Getting Started with Craps Gaming

Craps games begin with pass line bets.  The game is widely popular – owing not only to the low house edge of 1.41%, but also to the game’s wildly entertaining nature. Craps games really do provide players with some enticing betting options, and big wins are an all-too regular occurrence for skilled players. Contrary to popular belief, the game is not so difficult to play. A basic understanding of craps goes a long way towards enjoying greater success.

Variety is certainly the spice of life at craps tables. There are multiple betting options – 40 plus that can be made. There are however 2 types of bets that players should avoid. These include the hardway and proposition bets. The odds on these bets are unfavourable for the player and passline bets are the ones to make first up. This game starts off with the bettor placing a bet on the pass line before a shooter rolls. The come out roll is the one to make. If the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11 the player wins. However if the craps shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12, the players loses.

As soon as a point has been established, all the bettors place wagers behind the passline bet. These Odds Bets don’t have a house edge and it is paid off with the true odds. A variety of casinos provide 2 x odds. With this betting option, players can place bets twice the size of their pass line bets. The odds bets are paid in the following manner:

• When the point is 4 or 10, the odds bet pays 2:1
• When the point is 5 or 9 , the odds bet pays 3: 2
• When the point is 6 or 8, the odds bet pays 6: 5.

These introductory bets are ideal for players learning to play the game on their Android smartphones.

Here’s how it’s done:

You have to lay the true odds against any particular point number. For example if you’re laying against a 4 or even a 10, you’d have to lay €40 to win €20 with the true odds of 2 to 1. If you’re about to wager a Lay Bet against a 5 or 9 then you’d wager €30 to win €20. For Lay Bets against either a 6 or 8 are actually 6/5. In the aforementioned case, a €24 wager would win you €20.

The Lay Bets are paid off at correct punting odds. And the house usually collects a commission to the tune of 5%. What actually happens with these Lay Bets and the 5% house fee is that there is a 2.44% advantage on these bets on a 4 or 10 number combo. On a 5 or a 9 combination your house advantage is sitting at 3.23% and for a 6 or 8 Lay Bet the edge is hovering at 4%.

Lay Bets in Action: How They Work?

Lay Bets or No Bets as they are sometimes known, are the extreme opposite of buy-bets. These bets essentially pay the craps shooter the true odds when a 7 is rolled before the number.  The important thing to bear in mind with these Lay Bets is that they’re essentially the same as laying odds with one big caveat: a 5% vigorish is charged on the expected amount to be won.

Example of a €40 Lay Betting Sheet

Hitting it Big in Craps with Lay Bets

Remember that to win a Lay Bet you need to roll a 7 before the chosen number. If you hit any other number then the Lay Bet stays. This is a reversed buy bet and you get great odds of 1:2 for 10 and 4 and when you wager on 5 and 9 you get 2:3. For 6 and 8 you get odds of 5:6. Remember though that the house always take a vig on the bets. It’s at 5% – so when the vig is calculated it is based on the winnings. Recall that when you win, it’s your winnings and the original wager that you receive.

What Mobile Viaden Craps in 3D has to Offer?

The age of high-tech gaming is upon us. If you’re packing an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, then Mobile Viaden is the 3D Craps game to play. Enjoy world-class Vegas-style animation at the click of a button. It’s realism and gaming genius at its very best. Imagine being able to enjoy a realistic craps table on your very own mobile device? It looks so real that you’ll have to do a double take just to assure yourself. It’s not a fantasy; it’s a dream-come-true!

Craps is a fast and furious game enjoyed with gusto and lively banter in Vegas casinos. It’s the game that players flock to, owing to its sprawling deck, scores of players and onlookers and big-money wagers. The application features a realistic craps table with chips, dice and all the hype and excitement you’ve come to expect from craps in 3D. It’s like playing real craps – only virtual! You can enjoy the comforts of the casino from anywhere you find yourself! Add in a real craps dealer’s voice and you’ve got help & support anywhere you find yourself. The era of social interaction is firmly upon us and with this game, fans can share the app on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and others.

Make the Switch to a Winning 3D Craps Application

When you use your iPad and iPhone you can feature in competitions with the global gaming community. Try out the OpenFeint LeaderBoard for starters. It’s a snap getting your buds to come and party with you – just send an e-vite via Facebook. The app is 100% safe and secure and user-friendly to the max. Now you can enjoy the trappings of gaming histories, gaming strategies and support service 24/7. If advancement is your thing, then Craps 3D by Viaden Mobile is your vehicle into the future.

