Newbie looking for a few vegas pointers

Going to vegas at the end of the month. I've been reading a few books on craps and can understand the basic concepts of craps, but everytime I showup to the table I get nervous because of all excitement at the table and speed at the table... Does anyone know if there's any place on the strip I can "get my feet wet" for cheaper tables/practice tables? I'm staying at the Excalibur and really want to get more into craps as now I only really play blackjack. When I have been playing (in AC) I'll only stay for a few points and then leave because it's easy to understand on paper, but live in the casino it's wayyyyy too much for me to take in at once.

Any pointers I'd be more than happy to accept. I just feel since most players are overly superstitious at craps I don't feel comfortable asking at the table. I normally play the pass line, and then place odds bets, never really did anything other than maybe placing a 6-8 bet.

Most players, like myself, are ok with questions as long as you don't make a pest of yourself, and allow the player the time he needs to take care of his own bets at the same time.

if you can make it downtown you can play for $3 at El Cortez. I don't know how cheaply you can play on the strip since I avoid it.

Quote: ajemeister

I normally play the pass line, and then place odds bets, never really did anything other than maybe placing a 6-8 bet.

That's all you need to know.

Excalibur typically has at least 1 if not 2 $5 tables going. They are usually packed. This will provide a lot of "excitement" with all the different bets being made and may make it hard to keep up with everything, but it should also slow the game down just a little bit so you can at least follow your own bets.

Oh cool! The gf and I plan on doing mostly the strip and fremont street. Is fremont street now practically the same, table wise, since it's become more popular again?

Alot of the bets and conversation is extraneous.
What happens at the other end of the table is meaningless.
What happens in the center of the table SHOULD be meaningless because YOU should never have any bets there. None. Ever.
That leaves only YOUR end of the table. Which is composed of your chips and others chips. You should be watching YOUR chips.
If you watch that Hockey Puck like thing a majick, watch your chips, listen to the stick man's calls of the dice... what more do you need. He may be constantly pushing the stupid center bets but you ignore that stuff and just listen to his call of the roll.

Is there a point established? What is it? Are you on the Pass Line or the DontPass Line? Do you have an Odds Bet yet?

A five dollar table has to be kept moving fast for the house to make money. Its not brain surgery. No one will die if you get distracted. Just don't loose sight of the action: Come Out Roll, Establish a Point, Either Make the Point or Seven Out. Start over again.

You should be able to look at the layout and KNOW which stacks of chips there are yours. If you've made Come Bets that later traveled to one of the Numbers, YOU should know which of those stacks are YOUR money.

Ever notice how a dealer looks at HIS end of the table and listens to what is happening at the other end. You should do the same. LOOK at your end of the table and LISTEN to the Stickman and your dealer. Watch YOUR money: in the rail and on the layout.
Tune out the nonsense of people calling out Hard Six and Horns and stuff like that.

Wander over to The Venetian and you may not find a five dollar table in the morning but it will be a SLOWER one and it will have fewer players, so you might find it easier to make ten dollar bets but follow the slower action than make five dollar bets and have it going too fast for you to keep up with.

Also... LET THE DEALERS KNOW if you are a newbie... they will TRY to help you without slowing down the table too much. That is what they get paid to do. Tip them and make them earn that tip!

Or wander down to the hinterlands of Hedertucky and play one dollar and two dollar craps. Too much smoke to breathe there but at least you will pass out in an unusual craps game.

You don't have to go that far for $1 craps. That is if this place is still open.

Quote: Alan

if you can make it downtown you can play for $3 at El Cortez. I don't know how cheaply you can play on the strip since I avoid it.

$3 at Casino Royale sometimes. $5 many other places.

Also if you feel uneasy asking other players questions about the game OP, you could always play a "bubble craps" machine first. Those are all over the strip now. And if you are familiar with pass line/come/free odds bets, those are definitely the most important things.

What days are you going to be there? I arrive this Tuesday the 24th and leave Saturday the 28 at around noon.

bubble craps I'm assuming is similar to the game Sorry? where you push a button and the dice rolls for you?

the only other thing I'm not all that sure about is the odds bed. I've heard that you have to put down odds bets differently for 4/5/6 8/9/10 to achieve the best payout? do the tablemen help you to calculate these on the fly?

