As a player, what draws YOU to an empty table versus going to a table that sound like its winning???....
What are your thoughts
-TheWolf713
Sure if the table is empty then that house edge only applies to YOU and is not shared by other players. Every roll grinds against YOUR bankroll. If there are other players, be it craps or BJ or whatever, the rate of play changes.
I however do like to start a table out. First of all, I often play early in the morning anyway. Things will be slow the crew will be experienced and older usually family guys who want as close to "regular hours" as are ever available in a casino. They always work weekends but usually have Tuesday and Wednesdays off, just work day shift. So they are not super toke seekers either.
Usually the craps table starts off slow and then more and more people start showing up and you can tell from the banter that the crew and the waitresses know alot of the people.
I try to avoid an empty table that is really a crew that have put in for an EO ... Early Out. They want to go home so I leave them alone and two hours or one hour before their shift ends, they get released. I won't wander away from a very crowded table to play at a staffed but empty table. If I have doubts, I'll ask.
Just because I'm the only player at the table doesn't mean I have to let them push me along at a fast pace. Usually the waitress will leave me two orange juice and two bottles of water and not come back for quite awhile. When the table gathers steam, she will return.
I avoid tables that are a mad crush of humanity. A really jammed up game. If the stick is running over one of the base dealers all the time I'll be okay with that but its usually a sign the table is getting too crowded and I'll leave.
Its really just mere personal preferences. I don't think I win or lose any more money because of this.
However, I like an empty UTH table, less players to say stupid things...
Usually I go for a short walk and then come back to see if there's at least two other players. Then I buy in.
I then play at my own pace until more people arrive.
The thing is, it's rare to go more than a few rolls without getting at least three more people.
I get it. Nobody like an empty table. But they'll come to a started table, and I don't mind being a table starter.
It some times takes a couple of rolls to get bounce of the table down. If you are at a full table and have a short roll
you have to wait until the dice get back to you and start over. I five count random throwers so i wont lose much
on the way around... but you still have to pay attention.
The idea that a table is cold that is why it is empty is silly, all you know for sure is the
people playing were doing poorly. it has nothing to do what so ever with the next roll.
Dicesetter
Ah, the din of the casino, that's for the other's. I might play a little of the don't on a boistorous, freezing cold table and the churn of pso's could be attactive if I've determined that my chances to control the dice are diminished.
I have a limited amount of tables at my disposal usually. I'm familiar with all of them. It seems to me at least in the small casino town that if a casino has a second table, that's probably the one I'd rather play on. The one's it seems with better characteristics is the one that get's shoved off to the side and not used unless it's a busy night and they've had to pull in another crew. That's my window. Get in, get up and goodbye.
There's been quite a few times that I've arrived at a table and no one else is playing, the dealers bored, chatting with each other. Then, as soon as I buy in and pitch a few, the closet craps player's come in like fish returning to spawn. I've tried to get the casino's to cut me in for being a craps attractor but they're hearing none of it.
I've been told up in Vegas that the up front table at times is the only one worth playing on and the overload goes to the worser tables. There's little windows of opportunity to be had but I must remain nimble. "dance like a butterfly and sting like a bee" The opening of that "other" table is a sign. The casino has made it their tertiary table for a reason.
The only time I think an empty table can be really deadly is when the entire crew is on the EO list and just chomping at the bit ... they really don't want you there and the speed of the dice and quality of the calls will surely be likely to indicate that they want you at the other table so they can bring the lid down and get out early.
Quote: AlanMendelsonI want to throw the dice when I play so I seek out the empty tables... or near empty. That's the only reason.
Yup, people will join me, soon enough.
I also know that I am playing the human RNG when I shoot, but I hate, "Losing other people money," on one of my rolls, so I almost prefer to be by myself. I especially hate it when some bets something like Boxcars and implores me to throw it, I just look at them and say, "1 in 36, so sorry about the result of this next roll, but it probably won't be Midnight."
I am a rhythm shooter. I like to get into a nice flow and just let the dice go. This is easy to do when I am shooting by myself.
