Dealer Bets in Craps

[robmac330]

After searching through the threads, and since I never take anything I consider "normal" for granted when it comes to at-sea casinos: Is tipping the crew in Craps in the form of "dealer bets" allowed in NCL casinos?

 

I've learned to play Craps over the past 6 months or so, but this will be my first time on a cruise since then so I was wondering if anyone can shed some light on this.

[flip8683]

I will usually make a bet for the dealers if they are friendly and have somewhat of a personality. If they acknowledge the bet I will continue to make bets for them. It's usually a two way Yo on the comeout after a point is made. Our last cruise in Europe hardly anyonr plays craps, if you are in the Carribbean the tables are played more. Cruises are a great place to learn new casino games. I am sure you have found that craps is the most adicting game around. enjoy your cruise

[robmac330]

I will usually make a bet for the dealers if they are friendly and have somewhat of a personality. If they acknowledge the bet I will continue to make bets for them. It's usually a two way Yo on the comeout after a point is made. Our last cruise in Europe hardly anyonr plays craps, if you are in the Carribbean the tables are played more. Cruises are a great place to learn new casino games. I am sure you have found that craps is the most adicting game around. enjoy your cruise

 

Good to know, thanks! I'm the same way with tipping, if they are supplementing my enjoyment of the game (especially as a newer player who sometimes makes out-of-place or dumb moves) then I tip.

 

I typically make a small pass line bet with odds for them but I suppose, while less likely, the two way Yo pays better in the end. Only once did I have a boxman tell me that a crew bet on the Pass still had to meet the table minimum, at which point I said OK and took the bet back entirely. Shooter threw a 3 and that casino lost out on 2 of my hard earned dollars!

[flip8683]

I don't know what that boxman was thinking, the casinos I go to allow a dollar bet for the dealers on the pass line. Also you being a newer player if you bet for the dealers they will help you in a good way. Alot of people don't know the amount to put on the numbers when doing a place bet. Dealers, again if they are friendly and helpful will coach you. If everyone's playing with the shooter and winning, you have 8 to 12 brand new friends!! LOL

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

I tend to put a $1 bet on the pass line when I am throwing; if it hits a 7/11 they get paid, if it hits a number, I put another $1 behind the line for them. On every cruise they have been very appreciative. They will definitely look out for you if you tip (not that they don't take care of you otherwise, but I find that if you tip, they usually pass this information along to the next stick, and they will make sure that you remember to place your usual bets). If they have reminded me of something, I will usually also play a two-way (bet for me and dealers) on my hard way point. I am not a big bettor (minimums usually) but the casino folks usually are extremely nice, remember me as I walk through the casino, and I have even had them acknowledge me on shore. I find the goodwill is money well spent; it makes both of us happier. Enjoy your cruise and good luck at the best game in the casino!!! :)

[robmac330]

I don't know what that boxman was thinking, the casinos I go to allow a dollar bet for the dealers on the pass line. Also you being a newer player if you bet for the dealers they will help you in a good way. Alot of people don't know the amount to put on the numbers when doing a place bet. Dealers, again if they are friendly and helpful will coach you. If everyone's playing with the shooter and winning, you have 8 to 12 brand new friends!! LOL

 

That's the thing, that same casino I've never had a problem with dollar bets other than that one time. It was kind of a perfect storm: it was only my 4th time playing for real (I practice quite a bit with fun money online), it was the day shift, and the only other two players were non-English speakers. I was pretty sure the boxman was wrong, but I didn't want to push it. The rest of the crew was great so I just tipped them out at the end.

 

I haven't played much with place bets, I've mostly been playing the Pass with 345 odds and a couple of Come bets with single odds, but it feels inherently wrong to me to play against the shooter.

[HowardK]

I was planning on trying on my next cruise- what do minimum bets range from?

