Favorite Casinos for Craps

I have just been to Vegas a couple of times, and have stayed in the southern part of the strip (NYNY, Excalibur, MGM) because I was a little lazy and I'm a creature of habit. I would like some input on your favorite casinos to play craps in Vegas. I don't like to go over $15 minimum bets, preferably $10. I've heard a lot of good things about Casino Royale, please any input will be very much appreciated. If you could compare it to NYNY (my favorite experience in Vegas out of those three) that would be even better for me.

Quote: ahiromu

I have just been to Vegas a couple of times, and have stayed in the southern part of the strip (NYNY, Excalibur, MGM) because I was a little lazy and I'm a creature of habit. I would like some input on your favorite casinos to play craps in Vegas. I don't like to go over $15 minimum bets, preferably $10. I've heard a lot of good things about Casino Royale, please any input will be very much appreciated. If you could compare it to NYNY (my favorite experience in Vegas out of those three) that would be even better for me.

Hi Ahiromu. Craps is one of my favorite games too. Here are a couple of my thoughts regarding where I enjoy playing:

If you want the best odds, Casino Royale is it. You can back your pass line bet up to 100x if you bet more then $5 and up to 20x if you bet $3. While this is the best expectations that Las Vegas has to offer, not everyone can handle the huge swings. Having $505 riding on the roll of the dice might be much to handle. You can hit a bad swing and be down $5K in a matter of minutes. My thoughts on the casino itself is that it is too dark and crowded for my tastes. I like be able to breathe, and that's a central theme for me.

I happen to like the Stratosphere on the North end of the strip. They have 10x odds (a bit more manageable) and are $5 at slow times and $10 when it gets busy. I personally have never seen them go to $15+ minimums. One of the best things is that when they rate you, they give you your intial pass line bet + 2x the odds. So if you are a $5 bettor with $50 odds, they count it as $15 for comps. The casino is open, clean, but no frills. The craps dealers are nice, friendly and a few of them are quite funny. Watch out for the crapless craps table. Terrible odds.

The Sahara allows 5x odds. But the place smells funny in my opinion. They do some type of averaging for your odds bets and sort of count it towards your average bet. I have heard different things from different pit bosses, and I think it is highly subjective. But my opinion about the casino is that it is old, crowded and smells of smoke and mold. So I don't play there.

The main strip casinos all have 3x 4x 5x odds except Circus Circus, Slots of Fun, Riviera and South Point (which may not be considered a strip hotel) which have 2x odds. Slots of Fun's craps table is practically on the street. If you play the Field Bet, there are some casinos which only pay 2x for a 12 instead of the usual 3x. Be aware of this, as it increases the house edge for this bet only.

So from a math point of view, all strip casinos that have 3x 4x and 5x odds have the exact same expectation for pass line (come, don't pass, don't come). So it is a matter of personal preference. As mentioned above, I like casinos which feel open, are clean, well lit, and don't smell.

Based on the above, I like the following casinos:

Mandalay Bay, NYNY, MGM, Monte Carlo, Paris, Bally's, Bellagio, Casesar's Palace, Mirage, Treasure Island, Venetian, and Wynn/Encore.

I will have to say that I feel that the Bellagio, Venetian, Wynn and Encore have a more snooty feel to the place then the others named. And the Monte Carlo and Bally's are beginning to show their age.

Just my thoughts.

Quote: ahiromu

I have just been to Vegas a couple of times, and have stayed in the southern part of the strip (NYNY, Excalibur, MGM) because I was a little lazy and I'm a creature of habit. I would like some input on your favorite casinos to play craps in Vegas. I don't like to go over $15 minimum bets, preferably $10. I've heard a lot of good things about Casino Royale, please any input will be very much appreciated. If you could compare it to NYNY (my favorite experience in Vegas out of those three) that would be even better for me.

The Casino Royale is an interesting place...the dealers are terse, and the 14 foot tables are hard and relatively threadbare. Needless to say, however, that the odds are about as good as they're going to get there. Say, if you're a $60 bettor going to a strip casino, belly up to a 3-4-5X $10 table, on a 6 or 8 you'd win $70...at the CR with a 3 dollar line and 60 behind, you're looking at a $75 dollar win ($3 on the line, $72 behind)... Definitely a better game, mathematically speaking.

There is something to say about atmosphere, though. And the type of play. I was at the Encore with my piddly $10 line with full odds, next to a guy with a $20K marker and betting $1K with full odds. While he made decent bets, (no props, only lines with odds he only stayed for about 3 shooters) we still were slapping high 5's when points were made...although he just won my a quarter of my yearly earnings with that point being made.