I have also found that the more people on a table, the more chances for the stupid ass bettors who are calling out horn whatevers, and then arguing over whether or not they got paid right. Or the C/E bettor who throws 4 chips down that fly all over the table. There are plenty of people that have no clue about Place betting, but the horn/craps newbies are by far the most irritating.
Given the choice of a crowded $10 table, or having to step up to $25 table to play with just a couple of players, I will generally head to the $25 table, even though that is too stiff for my BR. On the positive side though, if I get into a good roll, you make money quickly on a $25 table. And the people on the $25 table tend to know what they are doing. They may still bet the horn and craps, but they know what they are betting, and they do it quickly.
My ideal table has 2 players at each end
Quote: Mission146I also know that I am playing the human RNG when I shoot, but I hate, "Losing other people money," on one of my rolls, so I almost prefer to be by myself. I especially hate it when some bets something like Boxcars and implores me to throw it, I just look at them and say, "1 in 36, so sorry about the result of this next roll, but it probably won't be Midnight."
Interesting.
At the Fremont a guy walked up and placed a large bet on any seven when I was shooting the come out. He asked me to get it for him. I said "I'll try." well, I threw a 3 <sigh> which also lost me my pass line bet. The gentleman wasn't upset at all, at least not at me. He said "Oh, well. The dice do what they want," winked at me and left.
I don't mind that at all. it's part of the social aspect of the game, like applauding a point, a number you bet on, or a good roll.
One time, though, I missed the chance to amke a pass line bet. So rather than sit out the entire roll, I palced 6 & 8 and made a come bet. The guy throws a seven right away. I was upset. So I told the dealer "I should get a refund on that," when he collected the place bets. He asked "On the come, too?" And we both laughed.
What everybody is going to see in this thread is most DI's do not want to play on tables with anybody on them. Sure there are some that will tell you that they need someone else on the table so they can get a break when they are shooting. They want to finds tables with only a few players on the table.
I put so much time into becoming a DI I never want the dice in anybody's hand and will usually go to the tables with one or two other DI's that I know really well, they know how I bet my game and what to bet on when I'm shooting, the same thing goes for me betting on them. I will only go to the tables with a few of the guys that come into town for a class, when one of the schools are in town, that don't play musical chairs and don't do the five count or any other silly thing. They don't take their classes into casinos and if they did you wouldn't see me at the table with them. They will play at the times I play, doing the samething,.. finding an empty table.
I know of some good guys that are not DI's that will try to find a table with only a very few players on them, because they want to see what every shooter can do before they bet on them, you don't have to be a DI to win at craps, but the way I figure it you are better off taking destiny in your own hands.
The trouble playing at times when the casinos are full of players is as soon as you find a empty table, it will only last for a few minutes, once others see you shooting the table will fill up, most players don't want to be the only player on the table.
Years ago, when Sunset Station was new, I was in there shooting on a table that had three other players on it, the table behind us was just going off there was so much screaming that I kept looking over at it to see what was happening. A spot opened up I my curiosity got the best of me, and I was going to get in on this super hot table, I picked up my chips and made a bee line for that table.
What happened next shocked the hell right out of me, this table was cheering every time someone throw a seven, it didn't matter that they were all losing. That's what can happen when your paying to much attention to the table your on and didn't see that the dice were going around the table.
That taught me a lesson, I never pay attention to what other tables are doing, I don't need to, because I'm not playing in a casino with a bunch of full tables. That happened years ago, when I knew no better, but was at a time where I knew all the good shooters there, that now days everybody that is a DI would call random shooters, because they didn't set the dice, there were six guys and two to three women that you could find at the craps tables every night and they all were good shooters. They were all locals and none of them set the dice, I was the only one that did in that casino.
The other trouble of playing on full tables is, that you will have a lot of movement of players buying in and coloring up, so you can never get the feel of what the table is doing. You lose good shooters, and they are replaced with a new player, now you got to figure out if you can bet on that new player.
