Casino Comps

The first thing you should do when you arrive at the casino is sign up for a players card. These are absolutely free and usually only require your drivers' license. Every time you play either a machine or a table game you will need to use your card. Some of these cards are good at other casinos as well, while some casinos stick to their own card. At a machine there is a slot for you to insert your card while you are playing and at the table game just give it to the dealer. This card allows the casino to track your play and reward you on your time spent, amount spent, etc. The casino will reward you (comp) for your play. This could range from anything to a buffet, dinner, round of golf, or even a free room. Every casino has a different formula for their reward program. Just don't forget to get your card: ITS FREE.

First Time at the Craps Table

Your first time at the craps table should be in the morning or early afternoon hours. This will give you more time to get used to the speed of the game and allow you to gain some confidence in your wagers. Generally the tables are not as busy in the morning hours and the dealers will give you guidance and keep you on the right path. They want you to win; it is not there money you are winning. When you are at the table there will be four people working it. The boxman will be the person sitting down watching all the chips, he is the one in control of the table. The stickman is the one responsible for moving the dice and calling out the points. There are two dealers, one on each end of the table. The dealers are the ones that you will have the most contact with. They move your chips and payout as you win. If you establish a steady betting pattern they will help you most of the time.

Sessions

Gaming can be addictive. No one likes to lose, but with craps you can not keep chasing with scared money. I like to break it up into "sessions". Go to the table with the amount of money you are going to use for this session. Next set a time limit that you can stick with. Sometimes walking away from a table is the best thing. Game until either you have used the allotted monies or you have reached the set time. Remember to treat gaming as entertainment; you could have spent the money on a show.

Craps Technique

Craps is a fast paced game and understanding the odds is the base of being successful. As we have demonstrated knowing how to place bets correctly can be very important to your outcome. As a general rule I avoid all the bets in the center of the table. The odds there are stacked in the houses' favor. The best way to beat the house is by taking advantage of the odds bet. On the previout post I showed how to place a come bet. I forgot to mention that while your bet is in the come box it can be a winner by a 7 or 11 and a loser by 2,3,12. It does give you slight protection on the 7; at least you will win a unit on the come box. Try this method and let me know how it works for you. There are other methods that can be used as well. Click here for information on the 6 and 8 method.

Simple Method

One of the first methods I learned at the craps table was to play the pass line with odds and the come box. The easist bet is the pass line, and as we discussed earlier the odds bet behind it. The same thing can be done with the come box. After the point has been established and you have put your odds bet behind it place your unit bet in the "COME" box. This will establish a second point. When a second number is rolled that is your second point. Now lay your odds bet down and tell the dealer "odds on___". This gives you two points in which to make money. I like to start out with three points. This is a very conservative method and can make money with minimal risk.

Odds Bets

Placing the odds bet increases your win while lowering the house edge. I'll explain: If the point was 4 and you placed $20 on the pass line with no odds your win would be $40 (1 to 1). Now taking the same $20 ($5 on the pass line and $15 odds) has a payout of $55(1 to 1 on the $5 and true odds of 2 to 1 on the $15), thus making you an extra $15 by placing the correct bet. You should always take advantage of the odds. Some casinos are giving up to 6 times on odds. They are the only bet in the casino where you are paid true odds.

Craps can appear to be overwhelming at first glance, but with a few betting tips and a knowledge of the odds, you can minimize the house's edge. Always remember the house does have an edge. They did not build these casinos with out it. The methodology we try to use is simple: wager with your brain not your guts. Following in the next post will be simple ways to wager on the craps table.