Recent Craps Conditions in LV?

New Years Eve I have a gig to deal craps to a party of 8 guys who are going to Vegas soon and either want to learn to play or practice up for the trip. I was wondering if you who are local could update me on local conditions there so I can give a good and intelligent answer to where they might want to play if they decide to ask. Among other items:


1. Is Big 6/8 universal out there? I will say not to play it but I always tell people it is not in AC, how about Vegas?
2. Will you find "tripple" on the 12-field anywhere? Same discalaimer as above, but field plays in my "Modified Iron Cross" I reccomend for action-junkies.
3. $3 mins on Freemont still there? What about CC/Slots-A-Fun/Riveara?
4. What is best place for "players" on Strip/Freemont and is there a place a tourist might want to go for a better game?
5. Best Free Odds?
6. Anything else you would tell someone coming to "play?"

These guys might know everything and they might be trying to learn. The fact that they are hiring someone tells me they know a bit, but I want to be able to tell them some locals info, even if I am not local.

1. Big 6 & 8 are gone from Vegas, too. It is not missed.
2. Triple-12 is at most local places, off-strip. Looking for a good deal on the field is like looking for a good deal on the Big 6 & 8. After taking some odds, Place bets, come bets, and judiscious use of prop bets is the way to go.
3. For learning, playing 2x odd is okay, as you want the session to last by reducing exposure. If they buy in for $500+, and play $3/$30 or $5/$50 with 10x odds, then very fine, too. The forum's Hotel reviews include playing conditions.
4. Most places downtown, and the Fiesta Henderson and Joker's Wild in Henderson are good inexpensive locals places with fine conditions. Both also have good BJ and cheap 3CP. The wizard lists the places and their playing characteristics.
5. Nobody knows everything, and even if they did, variance or luck is always THE factor, and wise players accept this with serenity. Always remember that when you're gambling, well, you're gambling. Have them review Wizard's Gambling Information via email before the trip.

I can help with a few, but only as of last January. There are still a few $3. Downtown the Golden Gate and El Cortez have $3 even in the evening sometimes during the week. Less so on the weekend. The Western (wicked walk) has $1 craps in the evening. On the strip, Slots has it during the week during the day and Casino Royale has it most of the time. I think CR also has the 100x odds too, but I seem to recal they require a $5 bet to get it. Sorry I don't have more or more recent info. In two weeks I'll be there for a week and will know more, especially downtown.

Quote: downtowner

I can help with a few, but only as of last January. There are still a few $3. Downtown the Golden Gate and El Cortez have $3 even in the evening sometimes during the week. Less so on the weekend. The Western (wicked walk) has $1 craps in the evening. On the strip, Slots has it during the week during the day and Casino Royale has it most of the time. I think CR also has the 100x odds too, but I seem to recal they require a $5 bet to get it. Sorry I don't have more or more recent info. In two weeks I'll be there for a week and will know more, especially downtown.

Thanks for the info. I'm seeing them in 2 days. Word is they have their own table and own everything though I am taking chips/dice/whip just in case. This could be anything from novices to guys with their own set-up who are not worried where their next meal is coming from throwing themselves a party. I guess I will find out. Only hint is I was told it will be very laid back.

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Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Teddys is in Vegas right now and has played alot of craps with his friend and I'm sure he can give an update. Also read his blog.

Okay, here goes:

(1) It is not universal in Las Vegas. In fact it is quite rare. It is a shame to see it anywhere. I believe the Harrah's (Caesars) properties have it.
(2) Everywhere is 3x 12 except Caesars properties and Casino Royale.
(3) Fremont: Yes, except maybe on busy weekends/nights. Almost always at the El Cortez. Sometimes at other places (walk around). Circus/Slotsafun/Riveria: No. Slots of Fun does not even have table games anymore.
(4) Strip: Anywhere is good. I like the Mirage; they have five dollar minimums sometimes early in the morning. Everywhere else is pretty much the same. I prefer the "left" side of the Strip (MGM properties) to the "right" side (Caesars). Casino Royale is, in my opinion, a poor place to play regardless of the good odds. Rude dealers and atmosphere. Might be good for newbies, though, and they have a $3 game. Fremont: El Cortez is great, as is Main Street Station. Binions has "party pit" dealers in cowgirl outfits. Golden Gate is very professional and has party pit dancers with sometimes $3 minimums. Main Street/Cal/Fremont has some serious Hawaiian dice shooters who are fun to play with.
(5) Rampart: 100x but way out in Summerlin. Casino Royale: 100x on $5 bets, 20x on $3 bets (but see above). Sams Town and Main Street Station: 20x. Joker's Wild: 10x and $1 minimums, but way the heck out on Boulder Highway.
(6) Be sufficiently bankrolled.

Quote: teddys

Okay, here goes:

(1) It is not universal in Las Vegas. In fact it is quite rare. It is a shame to see it anywhere. I believe the Harrah's (Caesars) properties have it.

What is not universal? Big 6/8?

Quote:

Slots of Fun does not even have table games anymore.

Say it isn't so!

Yep, no more at Slots o' Fun... that table was practically on the sidewalk anyway and there was an air wall, so when one player pissed off a dealer the dealer grabbed the chip and threw them thru the air wall out to the sidewalk and said Down with your place bets.

Quote: FleaStiff

Yep, no more at Slots o' Fun... that table was practically on the sidewalk anyway and there was an air wall, so when one player pissed off a dealer the dealer grabbed the chip and threw them thru the air wall out to the sidewalk and said Down with your place bets.

