Craps: Roll the Bones

Practice Craps:



History

The modern-day version of Craps developed from an old English game called hazard. This game, in turn, derived from an Arabic version called az zahr, which translates as a pair of dice. The current name of the game is likely associated with a French game entitled crapaud that can trace its history back to the time of the Crusaders.

Craps is traditionally viewed as an entirely American game, although the coincidence of its name with the name of the French version suggests a direct link. France's involvement in Africa likely transported the game across the Atlantic on American slave ships in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Terms in modern parlance such as snake eyes and crapping out derive from this popular dice game.

Objective

Craps is normally played around a custom-built Craps table consists of a central playing area flanked by two game wings. Each area contains betting spots where players lay their bets against each dice roll. Each player in the game takes his own turn at throwing the dice pair down the length of the game. Game etiquette requires that each roll must be made from one hand and each dice must hit the opposite end of the Craps table.

Figure 1: Standard Craps Table


Craps Game Systems
The game of Craps operates across a number of connected but individual game systems. These include:

• Martingale: Gamblers double the bet on each loss.
• Free Odds Basic Strategy: Free odds bets that are possibly the best bet you can make in a casino.
• Iron Cross: Player wins on every roll that is not a seven.
• Gambler's Fallacy: Betting on dice combinations that have not occurred in a long series of crap shooting.

Game Rules and Betting

The most common roll or shoot in Craps is called the pass line bet. The shooter throws the dice pair down the table and if the dice total is 7 or 11, he wins. The payout is 2:1. If the player rolls another combination, then the croupier, or stickman, places a marker on the Craps table to show the current game level, or point. The shooter must then throw the same dice combination again before he rolls a seven. Rolling the same number again produces a win. If the shooter rolls a seven first, he loses. Once the shooter loses, the next player in sequence takes over the dice to become the new shooter. There are many other betting variations, but the pass line bet is the most popular.

Single and Multiple Betting

Betting format can be single or multiple throw. In single throw, the outcome is clear after one roll of the dice. Multiple throws require a number of throws before the payout is made.

Table 1: Single Roll Bets

Throw	Description
Snake Eyes (two aces)	Win if shooter rolls a 2.
Ace-Deuce (ace and two)	Win if shooter rolls a 3.
Yo	Win if shooter rolls 11.
12 (boxcar)	Win if shooter rolls 12.
2 or 12 (hi-lo)	Win if shooter rolls 2 or12.
Craps	Win if shooter rolls 2, 3, or 12.
C&E	Place half bet on Craps, other half on Yo.
Any Seven	Win if shooter rolls a 7.
Field	Win if 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 appears on next roll.
The Horn	One-unit bet on 2, 3, 11, and 12 simultaneously.
Whirl/World	Five-unit on Horn and any seven bet.

Table 2: Multiple Roll Bets

Throw	Description
Hard Way	Bet shooter rolls a hard way 2, 4, 8, or 10 before he rolls a 7. Hard way is both dice showing same value.
Easy Way	Bet shooter rolls an easy way 2, 4, 8, or 10 before he rolls a 7. Easy way is both dice showing different value.
Big 6 and Big 8	Bet that 6 or 8 are rolled before a 7. Payout evens.
Place and Buy	Players buy or place numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10
Lay	Opposite of Place and Buy. Bettor bets on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 being rolled before a 7.

Craps Etiquette
The following etiquette rules will help you as a beginning shooter:

• Roll dice with one hand.
• Rolls that land on the certain areas such as the stickman's bowl or boxman's bank are forfeit.
• Some casinos call a throw a non roll if they hit another player.
• Players lay down their own chips - dealers are forbidden to do so.
• When passed the dice to shoot, it is acceptable to decline and pass to the next player in line.
• It is considered unlucky to shout the number "seven" on such a roll of the dice. Use the term "Big Red" or simply "Red" instead.

Tips and Tricks
Take note of the following tips and tricks:

• Know the rules before you play. A busy Craps table is not the place to be asking questions.
• Keep it simple. Stick to pass the line bets when starting out. Don't be thrown by the mind boggling array of Craps bets, many of which have poor odds.
• Do your own thing. Don't listen to the advice of the other players, especially if they are betting in the middle of the table.
• Don't jinx the game. If you're a first time player don't announce this if you're a guy as male Craps virgins are considered unlucky.

Glossary

• Advantage: The House edge. The percentage worked into the game's odds giving the casino the long term probability that it will win more than it loses.
• Box Man: Casino employee supervising a Craps table.
• Craps: A total of 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll.
• Die-in-the-wood: A die has landed in the chip rack.
• E.T.: A bet that 11 or 12 will roll.
• Fade: Cover a bet in the private game.
• Hi / Lo: A bet on the 12 and 2.
• Insurance Bet: Two or more bets attempting to ensure a win on at least one.
• Line Bet: A bet on the Pass Line or Don't Pass Line.
• Midnight: Betting 12 will roll next.
• Natural: A throw of 7 or 11 on the come out roll.
• One Roll Bet: A bet determined by the next roll of the dice.
• Pass Line: Area of Craps table layout where you bet that the dice will pass (throw a natural or make the point).
• Right Bettor: A player who bets the dice will pass.
• Shooter: The player who's throwing the dice.
• Toke: A tip or tipping the crew.
• Vigorish or Vig: Originally refers to a percentage charged by a Craps operator on bets. Now sometimes used to refer to the House edge.
• Whirl Bet: A bet the next roll will be a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12.
• Yo (Yo-leven): Slang used for the number eleven.
• Zuke: Casino slang for a toke or tip.