[flip8683]

On the Spirit in December out of Barcelona the craps table was $ 5 mininum,and since there were usually only 2 or 3 of us it stayed at $5. We were on the Getaway out of Miami the previous November and I think I remember $5 tables also. I am not a big gambler but I usually place the 6 and 8 with odds behind the pass line at 2X. I'll play as we are waiting for a show to begin or after dinner. You are right Hearthosesteeldrums they do remember you and if you don't have the drink package will take care of you. Enjoy your cruises, playing craps should be part of your entertainment budget not your mortgage or rent budget LOL

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

As to table minimums, I haven't seen a $5 table in a couple of years now! They are usually $10. The cruises I have been on are Caribbean, New England/Canada, and Alaska. It used to be that you would see a $5 table for 1 night only, but when I asked about that a couple of cruises ago, I was told that was a thing of the past. Ships were Escape, Gem, Pearl, Sky, Jewel, and Star. I would LOVE to see $5 tables!

You give me hope for my European cruise in 2019!

I agree with flip8683, make sure that you have budgeted for your gambling. I told my kids (all in their 20's) to plan what they would be willing to pay for a nice night out, as you are likely to loose it all---so only gamble what the entertainment is worth to you. The idea is to have fun, not be sweating how you are going to pay your bills!

[Prinz]

As to table minimums, I haven't seen a $5 table in a couple of years now! They are usually $10. The cruises I have been on are Caribbean, New England/Canada, and Alaska. It used to be that you would see a $5 table for 1 night only, but when I asked about that a couple of cruises ago, I was told that was a thing of the past. Ships were Escape, Gem, Pearl, Sky, Jewel, and Star. I would LOVE to see $5 tables!

You give me hope for my European cruise in 2019!

I agree with flip8683, make sure that you have budgeted for your gambling. I told my kids (all in their 20's) to plan what they would be willing to pay for a nice night out, as you are likely to loose it all---so only gamble what the entertainment is worth to you. The idea is to have fun, not be sweating how you are going to pay your bills!

That's strange because I was on the breakaway in 2015 and the only time they had $10 table was when they opened up the second table, otherwise it was five dollars.

 

Dawn, Pearl and Gem in 2016 and it was $5 all cruise.

 

Sun just three months ago, for 5 weeks, and it was $5 all cruise. Bad dealers on that one though.

[robmac330]

I agree with flip8683, make sure that you have budgeted for your gambling. I told my kids (all in their 20's) to plan what they would be willing to pay for a nice night out, as you are likely to loose it all---so only gamble what the entertainment is worth to you. The idea is to have fun, not be sweating how you are going to pay your bills!

 

Absolutely, I've been playing Blackjack and Roulette for more than a decade and picked up Craps once I realized it provided me the random chance of something like Roulette paired with the statistical strategy you use in Blackjack, all without House control of the outcome of each play. Any gambling I do comes from money I set aside throughout the year for vacations/entertainment. I also typically have a walk-away number in my mind if it's not my night.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

That's strange because I was on the breakaway in 2015 and the only time they had $10 table was when they opened up the second table, otherwise it was five dollars.

 

Dawn, Pearl and Gem in 2016 and it was $5 all cruise.

 

Sun just three months ago, for 5 weeks, and it was $5 all cruise. Bad dealers on that one though.

 

 

Wow! That makes me wonder if it is based on how sold out a cruise is (or some other factor that the casino folks know!) I usually play early in the evening or when the tables first open up on sea days. I will keep watching for $5 tables!

[Gopher1934]

I cruise 3 times a year and play craps. Going on a cruise on the getaway the 18th because of a free cruise thru total rewards in vegas. I normally always see $5.00 minimums on the craps games at sea. I don't spend a lot of times on the tables on cruises because I don't like the table rules at sea. low odds bet. and paying up front on buying a 4 or 10. when I play I will normally place the point for the dealers because it pays them better than a straight up pass line bet. 4 or 10 pay 9 to 5, 5 or 9 pay 7-5 and 6 or 8 pay 7-6 a straight pass bet pays 5-5.

[Cattie]

That's the thing, that same casino I've never had a problem with dollar bets other than that one time. It was kind of a perfect storm: it was only my 4th time playing for real (I practice quite a bit with fun money online), it was the day shift, and the only other two players were non-English speakers. I was pretty sure the boxman was wrong, but I didn't want to push it. The rest of the crew was great so I just tipped them out at the end.

