks if I'm having a good time.

I think I could enjoy blackjack, but I doubt the wife would like it. Last time we were there she was asking what was going on at the craps table (it was a hot table, and people were cheering and hugging, etc), so I think she might really go for it.

Plus, if I tell everyone she's a virgin roller they'll throw money at her. Right?

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Me too... well, 5th-9th actually. There seem to be good deals that week.

Thanks for the tips guys, keep them coming.

This is freaky. I am there April 2-6.

[AgustusM]

NEVER bet the BIG 6 and BIG 8

They pay even money - but if you "place" the 6 or 8 they pay 6 to 7. Not a big deal but I hate it when I see people bet them.

also another good strategy is to bet the C&E on the come out roll - if you bet $2 C&E for every $5 you bet on the pass line on the come out roll - there is no roll of the dice that you lose money and if a yo (11) comes up you win both bets.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Get loaded dice...



...and a gun.

[Pumpy Tudors]

My advice to everyone is to follow Maple Leafs and his wife around, because Mrs. Leafs is hot.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

My advice to everyone is to follow Maple Leafs and his wife around, because Mrs. Leafs is hot.

True. Just remember, it's considered polite to pretend to make conversation with me while you stare at my wife's rack.

[KWhit]

Pictures?

Please?