The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the NASCAR are teaming up in Kansas City to build the largest casino in the area.
In 2011, the new facility will open up with over 3,000 slots and 140 table games. It will also boast a 300 luxury room hotel.
As a result of the groups winning the bid to build the hotel and casino, the owners of the Speedway will be looking to get 2 Sprint Cup events at the speedway each year as well as other major events.
Right now, the major players in the casino business in the area are riverboats, which took in $720 million in revenue last year.
If you would like to read the stories click on the links below:
Kansas City Star
Baltimore Business Journal
Monday, September 22, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
My Craps Game - For Windows and Mac OS
Sometimes, I get in these moods. I don't want to go out. I don't want to play online. I want to do something that allows for total concentration. No outside disturbances or distractions. When I get in these moods, I turn off the TV, the phone, turn off the lights and I get on the computer and play some of my games. One of my favorite is My Craps Game.
My Craps Game is a realistic video game that allows player to enjoy a "real casino" feel while still enjoying the privacy of your own home. To me, I feel its a great way to practice. There is no online registration for accounts. No pop up ad asking me if I want to play for real money. Just me and the game.
This allows me to work on my strategy. Now, most craps players will argue that craps only has one strategy: luck. And, they can think that. My strategy is more of a money budgeting strategy and watching what is rolled. My Craps Game lets me focus on that.
Another thing I like about the game is the support. Alan Gruskoff, the game designer, has set up a forum on his website for questions and explanations of the game. As with any game, you may know the general rules, but navigating through it and some nuances may need explanation.
The game is available for both Windows and Mac OS X and can be downloaded directly from the site for $19US. If you want a CD sent to you, the cost is $29US and it contains both Windows and Mac versions.
Visit My Craps Game Official Site
My Craps Game is a realistic video game that allows player to enjoy a "real casino" feel while still enjoying the privacy of your own home. To me, I feel its a great way to practice. There is no online registration for accounts. No pop up ad asking me if I want to play for real money. Just me and the game.
This allows me to work on my strategy. Now, most craps players will argue that craps only has one strategy: luck. And, they can think that. My strategy is more of a money budgeting strategy and watching what is rolled. My Craps Game lets me focus on that.
Another thing I like about the game is the support. Alan Gruskoff, the game designer, has set up a forum on his website for questions and explanations of the game. As with any game, you may know the general rules, but navigating through it and some nuances may need explanation.
The game is available for both Windows and Mac OS X and can be downloaded directly from the site for $19US. If you want a CD sent to you, the cost is $29US and it contains both Windows and Mac versions.
Visit My Craps Game Official Site
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Craps Table For Your Home
So, are you looking to get a craps table for your game room at home? Excellent! But first, there are several things to consider before making then plunge.
First, do you have the room? A casino craps table is 12 feet long and 5 feet wide. So, you'll need space for that, plus extra room to move around, so double the dimensions to allow for the fit.
Next, a consideration should be given to how often you are going to use it. If it is going to be for the semi annual family/friends reunion, maybe a portable fold up table is called for. If it is for a weekly or more frequent game, you would want to consider something closer to what you see in a casino.
The next consideration and probably the most important to most is the budget. Decide how much you have to spend before you buy. A quick look on Google shows that craps tables can vary in price from $100 for a portable fold up to almost $5,000 for a regulation casino quality table.
Other options for getting your own table would be to search online. EBay has deals on everything, craps tables pop up from time to time, and of course at a great value. Another option is classified ads, newspapers have all sorts of odd stuff for sale all the time. Craps tables do make their way there, especially in gambling cities like Las Vegas or Atlantic City. And speaking of classifieds, I should mention the largest online classified ad page, Craigslist. It is arranged by city, so if you aren't in a casino area, you can search in those areas, but be ready to travel. On final pace to look, and definitely the cheapest is Freecycle.org. It's a group of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Their goal is to encourage reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. So if someone is cleaning out the garage or the local church decides that casino night isn't a good anymore, they may list a craps table on Freecycle.
But higher costs doesn't have to be the buzz kill for you if you really want to get that playing at Caesar's feeling at home. The site Online Craps Daddy gives you an alternative. Building your own. The article asserts that for under $500 in supplies, some woodworking know-how and, of course the tools, that you can make a quality table that rivals those in the casinos.
So there are a lot of options, consider them carefully and plan. This could be a major purchase and it is definitely a space taker, but the enjoyment the avid craps player will get is immeasurable.