What to Expect from 3D Craps?

Enjoy terrific 3D animation encompassing the table, dice and chips with a real dealer’s voice to guide you through the game. There are even hysterically funny rhymes to keep you smiling. The OpenFeint LeaderBoard tools make interactive gaming a reality. And you can always post and share your experiences on Facebook. Remember it’s easy to get started and you’ve always got access to gaming history, strategy and tips. The application is a must-have for both newbies and seasoned pros in craps gaming. Simply log on, get started and blaze a trail for craps gaming glory.

Prehistoric times; dice games and casinos today

It is well known that dice games were prevalent in times of old when fortunetellers would throw various bone fragments, sticks and stones (among others) on the ground. These were then interpreted for the benefit of communities or individuals. This is to say that they were not used as gambling artifacts at the time, but rather as the soothsayer’s tools. As time went by, these articles were modified for more public usage. They were made from all sorts of materials including horns, nutshells, stones and bones. The Romans and the Greeks made use of ivory and precious materials to create their dice. Today however, casino dice are made from a substance known as cellulose. The edges and corners are sharp and the cellulose is transparent so that the dice are perfectly balanced and free from non-random outcomes (not loaded).

But how far back do dice games go?

The truth is that these games are typically several thousand years old. That’s not to say that craps is that old. In fact craps as we know it today is barely 100 years old. Prior to craps taking center stage, the English game of Hazard was in play. Some historical accounts suggest that this game was enjoyed by the army in the 12^th century. It is suggested that the very first English settlers on the Mayflower vessel actually brought the game to the USA. Around 1800 the French renamed it craps. The rules of the game were constantly being modified until eventually multiple variants were in existence. A gentleman by the name of John H. Winn was responsible for enhancing the game of craps for right and wrong bets. The layout was changes and Don’t Pass Bets were included. By the end of 1931 Nevada legalized gambling and Casino Craps was officially born.

• Online craps has a practice mode where players can learn the game without wagering a cent of their own money
• Online craps doesn’t require travel expenses, restaurant tabs or hotel accommodation
• Online craps is cheaper to play in real-money mode than real-life craps tables
• Online craps connects you instantly to a global audience of players
• Online craps can be enjoyed from the comforts of home

At Craps-888.info our readers are keen to learn where quality online craps gaming can be found. Naturally players should follow all the usual rules of selection when sifting through the mass of online casinos out there. Luckily we’ve narrowed it down for you. Here are 5 of the finest online casinos offering A-grade craps gaming.

JackpotCity Casino – this is one big boy of the Microgaming world that needs precious little introduction. With over 400 online games to play, comprising card, table, video slot, progressive and other games – it’s the veritable king of quality online gaming. Craps is part of its table range of games and the JPC offering is certainly worth its weight in gold.

888casino – players the world over are familiar with the 888 brand. It is one of the most revered online casino companies in the world and features a stylish proprietary gaming platform, sensational video slots, card, table and other games. Craps at 888.com is an experience to behold. Players will be thrust into the action from the get-go; it’s real enough to thoroughly enjoy the game.

Riverbelle Online Casino – fancy a slow and steady ride down the rolling Mississippi River? Well then craps is certainly the table game in the offing. Riverbelle Casino is a southern-themed online casino that is powered by world-class Microgaming Viper software and it delivers its product in an impressive way.

Europa Casino is Europe’s most-treasured online casino operator. It is powered by superior Playtech gaming software and it dazzles the mind with a scintillating display of online games. These include over 300 card, table, slots, video slots, progressive, arcade and other games. Craps at Europa is a big deal. Players can go full throttle – just like in land-based craps games – except only better.

Sun Vegas Casino is a scorcher! If you’re into the hottest craps gaming online then this Microgaming little masterpiece is going to have you doing backflips. The action comes hot and heavy – just the way we love it. It’s a sun-baked theme of craps gaming quenched against a sea-facing backdrop.

If you’re the type of player who is fascinated by the game of craps but you’ve simply never summoned enough courage to actually play it, help is at hand. WinCraps is an exciting and fast-paced craps simulator and it’s available for download today. As its namesake suggests, it’s for Windows platforms, so whether you’re running Vista, XP or Windows 7, you’re in luck.  When we reviewed this gaming offering we were most impressed by the user-interface. It’s not only easy-to-use and didactic (as a craps instructional software application) but it’s also easily customizable. Players will have the option of controlling most aspects of their craps game. This goes for things like the backgrounds, the themes, the color-configuration and even perspectives that the game is played from. Become that high-stakes gambler you’ve always dreamed of being – it’s all possible here on WinCraps.  Beyond the aesthetics – which are spectacular – is the actual gaming. This is where this exciting gaming application really scores mad points. It’s easy to get going with either a mouse or a keyboard. Don’t fret if you thought that rolling your golden arm was going to be tough, here you can become a straight craps shooter in no time at all.