To put this in perspective,.. no DI wants to wait over an hour or more to get the dice and most DI's do not think of a casinos as an entertainment experience, we spend way to much time in the casinos, even though I only want to be in one for one to two hours tops when I'm shooting! I don't go to them for entertainment, I will not go for any of their stupid promotions and don't want any of the crap they give away to the locals, to suck them into hitting the casinos. Very seldom will I even go there to eat or see a show, I don't give a players card, I don't want the casinos that I didn't make the mistake of getting a players card in to know who I am. Unfortunately when I first stared out, I got players cards and there are some casinos that I don't give them to that will still have me in their computer, with the comps that I rack up in those casinos, when I have someone in town or all the or children are here I will get them a room.
For those of you that don't know anything about comp's here is a good interview that you should listen to, it's the one on june 13 in the link for the radio show.
http://www.bobdancer.com/radio.cfm
When it was at Bill's, it was rarely empty.Quote: NareedFor thsoe who like empty tables, I would suggest Rapid Craps at the Quad.
Quote: NareedInteresting.
At the Fremont a guy walked up and placed a large bet on any seven when I was shooting the come out. He asked me to get it for him. I said "I'll try." well, I threw a 3 <sigh> which also lost me my pass line bet. The gentleman wasn't upset at all, at least not at me. He said "Oh, well. The dice do what they want," winked at me and left.
I don't mind that at all. it's part of the social aspect of the game, like applauding a point, a number you bet on, or a good roll.
I don't mind winning for people, of course!
I think it is more my competitive nature than anything, it's still true that I hate losing other people's money, but I also hate being seen losing at all.
Quote: Mission146I don't mind winning for people, of course!
I feel undertipped as a shooter ;)
Quote:I think it is more my competitive nature than anything, it's still true that I hate losing other people's money, but I also hate being seen losing at all.
Strictly speaking you're not losing other people's money. The dice are random (as far as a pair of dice can be, of course). If shooters could choose what number comes up, no one would ever lose and the casinos would close all their craps tables. I've never blamed a shooter for a bad roll, an early 7-out, or anything else (though I do applaud good rolls and will sometimes tip a shooter after a good roll, too).
If I see my bankroll diminishing too quickly, I'll color up and tell the dealer "I'll be back when the table warms up." (Emphasis added). The implication being that the table is to blame. I don't believe that, but it's a graceful way of bowing out that casts no aspersions on the shooters.
Come to think of it, I don't blame the dealers for bad hands at card games, either. I'll sometimes joke when placing a bet for the dealer, "give us something good, ok?"
Quote: DJTeddyBearI don't like to play alone, but I will always go to an empty table if there's one available.
I then play at my own pace until more people arrive.
The thing is, it's rare to go more than a few rolls without getting at least three more people.
I get it. Nobody like an empty table. But they'll come to a started table, and I don't mind being a table starter.
I second that
Last weekend, I stayed at a casino on the Washington coast, and the craps table was empty all day long, from at least 1p to midnight. Three people were working there too. I wondered why they didn't drop the limits to get some kind of action.
Crappy rules, 2x odds, 2x on Field, but the 3 cruises I have been on, I have been about the only craps player on the boat.
I play enough that the casino was willing to open the table any time I came in, but there was only one night when 2 other people joined me, and one of them was drunk as hell..
Perhaps its a question of no one wants to be first or perhaps its simply that no one wants to play or even knows how to play?
Best thing ever was that crew that routinely hired a hooker to liven up their first hour. She drew a crowd to the table and got things going. This was quite some time ago, so maybe its just that now people don't know how to play craps at all. I just don't know.
I slow my play down a bit. It is easy to play too fast when you are the only shooter. Just slow the pace a bit.
Quote: TheWolf713Its Saturday Evening, you can hear the slot machines ringing in the background, People on the card games calling for drinks, and the loud roar of the crowd from the Craps Tables... You look over at the table and hear the loud cheers, but your cool savvy veteran attitude does not allow you to be phased by the chatter. As you scan the section, you notice another crew coming in to start up a new table....