Quote: miplet

What days are you going to be there? I arrive this Tuesday the 24th and leave Saturday the 28 at around noon.

Ah, I don't get there til the 28th around 5 :(

Quote: ajemeister

bubble craps I'm assuming is similar to the game Sorry? where you push a button and the dice rolls for you?

Similar to the game "Trouble". It's an electronic unit where all bets are made electronically and the dice are enclosed in a bubble and are "popped" inside the bubble when a button is pressed to simulate a dice roll. Less social than a craps table for sure, but it's also a little less intimidating, and you can place bets more freely and see how they work. But as I said previously, you're making the best bets already. Let others make the "prop bets" with terrible house edges instead.

Quote: ajemeister

the only other thing I'm not all that sure about is the odds bed. I've heard that you have to put down odds bets differently for 4/5/6 8/9/10 to achieve the best payout? do the tablemen help you to calculate these on the fly?

Well for odds bets, you just need to remember that 4 or 10 has 2 to 1 odds, 5 or 9 has 3 to 2 odds, and 6 or 8 as 6 to 5 odds. With this in mind, you need to bet an even dollar amount for 5 or 9, and a multiple of 5 for 6 or 8. For 4 or 10, you can bet any dollar amount up to the odds limit.

Quote: ajemeister

bubble craps I'm assuming is similar to the game Sorry? where you push a button and the dice rolls for you?

the only other thing I'm not all that sure about is the odds bed. I've heard that you have to put down odds bets differently for 4/5/6 8/9/10 to achieve the best payout? do the tablemen help you to calculate these on the fly?

3-4-5 means you can bet a maximum of that much times your original pass line bet on Points of 4-5-6 and 10-9-8 respectively.

If the point is odd your odds bet should be an even amount. FREX Point of 5 or 9 and playing single odds, you should make an odds bet of $6, not $5.

Just remember those two sentences and you have a $5 Pass Line bet figured out.

thanks :D

and stupid me got my board games mixed up.. yeah I meant to say Trouble.

Quote: ajemeister

bubble craps I'm assuming is similar to the game Sorry? where you push a button and the dice rolls for you?

the only other thing I'm not all that sure about is the odds bed. I've heard that you have to put down odds bets differently for 4/5/6 8/9/10 to achieve the best payout? do the tablemen help you to calculate these on the fly?

You never have to make an odds bet but you CAN make odds bets up to a certain multiple of your Line Bet. The math type guys tell us its best to have most of your money in odds bet, but at low level tables it doesn't really matter too much.

The dealers had darn well better help you.. both to remind you to make an odds bet and to let you know proper amounts. Else they don't get any tips from you at all.

3x4x5x is a common odds factor simply because it makes the game move faster with all payouts being the same. Players and Surveillance each know the amount is correct so the game moves fast.

Quote: ajemeister

Any pointers I'd be more than happy to accept. I just feel since most players are overly superstitious at craps I don't feel comfortable asking at the table. I normally play the pass line, and then place odds bets, never really did anything other than maybe placing a 6-8 bet.

Hey man I was in your position a couple years ago, let me share my tips. The way you play with pass line, odds and 6 and 8 is pretty much my go to method. Good start there.

In terms of being nervous going up to the table, don't be. Usually it's a bunch of middle aged or older men playing who look intimidating, but, they really aren't (I'm 23 fyi). Go during the day to a slow table and the dealers will help you with any questions. They usually never seem "happy" in my experience but they always explain the rules and talk to players willingly. One thing I've found over the years is most of the "intimidating older players" know less about craps than I do. Some guys act tough or like high rollers, then, I'll look over and see no odds behind their pass line bet when the point is on. This happens more than you'd think.

I typically avoid throwing chips down when the dice are out, being obnoxious, and saying "7" when someone is shooting. These are my personal go to "don't do that" at the craps table.

To be perfectly honest, I think dealers and players alike prefer when someone comes up to the table asking questions rather than being a know it all. I find that some players enjoy teaching new players how to play craps at the table. I myself love to help out new players who were previously intimidated of craps like I was.