What other benefits are there to gaming with WinCraps?

Craps is all about rules. Most folks who don’t get to enjoy the game in its entirety often cite lack of understanding as one of the main reasons for non-participation. Well that’s all but a thing of the past with WinCraps. The creators of this thrilling online game have included a comprehensive help file – the quintessential book on craps. Plus, to sweeten the deal a little more the odds allowed are up to 9,999 x. That’s pretty startling. Personalized gaming is always viewed as a valued-added showpiece and with customizable sounds in this game; your own voice can be calling the shots. And with a whole set of unique tools at your disposal, playing craps and learning how it’s all done is part of the deal. In terms of acceptable wagers, pretty much all of them are found here. An aspect of the game that’s particularly exciting is the plethora of automatic punting features including RNG (Random Number Generators), stats screens and dice files. And now for the juicy stuff: WinCraps is shareware – you can download it, share it and play it at will.

What else can you enjoy with WinCraps?

This game is a great application for novices and pros alike. The automatic betting features allow for both automatic and manual craps gaming.  The hyper-drive feature makes use of hands-free simulations for a myriad of craps rolls. This is truly the veritable craps benchmark for learning, playing and practicing craps wherever you’ve got a Windows platform going on. In our humble opinion, this ranks among the very finest craps simulators out there.

How it all went down on that memorable day

It was the 25^th May 2009 and it was a day that would forever be remembered in Craps history. A player from New Jersey broke the existing world record by rolling her golden arm over 154 times before a seven was rolled. This was documented by Borgata Casino personnel and verified by casino video footage. It was a day that would forever be remembered and I for one am certain that such a record will stand for a very long time indeed.  The lady in question is Pat DeMauro from Morris County back in Jersey. To think that all it took was an initial buy-in of $100 to get those dice rolling as hot as they were. This Craps Queen rolled for 4 hours and 18 minutes and that’s a fact. The odds of that happening are virtually impossible – but then again if Pat could do it…

The prior record for rolling without hitting a 7 tally was held by the master of Craps – Stanley Fujitake. He’s a fellow who needs no introduction in the Craps world. His record stood firm since May 28^th 1989. On that day in question, good old Stan the Man as he was so respectfully known, had rolled for 3 hours and 6 minutes in a contest that had everyone buzzing with electricity at the Craps table. Pat’s role not only whipped Stanley Fujitake’s 3-hour 6-minute roll of 118 numbers, but it trumped the Captain’s roll of 147 numbers too. Back to the lady of the moment though – for Pat truly deserves a pat on the back for such an impeccable performance with her golden arm. As a matter of fact, this was only Pat’s 2^nd time playing Craps – call it beginner’s luck or being touched by an angel – but she held those dice and she rolled like an absolute dream girl. Let’s put this record in perspective for just a minute shall we: according to Professor Stewart Ethier – an obviously respected authority on probability and outcomes, the odds of nailing 154 rolls are about 1 in 5.59 billion. That’s exponentially higher than winning the lottery – so how on earth did Pat do it? Is there perhaps an element of skill and learning involved in Craps rolling? The outcome seems to corroborate this perspective but let’s follow on with what Pat wrote.

According to her, she was ecstatic because she was learning while she was earning. The guys at her table were so thrilled with her performance that their positive energy was encouraging her all the while. And what exactly did the lady of the night receive for all her super luck? Well she was invited for Dom Perignon champagne, dinner and had her accommodation comped at the Borgata Hotel and Casino. Not too bad for several hours of winning what could well have been an unmitigated fortune. A lady never tells so we don’t know just how much Pat made on that wonderful night.

What you need to do in order to coin it with craps gaming

My first suggestion is this: information. The more information you have available to you, the better for your pocket. There simply is no substitute for knowledge of this game. Reading up on it is a sure-fire way to get started. So go for gold and make it happen. But finding reliable information can be tricky. I do not advise players to go and buy books purporting to offer the best strategies in craps shooting. Remember that the casino world is awash with charlatans and buying somebody’s book is essentially enriching that person alone. What I do suggest is this: play the game online for free at any of the many online casinos you find. That way you’ll get a first-hand impression of how the game works in real time, under real-life gaming conditions.