As a player, what draws YOU to an empty table versus going to a table that sound like its winning???....
What are your thoughts
-TheWolf713[/
Wolf's are cunning and this isn't a spring trap for him. He was probably waiting for the change. He wouldn't be in this position unless he/she wanted to be. Hey, it's Saturday night and he's here. This can't be a surprise. It's well known the changing hours when the waves of player's come and go and also that the vampire class comes out late. Could be the Wolf is just on recon? That's what they do. They see, they circle, they plan, they are strategic. His target never sees him coming until it's too late.
I think he's there cuz he senses a quick opportunity or headed toward the door.
That crew coming in, they arn't new. No, they are competent and they've worked together before. But they're a little distracted, no one expect's the Wolf but he's been watching and sizing them up. Knows the score. The windows open, but could close quickly as those who were discontent at the other table shuffle over.
What does The Wolf do at a time like this?
But not your sense of humor!!Quote: Mikey75Best roll I've probably ever had in my life and I lost the last of my BR on it.
I avoid anything crapless mainly because I was so drunk the first time I encountered crapless craps that still remember my confusion.
PSO is common at times and that is what the Dark Side is really good for. At an empty table, there is no one else to blame.
I play mainly for entertainment and have no problem measuring my entertainment in loss per hour. That being said enjoy busy table as long as people are social and there isnt some guy taking 20 seconds to set the dice.
1) Slower game (usually) = longer table time.
2) It's social game, for me.
However, I have started a few tables. Usually when I have a friend with me so it is two of us at least. If it is just me or my friends, we take our time with the dice. Sometimes the box will try to hurry us, but what is she going to do? It's just us.
Quote: DrEntropyHowever, I have started a few tables. Usually when I have a friend with me so it is two of us at least.
Usually I'm alone, so...
While I've never "started" a table, I've "finished" a few.
It happened last trip, too. I was playing along with 3-4 others. This time they left after my roll (one point hit). I had money left and I wanted to play, so I did another roll. I didn't do well. When The roll ended, I picked up my chips and left an empty table.
Just set them ,aim for your spot and let em roll........
EagleDice.
I remember one occasion where the Stickman lost his cool for a second, because a Hard-Eight had been rolled and a player was arguing that he had a Red on the Hard-Eight which had been wrongfully taken down at some point.
Stickman: Dice out, no more bets!
Player: What!? I just hit the Hard Eight! Forty-Five bucks and leave it up, buddy!
Stickman: You weren't on the Hard-Eight.
Player: I was on the Hard Eight, and I've been on the Hard Eight all night!
Stickman: How could you have been on it? You have no chips!
Player: That was my last bet!
Me: (Muttering) The Point was Eight, the roll 5-3, three rolls ago, point resolved, Hard Eight loses.
Stickman: You lost your last bet!
Player: That was my last bet, and I just won!!!
Me: (Muttering) 5-3, Easy Eight, Take the Dont's, pay the Line, can this guy please shoot now?
Stickman: You lost on a Hard-Eight bet before that Hard Eight!
Player: And then I won on that one!
Me: (Yelling) The point was Eight, three rolls ago a 5-3 was rolled, Easy Eight, Pay the Line, Take the Don'ts, Hard Eight loses. Two rolls ago, Easy Six, 4-2, new point of Six. One roll ago was a No-Field Five, Three-Deuce, no action on the Five anywhere. This roll was the Hard-Eight. You weren't on it, you lost your last bet when the point was made, you should have been on the Pass Line! Can this guy please roll the F***ing dice!?
Stickman: See? Three Goddamn rolls ago you lost that bet, now buy back in, or get off my table!!!
Quote: Mission146Me: (Yelling)
Really?
Quote: Mission146Well, maybe not yelling, but my voice was definitely raised. The shot-taker was a total douche-sickle.
I have to stay out of such things ... if I am to be 'picking the time and place of my battles' then that scene isn't fitting the bill.
