If you’re interested in casino table games that are fun and have great odds, then you’ll want to explore the game of craps. Many players consider craps to be one of the best games to play at the casino because it combines the suspense of roulette, the fast pace of online slots and blackjack, and the social interaction of poker. Craps also offers great odds, making it one of the most potentially lucrative online casino games. On top of that, craps has a great tradition that encourages a sense of camaraderie around the table. The more you know about the tradition, the easier it is to participate. We collected some of the lesser-known facts about craps to get you started. Read more.

The four best craps bets

Craps betting is notoriously complicated. There are so many different betting options that beginners get totally confused. But don’t worry! There’s a not-so-secret trade secret that only four craps bets are worth paying serious attention to (although the other bets are a lot of fun). These bets are “pass line,” “don’t pass line,” “come,” and “don’t come.” Players of casino dice games consider these to be the best bets because they’re even-money wagers with the lowest house edge. And they’re not confusing at all. Here’s how they work:

You make a “pass line” bet on the “come out” roll (the first roll of a new round). If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the “come out,” you win. A 2, 3, or 12, and you lose. Any other number establishes a “point.” The shooter then has to roll before a 7 for your “pass line” bet to succeed.

“Come” is the same as “pass line,” except you can only place it once a point has been established. The first point roll is then the “come out” roll for your bet.

You make a “don’t pass line” bet on the “come out” roll. You win on a 2 or 3, lose on a 7 or 11, and push (neither win nor lose) on a 12. Another number establishes a point, requiring a 7 to be rolled before the point number for your “don’t pass line” bet to win.

Finally, “don’t come” is the same as “don’t pass line,” except you only make it once a point has been established. The “come out” for a “don’t come” bet is the first roll after a point has been established.

Sounds simple, right? Wait until you get started on bets like “whirl,” “horn,” “yo,” “hi-lo,” and “craps!” The more you learn about craps, the more complicated your options become. But if it all gets too much, you can always take a break with real online slots.

When the right bets are wrong

Sometimes it’s against your best interests to bet in your best interests. That may sound like nonsense, but actually, it’s pure craps! Seriously, you’ve just read about the best four bets in craps, and now you’re going to read why it’s a bad idea to bet on some of them.

Now the bets with the lowest house advantage are “don’t pass” and “don’t come.” So you’d expect it’d make sense to bet on them all the time. But sometimes tradition is stronger than reason, and it’s a solid craps tradition to bet with the shooter. Bettors who do so are known as “right bettors,” and they get to cheer together when the shooter’s dice are smoking.

“Wrong bettors” are the opposite. They’re betting that the shooter will lose. This is known as “betting on the wrong side” in craps parlance because the house is also hoping that the shooter will lose. It’s like making a deal with the devil.

Whether you decide to be a wrong bettor or a right bettor is up to you. The fact of the matter is that it’s not much of a sacrifice to be a right bettor and wager with the shooter. The difference in house edge is only about 0.05%. And the advantage is being able to celebrate with other players when the shooter rolls “come” and “pass line” wins.

There’s nothing like the camaraderie of a table of craps players who jeer together and cheer together. And it’s not a great feeling to be the lone wolf who sides with the house just to whittle the house edge down a little. This doesn’t apply to online casino craps so much because then you’re the only one rolling the dice.

The unspeakable number

Craps players can be very superstitious. If you play casino dice games, you might see a player throwing a penny under the table for good fortune. You might also see a player asking a woman to blow on the dice in the belief this brings good luck. Then there’s the superstition concerning the number seven. It’s widely considered to be a lucky number in Western culture, but not in craps. Maybe it’s because you lose on the “come out” roll if the shooter rolls a seven (or eleven). Or it could be that there are more combinations that add up to seven than any other number in craps. Another possibility is that an “any seven” bet (a single-roll wager on the dice combination being seven) carries possibly the worst house edge in casino table games. In any case, craps etiquette dictates that you should never, ever, say the number seven out loud. If you do need to refer to it, then call it “it,” or “devil.”

One of the most famous winning bets of all time was a “don’t pass” bet of $777,777. We’d have paid to be flies on the wall on that occasion.

And “devil” is just the beginning. When you see the full list of craps superstitions, you’ll realize it’s the most superstitious of all casino table games. We think that just adds to its reputation as one of the best games to play in the casino. Next time you’re at the craps table, be sure to play along with the tradition of superstition. Take care not to touch a hot shooter! If the dice fly off the table, the next roll will be unlucky. Too many wrong bettors ruin the table’s luck. Dice can be hot or cold. And don’t let the dice hit your hands on the table – it brings everyone bad luck.

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