If you’re truly serious about making money from craps then you have to go all out. You have to nurture your gaming skills – feed your desire to succeed with lots of practice and sound theories. There are three components to starting off with craps rolling that you should take into account:

• Go in with a decent-sized bankroll
• Your online or real-life comportment is paramount
• Be a sharp-shooter

Those are the most basic tips I can offer you. Dice control is one of the most important components of craps gaming. Know where to grip those dice and how to let ‘em rip. This is key to successful craps shooting. Too many players have unstructured rolls, where they throw dice and any type of outcome can result. Hold the dice steady and use practiced movements. Use consistent force and an identical style to limit variations in your craps rolling strategy. This can take years to fine tune – but the results speak volumes for your bankroll. You’ll never get close to 100% accuracy in craps shooting but if you can even shave a fraction off the odds against you, you’ll be winning more than other players.

Let’s say you walk on over to a craps table and you notice a game’s already underway. What you should be looking out for is the amount of craps players at the table. This will give you an important indication as to how many shooters there are. The more shooters there are the worse for you. Why? Because more shooters means you are playing with a greater degree of randomness. My advice: try to be the one rolling most of the time. That way you can ‘control the dice’ outcomes far more than if there were multiple players tossing them all over the place.

The second tip of the day is this: make as many bets per hour as possible. Why? Because more bets = more potential payoffs. At a bustling craps table you’re more likely to spend the majority of your time waiting for the players to place their bets than actually making money. So keep your eyes peeled for fewer craps shooters because this means fewer bets will be placed and more rolls per hour will be made. By the same token, don’t bet on proposition bets as they are tedious exchanges. Go for  the pass/don’t pass bets instead.

Once you’re hot – and yes you’ll get there – you should scan the craps domain. Look for those ‘golden arm folks.’ These are the guys who roll well on a consistent basis. If you are lucky enough to be in a casino when somebody is rolling the game of his or her life – stick to them like a fly to you know what. You’ll coin it off a good run and why not.  This leads me to my next point which is general activity at the craps tables. My advice stands: avoid gaming when it’s deathly quiet. Why? Because you don’t want all the dealers focusing on you – it’s off-putting.

The tip that few others follow

Let’s explore the final tip of the day and arguably the most important. Before you mosey on down to a craps table, look at the surface. Is it new felt or is it worn? This is important to anyone who knows their game. New felt offers more random outcomes while worn felt offers less movement. The latter is more suited to experienced craps players seeking more predictability. Enjoy the game folks!

Little understood terms are easily learned

If you’ve never heard of a boxman or a stickman, you could easily be forgiven – they’re craps terms and they’re an essential part of the game. If you’re playing craps at a table you’re more likely to learn much faster than if you’re playing in isolation. Indeed it’s true that craps is a people’s game and asking fellow players for help will certainly be of assistance.  You may wish to know about how best to control the dice and how to understand general craps tips. ‘Dice Control’ is really mastery of ‘grip and let it rip’ technique as there is no absolute control. But before we get into all of that juicy stuff, let’s learn a thing or two about craps etiquette. Like any other casino table game, it’s best to play with respect for other players. It makes precious little sense to boo the craps shooter while he/she is getting ready to roll. Expectations are high, so flow with the go and encourage the shooter because your fortunes may well be riding on the roll. Remember to keep a comfortable distance from fellow players – it’s the right thing to do. And when you’re betting, remember that you can punt until the bets end, not after that. As mentioned earlier, it’s all about the players. Craps – like bingo – is a community game. So you and your fellow players will be going head-to-head against the casino.

What types of craps bets are best to make?

I watch a lot of new punters playing craps and they tend to play the more difficult bets – with no rhyme or reason. Take a tip from an old hand at the game: play the pass/don’t pass bets as often as possible. If you’re thinking of playing the come/don’t come bets then you’re plenty welcome to try those out because they’re also good options. A word of advice – avoid the proposition bets because they a sure-fire way to lose cash – lots of it. And with poor payout odds it simply doesn’t make any sense to be placing those types of bets. But what about Don’t Pass bets – are they good ones to make? To be frank – I advise heavily against this bet. Why pray tell? Because the shooter usually has the crowd behind him or her and if you’re betting against the shooter, you’re likely to evoke the wrath of the crowd.  Note: it’s perfectly legal to bet against the shooter, you just may not win many friends and influence people that way (thanks Dale Carnegie). Next time we’ll have plenty more craps tips for you to enjoy!