Craps at Spokane Tribe Casino
Craps is one of the most exciting table games you’ll find in any casino – yet it is also one of the most intimidating for many. Craps is the game that is most often shown in movies and TV shows about high-stakes moments in casinos. It is a high-energy game that moves fast and has a lot of moving parts. If you don’t know much about the game, it is easy to get lost.
The same things that make craps so dizzying to beginners also make it so thrilling for its fans. Whether you’re winning or losing, every roll of the dice brings with it new possibilities, and the game moves so fast that your luck can turn for the better at any moment.
Learning a bit about the game before you play can help you feel more confident and have a more enjoyable experience. At Spokane Tribe Casino, you’ll also find plenty of friendly and knowledgeable table game staff who can help you understand the rules and how to place your bets. We also offer a fun and relaxing environment where you can enjoy a variety of amenities while playing your favorite games, allowing you to have an exciting and rewarding experience.
CRAPS TABLE LAYOUT
Many people stand around a craps table. Before you even start playing, you may find yourself confused about where to stand or who is playing and what the order of all the action is.
The person who is rolling the dice is called the “shooter.” Different people will act as the shooter, based on the game play (which we will go into more detail about below). Know that the person currently holding and throwing the dice is the shooter, and betting will be based on what they throw.
A box person acts as the immediate supervisor for the game and oversees the rules of the game. The box person also handles any disputes that arise. The game has up to two dealers on each side of the box person and handles placing and paying customer bets.
The stick person stands opposite the box person and is responsible for calling the game, retrieving the dice, and placing proposition wagers (bets in the center of the table). GAME PLAY
Craps can be deceptively simple since the mechanics of game play all come down to throwing two dice. The value of the dice is added up for total points, which is used to determine if bets win or lose.
Each of the two dealers has what’s called a ‘Puck’. One side is the color white and says ‘ON’ while the other side is black and says ‘OFF’. The game starts with the puck in the OFF position. On a player’s first roll, if the dice total 7 or 11, all bets placed on the ‘Pass Line’ win. Throwing a 7 or 11 on the first roll is known as a “natural.” Conversely, if the player throws a 2, 3, or 12, the pass line bets lose, however the player throwing the dice gets to throw again.
In most cases, the player will roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, which will then be the ‘Point Number’. The Point Number is marked by the puck. The object of the game is now to roll the same Point number again before throwing a 7. The player will keep rolling until they make the point or roll a 7. If a 7 is thrown before the point number, the dice will then move clockwise to the next player who will start the process from the beginning.
Note also that the puck that marks the point also indicates where game play is. If the puck is turned to ‘OFF’ position, that means that the shooter is on a come-out roll and no point has been established. If the puck is turned to ‘ON’ position, that means that the shooter is wanting to roll that number again before a 7. Some bets can only be made when the puck is ‘ON’ and some bets can only be made when it is ‘OFF’. Before you make any bets, you should always look to see where the puck is on the table and what its status is. Also, try to only make wagers when you can see the dice in the center of the table.
BETTING IN CRAPS
There are many ways to place bets in craps, giving you different odds of winning. Whether you are the shooter or just a bystander, betting can make the game come alive for you. You just need to have a better understanding of your options to help you make the best choices for success.
There are two major bets on the craps table: ‘Come’ and ‘Pass Line’.
With a Pass Line bet, players are betting that the shooter will win. That means they are betting that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 while the ‘Puck’ is ‘Off’, or that they will roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 and then will roll that number a second time before rolling a 7. A pass line bet once the Point number is established may have more money added to the bet, this money is called ‘Odds’ and is placed behind your original pass line bet. At Spokane Tribe Casino we allow up to 5 X your original wager to be placed as odds. The Odds bet is considered the best bet in the casino, as the House carries no advantage over the player on this bet.
The converse is a Don’t Pass bet, which bets against the shooter. With this bet, you are hoping the shooter will roll a 2 or 3 on the ‘Come out’ roll. If the shooter rolls a 12, the bet will push. You can also win this bet if the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 the first time and then rolls a 7 before repeating the ‘Point’ number.
A “Come Bet” or “Don’t Come Bet” mirrors the Pass Line bet or the Don’t Pass bet, but they are placed after play has already started. The next roll of the dice after placing a ‘Come’ or ‘Don’t Come’ wager determines where that bet moves to.
A Field Bet is known as a single-roll bet. It is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be either 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The area for placing field bets is marked on the craps table, as are the numbers that win. It is important to collect winnings immediately after the bet wins, otherwise it will be assumed that chips left on the table are intended to let the bet ride to the next play of the dice. The ‘Field’ bet is a self-service betting area. Player’s place and pick up wagers at their own discretion.
A Place Bet is a wager placed on the specific number of your choosing. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 may be bet as ‘Place Bets’. To bet this wager, place your money in the ‘Come’ area and tell the dealer to ‘Place’ whichever number you wish. For example, you would say “Place the 4”. Numbers 6 & 8 are the easiest to roll and must be bet in increments of $6 to win $7. Place bets on the 5 & 9 are a little harder to roll and are bet in increments of $5 to win $7. Lastly the 4 & 10 are the hardest to roll and are bet in increments of $5 to win $9.
A Proposition Bet (center of the table) is where you can win the most money but also carries with it the highest risk. Players may bet on several types of bets, from picking specific combinations of the dice or betting the ‘Hard Ways’ (pairs of numbers).
There are many more types of bets you can make at the craps table, and the odds are different for each – and therefore the payout.
If you are ever unclear about where to place your bets, what you are betting on, how much you can win, or other issues around betting, always ask the table staff who will give you helpful pointers. Don’t be surprised if your fellow players are also willing to give you some helpful tips. While playing craps, you aren’t competing against the other players at the table, you are playing with them and win as a group.
PLAYING CRAPS AT SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO
We strive to make playing craps at the Spokane Tribe Casino both accessible and exciting. Our table staff are always happy to answer questions and help you learn new and exciting games. You’ll find that we offer a fun and friendly atmosphere that takes away some of the intimidation that many can feel without taking away from the thrill of the game.
We offer some of the best odds in the region, ensuring that when you win, you win BIGGER. We also offer player rewards so that you can get more perks the more you play. And we offer everyday amenities that make your visit to our casino the best it can be, including comfortable lounge areas, delicious dining spots, high-definition screens for watching sports games, and more. Visit us today and learn why we are known as the premiere entertainment destination in the region. Enjoy some time at the craps tables or explore many of our other fun and exciting games.
