The Dos and Don'ts of playing Craps

by Bodog Casino | Dec 15 2008

If you ever want to shine like you’re a rapper with his own clothing line, Craps is the game to play.

If Hollywood has taught us anything – a couple of wins at Craps garners you mountains of chips, at least two lady-friends to blow on your dice (we mean that literally of course), and the attention of everyone in the casino.

But trust us, the money, fame and ladies won’t be coming if you’re not acting right at the table.

So, to make sure you’re rolling dice like a movie scene and not like a broke tourist, we’re giving you some dos and don’ts to follow.

Do: Know How the Game Works First
Hope we’re not asking too much? If you’re a new player you probably think you win at Craps by rolling non-stop sevens and avoiding the dreaded “snake eyes”. But it’s a bit more complicated than that. If you simply play the “pass” and “don’t pass” lines the game will remain relatively simple. However, if you plan on spreading your wealth on most of the table you need to know the odds, payouts and general rules.

To get the basics on how the game works, we suggest checking out the Craps section in the Bodog Casino.

Don’t: Get Caught in the Moment
Like we said earlier, whenever Hollywood showcases Craps the player is on an uncanny winning streak and everyone is having a great time. It can happen but losing streaks can be just as likely. So don’t go overboard and start doubling and tripling your bets mindlessly. You’ll have much more fun at Craps if you last longer than five minutes.

Do: Be the “Shooter” for More Fun
The “shooter” in Craps is the one who rolls the dice for himself and the other players. Some people are scared to hold the wins or losses of an entire table in their clammy hands. But if you want to get that Vegas-playboy feeling we suggest you suck it up and take the dice if you get the chance.

Do: Follow Craps Etiquette
Craps has some table rules that you need to follow in order to avoid looking like a Grade A putz. Some of the more important ones are: Players are not supposed to handle the dice with more than one hand. This keeps the “shooter” from illegally swapping dice. When throwing the dice, the “shooter” is expected to hit the farthest wall at the opposite end of the table. And nobody should EVER say seven on the “come out” (aka the first roll of the game) roll. It’s considered bad luck.

Do: Make Side Bets
“Pass” and “come” wagers aren’t the only places to make good money in Craps. You can bet to hit just seven, bet on the “Yo” (bet just to hit 11), or even “any craps” (bet to hit 2, 3, or 12). Side wagers will make the game more interesting and could potentially make you more money.

Don’t: Hedge Bets Just Yet
Although there are certain ways in craps to hedge your bets and make money, we suggest holding off on doing that until you’ve learned every nuance of the game. We’re sure betting $25 on ”any  craps” (7-1) to protect a $100 “pass line” bet on the first roll seems like a great idea, but keep in mind the house has a significant edge in this game.

Don’t: Touch John McCain!
This may be the most important advice of all. McCain loves him some craps but supposedly has a temper while playing. And we’re sure his fuse will be really short after getting smoked in the 2008 presidential elections.

One example of his irritability while playing is a story from John Dearth, publisher of The New Republic. He told thedailybeast.com that McCain was playing at a Craps table with him in Puerto Rico and wasn’t keeping his hands above the table when the dice were thrown (another rule in most casinos). When a “regular” customer attempted to reach out to pull McCain’s arm away, a maverick-sized tirade ensued. Dearth states that: “McCain immediately turned to the woman and said between clenched teeth: ‘Don’t touch me. Do you know who I am? Do you know who you’re talking to?’”

So, yeah… if you want to avoid being taken out by his security team, we suggest you avoid any Craps table he’s playing at.

Play online craps at the Bodog Casino.