Anyway...to each his own. Realize that you'll give a little playing at a place that doesn't allow you to maximize your odds. If you're not betting large enough to back up to the full amount offered, it allows a bit more freedom... It is strange though to say full odds and have money returned when place betting the 6 or 8 for $12 when it is a 2X table. That being said if you're comfortable playing at a 3-4-5X table, and enjoying the company, atmosphere, drinks, etc....then I'd stick with it, especially if you think it's worth giving up $5 bucks for a made point...

Just my 2 cents, if two cents were worth anything these days...

Quote: johann528

Just my 2 cents, if two cents were worth anything these days...

I'd say they would be worth about two cents.

I apologise now, but someone had to do it.

Heh heh, Touche... Well perhaps I should have said two pence, but we know how the Pound has been performing lately. I would have bought dollars at $2/1 Pound...who would have though it'd drop to where it is now....and to the Euro to boot.

I like hitting the table at Excalibur early in the morning - between 6 and 7, sometimes earlier... $5 minimum (for us low rollers) and usually I can play with just me or one other shooter. Years ago I just might stumble into my room at that time after an all-nighter!

Quote: ahiromu

I have just been to Vegas a couple of times, and have stayed in the southern part of the strip (NYNY, Excalibur, MGM) because I was a little lazy and I'm a creature of habit. I would like some input on your favorite casinos to play craps in Vegas. I don't like to go over $15 minimum bets, preferably $10. I've heard a lot of good things about Casino Royale, please any input will be very much appreciated. If you could compare it to NYNY (my favorite experience in Vegas out of those three) that would be even better for me.

I have been to Vegas many times, and almost always played on the strip. However, teddys took me down to MainStreet Station, and that was a good game. If I recall, you can get a $5 game, and the odds were 10x or 20x (can't remember now). I have also played at the Golden Gate and that was okay too.

On the strip NYNY isn't bad. I like Paris, but I seem to win more often at Monte Carlo.

Quote: RaleighCraps

I have been to Vegas many times, and almost always played on the strip. However, teddys took me down to MainStreet Station, and that was a good game. If I recall, you can get a $5 game, and the odds were 10x or 20x (can't remember now).

20X

However, be careful. Last trip I was wiped out three times (once when playing with Doc) very quickly.

I know there's no such thing as a cold table, but that's what I call a table that takes my momney in under ten minutes withut even saying "thank you." (the dealers do say thanks, there's that)

Quote:

I have also played at the Golden Gate and that was okay too.

It's too noisy for my tastes. Though I think they offer 10X odds, same as at the D (which is even noisier).

I played once at the Downtown Grand. I rather like the place, but if I don't get a good session there soon, I'll start shying away from it. Craps, I think, was regular 3,4,5 X. Nice dealers, too.

I am glad this 4 year old thread is only 1 page long. I hate when I read 10 pages and then realize how old it is.

Quote: GWAE

I am glad this 4 year old thread is only 1 page long. I hate when I read 10 pages and then realize how old it is.

Much of the info is still valid.

If you are already downtown, MSS is great and has great beers.

If you are near the Strat you pretty much have The Strat or a construction site to choose from. The Strat is always a good bargain, but it ain't fancy in any respect at all.

Casino Royale is too smokey and crowded for me, but if you like a beer oriented frat party they still offer two sets of odds depending on your pass line bet.

Freemont, lowroller heaven. 3 buck minimum.

Have always had good luck at Paris and Bally's.

Generally have had good dealers.

Wow, what a necrobump.

I enjoy NYNY's atmosphere the most in Vegas. MSS has the best dealers and game (since Casino Royale went down to 20x). As mentioned, Excalibur is awesome for $5 tables... Monte Carlo is fine but I always tend to get destroyed there. I steer clear from Bellagio/Caesars, it's not worth it to risk my money with dealers who don't appreciate a $5 tip (you're not getting more than $10/hr out of me, ever). I will agree that the Strat has a good game as well, however, you need to be sober enough to not walk up to a crapless table, it's kind of embarrassing to color up the moment you get your chips.

Another neat thing about MSS is that they have 18 footers which leave you with a lot more space.

This has been said elsewhere, but let me just make one suggestion to everyone. It's worth it to make the trek to MSS if craps is your game.

Quote: terapined

Freemont, lowroller heaven. 3 buck minimum.

Yes, but the table is usually crowded and the game only allows 2X. I don't bet above 3X often at a $5 table, but I do it almost always when the passline is $3

NYNY is too loud for me, but then again I'm not a young pup any more.