I kind of liked that table near the strip. Gave it a real "street-craps" feel to the whole thing, like you were playing in an alley in Hell's Kitchen.

Do wish I could have seen a dealer do that.

I really would recommend the Tuscany. They now have a $3 table 24/7 unless it is really busy and people waiting to play and then it goes all the way up to $5. Dealers are friendly, this is where I prefer to play when in Las Vegas. I live in Scottsdale, AZ and I would say that I could be know as a regular there because over the past 3 years visiting the Tuscany to play craps, most of the dealers know me by name. One thing though, the 3am-11am pit boss named KC is a real a-hole, but there is a boss name John on the same shift who is a class act, great boss. I normally play 8 pm- 3am ish.

I remember KC, he's the one that flat bet me for a 2:1 spread on their "three rounds heads-up" single deck game when I had a BAC of about 99.5%.

As for craps, I found most of the dealers okay there, except for one guy who was a real burnt-out tip-hustling piece of shit. He was 'hairy looking' (for lack of a better term), had a moustache and wore a ring that resembled a sports championship trophy ring. There's six players on the table, five stiffs and me betting $1 for the crew on the point hard on every hard point, working out to about $20 an hour. So what does the genius do? Work over the five stiffs? Nope, instead he sarcastically comments "Boy, I sure hope we win our one dollar bet" when I'm finally in the middle of a decent hand.

Quote: CRMousseau

I remember KC, he's the one that flat bet me for a 2:1 spread on their "three rounds heads-up" single deck game when I had a BAC of about 99.5%.

As for craps, I found most of the dealers okay there, except for one guy who was a real burnt-out tip-hustling piece of shit. He was 'hairy looking' (for lack of a better term), had a moustache and wore a ring that resembled a sports championship trophy ring. There's six players on the table, five stiffs and me betting $1 for the crew on the point hard on every hard point, working out to about $20 an hour. So what does the genius do? Work over the five stiffs? Nope, instead he sarcastically comments "Boy, I sure hope we win our one dollar bet" when I'm finally in the middle of a decent hand.

I need a really withering response to make to tip hustlers. It's one of my biggest pet peeves. There is always the talk-to-the-shift-manager route, but I want something more direct.

We just got back from Vegas and noticed that the craps "bubble" game is all over the place but with very different min bet and max odds. We saw them first where we stayed at Mandalay Bay ($3 Min 2x) and then also at MGM ($5min and 2x) NY NY (not sure of min or odds) Luxor ($2min and 3x) same for Excalibur. Sunset Station ($1min and 5x) We played at Luxor and sunset. Game was a lot of fun and all bets paid correctly. (You could make a $1 $2 bet on six and eight and get paid correctly. Also all buy bets were charged on win only. We also played the electronic hybrid game at Bills. It was $3 min and 3 4 5 odds. Also paid $3 six and eight correctly.

Quote: wrongway

We just got back from Vegas and noticed that the craps "bubble" game is all over the place but with very different min bet and max odds. We saw them first where we stayed at Mandalay Bay ($3 Min 2x) and then also at MGM ($5min and 2x) NY NY (not sure of min or odds) Luxor ($2min and 3x) same for Excalibur. Sunset Station ($1min and 5x) We played at Luxor and sunset. Game was a lot of fun and all bets paid correctly. (You could make a $1 $2 bet on six and eight and get paid correctly. Also all buy bets were charged on win only. We also played the electronic hybrid game at Bills. It was $3 min and 3 4 5 odds. Also paid $3 six and eight correctly.

New York New York is $2 minimums with 5x odds. Better than the live craps game.

Call of all your odds and bets. Pass the dice. Explain loudly that nothing kills your luck like a tip hustler. While the next player is resolving the rest of your roll, ask to speak to a shift manager. Explain why you are now going to a new casino to gamble. If he or she asks you "is there anything we can do", say "fire this dealer on the spot, which I know you can't do, but that's what it would take". Explain that the other dealers have been paragons of professionalism. Do so with a firm but not agitated voice, to convince them you are serious but not just some raging nutter.

Quote: wrongway

the craps "bubble" game is all over the place. We saw them first where we stayed at Mandalay Bay and then also at MGM NY NY. Game was a lot of fun and all bets paid correctly. (You could make a $1 $2 bet on six and eight and get paid correctly. Also all buy bets were charged on win only. It was $3 min and 3 4 5 odds. Also paid $3 six and eight correctly.

Was it, by any chance, titled Organic Craps? We have that here in Scottsdale at Casino Arizona.

Quote: NowTheSerpent

Was it, by any chance, titled Organic Craps? We have that here in Scottsdale at Casino Arizona.

It is not Organic Craps. It is Shoot to Win Craps by Aruze.

I had my first encounter with the "bubble craps" in NY NY this past July and I couldn't find it in any of the other casinos. As stated previously, it was a $2 min and it was an absolute blast. The ability to bet any amount on place bets and actually be paid in change ($1 place bet on 6/8 pays $1.17) was awesome. The only downside was that you could not insert your players card into the machine at NY NY and therefore, could not make any comps. I know the comp system would be minimal if they had any, but does anyone know if any of these "bubble craps" machines that are apparently all around take players cards to earn meager comps?

I'm so happy to hear that these things are spreading. Hopefully they find their way to the east coast to hold me over until my next vegas trip.

The machine at the Palms earns points. I'd imagine not for long.