 

I haven't played much with place bets, I've mostly been playing the Pass with 345 odds and a couple of Come bets with single odds, but it feels inherently wrong to me to play against the shooter.

If you're not going to take advantage of max odds on your come bets, place the numbers. Odds are the only bet there is no house advantage on.

 

Sounds like the box person was just an a$$. 20 years in the casino industry as a craps dealer/supervisor and now shift manager you never turn a bet down for the dealer, yes we will make a players bet proper to benefit you, but we can pay anything if it's a tip!

 

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[robmac330]

If you're not going to take advantage of max odds on your come bets, place the numbers. Odds are the only bet there is no house advantage on.

 

Sounds like the box person was just an a$$. 20 years in the casino industry as a craps dealer/supervisor and now shift manager you never turn a bet down for the dealer, yes we will make a players bet proper to benefit you, but we can pay anything if it's a tip!

 

Yeah that one time was just very strange. The box was just very disengaged while the dealer at my end was incredibly friendly. Oh well, that's life.

 

I guess when it comes to come bets I liked the "insurance" you get against a 7 on Roll 1, but I found an article this morning that told me I'm an idiot because you make no money on that first roll.

 

So, and this is my "I've only played $5 minimum craps tables" naivete, on a $10 minimum table as I'm laying a $10 pass line bet (since that's always on), I can make $5/$6 place bets and still be OK? Kind of like roulette where a $25 minimum just means I have to have $25 worth of bets spread across the table per spin?

[flip8683]

Robmac330, On the craps tables that I play on, On a $10 min table every bet other than the prop bets (the hardways,craps,yos, horns) all have to be atleast $10. So if you are playing the field that has to be atleast $10. If you are placing the 6 or 8 you want $12 on those bets. Some people that are new to craps might only put $10 on those 6 and 8 place bets but the proper odds are divisible by 6, so 12,18,24,30 and so forth. As I mentioned before if you get a dealer that is looking out for you they will sometimes explain that to you. A $12 place bet on the 6 pays $14 if you had only $10 on it, it would pay 11.66 which wouldn't be possible since they don't even have 50cent chips. Unlike a roulette table each bet is a separate wager again except for the boxes in front of the stick

On our last cruise to the Canary Islands, there was a guy from Ireland that just watched us play every night. About the third or fourth night I was done playing and stood next to him to also watch. I started a conversation with him and he told me he didn't understand the game. After about 20 minutes and a couple of beers, the table was completely empty. I told my new friend Sam that it was his turn to show me what I had just explained to him over the last 20 minutes. I bought in for $100 and gave Sam $25 of that 100. I had him roll and we went thru the game roll by roll explaining it as we played. Sam ended up winning $125 starting from that original 25 seed money. I told him to keep those winnings but he refused so we tipped the dealers a bit more than usual for helping him along the way. Evey night after we had a beer together and we're facebooking each other. Said I made his cruise LOL

[robmac330]

Robmac330, On the craps tables that I play on, On a $10 min table every bet other than the prop bets (the hardways,craps,yos, horns) all have to be atleast $10. So if you are playing the field that has to be atleast $10. If you are placing the 6 or 8 you want $12 on those bets. Some people that are new to craps might only put $10 on those 6 and 8 place bets but the proper odds are divisible by 6, so 12,18,24,30 and so forth. As I mentioned before if you get a dealer that is looking out for you they will sometimes explain that to you. A $12 place bet on the 6 pays $14 if you had only $10 on it, it would pay 11.66 which wouldn't be possible since they don't even have 50cent chips. Unlike a roulette table each bet is a separate wager again except for the boxes in front of the stick

 

Good to know these things before I get on board! As I learn I've been limiting my live-action money to the $5 tables, but I'm starting to understand enough of the math and strategy that $10 minimums seem safe. Thanks to you and everyone else who has provided advice, I really do appreciate it.

 

So in theory playing a $10 pass with 345 odds and placing $12 on 6 and 8, the worst I'm looking at is laying $64 for 4/10 points and $74 for 5/8 points. That's sustainable.

