New craps players can have trouble picking up on the intricacy of craps etiquette, but if you give this a read you’ll feel more than prepared to join a table and act like you’re a gambling pro. Etiquette for playing craps comes down to knowing some dos and don’ts; only a few will apply if you play craps online.
When to Join The Craps Table
The majority of tables will prefer that you join in between rolls. When the other players are placing bets, you can place bets, but you’re better off waiting for a new shooter. It’s not a long time, less than a couple minutes in some cases.
Tables that Let You Join Mid Roll
Live online craps table etiquette doesn’t require you to wait at all, and if there are multiple table dealers or croupiers, they can take bets mid roll. This is limited to modern, Vegas style casinos. High end casinos with one croupier will want you to wait for the next shooter.
Tipping Your Table Dealer in Craps
Tipping the croupier is a custom that you follow when you win a bet or at the end of your session. You may also bet on behalf of the staff or croupier at some casinos. Tipping at the end is fine if you plan on coming back, but if you’re new to the table we recommend making it part of your play. Tip in chips and never in cash, ever. To tip at the end, throw chips mid table and say, “For the croupier.” To tip after winning, do the same thing after collecting your winning chips; don’t ask the croupier to keep some.
Про зарплаты Casino Croupier тред ♥️♣️♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/kpa72TysO5
— Roman of Spades (@SklRoma) January 1, 2023
When you bet a two-way yo.
Betting as a Tip
When you’re able to bet as a tip, you’ll place your bet as a ‘two-way.’ This means that half the bet is on your behalf, and the other half for the staff or croupier. A two-way tip only pays out if the bet wins, but it’s a fun way to engage the croupier.
Always tip Casino Servers
This feels obvious, but is still an issue for some. If you refuse to tip the wait staff, you may find you get a different attitude from the croupier. Tip them when they bring you in a drink, in chips or cash. If you’re too tight to tip at a casino, you’re in for a less socially engaging time.
Know When to Place Bets and Buy In
If you’re confused about how to play specific bets on the table, craps etiquette would have you not play them. Read a few articles about how to play each bet, or go with someone who knows how to play and can show you. Asking the croupier or other players how to play interrupts the game and is frowned upon at most tables. On a very slow day, with few players at the table, you can probably get a croupier to show you. See our section about craps tipping.
Betting Mid Roll and Betting Etiquette
If you distract the croupier while another shooter is rolling, you could be asked to leave. If you place your chips on the table, don’t reach for a bet placement. Speak to the croupier and let them know what bet you want to place, putting or sliding the amount of chips down in front of you. There are hand signals that croupiers understand for deaf players or people with soft voices. Some bets you can make for yourself.
When you buy in and the dealers are already complimenting your craps etiquette you know you’re in for an interesting night… 🎲 🎲
— Just Won One (@JustWonOne) June 27, 2022
Craps Self Service Bets
You’re allowed to place your chips on the Field bets, Pass Line and Odds, the Don’t Pass and its Lay Odds, the Come Bet, and the Don’t Come. You’ll still need to let the croupier know you’re making these bets, so that you are properly paid out when you win. The croupier knows which bets are yours, they’re trained to organize the table to keep close track of each player.
Dealers Can’t Accept Handed Off Cash
This is a casino safety rule. Don’t tip croupiers in cash, and don’t hand them cash asking them to place a specific bet. You can use cash at some craps tables to bet, but we recommend getting chips. There are usually multiple chip counters, and even with a line it’s worth it to exchange your cash for chips. It will make the staff more comfortable and it makes the pit boss’s job easier. If you’re exchanging cash at the table, it’s craps etiquette to place the money on the table during a new game or new shooter.
Bad Luck and Craps Superstition
There are a few bits of craps superstition that bleed into craps table etiquette. Most of these superstitions can also negatively affect play if broken.
Never Say Seven at a Craps Table
Saying the number seven is bad luck at a craps table. It’s a jinx in both directions, whether you need a seven to win or to lose. It’s sort of like the belief that acknowledging the win can steal it from you. Not saying it is also part of the fun. You can say Big Red instead and the croupier will know what you mean.