I play mostly at MGM, which is where I stay (comped): the dealers are very competent, and the atmosphere in the craps pit is, how can I word it: "professional."

The M Life properties are all 3x4x5x odds.

Both Casino Royale and MSS are 20x odds; MSS has several tables, but CR only has one table now.

Casino list and feature notes.

Last time I was in Vegas we stayed at the Flamingo - I was pleasantly surprised. For the price, not bad at all. And a great location.

$5 craps most of the time, and tables were not too busy. There's a table in Margaritaville that was $5 too and is kind of out of the way.

For me, best craps is Downtown or out on the Boulder Strip. Can not stand the Strip.

Downtown: The Plaza has an excellent crew of dealers and for $50 to $100 a hand, you get treated like royalty. Golden Gate and the D with 10 times odds are excellent games, but they are a little loud. The Grand is also a good game, a lot of experienced dealers that have come over from other DT locations, still earning their players so there is always enough room on the table to be comfortable.

Boulder Strip: Eastside Cannery is my overall favorite place to play. 10X odds, sharp dealers and lots of fun promotions to add value, also probably the nicest rooms in town off of the strip. Sam's Town is an excellent game as well with 20X odds. Dealers are a little crusty but maybe that is because all of their regular players have been playing the same table since the 50's. Sam's Town seems to be a little chinzy on the comps from the pit though (could be because my dad is one of those guys who has been playing there since the 50's and he can be a bit rough on the crew)

Quote: Nareed

20X

However, be careful. Last trip I was wiped out three times (once when playing with Doc) very quickly.

My advice? Limit your total action to something similar to what a session would be for you at what you are used to [or it's tilt and you don't even know it]. Or just play at the odds you are used to, maybe ratchet it up just a notch.

Quote: Nareed

I know there's no such thing as a cold table

Clearly you may declare that a table *was* cold, what is a canard is to claim this means it will be cold in the *future* [including even the next hand]

Quote: GWAE

I hate when I read 10 pages and then realize how old it is.

I don't mind that so much unless I also then realize that I have read it before.

Quote: MrV

Both Casino Royale and MSS are 20x odds; MSS has several tables, but CR only has one table now.

Casino royale only has 1 craps table now? Really? Or am I misunderstanding your post?

Quote: Beardgoat

Casino royale only has 1 craps table now? Really? Or am I misunderstanding your post?

You do not misunderstand.

When I was playing at CR recently, there was only ONE craps table, perpendicular to the strip, on the northern side of the pit area.

I asked the crew why they only had one table any more, and they could not provide a cogent answer.

20X odds, not 100X; $5 minimum.

Heck, it wasn't even a crowded table.

Wow that is crazy. Times are changing. There always used to be 3 tables and usually they were all crowded at night. I haven't been to casino royale in 2 years but I always had a soft spot for their craps and blackjack switch. Actually my wife loved the blackjack switch and it was nice to finally find something we could both play together and both enjoy.

Anyway what did they do with all that space now that they downgraded from 3 tables to 1?

Quote: Beardgoat

Anyway what did they do with all that space now that they downgraded from 3 tables to 1?

I can't recall specifically, but at least they didn't fill the space with more slots.

Quote: odiousgambit

Clearly you may declare that a table *was* cold, what is a canard is to claim this means it will be cold in the *future* [including even the next hand]

Once I was playing at a table that was right under the air conditioning vent, and it was freezing. Also, people were throwing 7s at an alarming rate (about 1 time in 6) so there may be something to all this after all.

I like the Peppermill Reno during the week between 12 noon and 3 pm. That's when the die hard Reno regulars show up. The game rolls smoothly most of the time. It's fairly quiet whether it's paying or not. If I play, which is rarely these days, I bankroll a buy in of $200-$5,000, depending on the situation, meaning, available cash flow etc.. If I increase my inventory 50%, I usually cash out. If I lose 20% of a large buy in, I'm done as well. I tip the crew and play $1 hardways for them mainly because I've known them a long time but will back off when numbers aren't hitting. I see that most people do not tip which is fine. There is no expectation other than getting my $1 (tip) beer in between rolls, rather than during a roll when I'm the shooter. Typical and boring information yet, it can be relaxing and fun just hanging out until the wife calls :))

Casino Royale replaced the craps table with more table games. Specifically (I think) Free Bet BJ and BJ Switch. I was told by an employee that they weren't making enough on craps. All I can say is that one table is always so crowded now that I hardly even go in anymore...