If you have a pass line, pass odds and 6/8 betting system you have nothing to worry about as far as asking questions. When the point is made, put down your odds, put down $12 around the come area, make sure the dealer can hear you clearly say "$6 on 6 and 8" (or whatever $6 increment you're placing on 6 and 8) and enjoy craps my friend!

Also if you're interested, I know MGM, Mandalay and Planet Hollywood as well as other casinos have a "craps machine" called Shoot to Win Craps (I think that's what it's called). It's has about 8 seats surrounding a cylinder with giant dice bouncing around and the shooter presses a button to pop the dice in the air. Anyways, this is low limit, I've seen $1, $3 and $5 machines. This doesn't give you the same feeling as a real craps table (obviously) but you could toss in $5-$10 on a $1 limit and do some practice rolls before you hit the real tables.

Here is a video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPNES5DHcos (not me fyi)

Have a great time in Vegas.

I'm not a craps player and I would trust the people here enough to take some of their advice when it comes down to it.

Other Vegas pointers...

I suggest going to a CET casino and getting the total rewards card and earning a few points. My sister and I went in March. About a month later I set up my sister's online TR account. She is now getting comped rooms. She only earned like 15 points. It's nice to know you can get a free room just about anytime you want. Even if the free rooms dry up, you can still get a middle strip room for 18 bucks.

Get a rental car and bring your own GPS. I'm a firm believer that getting off the casino floor will save money. The same 50 bucks you might lose in the casino will get you to Hoover Dam and back, Grand Canyon and back, Zion National Park and back. Not to mention the Red Rocks and Valley of fire and back as these 2 are close by. Even if you factor in 150 for the car, it's a good idea.

I always recommend people bring home a few bets on Sunday football. Even if it's 20 $5 parlays as they can pay 1000's ans come with better odds than the powerball and megaball lotteries.

Have a great time in Vegas!

I would suggest to spend as much time as you can right at the craps table . You are not required to bet . Notice those who win the most and see what they do differently from other players . Look at the reaction of the crew , do they like this particular player or they give him a cold shoulder ? You are entering a completely new world with its' unwritten rules , only years of learning will
make you a better player . Don't jump to conclusions , your opinion might change over the years .

Thank you all, you've all been so helpful and inspiring :)

I don't plan much on going to a CET property, as I'm already a member and I feel like I'll get better comps with their inactive promotions then I will by being a loyal member..

What drew us to vegas was the MyVegas facebook game that my gf and I play. Stared playing a year ago and had enough comps (her and I combined) to do the following:
2x Weekend Night @ Excalibur
2x Tickets to O
and 40k points and 30k points leftover (to get a bar/food deal or something).

With a gambling bankroll of ~ 1000 (saved by putting aside $20-30 a week since jan) what kind of table would you recommend?
Looking at maybe $1-200/session. Are the $3-5 tables my best option? Also I think I'm going to have to checkout that craps machine posted. It looks kinda cool, even if it's not the same experience

Don't throw your money on the table(initially to get in the game) while the puck is on(white side showing); it's an etiquette thing.

Even without your MyVegas points if you and your girl gamble a grand on a weekend trip to Vegas, you would have been RFB and might even do better than Excalibur. Anyway, you will probably want to explore a bit and walk and get free water from casinos and do a bit of casino hopping and gawking. Get a card everywhere you go. You are likely to receive some teaser offers in a two or three months. Do a little research as to what else you might like to do before you get there. And group things together.

Remember the free lectures that most casinos offer usually 11:00am to 2:00pm ... check and find out. It won't hurt and the play after the lecture is usually at a very leisurely pace.

I think it is best to keep your account card and your girlfriends account card separate in their computers but thats up you. They will probably link them eventually anyway. That way, you each get separate offers regarding rooms and buffets etc.

Quote: wroberson

Have a great time in Vegas.

I'm not a craps player and I would trust the people here enough to take some of their advice when it comes down to it.

Other Vegas pointers...

