Pretty much everyone who's ever set foot inside a casino has caught the craps bug at least once. You should be able to freely admit if you fall into this broad category. There's no shame in it, even if you've never been able to win a single dollar playing craps. Heck, even if you had to refinance your house, sell your vintage motorcycle collection and send your kids to a bartending academy instead of the Ivy League schools they had their little hearts set on, there's still no shame.
(Upon closer review, the editors have determined that if that last sentence applies to your own experience, you actually do have a whole lot to be ashamed of. So go find an isolated patch of grass somewhere and hang your head. Shame on you.)
For those of you who are still here, I'd like to reiterate my basic premise that a huge majority of people who enjoy gambling have felt the itch to play craps at one point or another. It just makes sense, because craps is such a vital part of our cultural heritage at large. Think about some of the game's colloquialisms that have made it into everyday language: 'crapshoot,' 'on a roll,' 'snake eyes,' 'no dice,' 'crap out,' and 'the hard way' are among the most prevalent.
So getting back to the primary focus of this article, what do you do if you don't have much money to spare but still need to satisfy your craving for some online craps? If that's all you're worried about, what you want to do right now is take a deep breath and put your mind at ease. Just check out a few of these web sites listed below, all of which are well-known in gambling circles for offering some of the best free craps in all of cyberspace.
Vegas Towers Casino
You know that the craps action is always hot it Vegas, and this site captures all the magic and excitement of that incredible town. Lots of free craps options, and just an outstanding reputation for customer service should earn this site a place at the top of your list.
Phoenician Casino
This is hands-down one of the most impressive web sites online, offering a wide array of free games, including craps. Using the latest Viper software from Microgaming, it creates a type of virtual gaming experience that few other sites can match.
Desert Dollar Online Casino
Here you'll immediately get $25 right off the bat, plus a solid 150% match bonus up to $90. That's what the Desert Dollar gambling experience is all about. When you factor in the great craps opportunities found here, it becomes clear this is a solid way to start your hot streak!
Platinum Play Online Casino
Maximize your online craps experience right here, any time of day or night. At Platinum Play Online Casino, you'll get a 200% match bonus of up to $100 on your first deposit up to $50. When it comes to getting the most enjoyment out of playing craps for free on the internet, you just can't go wrong here.
Georgia casinos consist of two cruise ships, one that docks in Savannah and the other in Brunswick. The Georgia casino boats sail three miles into International waters where casino gambling is allowed. Cruises aboard Georgia casinos are available during the day with some cruise lines offering an evening cruise. Aside from the Georgia casinos, the state has a lottery and several poker/card clubs for those looking to try their luck.
The Millionaire's Casino Boat is located in Savannah and has everything to make a day of gambling enjoyable. The boat has a full kitchen and a hospitality staff that waits to serve guests. A variety of gambling games are offered as well, including craps, roulette, and blackjack. A number of slot machines also reside on the Millionaire's Casino Boat. The casino ship is open from 8am to 2pm, giving vacationers to Georgia plenty of time to take in all the other attractions of Savannah.
While in Savannah visit one of the tour companies to make sure you don't miss any of Savannah's most popular destinations. One must-see spot is the Tybee Lighthouse that has been lighting the way into the Savannah River for mariners for over 250 years. A night out on the town holds many options as well, from jazz clubs to piano bars.
Another Georgia casino is the Emerald Princess cruise ship located in Brunswick. The Emerald Princess has both day and evening cruises. There are several gambling tables like roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, and blackjack. Try winning the jackpot on one of the ship's several slot machines. Both lunch and dinner are served on the ship, featuring delicious dishes prepared daily on the boat. Guests are also treated to live entertainment shows during the cruise. Once aboard, guests are greeted by the ship's cruise director who will assist in planning your stay. The cruise director also plans Bingo and Bingo Bonanza for large groups. Reservations are required for a day cruise on the ship, and you can even receive group rates or discounts during certain times of the year.
Georgia casinos are located in places that have beautiful landscapes and a rich history. There is a lot to see and do in Georgia, from the foothills of the mountains to the sandy beaches. Both Savannah and Brunswick offer guests of their cities great dining experiences, plenty of entertainment, and a good time for all.
Be smart, play smart, and learn how to play craps the right way!
You see a table with several open positions. Which spot should you take? That’s a matter of personal preference. Is there a gorgeous man or woman playing alone at one end of the table? Which players are smoking? Which look bored? Which appear drunk or obnoxious? Pick a spot where you’ll feel the most comfortable.
