Craps Chapter 1

Ya ready? Let's do this...

DICE COMBINATIONS
36 in all - 11 Numbers

You'll never play Monopoly board game the same after this discussion.

Craps is a game where wagers are placed dependent on the outcome of the roll of two dice. Each die has 6 sides marked with 1 through 6 dots to represent numbers. The face-up values of both rolled dice add together to form one number.

There are 36 possible combinations of the dice with numbers ranging from 2 to 12.

The number 7 as it turns out, can be rolled more ways than any other number. Therefore it should come as no surprise that the game in large part hinges on the number 7.

Take a moment to look at the table of dice combinations below. Notice how the number 7 marks the center point of all the numbers, that it has the greatest number of combinations, and that the further away a number is from 7, the fewer combinations it has. Also notice how the table forms a symmetrical triangle with each set of numbers on opposite sides of the 7 (such as the 6/8 - 5/9 - 4/10 - 3/11 - 2/12) having equal numbers of combinations. If you have a pair of dice now...roll them. Notice the bottom of the dice. Keep rolling and compare top and bottom numbers. You'll start seeing patterns.

Same type of chart below. One die in the set is highlighted.

Notice the six ways a 7 can appear.
1-6 or 6-1.....
2-5 or 5-2.....
3-4 or 4-3
Lots of sevens on a pair of dice. 6 of 36 total combinations. Every sixth roll should be a 7.

Remember that when you land on North Carolina and my Boardwalk has a hotel on it.

Now notice the other numbers below with one die highlighted.

Now, let's reduce all this down a bit. Think of "sets"...The "odds" of rolling a 2 or 12 are the same...They can only roll one way.

The "odds" of rolling a 3 or 11 are the same...They can only roll two ways each.

Still with me? Good, Now notice the three "sets" of numbers on the layout below.

The 4 & 10..The 5 & 9..The 6 & 8

Notice The 4 & 10 can roll THREE ways each, therefore the odds are the same
The 5 & 9 can roll FOUR ways each, therefore the odds are the same
The 6 & 8 can roll FIVE ways each, therefore the odds are the same

About dice combinations

Odds
Strange word. Looks weird also. Anyway, you'll be dealing with this word. It has all kinds of meanings. Such as you choosing to become a craps dealer. That's "odd". The casino business is "odd". It is! - I am no doubt "odd" so they say....completing this website would be considered "against all odds"

When we use the term here it means "gambling odds that represent the ratio between the amounts staked by parties to a wager or bet"
In simplest terms, 2:1 odds means a player bets a dollar (the "1"), and if they win they get paid two dollars (the "2")

The first number is the payoff amount
The second number is the bet amount

Just curious; if these numbers represent a horse race, which one would be 'favored to win?
30:1 3:2 9:1 7:1 4:1 5:6
16:1 6:5 2:1 7:6 7:5 2:3

I remember when I was single, I asked a girl "What are the odds you go out with me on Sat night" She said "A million to one"

Which in my mind means; I had a shot!

About the dice......
Perfect Cubes. There’s a reason casino dice are also called “precision dice.” That’s because casino dice are made to exacting specifications. Most casinos use 3/4-inch dice, and each of the die’s dimensions must be true to within 0.0005 of an inch.The corners will cut you. Be aware. Click here to learn more

THE CREW

A Boxperson aka "The Box.....Sits at table. Banker. Immediate supervisor.
Two Dealers aka "The Base....Takes and pays all bets
One Stickperson aka "The Stick.....Lead dealer
One Supervisor aka " The Floor.....Generally supervises multiple games

The boxperson. Many casinos have eliminated the position and replaced it with a standing floor supervisor but the duties remain the same. The box sits (or stands behind) the middle of the table with all the chips in front of him/her and a grumpy face. His/her job is to act as the umpire of the game, making sure the bets are handled properly and paid properly by strict procedures. Why they always look grumpy is because they are.

To the boxperson’s left and right, stand the dealers. Their job is to take care of the customers. They mark the point with a black and white hockey puck type disk with ON and OFF. They take bets from the players and place the chips in the proper position. They take down the losing bets pay the winning bets.

The stickperson is the person in the middle of the table opposite to the box and holding a cane stick. It is their job to control the game by moving the dice with the stick. Once the betting is complete, the stick passes the dice to the player, who will shoot the dice. The stick calls out the roll, then retrieves the dice and returns them in front of the box. The stick holds the dice there until all the betting action is complete. During the time that the dice are in the middle, in front of the box, the stick doubles as a salesperson. Acting at times like a carnival barker, eliciting bets from the players. Never pays.

The stick dealer is also a supervisor? True. You will be expected not only to have total control of the hardest bets to pay (the Props) but also expected to insure proper dealing procedures are adhered to on the the side of the table the dice land on.....YOU are responsible for any mistakes that base dealer may make. The Box watches the dealer's end where the dice were thrown from. Not easy.