I suggest going to a CET casino and getting the total rewards card and earning a few points. My sister and I went in March. About a month later I set up my sister's online TR account. She is now getting comped rooms. She only earned like 15 points. It's nice to know you can get a free room just about anytime you want. Even if the free rooms dry up, you can still get a middle strip room for 18 bucks.

Get a rental car and bring your own GPS. I'm a firm believer that getting off the casino floor will save money. The same 50 bucks you might lose in the casino will get you to Hoover Dam and back, Grand Canyon and back, Zion National Park and back. Not to mention the Red Rocks and Valley of fire and back as these 2 are close by. Even if you factor in 150 for the car, it's a good idea.

I always recommend people bring home a few bets on Sunday football. Even if it's 20 $5 parlays as they can pay 1000's ans come with better odds than the powerball and megaball lotteries.

Have a great time in Vegas!

I second all of this. I am a diamond player with CET, a lot of that from craps and Pai Gow Poker (most from luck) and when I was out in Vegas this June I did a little Casino crawl down the strip. I went to every property I could, got in their player's club to get whatever their promo was. A lot of times the sign up bonus was $5-$1000 free slot play (I've never got more than $20), but for two people that can add up. Also, a lot of the casinos consider Video Poker to be slots so you should learn the basics (or pull up the Wizard's strategy on your phone). So do that, play on their money then cash out all of your winnings. I made about $5-25 off of each casino this way. It would have been more profitable to get The American Casino Guide (with it's coupons) or the 24/7 free coupon book.

After cashing out my (small) winnings I went over to the craps table and bought in for $200-$300, played for a bit, (don't be shy about asking questions, maybe stay just long enough to get a free drink) and then moved on to the next casino. If you do this during the day you will find plenty of $5 craps games. This can also give you a feel for what casino you would like to gamble in later.

Long story short, when I got back from Vegas I had offers from almost all of those places. Including 3 free nights (no blackout dates) at the Wynn and $400 free slot credit (from playing $20 VP).

On another note, if you feel shy about asking questions, tip the dealers (or make a bet for them) and they will help you for sure. And if you're confused about odds and the dealers are not helpful look around to what everyone's odds bets are. Are they even? Divisible by 5? Watching other people is generally helpful if you have a good idea what's going on already.

When I was in Vegas in May the $3 min at El Cortez was only Tues-Thurs. Fri - Mon was $5 min.

I did hit the Westin Casuarina casino. It's very close to the strip. It's small and part of the hotel.
They have a daily happy hour from 5pm - 8pm with $3 min craps. I think the odds were 5x. The website is:
http://www.westinvegas.com/casino-special-offers?

There was 4 of us playing and the dealers were helpful although a little pushy on tips. Playing during the day is a great for starting since it’s not as crowded or fast. When there are a lot of players the dealers seem to want to push the rolls to be a fast as possible.

Quote: Alan

Don't throw your money on the table(initially to get in the game) while the puck is on(white side showing); it's an etiquette thing.

Also, change those $20 bills to large at the cage. Makes it much easier on the table crew when you're buying in.

Quote: ajemeister

With a gambling bankroll of ~ 1000 (saved by putting aside $20-30 a week since jan) what kind of table would you recommend?
Looking at maybe $1-200/session. Are the $3-5 tables my best option? Also I think I'm going to have to checkout that craps machine posted. It looks kinda cool, even if it's not the same experience

It was me who posted about the craps machine! Honestly give it a try for $20. It's fun, entertaining and always cheaper than tables. Definitely not the same thrill as the tables like you said. I think it will be hard to find a $5 table on the strip. Maybe not hard, you'll just need to search for one. I've gambled at a $10 min table with $100 and played for a long time. I've lost at a $5 minimum table with $50 in 10 minutes betting pass, pass odds and 6/8 and I've seen a friend play $5 and turn it into $130. It's stupid to say it doesn't matter the limit but if a table is cold and nobody is hitting number than you're going to lose your money fast. If you want $5 tables on the strip try the morning/afternoon. Don't be afraid to ask a $10 minimum table if they have any $5 minimums. They'll either tell you they don't have any period or tell you the times when the offer $5 tables. Off the strip has tons of $3 and $5 tables. Just depends where you can go. I know that it's never fun to leave the strip when all your friends are there.