Check out some of these links:
How to build your own craps table
Craigslist
Freecycle Network
Google Product Search: Craps Table
Craps Table search on Ebay
First, do you have the room? A casino craps table is 12 feet long and 5 feet wide. So, you'll need space for that, plus extra room to move around, so double the dimensions to allow for the fit.
Next, a consideration should be given to how often you are going to use it. If it is going to be for the semi annual family/friends reunion, maybe a portable fold up table is called for. If it is for a weekly or more frequent game, you would want to consider something closer to what you see in a casino.
The next consideration and probably the most important to most is the budget. Decide how much you have to spend before you buy. A quick look on Google shows that craps tables can vary in price from $100 for a portable fold up to almost $5,000 for a regulation casino quality table.
Other options for getting your own table would be to search online. EBay has deals on everything, craps tables pop up from time to time, and of course at a great value. Another option is classified ads, newspapers have all sorts of odd stuff for sale all the time. Craps tables do make their way there, especially in gambling cities like Las Vegas or Atlantic City. And speaking of classifieds, I should mention the largest online classified ad page, Craigslist. It is arranged by city, so if you aren't in a casino area, you can search in those areas, but be ready to travel. On final pace to look, and definitely the cheapest is Freecycle.org. It's a group of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Their goal is to encourage reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. So if someone is cleaning out the garage or the local church decides that casino night isn't a good anymore, they may list a craps table on Freecycle.
But higher costs doesn't have to be the buzz kill for you if you really want to get that playing at Caesar's feeling at home. The site Online Craps Daddy gives you an alternative. Building your own. The article asserts that for under $500 in supplies, some woodworking know-how and, of course the tools, that you can make a quality table that rivals those in the casinos.
So there are a lot of options, consider them carefully and plan. This could be a major purchase and it is definitely a space taker, but the enjoyment the avid craps player will get is immeasurable.
Check out some of these links:
How to build your own craps table
Craigslist
Freecycle Network
Google Product Search: Craps Table
Craps Table search on Ebay
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
McCain Loves Craps
Before we start, let me just say that this is not in any way an endorsement for John McCain nor is it a disparagement of his opponents.
Recently, in an article in the British newspaper The Telegraph, it was revealed that John McCain is an avid craps player. and being a military man, this would seem to fit.
Craps became a favorite of the American service man during World War 2. They would play what is essentially street craps. The fact that a lot of US soldiers had no expenses such as room and board made turned these games into high stakes games very easily. Craps made for an easy "pick up" game for GI's as the games could be started easily, and ended just as quickly, especially if there was a strict commanding officer who look to enforce the no gambling on base rules. Sitcoms from the 50's and 60's such as McHale's Navy and The Phil Silvers Show would demonstrate the love service men have for these games.
As we all know, Senator McCain was a naval aviator and was shot down over Vietnam in 1967, he would remain a prisoner of war until 1973. But his military career started in 1954 when he entered Annapolis. This is more than likely where his affinity for the game began.
McCain's gambling on Craps is worrisome for his campaign advisors, so much so that when he went to Las Vegas for a campaign swing, they had to prevent him from gambling.
McCain is not a hobbyist either, he is known to play marathon sessions and gamble thousands of dollars per session.
Much like any veteran, McCain enjoys the fellowship he had in the military and finds a different but similar one in playing craps. People surrounding the table, betting on you to either win or lose. The thrill pulls him to the game.
Sounds kind of like politics. Will his political roll of the dice pay off? We'll see in November.
If you would like to read the article from The Telegraph, click here.
Recently, in an article in the British newspaper The Telegraph, it was revealed that John McCain is an avid craps player. and being a military man, this would seem to fit.
Craps became a favorite of the American service man during World War 2. They would play what is essentially street craps. The fact that a lot of US soldiers had no expenses such as room and board made turned these games into high stakes games very easily. Craps made for an easy "pick up" game for GI's as the games could be started easily, and ended just as quickly, especially if there was a strict commanding officer who look to enforce the no gambling on base rules. Sitcoms from the 50's and 60's such as McHale's Navy and The Phil Silvers Show would demonstrate the love service men have for these games.
As we all know, Senator McCain was a naval aviator and was shot down over Vietnam in 1967, he would remain a prisoner of war until 1973. But his military career started in 1954 when he entered Annapolis. This is more than likely where his affinity for the game began.
