Craps Table Etiquette: The Rail

How much "real estate" is devoted to each player on the rail of a craps table? I assume it is two chip racks wide, but is it expected to only be one wide during a "hot" roll, when many players want to get in on the action?

With many players apparently getting "wider" (refer to the problems with "seat widths in airplanes") it can get tight, even with a relatively small number of players.

Is there a limit to the number of players on a side? It seems most layouts will only accommodate 9?

It gets tricky with more than 8. The dealers don't have a convenient way to put player's chips in the bet boxes. Imagine nine place 6 bets in one wagering area. Or nine hard 4 bets in one half of the hard 4 area. Someone who's actually dealt dice can confirm this, but don't boxpeople and dealers generally say "sorry, we're full" when 8 people are playing on a side?

It depends.

I was there for the first roll of craps at Spirit Mtn,. casino, and there were more than twenty players at the table.

Bedlam.

I'm a big guy: 6'5", 245, and if the table gets crowded I don't mind turning sideways / perpendicular to the rail to let others in, especially if they ask "Can I squeeze in here please?"

Manners rock.

Quote: MrV

It depends.

I was there for the first roll of craps at Spirit Mtn,. casino, and there were more than twenty players at the table.

Bedlam.

I'm a big guy: 6'5", 245, and if the table gets crowded I don't mind turning sideways / perpendicular to the rail to let others in, especially if they ask "Can I squeeze in here please?"

Manners rock.

Very cool. I'd love to hear the story of that opening. What was the first roll?

I also don't mind turning sideways when it is crowded, but unfortunately, my gut is such that it doesn't open any space on the rail... hey yoooo!

Quote: MathExtremist

It gets tricky with more than 8. The dealers don't have a convenient way to put player's chips in the bet boxes. Imagine nine place 6 bets in one wagering area. Or nine hard 4 bets in one half of the hard 4 area. Someone who's actually dealt dice can confirm this, but don't boxpeople and dealers generally say "sorry, we're full" when 8 people are playing on a side?

The most I've seen is 9 on each side. The dealers put the "5th" bet to the left side of the number box as they face it, in between the 4th & 6th bet.

What drives me nuts is at a semi full table when a player and his posse are hogging four spots(only one guy playing) and I get dirty looks when I ask to squeeze in. The dealers are usually pretty good about clearing space.

Yeah, 8 spots is the most one side will accommodate. Granted, if most people are just betting PL+field it's fine with however many, even 10 people. But when you have come bets, place bets, etc. (especially when everyone has different bets, alternating come bets).....everything starts to get fairly hairy.

8's about the max unless you are on one of those HUGE (16'?) tables where the stick is about 9 or 10 feet long. It gets real confusing if the prop bet configuration on the layout doesn't afford the stickman enough space to properly position the chips to player location right, he ends up with sort of a pile of chips of various denominations and prays the f***king bet doesn't hit.

there is actually an old dealer trick that will let you position up to 16 players on each side....we used to have to do it dealing the tubs.....if you can squeeze in, I'll take your action.

When table table is not full the staff rarely makes comments about how much space and/or number of chip slots a players uses.

When the table is full it's a different story.
I was on some long rolls in a short period and a drunk would squeeze in next to me (why me) in every half-hour or so and toss a dollar-yo on a ten-mimimum table. I had chips in two slots (my bad). On one of the long rolls the drunk squeezes in next to me as the dice are being passed back to me. For the first time the drunk makes a pass bet, then the dealer asks me to move my chips from one slot and make space.
"Please color me out, and pass the dice".
Don't believe I'd react the same way today.

Most players will allow the shooter extra room is the shooter asks politely.
I've had other players yelling and screaming at a newcomer to leave the shooter alone, whilst on a long roll. In one instance I was standing SR2, and a big guy squeezed in SR1, and the other player were yelling. I saw that he had nearly a grand in his hand an made space. (Bigger people are aware of their size and it's restrictions and should really not (IMO) attempt to squeeze on a crowded table, however there are exceptions to most everything).

Etiquette works both ways on a craps table. I always step back partially when a player next to me is the shooter.

Unfortunately, there are some that are just absent any manners, and sholud they squeeze in next to me, than it's just time for a break. Even if that break merely consists of stepping back 6-8-feet to smoke a cigarette or drink a coffee.

Quote: wilbsmitt

What drives me nuts is at a semi full table when a player and his posse are hogging four spots(only one guy playing) and I get dirty looks when I ask to squeeze in. The dealers are usually pretty good about clearing space.

I've no qualms about doing the same, at least politely. It really helps if the staff knows you, and you them.

After a shooter has some long rolls and gets a bit a notoriety, there's generally not any problem with regular players or staff.