I actually prefer $10 tables compared to $5 tables. I guess it's the whole bet big to win big saying but I always do better at $10 tables. It's easier to leave when I'm up at $10 tables because my winnings are obviously higher than $5 table winnings.

I visited the strip the last two weeks of August and there were lots of $5 tables during the day - Ex, NYNY, PH, Ballys, Harrahs.

Ex seemed to always have a $5 table going in the evening. And of course Casino Royale still has their $3 tables with 100x odds.

I have played the bubble version but it just isn't the same as the real thing. I equate it to playing craps on-line, except on-line you don't get the extremely annoying whine to "Push the button, Push the button...!!" That alone makes it almost unbearable.

I like the look people give me when the seven rolls and my side of the table is flashing because I have the don't on the craps machine. Craps is making me into a sadist.

Quote: ajemeister

Going to vegas at the end of the month.

You may have heard that the advice you will get at this site will be good, but, unfortunately you can get a lot of bad advice.

You have played a little bit, that's good as the etiquette stuff is very important and you presumably would be past that.

From what you have written, it seems it took time for you to raise an adequate bankroll. I would actually recommend not playing craps in your case.

If you must play, just stick with the bets you already are making and hope for the best.

Quote: ajemeister

I just feel since most players are overly superstitious at craps I don't feel comfortable asking at the table.

Plenty of superstitious people here too.

Yeah it did take me some time to raise the bankroll.. Mostly because I wind up going down to atlantic city and playing blackjack. This was the only real way I could guarantee my bankroll for vegas..

Maybe I'll start out with the "push the button" machine (sounds like a female claptrap from borderlands if anyone here plays video games) and see how I fare with that..

If you can make money at Atlantic City blackjack, Vegas should be a walk in the park.

Quote: ajemeister

Yeah it did take me some time to raise the bankroll.. Mostly because I wind up going down to atlantic city and playing blackjack. This was the only real way I could guarantee my bankroll for vegas..

Maybe I'll start out with the "push the button" machine (sounds like a female claptrap from borderlands if anyone here plays video games) and see how I fare with that..

Just find a table that isn't busy and walk up. Wait until the shooter craps out and then place your money on the table with your players card. When you are given your chips put them in your rail and place a pass line bet. If you're going to place the 6 and 8 (assuming the point is something other than those) place $15 in the Come field and say "Place the 6 and 8" or "$6 on the 6 and 8". This is assuming a $5 table obviously. Then place your odds bet. Now sit back and wait. If you are given $5 and $1 chips then you can just set $12 on the table instead of $15.

If the 6 or 8 is rolled say either "Same bet" or "Press" depending on what you want to do. If the point is made pick up the chips after you're paid including your odds bet. If the next point is either a 6 or 8 then you'll be asked what you want to do with your place bet and you can either place another number ("Place the 5") or press the other place bet ("Press my 6") or "Take it down". There's nothing wrong with telling the dealer that you don't have much experience.

If all you play is the Pass Line and place the 6, 8 then it's pretty easy and shouldn't be intimidating. Worst that could happen is that you make a mistake and they correct you.

The thing to absolutely avoid is placing your hand on the table when someone is shooting the dice. Also keep your hands and arms back so the dice don't hit them. Have your bets ready to be placed as soon as the dice are thrown. Make sure the dealer hears you and watch to make sure your bets are placed correctly.

If you play the same way each time the dealer will quickly figure out what you want to bet and whether you want to take or press your bets. If at any time you want to pull your place bets down just tell the dealer "Take my bets down". You can also pick up your odds bet at any time - but not when the shooter has the dice!!!

Get your bets down while the dice are in the center.

Good advice. Don't be afraid to tell the dealer you're a newbie. I found the Excalibur crews to be friendly and helpful, but their tables are too long!

Quote: Nf6

I found the Excalibur crews to be friendly and helpful

Excalibur dealers are pretty cool (for the most part). Can't stand Bellagio dealers though.

And you have to wipe the cobwebs off the Caesar's crews.