Craps
The dice game of
“Craps” has a special appeal on account of its wide range of
bets, subtle strategies and exciting dice rolls.
The Casino acts as the bank and four stewards assist the game: the
“boxman” who supervises the game, the “stickman” who
announces the results of the throws and collects the dice and two
base dealers who place, collect and pay out the bets.
The table is divided
into a central part and two side sections know as “bases”; the
baize top or “layout”, is marked with the various stake
sectors.
Sixteen players may sit around the table, eight per
base.
While acting as “shooter”, players have to lay an
obligatory stake on either the “pass line” or the “don’t
pass” line as well as on other combinations if they wish. The other
players can also bet on the result of the “shooter’s” roll.
The game begins with
the “come out” or first roll.
If the
result is 7 or 11 (called the “winner” roll), the “pass line”
wins; this is defined as “natural”. If the result is 2, 3 or 12,
the “pass line” loses. This is called “craps”.
The
opposite of this is true for “don’t pass” stakes. The only
difference is that a roll of 12 results in a tie or “stand off”.
Any other number
resulting from the throw is defined as the “shooter’s point”;
if this happens the “dealer” flips a
button known as the “puck” to the “on side” and positions it
in the relative box on the table.
The second stage in
the game, known as the “midgame” then begins. The shooter
continues to throw the dice until the “point” number is rolled
again or a 7.
If the point number is rolled first, the “point is
made” and the “pass line” wins. Whereas, if the seven is
rolled first, known as “seven-out”, the shooter loses both their
“pass line” stake and the right to throw the dice. If the shooter
has bet on the “don’t pass” line they win the bet but still
lose the right to throw the dice.
A “seven out”
throw always means that the
dice are moved clockwise around the table for the next player to
become shooter.
When the point is
established, i.e. In the second phase of the game, a “pass line”
stake can be increased but not withdrawn or reduced, whereas a
“don’t pass” stake can be withdrawn
or reduced but not increased.
When the point is established,
“come” or “don’t come” stakes can also be placed.
A
“come” stake wins with 7 or 11 and is paid evens (1 to 1), but it
loses with 2, 3 or 12. If an “across” number is thrown, like 4,
5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, the stake is moved into the box number and can be
reinforced with an “odds” stake.
The “come” stake in the “box number”:
- Wins if the same
number is rolled again and is paid evens (1 to 1);
- Loses
with a roll of 7 or “seven out”;
- Remains in play with any
other number;
- It cannot be withdrawn or reduced and eventual “odds” stakes are decided by the player.
A “don’t come” stake wins with a roll of 2 or 3 and is paid evens (1 to 1). And ties with a roll of 12 (bar). If any other number is rolled, including the “across” numbers, the stake is moved by the dealer into the “behind” position, behind the number. In this position the stake is known as “don’t come behind” and it:
- Wins with
a roll of 7 or “seven out”;and is paid evens (1 to 1);
- Loses
if the same number is rolled again;
- Remains in play with any
other number;
- It can be withdrawn or reduced and it can be reinforced by a supplementary “lay odds” stake.
“pass line”
stakes laid with the point established and
“come" stakes added by the “dealer” to the “box number”
in the second phase of the game, can be reinforced by extra bets
called “odds”, i.e. With stakes that are multiples of ten up to a
maximum limit that is equal to the stake or double the stake, “double
odds”. “odds” stakes can be withdrawn or reduced or increased
to the maximum stake limit and payments are the following:
- 2 to 1 for 4 or
10,
- 3 to 2 for 5 or 9,
- 6 to 5 for 6 or 8.
“Don’t pass”
stakes laid with the point established and “don’t come"
stakes added to the “behind” box following an “across” number
roll in the second phase of the game, can be reinforced by extra bets
called “lay odds”.
If a “seven-out” is rolled, “lay odds”.
Are paid as follows:
- 1
to
2 for 4 or 10,
- 2
to 3 for 5 or 9,
- 5 to 6 for 6 or 8.
“Lay odds”
stakes can be withdrawn, reduced or increased to the maximum limit
at any moment in the game.
There are also the
“buy” and “lay bet” stakes.
With
a “buy” stake, the player who wishes to lay a “place bet” can
choose to pay a percentage of 5% on top of the stake and in the event
of a win be paid as follows:
- 2 to 1 for 4 or 10,
- 3
to 2 for 5 or 9,
- 6 to 5 for 6 or 8.
“Lay” and “lay bet” stakes, on the other hand, are stakes laid against the chance of an “across” line number being rolled. These are made directly and 5% of any win is taken by the Casino. With these bets the player bets on the 7 being rolled before the number they have staked against.
A “lay bet”
wins if a 7 is rolled, but it loses if the
number it is staked against is rolled. If another number is rolled,
the bet remains. This stake is popular with players looking for a
winning 7 as it protects them against the risk of the initial round.
Considering
the relatively high probability of a 7 being thrown,
as with other “lay” type stakes, “lay bet” wins have reversed
payouts, which, when playing against the number, are:
-
1 to 2 for 4 or 10,
- 2
to 3 for 5 or 9,
- 5 to 6 for 6 or 8.
Proposition bet
Stakes played
on just one roll of the dice:
craps 8 x 1
11-16x 1
2-31
x 1
3-16 x1
12-31 x1
any seven 5 x 1
New stakes called “lucky bets”
Stakes played on
just one roll of the dice:
Double 2.
Double 3
Double
4
Double 5
Pay 31 x 1
The 4-5-6-8-9-10 combinations pay 16x1
The only italian Casino where players can stake double odds
