Craps (version 2) – Part 1 of 5

Mike: Hello everyone, I'm Mike Shackleford, often referred to as 'The Wizard of Odds.' If you've come across some of my gambling-related videos before, you'll find that today we're diving deep into the game of Craps. I'm excited to have Angela Wyman with me, my top dealer from Las Vegas, who you might remember from some older craps footage we made four years back. We're also joined by Dan Lubin, our dealer, so it's great to see the entire team back together again, even if I have a bit more gray in my hair now! I'm eager to enhance the content from our previous discussions.

This time around, my plan is to keep things concise and straightforward.

Question 1 - [00:46]

Angela: All right, so I've decided I want to join in. What’s the proper way to approach the table to get some chips?

Mike: That's a fantastic question! The first step is to find an open position at the table. Once you find a spot, make sure you have your cash ready. I can lend you some of mine as a starter.

Angela: No pockets.

[laughter]

Mike: Now, the key is to wait until you see that black chip labeled 'OFF,' which should be positioned on the Don't Come Bar. This indicates that the dice aren't in play at the moment, and it's the right time for you to buy chips and place your bets.

Angela: Okay.

Mike: I see—everything is set correctly. Let's go ahead and make our buy-in.

Once the dealer hands your chips over to you, remember to stack them on the rack right here.

Angela: All right.

Mike: Let me share a quick note about the table: it should only have chips and cash on top. You definitely want to avoid placing drinks, ashtrays, or your bag up here. It's all about keeping it focused on money.

There’s a lower shelf where you can safely put down your drinks and personal items. I've often been corrected by dealers for putting drinks on the main table [Angela laughs], and I still find myself making that mistake. They really enforce this rule quite strictly.

Angela: So essentially, you’re advising me to keep my area free of clutter?

Mike: [laughs] Yes, precisely. Keep your area tidy. All right, let’s get into the game itself and discuss the bets available. I’d just like to remind you that everything I mention can be found on my website, so feel free to visit internetradiomercedes.com if you need any further clarification.

The basic bet in craps is known as the Pass Line, which you can spot right here. This is the most common wager made by nearly 90% of players. The reason why I find craps so enjoyable is because there's a collective experience—everyone at the table is rooting for the same outcome. When a Pass Line bet wins, it typically results in a win for the entire table, creating a wonderful shared excitement.

You might ask how the Pass Line betting mechanism functions.

Angela: That was my next question! [laughs]

Mike: It can be a bit complex, but let's break it down. During the first roll, known as the Come Out Roll, if you roll a seven or an eleven, you win at even money. However, rolling a two, three, or twelve results in an immediate loss. For all other numbers—four, five, six, eight, nine, or ten—if one of them is rolled first, that number becomes the 'point.' For instance, if your initial roll is a ten, the dealer will place a marker on ten on the table, indicating the current point. Your goal then becomes to keep rolling the dice until you hit either a ten or a seven. If you roll the ten first, congratulations, you win; if a seven rolls first, you lose.

I realize this might seem a little perplexing, so let’s go through a few practice rounds for clarity, okay?

Angela: Sure, that sounds great! [chuckles]

Mike: All right, so during the come out roll, indicated by the puck being in the off position, you can safely make your Pass Line bet. Please place your wager on the Pass Line now.

The stickman will then present you with five dice, and you might wonder why there are five since craps only uses two. It’s to accommodate players’ superstitions—some may feel that among these five, two dice will bring them luck. So go ahead and pick any two dice you like!

Angela: Can I touch all of them, or should I just grab a couple?

Question 2 - [05:19]

Mike: You should pick your two, and the stickman will remove the remaining three. You'll then be set to roll the dice. As for how to throw, you may be curious whether to toss them high or slide them across the table. You can choose either method; personally, I prefer to toss them up for a little flair, but be mindful of any nearby chip stacks since they could get knocked over. It’s your choice!

Mike: You can touch them.

Angela: All right, got two.

Mike: Just ensure they hit the far side of the table.

Angela: Okay. All right.

Angela: Okay, got it! [laughs] I’m not much into lobbing them.

Mike: All right then, Angela. Since you won the last round, you get to roll again until you don’t win.

Mike: All right, you’ve got an 11, you win.

Dan: All right.

Mike: The stickman just called 'Eight Easy Eight,' meaning the point now is eight. Now you need to roll an eight again, avoiding the seven. Keep rolling until one of those outcomes occurs.

Angela: I like this game. [chuckles]

Dan: Eight easy eight.

Mike: You rolled a nine; that doesn't impact anything. Go ahead and roll once more.

Angela: Okay.

Mike: Okay.

Angela: All right. I got to practice.

Dan: Nine, centerfield nine.

