Approaching a Craps Table

When you walk up to a craps table that already has players, should you go to a specific position to be polite? For example in poker you want to join at a time when you will be the big blind or (in a much less significant way) if you don't want to deal with people's ire you should not sit at 3rd base in blackjack. Should I try to join in a way that I will be the last shooter or pass the dice if they are handed to me shortly after joining?

When buying chips, obviously I am suppose to wait until the point is off so as to not interrupt the game but where exactly on the table do I place the money. Should I place it behind the pass line or in the come area? Do I have to say something so the dealer knows I am not trying to do something like make a cash bet?

How do I know when I can put my hand into the table to collect bets or make bets. I assume there are three phases: dealers pay wins and take loses, players make bets, shooter throws dice. How do I know when the first phase has ended so it doesn't look like I am past posting? Am I allowed to take the winnings as soon as the dealer puts the money in the come area (like in blackjack) or am I suppose to wait until the dealer has finished paying and taking losses?

When placing come bets, simulators like the one on this site place the chips in the middle of the come area but when I watch videos players place them just above their pass line bets in the come area. Which is right?

From a technical perspective you can join the table at any time and at any open spot, but since you asked about etiquette, here are some thoughts.

When you come in, try to avoid coming in next to the shooter, especially if you may get in the way of his/her roll. I try to avoid coming in a position that will allow me to roll in the next couple of shooters, and I have to because of space contraints, I will pass the dice on my first opportunity.

You are correct, best to buy in when the puck is 'OFF', just drop the money on the layout and ask for change. To be safe you can drop it behind the line, but I haven't had any issues dropping it in the come as long as the dealer has already settled that area of the layout.

You can collect bets as soon as they are paid. As far as placing bets, make sure you are making them when the dice are in the middle, meaning that the stickman hasn't passed the bones to the shooter.

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I don't think it is a big deal where you go when you first join the table, although it may be a little rude to obviously try and squeeze in to the left of the shooter. I'm not sure why you say a poker player should come in on the big blind. I usually go for the exact opposite and come in after the button.

For placing your buy-in money: Cash bets are not allowed in most places as far as I know. No dealer will confuse it with a cash bet. Usually once you have money in your hand the dealer will notice it and usually acknowledge you in some way. Just drop the cash somewhere in reach of the dealer so he can pick it up. Remember not to hand it directly to him though, and, of course, don't do this while the dice are out!

For collecting your wins: The dealers always collect losses first and then pay wins, so you don't have to worry about doing it out of order. Normally you can pick up a win as soon as the dealer has put down the chips. It is probably best to give the dealer time to move on to paying the next player before reaching in though. You don't want to have a collision of arms and hands while the dealer's hands are full of chips. When paying a come bet before it has been set on a point, the dealer will just place the win chip next to your bet and you can pick it up anytime, like in BJ. If the bet was on a point the dealer will pay you the win and the odds and will usually drop your initial come bet back on the come. You can pick it up if you'd like.

When placing your come bets, just put it as close to you as possible in the come box. Pay attention to your come bets because they can easily be confused with other players' bets, or even stolen. I like to make a very deliberate motion when placing a come bet so that the dealer knows what I am doing and that the bet is mine. I've had a couple dealers ask the whole table who's bet it was before.

Alright thanks guys. Going to be in Vegas in 10 days and looking forward to giving this a shot.

I like to wait for the next shooter when entering. Then there is a clean table. Plus I thought I read somewhere once that this was a good idea. ???

Just don't do what I did the first time. I told the dealer I was waiting for the "7 out". They consider any mention of the number "7" as bad luck.

Also you may want to tip early. Most dealers will help you out even more.

I'm also going to Vegas next week. Maybe see ya at the table. Enjoy.

I try to take a place close to a dealer, so there will be the least trouble telling him what I'm doing.

You can place your buy-in anywhere. Just make sure you tell the dealer "change, please" or words to that effect. It's also a good idea to put your players card on top of the buy-in as well.

when buying in, so many people evidently simultaneously are placing a bet with a portion of it that I have been saying "chips please, no action" ... otherwise there is this confusion it seems. Alternatively you could place a bet I guess, but actually I recommend counting your chips, you never know.