The Floorperson is the one who is considered as the overall manager of everything happening at the table. It is possible for the Floor to supervise more than one table at a time. They keep a close eye on players betting patterns and rate their play, average bet etc… They are given the right to approve credit for certain players and who observe the players for any unwanted conduct. We don't use the term Pit Boss. Movies do.

THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE

CHEQUES VS CHIPS
The terms “Chips” and “Cheques” are both referring to a small round clay disc. The term “Chip” is used when that clay disc has no monetary value. The term “Cheque” is used when that clay disc does have monetary value. An easy way you could remember it is “Chip” means its worthless while “Cheque” means it has monetary value.

$1 Cheques can be any color except red green black purple orange or gray. Broken down into small stacks of 5

$5 Cheques are always red. Broken down into small stacks of 5
$25 Cheques are always green. Broken down into small stacks of 4
$100 Cheques are always black Broken down into small stacks of 5
$500 Cheques are usually solid purple or white and purple Broken down into small stacks of 4
$1000 Cheques are normally orange or tan
$5000 Cheques are normally grey

A "stack" is 20 chips
A "rack" is 100 chips

This is a small BANK. How much is in this bank total?
Answer at bottom of page

The Craps Table

The Layout
We'll be discussing the basics of the bets offered that are printed on a craps table layout in this module.
Side Bets (Props)

Seven
Hardways
Horn
Any Craps
Field

Featured Bets

PASS LINE
COME
DONT PASS
DONT COME

The craps table is easier to understand if divided in smaller segments and sections
so you are given the chance to learn them more quickly.
The layout is in two parts.

“Base”
"Stick"

Both outside ends of the table are identical, each with its own dealer. We refer them second and third base. Standing behind the table..... the left side of the table is third base....right side is second base. Four dealers; Stick, second base, third base and the fourth dealer is on break. You will enter the game via the Stick for 20 minutes then each base for 20 minutes each or 40 minutes on one.
The stick dealer in the middle of the game handles most of the side bets "Proposition Bets" ie..."Hardways" and one roll "Hop Bets" that will be explained in detail.

I'll be using a computer model layout for best imagery.
Mobile users should turn phone sideways for a couple of minutes.

The "Seven" This is a one-roll wager. All one-roll wagers are based on the 36 combinations of a pair of dice. 6 ways to roll the 7 - The remaining 30 combinations will lose. The odds of throwing a seven are 5:1....

Just below the Seven are the Hardway Bets. Notice the image below. I have the Hardways circled

As we discussed above in the dice charts, the 4 or 10 can roll three ways. One way wins, the remaining two "easy ways" lose ( plus they lose six ways of the seven. No other number matters. The odds of winning are 8:1
The 6 or 8 can roll five ways. One way wins, the remaining four "easy ways" lose plus six ways of the seven. No other number matters. The odds of winning are 10:1

In the illustration below I have circled popular printed one-roll bets. Basically the player is betting that a 2, 3 11 or 12 will roll next. One roll only. They can be wagered independently $1 each minimum or collectively called a Horn $4 minimum. Notice there are only four number in the Horn but two betting boxes for the 11

If I wager that a 2 or 12 roll next, the odds of winning are 35:1. Casinos won't pay that amount but that is the true odds of winning.
If I wager that a 3 or 11 roll next, the odds of winning are 17:1. Casinos won't pay that amount but that is the true odds of winning.

And at the bottom of the Prop Box Is a space for a $1 minimum bet called Any Craps. Players can wager $1 each on 2, 3 or 12 or they can bet $1 on Any Craps (aka C) meaning if any of the 3 craps numbers 2,3 or 12 roll they win. A combination bet.

Collectively the 2, 3 and 12 have four combinations, the 2 & 12 one way each, the 3 can roll two ways. 4 ways to win 32 ways to lose. The true odds of winning 8:1

Last but not least is the most popular prop bets.
Notice the far left and right of the prop box below.

C is simply Any Craps bet
E is wagering on Eleven
Both bets one-roll only.
All prop bets are $1 minimum each.

There are many C&E spots next to the prop box on both sides no less. It serves as a map of sorts. The bet is so popular, the Stick will position the bet on where the player stands.

Now the Base betting offers on each end of the table.

The Register (4,5,6,8,9,10) as illustrated below. This is where players bet on any or all of the six numbers.
Only you the dealer is allowed to have their hands in here. Consider this area your cash register. No player will be allowed to bet here without your assistance. The reason being as you will soon learn, this area like the prop box the stick dealers works over is not....I repeat NOT a self-serve area. Like the prop box in the middle, these bets are positioned to where the player is standing. Like a map of sorts.

Next up is the Field. This bet is a one-roll self-service bet the players can bet without your assistance. 7 numbers win only 4 numbers lose???

Add up the combinations of winning Field numbers and the combinations of the four numbers that are not in the Field.

Good bet?

Last up, we have four major bets...All four are self-service bets meaning the player can bet without your assistance.

PASS LINE
COME
DONT PASS
DONT COME

Total in bank $163,100