McCain's gambling on Craps is worrisome for his campaign advisors, so much so that when he went to Las Vegas for a campaign swing, they had to prevent him from gambling.
McCain is not a hobbyist either, he is known to play marathon sessions and gamble thousands of dollars per session.
Much like any veteran, McCain enjoys the fellowship he had in the military and finds a different but similar one in playing craps. People surrounding the table, betting on you to either win or lose. The thrill pulls him to the game.
Sounds kind of like politics. Will his political roll of the dice pay off? We'll see in November.
If you would like to read the article from The Telegraph, click here.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
How to Become A Craps Dealer
Casinos are popping up everywhere and with them, the need for casino talent is increasing. Have you ever thought of being a stickman, or a boxman, or a base dealer? Maybe you want to be a pit boss? Where do you go to learn and get these jobs?
The answer, college. One of the more famous programs for learning the inner workings of a casino is a community college system in Arizona. Mojave Community College offers certificates in both Casino Pit Games Dealing and Casino Pit Games Management.
As the schools brochure says: "The Casino Pit Games Dealer Certificate offers training in specialized areas to prepare a student for an audition for entry-level employment in the casino industry."
Certificate Requirements:
CGM 121 Casino Dealer - Poker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 credit hours
CGM 122 Casino Dealer-Blackjack . . . . . . . . . . . .3 credit hours
CGM 123 Casino Dealer-Dice (CRAPS) . . . . . . . . . .4 credit hours
CGM 124 Casino Dealer-Roulette . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 credit hours
BUS 105 Business English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 credit hours
Total minimum credit hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 credit hours
The class on craps is described as:
"Techniques of Casino Games CRAPS (Dice)
Fundamentals of dealing craps with an emphasis on accurate and quick mental multiplication, chip handling, knowledge of odds on a variety of bets, procedures and game speed. Special attention is given to the management aspects of craps"
"The Casino Pit Games Management Certificate provides additional management training to prepare a student for advancement in the casino industry."
Certificate Requirements:
Casino Pit Games Dealing Certificate . . . . . . . . . .17
CGM 125 Casino Management: Floor person . . . . . .3
Electives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Choose any two from the following:
BUS 125 Introduction to Accounting . . . . . . . . . .3
BUS 142 Supervisory Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
BUS 144 Principles of Management . . . . . . . . . . .3
Total minimum credit hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
As you can see, it is comprehensive and can take between 2 and 3 semesters to achieve. This can cost about $3,000 to complete if you are a resident of Arizona, $7,000 if you are out of state
Another institution that offers a Casino Management Certification is the University of Massachusetts. It is offered through an online program and is part of the Hospitality Management department. It is not as comprehensive as Mojave, because the focus is less on how to play the games and more on how to run the floor. There are only 5 classes need to complete this program. This certification runs about $6,000 when it's all said and done.
Three Rivers Community College in Norwich Connecticut offers an Associates of Art degree in Casino Management, but it really focuses on hospitality courses and finance classes. There are no specific classes for casinos in the program.
By far the least expensive option is that of West Virginia State Community and Technical College. They are partnering with the local race tracks to train several hundred people to work in their newly opening casino sections in late '08/early '09. The cost is $490, and the employer will refund it after 90 days.
It is a good investment. A table worker can expect to make $30-$45,000/yr + tips depending on the area and management can make considerably more.
For more information you can visit the following:
Mojave Community College
University of Massachusetts
Three Rivers Community College
Charleston Gazette Article
The answer, college. One of the more famous programs for learning the inner workings of a casino is a community college system in Arizona. Mojave Community College offers certificates in both Casino Pit Games Dealing and Casino Pit Games Management.
As the schools brochure says: "The Casino Pit Games Dealer Certificate offers training in specialized areas to prepare a student for an audition for entry-level employment in the casino industry."
Certificate Requirements:
CGM 121 Casino Dealer - Poker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 credit hours
CGM 122 Casino Dealer-Blackjack . . . . . . . . . . . .3 credit hours
CGM 123 Casino Dealer-Dice (CRAPS) . . . . . . . . . .4 credit hours
CGM 124 Casino Dealer-Roulette . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 credit hours
BUS 105 Business English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 credit hours
Total minimum credit hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 credit hours
The class on craps is described as:
"Techniques of Casino Games CRAPS (Dice)
Fundamentals of dealing craps with an emphasis on accurate and quick mental multiplication, chip handling, knowledge of odds on a variety of bets, procedures and game speed. Special attention is given to the management aspects of craps"
"The Casino Pit Games Management Certificate provides additional management training to prepare a student for advancement in the casino industry."
