Dice at the Craps Table

[Ray Eklund]

The dice used at a Craps Table in a Casino have six sides each.

They have 'pips' or to some, white spots, for each of the six sides. One pip for a one, Six pips for a six and so on.

Many spectators look at the Craps Layout with a colorful arrangement of numbers, combinations of dice illustrations in the center of the table. The players, themselves are tossing Casino Chips that appear to be randomly tossed, while the End Dealers quietly place the wager and in the exact position on the table that represents where the wager came from.

For those persons who are mathematically well versed in Algebra, Geometry and Calculus... it is bewildering what is occurring at the Craps Table. What appears to be up to 12 adults giving commands to three dealers keeping order... to outsiders it is chaos.

I offer some questions and will respond to questions myself. Craps is like a complicated Concert of Instruments and Musical notes. It works the same.

How many ways can a SEVEN be thrown with a pair of six sided Dice?

How many ways can a pair of two dice get a 4 on top of both dice at the same time?

What is a Hard Way? How many are there?

Why do Casino Table Games have a minimum and maximum wager limit?

If an Airstream Owner wanted to Double His Money on ONE TOSS of the Dice... where you make the wager?

...and if no one cares to play this challenge, fine. We could try identifying rocks and minerals that would require extensive reading and study. While Craps, appears to be beyond comprehension can be explained on the surface of ONE Playing Card.

Let the Game Begin... or not.

Nancy and I dealt Craps for Las Vegas Nights and trained our own Dealers. Many were employed by Missouri River Boat Casinos. Nancy also dealt Blackjack, Roulette and Let it Ride. Do we gamble on these table games? How do YOU think we paid for our Tow Vehicle and Airstream?

You may be surprised.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Why do Casino Table Games have a minimum and maximum wager limit?

I enjoy Vegas although I don't gamble. I'm not opposed to it, it's just that I never win.
Once I walked through the Venetian and passed a card table with a couple Oriental gentlemen playing. The tables were widely spaced.
A sign said "Minimum bet $5000".
I kept moving.

Why a minimum bet? To keep the Riff Raff out.
Why a maximum bet? To protect the house.

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I enjoy Vegas although I don't gamble. I'm not opposed to it, it's just that I never win.
Once I walked through the Venetian and passed a card table with a couple Oriental gentlemen playing. The tables were widely spaced.
A sign said "Minimum bet $5000".
I kept moving.

Why a minimum bet? To keep the Riff Raff out.
Why a maximum bet? To protect the house.

******
Dealers rarely gamble.

Your minimum and maximum bet answer is pretty much 'on the money'.

We do not play the tables. It is more interesting to watch others play and quietly critique their game plan and bankroll. Many players need to take some classes on how to wager and play a 'tight game plan'.

We play the 5 cent Video Poker and 5 cent Keno. We were ahead at the time everything closed down. Enough to buy a new tire for the Airstream if we quit.

My earliest memory is Reno when my parents stopped when driving to Montana from California. This was 1960. They won some money on the Blackjack Table.

The table games paid in Silver Dollars in those days. If you bought gasoline and had change coming... Silver Dollars... not paper bills.

[pmclemore]

I like craps - and I guess it's a good thing I can only go to casinos when I travel.

Six ways to roll seven. One in six are the odds. Most likely number to come up.
3 ways to roll 4.

Hardways? two, four, six eight, ten, twelve. Dice roll aces, deuces, treys, fours and sixes, respectively.

Limits build character. Probably not the reason here, though.

Pass line bet has the best odds to win your bet.

My hat is off to craps dealers. There is always a lot going on and they rarely make mistakes. Nice folks, too.

Pat

[Ray Eklund]

Pat... very good! You understand Craps.

Many new players have a difficult time trying to keep track of the Odds wagers payoffs among the SIX POINT numbers (4,5,6,8,9,10). (Read up a little on the terminology if anyone wants to learn a bit more.)

If you have a FOUR showing on top, flip them over and... a TEN.
If you have a FIVE showing on top, flip them over and a NINE.
If you have a SIX showing on top, flip them over and an EIGHT.

If you learn the Odds that a dice outcome pays on the 4, 5 and 6, the flip side is exactly the same.

Odds are determined by how many ways a number can be rolled, compared to the SIX ways a SEVEN can be an outcome. But... there are those Craps Players who PLAY with the Don't Pass/Come. You can play with the House, or against the House. Anyone understand what the Payoff difference would be?

Example: A Four is Rolled. It can be rolled THREE different ways a 1-3, 2-2 and 3-1. The odds are then 6 ways to lose (4-3, 5-2, 6-1, 1-6, 2-5, 3-4) to the 3 ways to win, which is you are paid TWO times your Odds bet.

Craps is a remarkable 'game'. It is pure mathematics. If you make a wager that is not proper at the table... the Dealer will 'help you' by saying NO Bet. Then 'educate' you in the proper way to make that wager.

[pmclemore]

Ray,

I have found that craps is the best way to lose your money slowly, provided you play correctly.

Pat

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Ray,

I have found that craps is the best way to lose your money slowly, provided you play correctly.

Pat

******
I never made one dollar profit playing Craps, except at our Las Vegas Nights and Classes.

I AM an expert. I am not superstitious. I do not Set the Dice and pay to be taught. I know the Odds favor the House. System Players lose slowly. Newbies lose much faster and make room at the table for a System Player who still has some money left.

Your statement should be a title of a BOOK.

I could not buy a roll of scotch tape after playing Craps for a decade or more with winnings.

I had my own 14 and 12 foot Craps Tables, Roulette Tables and wheels, Slot Machines (antique reel machines). I could not beat my own tables, my own slot machines and Roulette... just drown me in a Swamp would be more pleasant way to die.

Entertainment. If you are ahead... quit forever.

Invested our money smartly. Paid taxes. Purchased our new first 2006 Airstream long after quitting the Gaming Business and now play NICKEL machines for the Comps and Ice Cold Beer for a tip.

Even the House can lose in the short term. Even a Player can win during the short term.

There is more money made by writing a book. Most author's have to make up Winners from the past, as they are dead and cannot refute the author.

But... I was tempted last night to buy in for $100 to play at the table at a local Casino for a short game... but no dealers were available, as no players were there to play. The Craps Supervisor was dealing Blackjack. I needed some gas money for our next trip.. you know, from winnings I expected to leave with.

Wearing face masks made it difficult for the smokers and the 'free' beer I had in my hand... well I cheated and managed...

Could have been a winning evening... or not. I have WON BIG with the Pit Boss offering Show Tickets and Dinners to stick around. But over time... the win gets whittled down and back to Even. But... man... did I have FUN trying to beat the House.

Just wear the same clothes every day and wash them once a week... kind of thing. Money saved for a Bankroll and then.... repeat.