Mike: Great! A winning Pass Line bet pays even money. Grab your winnings! That covers the basics of the Pass Line bet.

Angela: All right.

Dan: Eight, winner eight.

[ Mike: Winner, winner.

Angela: Yay, all right.

Mike: Next, we’ll move on to another bet known as the Odds Bet. This is an option that nearly all players will take, and it’s a fantastic wager since it’s the only bet in a casino table game that has no house edge. In any casino game, you should always aim to tilt the odds in your favor as much as possible, and this is the prime opportunity to do so with fair odds.

Angela: Okay.

The Odds Bet functions as a secondary bet made after confirming your Pass Line bet, once a point is established. This bet then operates under the same win/lose conditions as your Pass Line bet.

[ Mike: However, since the seven is the most rolled number, once a point is established, the probability of losing your Pass Line bet rises. To compensate for this, the Odds Bet provides fair statistical payouts. Specifically, a point of four or ten pays two to one, five or nine pays three to two, and six or eight pays six to five. All these odds are statistically fair with no house advantage.

Angela: Okay.

Now, let's go through another round, but this time we’ll back up our Pass Line bet with Odds.

Mike: All right, so you’ll still be the shooter.

Angela: Okay.

Mike: We kick things off with our Pass Line bet, beginning with a Come Out Roll. It’s your turn!

Angela: All right.

Mike: Okay, the point rolled is nine. You might be curious about how much you can stake on the Odds since it is advantageous. There are indeed limits to the amount you can bet. Most casinos employ the 'Three, Four, Five Times Rule,' which allows you to bet up to three times your Pass Line bet on a point of four or ten, four times on five or nine, and five times on six or eight. Typically, you’ll find a poster indicating this at the edge of the table. But if you're unclear, don't hesitate to ask the dealers for guidance—they'll be happy to assist.

Angela: All right. [rolls the dice]

Dan: Nine. Points nine, mark it up.

Let’s assume—hypothetically—this table allows 20 times odds.

Mike: But let’s say we're at a standard Strip casino with the three, four, five times odds rule in place. On a point of nine, you can bet four times your Pass Line wager. If we both placed $10 on the Pass Line, we’re allowed to place a $40 bet on the Odds, and this should be positioned right behind your Pass Line wager, just outside of the line. That’s the procedure.

Angela: Oh, yes.

Angela: Okay. Nothing for luck, right? [chuckles]

Angela: All right. Yes.

Dan: Six.

Mike: So nothing happens there.

Mike: Correct! It increases your time at the table without any added expense.

Angela: I really like this. [chuckles] More chances to order complimentary drinks!

Mike: Absolutely! Just remember, after the Come Out Roll, a seven is a bad roll, but let’s try this again.

Mike: Exactly.

Angela: Tip your waitress. [laughs]

Mike: Yes, you should. [laughs]

[dice rolls]

Dan: Seven out.

Mike: Okay.

Angela: Seven.

Mike: We lost.

Dan: 09.

Dan: [unintelligible 10:15] Here in this game, it draws us in and brings us down, so now’s the time to place your bets with the dice at the center.

Angela: Okay.

Mike: Okay.

Mike: All right, since you rolled a seven, the dice will now shift to the next shooter sitting to your left, which is me! Now it’s my turn. [rolls the dice]

Angela: [giggles]

Mike: And...the point is six! For a point of six in most casinos, you’re allowed to bet five times your initial Pass Line wager. Since we both bet $5, multiplying that by five means we can place a $25 bet on the Odds. So, let’s place a $25 Odds bet.

Dan: Six, came a hard way.

Mike: Our $25 Odds bet will pay at six to five odds, meaning six-tenths of it will equal $30. So we just won $30 with this bet. The Pass Line wager pays out at even money, which means now we’re back in the come out roll. Please collect your winnings and place a new wager.

Angela: All right.

Mike: And. [rolls the dice]

Dan: Six, winner six.

Angela: Woo.

Mike: All right.

Dan: Right in the line.

Angela: I think I'm starting to grasp the foundational concept. But what if I already have my bet down, and I’d like to place additional bets while waiting for those numbers to come through—what should I do?

Question 3 - [11:23]

Mike: There are a variety of bets available, but I’m going to tell you about the best options out there, all right?

Mike: Yes.

Question 4 - [11:33]

Angela: So, what can I bet there?

Mike: It all starts back with the Come Out Roll. Let’s do this! And you can be the next shooter.

Angela: All right.

Angela: Woo, I’m excited to keep practicing! [chuckles]

Mike: Additionally, many players opt for two dice that sum up to seven to begin with, as they believe in superstitions revolving around rolling a seven during the Come Out Roll. If you want to impress others at the table, choosing two dice that total seven is a neat trick!