Certificate Requirements:
Casino Pit Games Dealing Certificate . . . . . . . . . .17
CGM 125 Casino Management: Floor person . . . . . .3
Electives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Choose any two from the following:
BUS 125 Introduction to Accounting . . . . . . . . . .3
BUS 142 Supervisory Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
BUS 144 Principles of Management . . . . . . . . . . .3
Total minimum credit hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
As you can see, it is comprehensive and can take between 2 and 3 semesters to achieve. This can cost about $3,000 to complete if you are a resident of Arizona, $7,000 if you are out of state
Another institution that offers a Casino Management Certification is the University of Massachusetts. It is offered through an online program and is part of the Hospitality Management department. It is not as comprehensive as Mojave, because the focus is less on how to play the games and more on how to run the floor. There are only 5 classes need to complete this program. This certification runs about $6,000 when it's all said and done.
Three Rivers Community College in Norwich Connecticut offers an Associates of Art degree in Casino Management, but it really focuses on hospitality courses and finance classes. There are no specific classes for casinos in the program.
By far the least expensive option is that of West Virginia State Community and Technical College. They are partnering with the local race tracks to train several hundred people to work in their newly opening casino sections in late '08/early '09. The cost is $490, and the employer will refund it after 90 days.
It is a good investment. A table worker can expect to make $30-$45,000/yr + tips depending on the area and management can make considerably more.
For more information you can visit the following:
Mojave Community College
University of Massachusetts
Three Rivers Community College
Charleston Gazette Article
Monday, July 7, 2008
Craps Glossary - Terms, sayings and definitions
When you go to a casino, there are a lot of strange terms thrown around. Especially in table games like craps. To help demystify this strange language and to give you the knowledge that you need to develop a winning strategy, I have made a list of some terms. Some of these very depending on the region you are gambling in and some may only be used in a certain region. But understanding these terms are going to be a big step in setting yourself up for success. I hope that you find these valuable.
2X/5X/10X odds - The multiple of your original pass line bet. You make this bet behind your pass line bet and get paid at true odds.
3-Way Craps - A bet made in units of 3 with one unit on 2, one unit on 3, and one unit on 12. This is a horn bet without the bet on 11.
Acey-Deucy - A roll of the dice that results in a 1 and a 2.
Advantage: The edge a casino has over a player on a particular bet.
Any Craps A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, or 12. This bet pays 7:1.
Any Seven A bet that the next roll will be 7. This bet pays 4:1.
Back Line - Another term for Don’t Pass Line.
Ballerina Dice (aka Hardway) - A roll of the dice that yields a pair deuces.
Bar the 12 - Shown on the craps layout in the Don't Pass Line and Don't Come Box areas. A 12 is a standoff in these areas to ensure the casino has an advantage over the wrong bettors.
Behind the Line - A bet on the free-odds after a point has been established on the come out roll.
Betting Right - Betting that the dice will win on Pass Line and Come bets.
Betting Wrong - Betting that the dice will not win, or pass, by betting Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets.
Big 6 & Big 8 - A bet that pays even money that a six or an eight will be rolled before a seven.
Big Red - A one roll bet that the next number thrown will be a seven.
Box Numbers - The box areas around the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, which is used to mark the point, and to put place, come and buy bets.
Boxcars - A slang term for the roll of the 12.
Boxman - The casino executive who is in charge of the craps table. The Boxman sits between the two dealers and remains seated behind all the casino chips during the play.
Bring Out - A term used by dealers and players when betting on the hardway of a point, to "bring out" the point.
Buy Bet (Buy the 4 and 10) - Giving the house a 5% commission in order to be paid correct odds for a place bet. The buy bets on 4 and 10 allow the player to reduce the house edge on these bets. Some casinos collect the commission only on winning bets, while others collect it at the time the bet is made.
C & E - A one roll bet on the 2, 3, 11.
Cafeteria dice - aka hardway six (a pair of treys).
Center Bets (Proposition Bets) - The bets located in the center of the layout.
Change Color - Changing casino chips into smaller or larger denomination.
Chips (Checks) - The common term for tokens, issued by a casino in place of money, and having the equivalent of cash.
Cold Dice - Dice which consistently don't pass.
Color Change - The changing of chips to a higher or lower denomination.