The Wizard's Craps videos address some of your concerns, so I would watch them.

https://wizardofodds.com/video/

I wish more players asked such questions. Here are a couple of things I hope people would keep in mind:

1. don't take a spot that will crowd the shooter

2. while you can walk up to a table and take a position at the table, don't buy in until the puck is "off." Many players are superstitious about new bettors joining the table during a roll. I never buy in when someone is "in the middle of a roll."

3. dont try to squeeze into a position at the table. if the position you want is already filled, take another position or go to another table. I prefer stick-right or stick left, and when not available I've simply come back later.

4. when do you collect the pays? as soon as the dealer pushes the chips in front of you.

5. please don't make late bets. when the dice are out, dont delay the game. again some are superstitious that a late bet will ruin the hand.

6. if you are a don't bettor, please don't walk up to the table as the shooter is about to throw, and then throw a five dollar chip on the table and yell out "any 7" because if you do and I am at the table, and the shooter sevens out, you might not make it to either your room or the parking lot.

I've thought of one other question. How are craps table minimums enforced in Vegas? If the table minimum is $15 does that mean each bet must be at least $15 or if I have a $15 pass line bet can I place a $5 hard way bet?

Quote: kulin

I've thought of one other question. How are craps table minimums enforced in Vegas? If the table minimum is $15 does that mean each bet must be at least $15 or if I have a $15 pass line bet can I place a $5 hard way bet?

the exotic bets such as hardways and horns -- the center table bets -- could be as low as one dollar each (or even less if a casino allows) and this depends on the casino.

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Quote: AlanMendelson

6. if you are a don't bettor, please don't walk up to the table as the shooter is about to throw, and then throw a five dollar chip on the table and yell out "any 7" because if you do and I am at the table, and the shooter sevens out, you might not make it to either your room or the parking lot.

That is what "Big Red" is for. Its how to bet "any seven" without uttering the word "seven".

Always lay your buy in across the line separating come and field, before the come out roll.
They will be quick to determine your intention, before the roll, because otherwise, if the dice roll,
you can claim either and inevitably win on most rolls (except 5,6,8)

I have always placed it directly in the come area in front of me and announced Check Change. Dealers often know I am buying in but the verbal announcement has always been sufficient to remove all doubts, I've never seen any need to position a buyin so precisely.

I've always had the money counted correctly and handed off to me correctly so all I do is pick it up from directly in front of me and rack it. Even at a busy table the stick will always make time for a buy in particularly if its a substantial amount relative to what they normally see.

From time to time I've been anxious and wanted to call out a come bet during a roll as I've approached a table... I guess it really is rude but I've had stick men bring the dice back to the center so I can buy in and then make the bet if they glance at me and see no chips in my hands. I guess they just don't like my looks enough to accept a call bet.

Quote: Elrohir44

I'm not sure why you say a poker player should come in on the big blind. I usually go for the exact opposite and come in after the button.

If you don't come in on the big blind, you have to ante up the big blind amount. That's a clear disadvantage. Why would you want to pay for the entry, when all you would need to do is wait for the big blind ?

Quote: MangoJ

If you don't come in on the big blind, you have to ante up the big blind amount. That's a clear disadvantage. Why would you want to pay for the entry, when all you would need to do is wait for the big blind ?

That all depends on the casino, some allow new players to come in behind the button without having to post.

Quote: sodawater

The way it works in AC is that the posted minimum is the minimum for all the bets at the ends of the table (line, come, field, place, etc). Then the minimum for the center bets is the next chip denomination down from what you'd use for the line bets. So for a $10 or $15 minimum table, the minimum center bet would be $1. At a $25 table the min center bet is $5, and at a $100 table it's $25.

You don't even need a minimum line bet to make a center bet. So if you find yourself with one single $5 chip left you could go to a $25 table and make one hardway bet if you'd like.

This varies by location for sure. In NC, you have to have at least one bet with the minimum covered. On a $25 table, you need to have a minimum $25 (Pass or DP, Come or DC, or a Field bet, or Place/Buy, or a Lay bet that wins min of $25) BEFORE you are allowed to bet less than $25 on the hardways. I 'think' this is also true in MS, but I can't recall for certain. I also think I saw $1 bets on the $25 table in NC, but I don't remember for certain.

