Global Sports: How To Play Craps - How To Win At Craps

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

How To Play Craps - How To Win At Craps

By James A. Tomlinson

Anyone can easily pinpoint the craps table when the payouts are hot. It's the one where all the commotion is, loud with screams, cheering and shouting. Winning craps players are completely opposite from controlled and studious blackjack players.

Beginners just learning how to play craps are nervous the first time they approach the craps table. There is a first time for everyone, though, and nearly every beginner felt intimidated initially. With a little bit of knowledge and some hands on observation, you'll loosen up and scream right along with the rest of them.

Craps strategy is much easier than people initially think. The game may appear overwhelming at first, but upon closer observation, it is easy to grasp how everything works. You can learn how to play craps quickly if you want.

If you are learning how to play craps and the game is heated, you won't have time to ask questions. Keep your head and stick to small simple bets at first. Initially, you might do more observing than betting while you are learning how to play craps.

There are countless strategies for betting in the game, and it will take some time to grasp the more advanced ones. Simple basic craps strategy at the first is best, working your way on to new techniques as you gain more experience.

Before jumping rashly right into craps strategy, familiarize yourself with how everything works first. Study the table layout and understand the personnel who run it.

The craps tables common in casinos nowadays are double layout. The personnel who operate the table are the boxman, the stickman, the dealers, and the floorman.

The boxman is seated on the craps table's long side, guarding chips and taking money collected by the dealers. Think of him as the game supervisor and banker. Typically dressed in a suit and tie, his word is final in the resolution of any disputes that arise.

The stickman, as you might guess, uses a lengthy stick to manipulate the dice on the craps table. He/she operates directly across from the boxman and calls the game. As soon as all payouts for a roll are complete, the stickman returns the dice to the shooter.

The center layout of the craps table is the stickman's turf or territory. At the end of each roll, he announces the results and urges players to place their bets. All proposition bets, or "one roll bets," are placed through the stickman.

Dealers are located on both sides. They take bets, handle payoffs, and collect on losing bets. The players surround the two side areas. Dealers are not supposed to touch the craps players.

A floorman usually supervises several tables at once, making sure everything is operating smoothly. He also authorizes credit for players.

The one handling the dice is the shooter, who is selected from among the craps players. Shooters are only allowed to use one hand whenever handling the dice. Don't toy with proper casino etiquette; the personnel are not amused. Big bets are being placed and most gamblers are serious on this issue.

The dice are not to be tampered with at any time. The shooter cannot switch the dice back and forth between their hands, either. Rules about dice handling are very particular.

It is perfectly acceptable to let the shooting opportunity pass to another player if you don't want to shoot or feel you cannot abide by the rules.

A few other responsibilities come with the position of shooter. The dice must be thrown, and they must bounce off the table's far side wall. The dice must not be thrown any higher than the eyes of the dealers. The dice cannot land on the boxman's chips or the dealers' money.

Another important thing to remember: place money exchanges onto the table layout. Do not hand them directly to the dealers because they are not allowed to touch the craps players.

After placing your money on the table layout, give the dealer instructions as to where the money is to be placed, such as "change only," or the amount of the bet you are placing.

Now you have the basics down concerning the table layout and the table personnel's responsibility. You are ready now to move on into more advanced craps strategy such as types of bets. You can learn how to play craps if you take it slow and focus on more advanced techniques a little at a time, getting the basics down first.

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