I like playing on the end, immediately next to the dealer. On the end, I don’t have to worry about players on both sides of me. I don’t like playing next to the stickman because I always seem to be in the way of him reaching for the dice or maneuvering the stick. One time, the guy accidentally bopped me on my head with his stick. Of course, he was very apologetic, but that didn’t make my head feel any better.
After playing for a while, you’ll get a feel for your favorite position. You don’t have a choice when it’s crowded. If you get a lousy spot (e.g., an obnoxious guy is next to you), simply move to another open spot. If the table is full, wait until someone leaves and take their position. Be aware of a player ″coloring up,″ which is a sign that she’s leaving, and tell the dealer that you want to move into her position. The dealer will then hold that spot and not allow a new player to quickly step in. The dealer will politely ask the new player to move to the spot that you vacate. Obviously, when you change positions, don’t forget to take your chips.
People next to you can affect your mood and entire playing experience. They can make it fun or miserable. You might get stuck next to a chain-smoking fat guy with wicked body odor, or it might be a group of heavily drinking babes spilling out of their halter tops. So, choose your spot wisely.
Now you know! Remember, learn how to play craps the right way.
Chances are slim that you’ll ever play in a game with crooked dice at a modern casino. However, every now and then, some idiot tries to cheat the system by inserting crooked dice into the game. By adhering to strict policies for controlling the game, casinos eventually catch even the most skilled slight-of-hand artists.
Each player must handle the dice with only one hand and must not bring the dice outside the table. These two simple rules make the cheat’s job extremely tough. To make it more difficult, the table has a mirror along the entire length of the wall opposite the boxman so the boxman can easily see if the shooter is ″palming″ dice. Additionally, each time a die leaves the table after a roll, the die doesn’t come back into play until after the boxman thoroughly inspects it. The dice are replaced at random times during the day and typically don’t remain in play for more than 24 hours.
Crooked dice come in many forms, such as loaded, painted, capped, tripped, bricks, and floaters. Loaded dice are heavier on one side. Painted dice have a solution applied to one side to make it stickier. Capped dice are shaved on one or more sides and the removed material is replaced by a material with different bounce characteristics. Tripped dice have their edges altered so they’re not all equal. Bricks (a.k.a. flats) have one side shaved to reduce the surface area of the adjoining sides. Floaters (because they float in water) have an off-center hole inside them. Shapes are dice that aren’t perfect cubes (some or all sides are either concave or convex).
The intent of crooked dice, regardless of their form, is to alter the likelihood of certain numbers appearing. Even a slight change in the odds of a certain number appearing may be enough to change a small house advantage into a small player advantage. ″Passers″ are crooked dice modified to favor point numbers, while ″missouts″ are modified to favor the number 7.
Now you know!
Pssst…! Wanna know a secret?
How about the secret of the Fives and Nines?
Most Crapshooters do not buy the five or nine as the 5% vig makes it unprofitable to do so.
For example on a $30 bet you would have to pay 5% of $30, or $2 (rounded up from $1.50) just to make this buy bet. If you place the 5/9 for $30 you will win $42 at 7:5 odds. If you buy the 5/9 for $30 you will win $45, but you'll have to pay $2 vig. So you win $42 on the place bet and $43 ($45 - $2) on the buy bet. You do get $1 more with the buy bet, but there is a way to make even more!
Wanna know the secret that Craps pros use to buy the fives and nines?
Let's find out!
The 5% buy vig that the casino charges is not a precise figure. On the $30 buy bet, most casinos do charge you $2, even though 5% of $30 is $1.50. However, if you ask your friendly dealer BEFORE you bet if he will charge you $1 vig on a $30 buy bet on the 5/9, they will USUALLY agree - especially if you have a credit line, are friendly, call the dealers by their names and tip them.
You can take this one step further, by asking to buy BOTH the five AND nine for $30 each and only pay $2 vig for both bets. Usually this bet will cost you $3 (5% of $60). Then, when either number hits just take the other one down. You'll be doubling your chances of winning for the same low $2 vig!
Once you have the dealers trained to accept $1 vigs on the $30 buy bets, see if you can bump them up a little. A $40 buy bet will obviously require a $2 vig (5% of $40 is $2), but what about a $38 buy bet (5% of $38 is $1.90). Just ask your friendly dealer if you can make a $38 buy bet on the 5/9 and only pay $1 vig. You have absolutely nothing to lose by trying this. When you win you'll win $57. If you placed the 5/9 for $35 you'll win only $49.
As before, ask if you can buy both the five nine for $38 each. Then, when either number hits, take the other one down.