I consider it very poor form to walk up to a $25 table and your only bets are $5 hardways bets. Many of the players at that table are going to have a significant amount of money in play at one time, and if a $5 bettor's chips or hands, or late bets appear to interfere with the play, someone is going to get upset.

Sorry if this repeats a little bit, but advice from the AAA dealer level:

1. When you walk up, find a space with a little buffer if possible. Same as how men pick a urinal--do you stand right next to the person or leave buffer? If you cannot find the spot you like (I like being to stickman's right) find another table of come back later.

2. Avoid walking in to where you will be the next shooter, someone may have been excited to shoot. Does not mean you cannot be in front of the dice, but be polite and have some common sense.

3. When you walk up if the puck is "ON" either wait, as others have said, or just sort of flash your money so the dealer can see it. He will either wave you off or let you buy in. For example, if a hardway is paying on the other side and he is not busy the box may let him give you cheques. If he gives a wave, this means you are acknowled and he will get to you, just like at a busy bar.

4. Remember that the priority is to collect first, pay winners second, and new buy-ins after that. There may be 8-10 people on your side and you sometimes need to wait your turn. One thing that drives me nuts is people holding their money out (well, we use tickets at the parties) for a buy-in or place bet when it is clear I am taking care of things in an order and will get to you. The act of walking up to the rail shows you want to play, dealers will notice.

5. Place your greenbacks on the COME area. They are not a bet but they want them there for the eye. Let the dealer count the cheques and slide them to you . DO NOT REACH. I am as guilty of this as anyone. If you forget, the dealer will say "we deliver" which is a polite way of saying, "please let me slide them to you so the eye can see it."

6. Place come and field bets as in front of you as possible. For the field do not put the cheque inside the 2/12 because it says "pays double." Don't put it out of reach on the field. (WT? am I saying--just do not play the field! Dealers sell field bets to players they want to get rid of.) The dealer will verify it is your come bet, but it helps not to have to ask all 8 players.

7. A white cheque near your bet for the dealers is ALWAYS a good policy, unless they are real jerks.

Quote: MidwestAP

That all depends on the casino, some allow new players to come in behind the button without having to post.

In AC - Harrah's, Borgata and Tropicana all allow a player to join without posting the BB. Those are the only ones I've played at. Also, Planet Hollywood in LV is the same.

Quote: sodawater

The way it works in AC is that the posted minimum is the minimum for all the bets at the ends of the table (line, come, field, place, etc). Then the minimum for the center bets is the next chip denomination down from what you'd use for the line bets. So for a $10 or $15 minimum table, the minimum center bet would be $1. At a $25 table the min center bet is $5, and at a $100 table it's $25.

You don't even need a minimum line bet to make a center bet. So if you find yourself with one single $5 chip left you could go to a $25 table and make one hardway bet if you'd like.

I've never played at a $100 table in Vegas, but the times I've played at $25 tables (mostly Caesers and Bellagio), they allow $1 bets in the center.

Quote: AcesAndEights

I've never played at a $100 table in Vegas, but the times I've played at $25 tables (mostly Caesers and Bellagio), they allow $1 bets in the center.

You are correct that if you go to Caesars now they will allow $1 center bets at a $25 table. But about five years ago they wanted a minimum of $5 except if you did something like horn high ace deuce which could be $5, and in effect $1 on the 2, 12, 11 and $2 on the 1-2.

But Caesars isn't getting the $$$ players it used to get and so it had to make adjustments to the current market. I don't see as many $100 and $50 tables at Caesars as I used to see. And I do remember about 5 years ago a Saturday night when they actually had a $500 table.

I've skimmed all of this, sorry if someone has already said it.

As it concerns to reaching and buying in. Let's say you walk to up a fresh table with the puck "off" but someone has the dice already. What you can do, money in hand preferably, is say "five/ten on the line" - the dealer will understand that you aren't wanting to put your hands into the line of fire. Then after the roll, whatever it is, you put your money down immediately. The dealer will place your line bet... and treat it accordingly (If craps, take it away. If 7/11, pay you.).

This allows you to play the game without any kind of reaching or slowing down the table. It's especially useful at really busy tables where the dealer might have to make a ton of payoffs after a point is made. He can just take your money, give it to the center, and go about his business and you aren't freaking out that you might not get to put your bets down.