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Angela: All right. Done. [laughs]

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Angela: All right.

Dan: Ace deuce, come away, line away.

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Mike: Hello everyone, I’m Mike Shackleford, also known as 'The Wizard of Odds.' You might recall some of my previous gambling tutorials. Today, we'll focus on the game of Craps. I’m thrilled to have my favorite dealer from Las Vegas, Angela Wyman, joining me. You might remember her from my old craps sessions filmed four years ago. Plus, we have our dealer Dan Lubin with us again. The whole team is reunited after four years! My hair may have a bit more gray, but I’m excited to enhance our previous discussions.

This time, I plan to keep things more concise and straightforward.

Angela: Sure! I’d like to learn how to approach the table and get some chips to play.

Angela: Not at all.

Mike: That’s a great question! First, look for an open spot at the table, and prepare your money. Here, let me share some of mine to get us started.

Mike: Yes, now all you need to do is wait for the black OFF chip to be placed in the designated spot on the Don’t Come Bar. When you see that, it indicates the dice are not currently active, and it's the perfect moment for you to buy chips and place your bets.

Angela: Okay.

Mike: Great, it’s positioned correctly. Now let’s buy in.

Once the dealer slides the chips over to you, be sure to place them on the rack designated for them.

Dan: Six, easy six. [unintelligible 13:30]

Mike: Now, just a quick note about the table setup: only chips and money should sit on the top. You don't want any ashtrays, drinks, or bags cluttering that space as it’s all about the game.

Angela: Okay.

There’s a lower shelf for drinks or personal items. I've definitely learned this the hard way and had dealers remind me quite sternly [Angela laughs] about not putting drinks up top. It's a rule that they enforce quite seriously.

Angela: Oh, okay.

Mike: Okay. Your turn, shooter.

Angela: Okay.

Dan: Eight, winners.

Mike: All right.

Angela: Yay. All right. [laughs]

Angela: So you're saying I should keep my area clean?

Mike: [laughs] Exactly! Keep your area tidy. Alright, let's dive into the game and the various bets available. By the way, everything I explain is also detailed on my website. So if anything seems unclear, please check out internetradiomercedes.com for more info.

Angela: All right.

Dan: Eight, easy eight.

Angela: Eight.

The fundamental bet in Craps is the Pass Line bet, visible right here. Often, around 90% of players will place this bet. The excitement in Craps stems from the fact that the entire table either wins or loses together. When the Pass Line bet hits, everyone usually celebrates a win, creating a collective thrill that can be really contagious. That’s what draws many players to this game.

Angela: And again.

Dan: What a lucky shooter.

Mike: Absolutely.

Dan: Aces. On a white double.

You might wonder how the Pass Line actually functions.

Angela: Oh, yes.

Angela: That’s exactly what I was about to ask! [laughs]

Angela: Okay.

Dan: Five, no feel.

Mike: It can be a bit intricate, but let me break it down for you. On the initial roll, known as the Come Out Roll, if a seven or eleven is rolled, you win even money. Conversely, rolling a two, three, or twelve results in an instant loss. For any of the numbers four, five, six, eight, nine, or ten, if one of those is the first number rolled, it becomes the 'point'. So, for example, if you roll a ten first, a marker will be placed on ten to signify that as the point. Your goal will then be to keep rolling the dice until you hit either a ten or a seven. If a ten comes up first, you win, but if a seven appears first, you lose.

I know it seems a bit complicated, but let’s go through a few examples together to make it clearer, alright?

Dan: Nine, centerfield nine.

Mike: Okay.

Angela: [laughs]

Angela: Sounds good! [chuckles]

Angela: Fantastic.

Mike: So during the Come Out Roll—indicated again by the puck in the OFF position—it’s a good time to place a Pass Line bet. Please place your wager right there on the Pass Line.

Angela: Oh, thank you. [rolls dice]

Dan: Eight, winner- [crosstalk]

The stick man will now slide five dice your way, and you might be curious why there are five dice when we only use two. This is to assist those superstitious players who might believe one of those two dice is particularly lucky. Feel free to choose any two you like from those five.

Dan: What a lucky shooter.

Mike: Absolutely.

Angela: [giggles]

Mike: Okay.

Angela: All right.

Mike: New come out roll.

Dan: Easy eight.

Angela: Am I allowed to touch them all or just grab a couple?

Angela: Okay. Great.

Mike: You can pick your two, and the stick man will take back the remaining three. Now you’re ready to make your roll. You might also be wondering about how to throw the dice. Should you toss them high or roll them down the table? You can choose either; personally, I prefer tossing them up for a more dramatic effect, though there is a slight risk of disturbing the chips stacked on the table. But ultimately, it's all up to you.