Betting the Don’t Pass When the Shooter Has a Big Pass Line Bet
In this situation you’re betting against the shooter. It’s already considered a bit of bad luck to bet the don’t pass at all, but if you reserve that bet for when the shooter goes big on the pass line, you’re doubling down on bad vibes. It falls somewhere between craps etiquette and being bad luck.
Don’t Touch Misfortune
If the last shooter had a bad roll, don’t use their dice. Your croupier will push a pan of dice to you with the last shooter’s dice and a few others. Picking new dice is good craps table etiquette if only because it relieves the superstition of the other craps players. If you do something that’s bad luck, it will affect the next round of bets, and the croupiers take. Note that some casinos use the same two dice, or the croupier will hand you dice without the ability to choose.
How to Roll the Dice Like you Know Craps Etiquette
You’re handed the dice by the croupier or the player on your left. The first rule is that you must keep the dice hand and dice visible at all times. This isn’t etiquette, it’s a rule. You must also make sure to roll the dice to the back wall, bouncing them off the table at least once. The croupier will occasionally call a no bounce, and you’ll have to roll again. Not only does this slow the game down, if you roll a winning bet for another player and the croupier calls it a no bounce, you’ll be that bettor’s least favorite shooter. There are a few additional pieces of craps etiquette when you’re the shooter and learning how to roll the dice in craps.
Blowing on the Dice
It’s a good idea to shoot the dice right after you get them and make bets so you don’t hold up the game. This means reducing the number of pre-roll rituals you perform. The dice can’t be wet so blowing on them is technically against the rules. It’s also bad craps table etiquette to have five people blow on your dice prior to the roll, if only because it slows the game down.
What if you Don’t Want to Roll?
Once you start as the shooter, it’s customary to finish. If you’re planning on passing your turn entirely, you’ll say ‘pass shooter’ or some other indication that you’ll be giving the next shooter to your right the dice. That shooter can take the dice from you at some casinos, but most will have you return the dice to the dice pan and the croupier will pass the dice. It’s bad craps table etiquette to leave while you’re the shooter before your turn is completed.
Railing is for Chips, Not Drinks
The railing around the edge of the craps table allows each player to place the chips they plan on playing with. You can organize the chips in between rolls, and pull off your winnings onto the rail if you’re continuing to play. You can lean on the railing of the craps table, place your hands while you’re looking at your next bet and rest on it. It’s bad etiquette to use the railing as your own personal drink and dinner table. Getting the railing wet is bad form, and if you spill anything, let the wait staff know. Big spills could stop the game entirely. Hold your drink in one hand, roll the dice and bet with the other. If you need a break to eat, please go take one rather than getting cocktail sauce on my betting chips.
Etiquette for Crowded Craps Tables
First, manners apply everywhere. Talking loudly during the game, whipping out your phone then trying to make a quick bet before the shooter goes, elbowing people, or coughing on the wait staff is frowned upon at the craps table and in life. Most craps tables allow for twenty players to a full table, but this means not everyone gets to stand right next to the table. Don’t try to steal or skip spots and wait your turn to be the shooter. Craps etiquette involving other players is just general etiquette.
Online Craps Etiquette
It’s tough to break etiquette in online craps. There will be specific times you can place bets, and very few people to offend. If there is a forum or chat alongside the table don’t curse or talk trash. Online craps mostly have no method of communication, but some tables like to have an interactive element. Playing online craps is a great way to learn all the bets and how to use them before you hit the table for your first time. You’ll have fewer questions for the croupier and other players.
What if I Mess Up my Craps Etiquette?
People at casinos are generally forgiving. They’re there to win money, not to concern themselves with the behavior of other gamblers. Unless you break a direct casino rule, like handing cash to a dealer or croupier, you’re not going to be booted from the table or asked to leave. Do your best to be respectful, and follow the more seasoned gamblers if you get confused. If that still feels too intimidating, start with one of the online casinos below, each legal and available near you.