I often ponder whether or not to sympathize or not with such players. They usually say " I told you I wanted action on that bet at all times", and the dealer doesnt seem to know how to respond to that. Of course, there are myriad problems with such a request: often the game is going too fast for it to be practical, the dealers change, there are players that might indeed try to take a shot. The only valid gripe really should be for the dealer to fail to leave the bet up after a win, but this too could be caught by the player. After a loser the player has to be on the ball enough to know. From my observations, too many players try to be all over the place with too much action for anyone, including themselves, to stay on top of it.
With such going on, I never fail to remind myself that sucker bets are just bad news all the way around anyway.
Quote: odiousgambitI have to stay out of such things ... if I am to be 'picking the time and place of my battles' then that scene isn't fitting the bill.
I often ponder whether or not to sympathize or not with such players. They usually say " I told you I wanted action on that bet at all times", and the dealer doesnt seem to know how to respond to that. Of course, there are myriad problems with such a request: often the game is going too fast for it to be practical, the dealers change, there are players that might indeed try to take a shot. The only valid gripe really should be for the dealer to fail to leave the bet up after a win, but this too could be caught by the player. After a loser the player has to be on the ball enough to know. From my observations, too many players try to be all over the place with too much action for anyone, including themselves, to stay on top of it.
With such going on, I never fail to remind myself that sucker bets are just bad news all the way around anyway.
I agree with you completely on having a manageable amount of action, and all players should follow that Rule, even if they make the sucker bets. The House is imperfect, and they cannot be expected to be perfect at all times, we're all human. Even with only one bet out there, you have to watch. I've caught them paying me the Odds I've taken as if the Point were Six when the Point Made was Four, "Excuse me, sorry to bother you, I think you owe me a bit more on those Odds," and then I toss the boys a White, or put them behind me on the Pass Line.
The one thing that I won't tolerate is blatant cheating. In the case of the guy in question, he flipped his red chip, caught it, and said, "I guess this is the last ride," after the Point of Eight was established, and put it on Hard-Eight. Again, Eight was the point, that guy knew as sure as I know I am posting here that he lost his last bet. I'm not going to stand for that kind of crap (no pun intended) holding up the table.
I mean, if the guy tries one time to take his shot, I might ignore that. If he is going to stand there and argue, knowing he is lying/cheating, I'm not having it.
Also, I never see the phenomenon of an entire crew just standing on a craps table waiting for early out at my casino. For one thing, except in the beginning when they passed out early outs like candy on my shift, it's all done on an individual basis, and they simply take out the dealer who's being sent home and tap in a dealer who knows the game and is staying. This, of course, was bad news for me one day when I was sick as a dog and number 3 on the early out list - normally that means I don't even make it a half day, but they were out of craps dealers and I was stuck for my full shift, dribbling snot on the table and generally suffering (yes, it's gross, but I caught four colds in six months as a dealer until I decided to bathe in hand sanitizer on my breaks.)
You were indeed yelling and for awhile there I almost thought I would get my money from you.Quote: Mission146Well, maybe not yelling, but my voice was definitely raised. The shot-taker was a total douche-sickle.
Quote: slytherI don't like the empty table because it plays too fast.
If it's truly empty, it doesn't play at all. If you're the only player, you can shoot at whatever slow pace you like.
worlds.
I want to get a number of rolls in quickly to make adjustments
in set and location, then it is better to get a couple of people at the
table hoping to share more wins.
Interesting thing has been lately my first roll is the best I will have. In the past couple of weeks
I started with a 51, 24,25,34,28 and it seemed as the table filled up I did much worse.
dicesetter
Quote: dicesitterFor me an empty table is like a tax refund, it just is the best of all
worlds.
I want to get a number of rolls in quickly to make adjustments
in set and location, then it is better to a couple of people at the
table hoping to share more wins.
Interesting thing has been lately my first roll is the best I will have. In the past couple of weeks
I started with a 51, 24,25,34,28 and it seemed as the table filled up I did much worse.
dicesetter
LOL
Quote: RogerKintLOL
It would be funny if not so sad.