[flip8683]

Robmac330, You can tell by now that I LOVE playing craps. There is a website that I play for fun on and it has taught me other things about craps that other people swear by. It's called Wizard of Odds and it has all casino games that you can play for fun. It doesn't cost anything and I play for fun all the time. Some of your questions could probably be answered more in depth by it's question and answer section. I am assuming you are in the good old USA were most of the advertizing on that site is illegal. Play on it and it mighy strengthen your understanding and enjoy your cruise flip

[Cattie]

Yeah that one time was just very strange. The box was just very disengaged while the dealer at my end was incredibly friendly. Oh well, that's life.

 

I guess when it comes to come bets I liked the "insurance" you get against a 7 on Roll 1, but I found an article this morning that told me I'm an idiot because you make no money on that first roll.

 

So, and this is my "I've only played $5 minimum craps tables" naivete, on a $10 minimum table as I'm laying a $10 pass line bet (since that's always on), I can make $5/$6 place bets and still be OK? Kind of like roulette where a $25 minimum just means I have to have $25 worth of bets spread across the table per spin?

 

There's no insurance you get from a come bet on the first roll. If a 7 is rolled on the come out, you get your odds back but all come bets will lose (the flat bet). You can bet a $1 any seven for each $5 you have risked on a come bet if you'd like to break even (By taking the any 7 down if it hits). Place bets give you instant payment when they hit (and are off on the come out roll), come bets need to hit twice to be paid. Think of a come bet as additional pass line bets or "points".

 

 

When teaching new players, I've always said pick a place bet or 2, once you have your initial investment back start to press small units each time they hit. This way you're always picking up a little something. Or after your initial investment start placing other numbers.

 

 

Making a $10 line bet on a $10 table, anywhere I've worked each bet has to be $10. So 6&8 would have to be $12 min you couldn't bet less. This could be different on a ship or west of the Mississippi since they tend to have different rules then the east coast. I've played a few times on the ship but prefer not to gamble since I spend enough time in a casino weekly!

 

On the rare occasion I play I only bet the pass line when I shoot with a $1 any crap per $5, if the crap hits I turn it into a 3 way crap then a horn if I'm lucky. I place the place side (point is 6, I place 8, 5 &9 etc) Once I have my initial investment back I start to place other numbers until I have the inside covered (5-9) then start to press from there. If the point could be a hardway I will bet that as a 2 way bet for myself and the dealers. When I shoot I always make sure to be the passline for the dealers with odds along side of mine.

 

You can always bet more aggressive, that would depending on your bankroll. I prefer to play more conservative.

[flip8683]

Cattie, Good advice I always try to have a few numbers in play as place bets all the while when trying to hit my point. Get your original investment back before pressing your place bets.

[robmac330]

Robmac330, You can tell by now that I LOVE playing craps. There is a website that I play for fun on and it has taught me other things about craps that other people swear by. It's called Wizard of Odds and it has all casino games that you can play for fun. It doesn't cost anything and I play for fun all the time. Some of your questions could probably be answered more in depth by it's question and answer section. I am assuming you are in the good old USA were most of the advertizing on that site is illegal. Play on it and it mighy strengthen your understanding and enjoy your cruise flip

 

That's actually the site I've been using since I first read the most basic rules of the game. It's great because if I read a new idea and want to try it out I can just play for 20 minutes and see what happens. If an idea works I'll reset my buy-in and try again and see if I can repeat any measure of success.

 

While I find something weirdly relaxing about table games, the closest casinos to me are 60-90 minutes away (Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods in CT), so Wizard of Odds is great for keeping my mind right on the proper ways to bet..

[flip8683]

I have the opposite problem I am 20 minutes from Elgin"s Grand Victoria outside of Chicago and only 20 minutes from Hollywood Casino in Aurora. Elgin lets you have 100X odds which is the best around. Obviously I don't bet that much, but it's fun to watch some high rollers bet it. Does Foxwoods have the Firebet or all small all tall ? That's just another side bet that can be made. Elgin also has a bet only for the shooter a "Cash for Craps" It doesn't cost you anything but if you are the shooter and you make all 6 points ( 4,5,6,8,9,10 ) you win $2500. You can also play the firebet which will pay for after 3 or 4 points.