If you succeed and the table is hot with fives and nines, you might want to go up one step further. Most dealers will let you buy the 5/9 at $50 for only $2 vig (instead of $2.50). The vig will change to $3 when it hits $60 (5% of $60 is $3) so offer to buy the 5 AND 9 for $58 each and only pay $2 vig. As before, when the first number hits just take the other one down.
At this level by buying the 5/9 for $58 you will win $87 (at 3:2). If you placed the 5 or 9 for $55 you would win $77. So by spending just two more dollars you will win ten more dollars - well worth asking the friendly dealer for!
By buying two numbers and only paying the vig for one of them, you are doubling your chances to win while still paying a minimum vig to the casino!
Pssst…! Now you know the secrets of the fives and nines!
The Crapshooter © 2005 by Larry Edell
If you’re visiting a Las Vegas casino, you may wonder what kind of language they’re speaking. There is a lot of Vegas lingo, and learning a few of the more popular terms and what they mean can make you look like an old hand in the casino.
Some of the terms are colorful and will really make you look cool. Vegas veterans call dice ″bones″. Want to look cool? Roll the bones at a craps table. Another cool Vegas term is ″bill″. Be careful, this is a $100 bill, not just a dollar.
You may be interested in playing a ″progressive″ game. This is a game where the jackpot keeps growing until someone wins. Each play makes the jackpot grow until some lucky person wins the entire ″pot″ or amount of money available.
You may notice a ″fill″ while you’re in the casino. When a machine’s coins are replenished, or more chips are brought to a table game, it’s called a fill. Of course, the coins go into the machine’s hopper, or the container inside the machine that holds the coins or tokens.
You may want to keep an eye out for the ″pit″ while you’re in the casino. This area is usually off-limits to customers, but it’s where the ″pit boss″ or supervisor monitors the activity in the casino. It’s interesting to see the pit boss concentrate and monitor the ″action″ or activity on the ″floor″ (gaming area).
Of course, ″gaming″ was originally coined because of the negative connotation of the word ″gambling″. No one in Vegas actually gambles, if you read the literature. They all participate in ″gaming″. You’ll win or lose money either way, but gaming doesn’t carry the same expectation of losing as gambling.
Of course, some of the terms in Vegas have several meanings. You might hear the term "action" used in several ways. Personally, "action" could be the amount of money you bet during one casino gambling session, or the entire amount you bet during your trip. The term is used both ways. For the casino, "action" can refer to the annual amount the casino deposits, or the amount of play in a specific time period defined by the casino management.
The "buy in" is the smallest amount that you can join a table game for. You will notice that some tables require $5, $10 or even $50 and more to join the game. This term inevitably leads to "high roller," or someone who has a lot of money to bet and isn't afraid to use it. Depending on the casino, a high roller is usually considered someone who bets $10,000 or more during a day. Or you might say, his action is $10,000 or more.
Finally, you'll probably need the useful term, "all-in". This can mean that you are betting everything you have left in a poker game, but it can also mean you're broke or absolutely exhausted after a long day of "gaming" Vegas can be a lot of fun, and knowing some of the lingo can make you feel like a real "insider".
Riverboat casinos were first legalized in Iowa in 1991 and their popularity has increased dramatically since that time. At first, gambling on riverboat casinos was limited to $5.00 bets and a maximum loss of $200.00 for each cruise passenger. Riverboat casinos gradually moved to Illinois and Mississippi, where there were no limits and casinos were open 24 hours a day. In 1994, riverboat casinos were introduced to Missouri, the last state to legalize riverboat casinos.
Riverboat casinos are legal in six states, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri. They resemble the grand riverboats of the past; however, they seldom leave the shore and remain at dockside. The Mississippi riverboat casinos must be permanently docked, with gangplanks from the shore to the casino. Some riverboat casinos, ″boats on moats,″ are large barges with casinos on deck, designed to float on pools adjacent to the river. The majority of the riverboat casinos operate on the Missouri, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers, with the exception of Illinois, which allows them on the Des Plaines, Ohio, and Illinois rivers, as well. Each state has its own gambling restrictions for riverboat casinos, including number allowed, types of games, admission charges, number of hours spent in cruising, and amount of gambling time allowed.
