The stickman presents a selection of dice–usually five–from which the player selects two. Rules for Dice HandlingĬertain rules also govern the way dice are handled at a casino craps table. The stickman inspects the dice after each use, the dice usually being retired after eight hours of gameplay. Damaged dice produce unpredictable outcomes, and unlike the players, casinos are not betting their financial fortunes on chance. As in all casino games, craps yields a predictable edge to the house when you factor in all shoots. Once in play, casinos maintain equally tight control, constantly inspecting the dice for damage. The DiceĬasinos maintain tight control of their craps dice, often right from the factory to the table, as they are susceptible to tampering by cheaters. BoxmanĪt least one “boxman” (or “boxwoman” or “boxperson”) monitors the whole game, settling disputes and visually confirming fair play on the part of both players and dealers. (S)he uses a long stick–sometimes called a “whip” or “mop”–to handle them. StickmanĪlso called “stickwoman,” “stickperson,” or “dealer on the stick,” the stickman is the keeper of the dice used in the game. In addition to the shooters, the house fields a team of four: DealersĪt least two dealers–who are sometimes called the “dealer on base”–man the table on each side, keeping track of bets, paying out winnings, placing pucks on the “Point” marker when the Point has been established and placing certain bets for you (e.g. Shooting turns to pass clockwise (to the left) of each player. The table is deep-set and surrounded by high bumpers lined with pyramidal rubber, which the dice bounce off when thrown. Players can lay chips down in the appropriate section to indicate the nature of their bet. The side sections contain areas for each type of bet, including Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come, Don’t Come, Field, and Big-6/Big-8 wagers. The craps table is divided into side sections, managed by dealers, and a center section, manned by the stickman. However, casino craps use a specialized table to keep the wagers organized. What Are the Basic Rules of Craps?Ĭraps need not be played on an official craps table. It’s also played at low-end, mid-range, and high-end casinos across the world on purpose-built tables, with players betting against the house. Especially popular in its origin city of New Orleans, “street craps” is popular because all you need to play is a pair of dice. Today, craps is played informally among friends who bet and play against each other. Subsequently, losing dice rolls of 2 or 3 came to be known as “craps.” They called it “shooting crabs,” which eventually morphed into “shooting craps.” The name later acquired a scatological twist when “using the crapper” entered the lexicon thanks to the famous toilet manufacturer Thomas Crapper. The game caught on among New Orleans’ lower classes. Indignant, De Marigny sought out other “boors” to share his dice-throwing passion. His peers rewarded his innovation by roundly rejecting the game, considering it boorish. De Marigny discovered that 7 was the most likely winning outcome and taught a version to his peers where only 7 was the winning roll. Hazard players select a winning dice outcome of any number between 5 and 9 before betting. While overseas, he had developed a taste for a dice game called Hazard, the roots of which may extend back to the Crusades. Thrill-seeking Louisiana heir Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville returned from a trip abroad in 1807 to his colonial home, where his family had become wealthy in plantation agriculture. Side wagers can be staked on whether or not the shooter wins. A player (the “shooter”) rolls two dice (“shoots craps”) and the shooter and other players bet on the outcome.Īround these basic principles, a whole universe of rules, customs, specialty terms, and forms of “side action” have evolved.Ĭertain dice rolls are always winners for the shooter, while other rolls are always losers. However, its origins in Europe may run even deeper.Īt its heart, craps is a very simple game. Players shout at each other, at the dealers, and at Lady Luck, exploding in cheers of excitement over a favorable roll, dissolving into cries of despair over a losing one.Ĭraps is a casino dice game dating back to early-1800s New Orleans.
The craps table is a volcano of excitement. Instead, you will probably find yourself at the craps table. That’s where players go to practice their imitation of a house cat, betting on cards with blank expressions and hardly a peep. What is Craps?įollow the shouting, hooting, and hollering in any casino and you won’t find yourself at a poker or blackjack table. Craps rules refer to the different rules, customs, and strategies applying to the popular casino game of craps.