Angela: Oh. [laughs]

Dan: Nine, centerfield nine.

Mike: Just ensure they land on the far side.

Angela: All right.

Angela: Got it. Sorry. I’m not the lob type.

Mike: Okay. Since you won last time, you’ll roll again until you don’t win.

Mike: The stick man just called 'Eight Easy Eight,' which means eight is now the point you’re aiming for. Yourgoal remains to roll an eight again while avoiding a seven; keep rolling until one of those occurs.

Dan: Seven up seven.

Angela: Seven.

Mike: Oh, it had to end eventually.

Angela: Aw.

Mike: You just rolled a nine, which doesn’t affect anything. So roll again.

Question 5 - [17:52]

Mike: Great! A winning Pass Line bet pays you even money, so you can take your winnings now.

Mike: Next, let’s discuss the Odds Bet. Many players at the table will make this bet, and it's fantastic since it’s the only wager you can place in a casino that has no house edge. It’s critical to get favorable odds whenever you can in casino games, and this one provides you with statistically fair chances.

Angela: Okay. Yes.

The Odds Bet is an additional wager you make after establishing your Pass Line bet, once a point has been set. You need this point to come before a seven to win, just like with your Pass Line bet.

Angela: Yes.

Dan: Point is five, mark it up.

Mike: However, it’s worth mentioning that because a seven is the most commonly rolled number, you may find yourself losing your Pass Line bet quite often after a point is established. To offset this, Odds Bets are structured to always pay out statistically fair odds. Specifically, if the point is a four or ten, it pays out at 2 to 1; for five or nine, it's 3 to 2; and for six or eight, it's 6 to 5. All these payouts represent true odds with no advantage for the house.

Dan: Four.

Let’s try again, this time backing up our Pass Line bet with an Odds Bet.

Angela: Odds on the come bet.

Dan: One too many.

Mike: You’re still the shooter.

Dan: Nine, centerfield nine.

Mike: We start with our Pass Line bet and always begin with a Come Out Roll. It’s your turn!

Dan: Right $25, $5 change.

Mike: Alright, the point is now nine. You might be thinking about how much you can wager on the Odds. Because it lacks a house edge, you’ll want to bet as much as possible. However, there are limits on how much you can stake. Many casinos implement the 'Three, Four, Five Times Rule.' This means you can bet three times your Pass Line on a four or ten, four times on a five or nine, and five times on a six or eight. This info is usually posted around the table, but if you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to ask the dealers—they're happy to help.

Dan: Okay.

Angela: Thank you.

Mike: And let's make new come bets.

Angela: All right.

Mike: Every single time.

Let's hypothetically say that this table offers 20 times odds.

Mike: But in a typical Strip casino, you're generally looking at three, four, or five times odds. With a point of nine, you'll be allowed to place four times your Pass Line bet. Since we each bet $10, we can wager $40 on the Pass Line. To set your Odds Bet, simply position it behind the Pass Line wager, just outside the line. That’s all there is to it. Now, the dice are in your hands.

Angela: Okay. Nothing else for luck? [chuckles]

Mike: Nope, it just extends your playtime without extra cost.

Angela: Okay. All right.

Angela: I love this. [chuckles] More opportunities to order complimentary drinks.

Angela: That's okay.

Mike: Exactly! After the Come Out Roll, a seven ends the round, so let’s give it another shot.

Dan: Nine, centerfield nine.

Dan: [unintelligible 10:15] It's crucial to get in now while the dice are still centered.

Angela: Thank you.

Mike: Make a new come bet.

Mike: Alright, and since you rolled a seven, it’s time for the dice to move to the next shooter on your left, which would be me. Now, it’s my turn. [rolls the dice]

Mike: And keep rolling until seven out.

Dan: Seven out seven.

Mike: Oh.

Mike: Okay, the point is six. With a point of six, most casinos allow you to bet up to five times your Pass Line wager. We each put in $5, so five times five gives us a $25 bet. Now, let’s place a $25 bet there.

Mike: Our $25 Odds Bet will pay at 6 to 5 odds. Essentially, six for every five you wager means 1.2 times $25 gives you $30 in winnings. Your Pass Line bet also pays out at even money, so now is the time to collect your earnings and place a new bet.

Angela: I think I’ve grasped the fundamental concept, but what if I’ve already set that bet and now want to place another while waiting for the numbers to play out—what should I do next?

Question 6 - [22:31]

Mike: There are plenty of betting options available, but I’m going to share the optimal bet to make with you.

Mike: We’ll kick things off with the Come Out Roll. So let’s get started. You’ll take your turn as the next shooter.

Angela: Okay.

Angela: Woo, I’m going to continue practicing! [chuckles] internetradiomercedes.com.

Written by: Michael Shackleford