There are a variety of games on riverboat casinos, including blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, slots, and video poker, as well as frequent shows, featured performers, dinner, and dancing. Some popular riverboat casinos include the Argosy VI in Indiana, with 2,300 slots and 80 table games for over 4,000 passengers; the Grand Victoria Casino in Illinois; the Ameristar Casino in Missouri, with the largest floating casino floor in the world; and the Mississippi Belle II in Iowa. The Tunica Queen, a 3-deck riverboat casino featuring afternoon and evening gambling cruises, is very popular in Mississippi. One of the newest riverboat casinos is L’Auberge du Lac in Louisiana, a single-level deck, with 30,000 square feet of gambling space, 60 table games, and 1,600 slot machines. Another well-known riverboat casino in Louisiana is the Treasure Chest, featuring 1,000 slot machines and several types of poker games.
Riverboat casinos add millions of dollars in revenue to the economy of each state, as well as providing employment for thousands. Although natural disasters affect the riverboat casinos each year, gaming developers and individuals contribute to rapid reconstruction and reopening. There remains a bright future for riverboat casinos because of their convenience, reasonable prices, and inexpensive entertainment.
It’s interesting to note the variety of dice-tossing styles you’ll encounter over your craps-playing life. Some are plain and boring, weird and funny, and others are downright irritating. Ever really thought about it? How many ways can you reach down, pick up the dice, and toss them to the other end of the table? If you’ve played enough craps, you’ve seen it all.
The casino has strict rules for handling and tossing dice, which are the subject of an upcoming article. I’ll mention four of them so you’ll understand the basics. Handle the dice with only one hand. Never bring the dice outside the imaginary plane that extends up from the edge of the table (i.e., always keep the dice inside the table). Don’t toss the dice higher the height of the dealers. And smoothly toss the dice so they both hit the back wall (i.e., the wall at the other end of the table). If you follow these simple rules, you’ll do just fine.
Let’s start with the grip. Most people simply reach down, pick up the dice, and hold them in their palm or between their fingers. Not some people. Some believe their lucky grip will result in a winning number, while others believe they can control the outcome of their tosses so taking a precise grip is the first step in their wacky routines. For example, there’s the ice-tong grip, lock grip, 5-finger grip, 2-finger front diagonal grip, flying-V grip, stacked grip, 3-finger front grip, 3-finger front diagonal grip, 2-finger pincer grip, and many more. (Seriously, I’m not making this up!) And don’t forget, before taking one of those grips, they must properly position the dice with the precise alignment and orientation. For example, the 6 on one die must be oriented so the pips (i.e., the dots on a die are called ″pips″) are parallel to the tabletop and the number must be adjacent to the 3 on the other die, and the pips on the 3 must be oriented so they go diagonally upward to the right. (Again, I’m not making this stuff up!) After they’ve achieved perfect alignment with the heavens and stars, they take their grip. But they don’t just pick up the dice, they must slowly and gently place their fingers on them and precisely measure the pressure applied to each die using the delicate pressure sensors in their fingertips. Finally, with the exact dice alignment and finger pressure, the shooter launches the dice toward the end of the table contorting their wrist, arm, shoulder, and torso. I’ve often wondered how some people don’t throw out their shoulders or keep from tearing the tendons that attach the muscles of the forearm to the arm bone at the elbow joint. These are the irritating shooters because they seemingly take forever. Everyone else at the table is anxious for the next roll, but these clowns who think they’re dice doctors or dice wizards (or whatever they call themselves) delay the game by taking their weird grips instead of just picking up the dice and tossing them.
Some people gently tap the tabletop before tossing. That’s okay as long as it’s just a tap. If you knock or bang the dice, the boxman will politely ask you to refrain. If you don’t heed his request, the next time he won’t be so polite. Personally, I’m a tapper. Also, I like to flash an empty hand just before picking up the dice. As I reach down for them, I quickly turn my palm up, flash open my fingers so the crew (and the camera) can see my hand is empty, grab the dice, and smoothly toss them. It’s an instantaneous, fluid motion just long enough for the crew to see my empty hand, but quick enough that most players don’t notice it and don’t realize what I’m doing. (I make the boxman’s and surveillance team’s jobs easier by showing an empty hand before touching the dice.)
Some people puff on the dice for luck. That’s okay, too, as long as you don’t use two hands, don’t bring the dice outside the imaginary plane, and don’t spit on the dice (accidentally or otherwise).
Some people throw the dice low and hard so they bounce all over the place after hitting the back wall. Avoid doing this because it increases the likelihood that a die will fly off the table causing the game to be delayed.
Some people toss them so weakly that they barely hit the back wall. Although you don’t want to throw them like a Major League pitcher, you should avoid feeble, pathetic tosses. Smoothly toss them so they bounce off the tabletop and then hit the back wall. If you’ve never tossed dice, you’ll get the hang of it after just a few throws.
So, what’s your technique? Whatever it is, be considerate of other players and the dealers. Don’t take forever finding your precise grip. Don’t throw them so hard they continually fly off the table. Don’t spit on them as part of your puffing routine. Don’t aim for the chip stacks at the other end of the table (chips fly everywhere and the dealers have to remember where they all go). Don’t hit the mirror on the side of table (casino dice are hard with sharp points and angles, so don’t break their mirror). A smooth toss so the dice gently hit the back wall and stay on the table is all you need.
Now you know! Remember, learn how to play craps the right way.
Formerly, the marketing angle of the Las Vegas tourism board had the nickname of ″Sin City″, then in the 1990’s it was touted as a family-friend destination, and after that it went back to Adults Only with its new tagline, ″What happens here, stays here″. City advertisers want to attract people from all over the world to their own adult playground, filled with endless gambling, alcohol, food and entertainment. It is a kind of magical place that will cater to every need and fulfill every fantasy.
Las Vegas is a true feast for the eyes, in spite of all the neon. The skyline is amazing, with all of the shining lights and massive shapes competing for attention. All the hotels struggle to top the next one with its own distinctive theme, imposing entrances, rollicking casinos, luscious restaurants, and exciting entertainment. Las Vegas does not have one single boring bone in its whole body.
Hotels are what distinguish the city of Las Vegas, since they are so unique and have very original themes. They are truly incredible to behold. They reverence other unique cities, like New York, Venice, and Paris, by recreating smaller versions of them. The New York, New York hotel reconstructs the bubbly streets of Gotham. The Paris hotel experience comes complete with a replica of the Eiffel Tower. The Venetian hotel has a huge indoor canal with gondolas and gondoliers.
There are tributes to other themes as well, including Hollywood (MGM Grand), ancient Rome (Caesar’s Palace), Arabian nights (Aladdin), pirates (Treasure Island) and several more. However, there are fine hotels with no specific themes, such as two of the nicest hotels with casinos in Las Vegas, the Bellagio and the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel, but they do offer accommodation with opulence and luxury.
Vegas entertainment has always been a huge draw, from the Rat Pack of the mid-20th century to Celine Dion today. Magicians, such as Siegfried and Roy, entertain crowds with their incredible optical illusions. Comedians like Danny Gans and Carrot Top perform regularly in Las Vegas and are very popular with their use of sight gags and extravagant props. Veteran Vegas entertainers, like Tony Orlando and Wayne Newton, still command crowded houses night after night with their well-loved selection of musical favorites.
Two more favorite past times in Las Vegas are shopping and eating. Most of the hotels display numerous great shops inside their lobbies. And in case of being hungry, there is no shortage of fabulous food in Vegas. Las Vegas is no longer a city of $3.99 all-you-can-eat-buffets.
But obviously, the most popular reason for visiting Las Vegas is for the gambling casinos. There is a place for every budget, from the nickel slot machines to the rooms of tables reserved for starting bets over $1000. Games like blackjack, craps, and baccarat attract millions of people a year to try their luck at the tables, accompanied by eye-catching cocktail waitresses handing out free drinks abundantly.
Amateur gamblers who visit Las Vegas recommend deciding how much money to play with before starting, and stick with that perimeter. After all, Las Vegas is a fun destination for vacationing and conventions, and it has a lot to offer visitors when they practice some self-control in the gambling arena.
Are you a superstitious person? You know, the kind of person who won't open an umbrella inside a house, won't walk under a ladder and has to spin around three times when stepping over a crack in the pavement?
Here's a list of some of the more common craps superstitions compiled by some of the great craps players. Incidentally, they believe in a lot of this nonsense too!
1. If the stickman changes, in the middle of a roll, a seven will follow.
2. If a cocktail waitress approaches the table, a seven will follow.
3. If the dice being thrown hits somebody's money, a seven is likely.
4. If the dice being thrown hits the glass, a seven will appear.
5. If there's too much chatter among the dealers, frequent sevens.
6. If the dice are thrown off the table, seven will be the next number up.
7. If new dice are requested, seven is likely to follow.
8. If someone yells out the number "7", a seven will surely follow.
All of this may sound like a whole lot of nothing to you but sometimes you can be involved in an active game where the dice are passing a little too frequently. If you pay attention, you will discover that several of the superstitions are, in fact, occurring.
You'll notice that the stickman changes a little too often, that instead of one cocktail waitress, the table now has two waitresses serving drinks and many other strange happenings that ultimately mean a seven is going to be thrown by the shooter.
Remember, you can always bring your bets down and wait until the next shooter. You can also turn your bets off, but if you do, don't turn them back on, because if you do… a seven will follow!