Come Bet - A a bet made after the come out roll but in other respects exactly like a pass line bet.
Come Box - The area on the craps layout where Come bets are placed
Come Out Roll - The first roll of the dice in a betting round is called the "come out" roll. Pass bets win when the come out roll is 7 or 11, while pass bets lose when the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12. Don't bets lose when the come out roll is 7 or 11, and don't bets win when the come out roll is 2 or 3. Don't bets tie when the come out roll is 12 (2 in some casinos; the "bar" roll on the layout indicates which roll is treated as a tie).
Coming Out - A term to designate that a new come out roll is about to happen.
Correct Odds - The mathematical likelihood, or probability, that a bet will be made a winner (usually the odds a point will be made prior to a 7 rolled).
Crap Out - Rolling a 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out roll, an automatic loser for Pass Line bettors.
Craps - The term for a roll of a 2, 3 or 12. Also the name of the game.
Crew - Four casino employees that staff a craps table, includes a boxman, a stickman, and two dealers.
Dealer - A casino employee who works directly with the player and handles the monetary transactions, bets and payoffs.
Dice - The cubes, which are marked from 1 to 6, whose combinations when, thrown, determine the wins and losses at a craps table
Dice Pass - The dice are said to "pass" when the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. The dice "don't pass" when the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out. If the come-out roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, this roll sets the "point", and the shooter continues to roll until the point is rolled again or a 7 is rolled (see "seven out"). If the shooter rolls the point before rolling a seven, the dice pass. If the shooter sevens out, the dice do not pass and the shooter loses control of the dice.
“Die in the wood, roll no good” - One of the dice landed in the players chip rack.
Disk (Puck) - A round object white on one side and black on the other. When on the white side and in a place number box signifies that a come-out roll has occurred and that a point has been established.
Don't Come Bet - A bet made after the come out roll but in other respects exactly like a don't pass bet.
Don't Come Box - The area on the layout where a Don't Come bet is made.
Don't Pass Bet - A bet that the dice will not pass. This bet can be placed only immediately before a "come out" roll. One result (either the 2 or the 12, depending on the casino) will result in a push. A don't pass bet can be taken down, but not increased, after the come-out roll.
Don't Pass Line - The area on the layout where Don’t Pass bets are placed
Don't Pass - A bet made on the come-out roll that the dice will not pass.
Double Odds - A free odds bet made at double the original Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come or
Don’t Come Bet/Wager. Some casinos offer higher odds, such as 5X or even 10X odds.
E.T.: A bet on the eleven and twelve.
Easy Way - The roll of a 4, 6, 8 or 10 where the dice are not matched as a pair (i.e. the hardway), such as 5-5, but other combinations.
Evealine - Eleven, after the point is made.
Even-Money - A payoff of 1:1.
Eyes of Texas Shine Upon Us - Hard Ten
Hardways Bet - the next roll will be a double: 4-4, 6-6, 8-8, or 10-10 before a 4, 6, 8, 10 or 7 appears in any roll.
Field Bet - A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. This bet pays even money for 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11, and usually pays 2:1 for 2 or 12. Some casinos pay 3:1 for either the 2 or 12 (but not both), and some casinos may make the 5 instead of the 9 a field roll.
Floorman - A casino employee who stands behind the craps table, checking on the players and authorizing credit for players.
Free-Odds Bet - Another term for any odds bet where the house has no advantage. Either taken (or laid) on a Pass, Don't Pass, Come or Don't Come bet after the point is established.
Front Line - A casino term for Pass Line.
Hard Ten - two fives.
Hard Way - A bet on 4, 6, 8, or 10 that wins only if the dice show the same face.
Hi/Lo: A bet on the twelve and two.
High Roller - A player (bettor) who wages large sums of money at a craps table.
Hop Bet - A bet that the next roll will result in one particular combination of the dice, such as 2-2 (called a "hopping hardway") or 3-5. 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5 are paid the same as a one-roll 2; other hop bets are paid the same as a one-roll 11.
Hop - A one roll wager that a particular number will come up on the next throw of the dice.
Horn Bet - A one-roll wager that combines the 2, 3, 11 and 12.
Horn High Bet - A bet made in multiples of 5 with one unit on 3 of the horn numbers, and two units on the "high" number; e.g.,
Hot Roll - Dice that are continually passing, and that are held by a shooter for a long time before a seven-out.
House Edge (Edge) -The advantage a casino has over a player on a particular bet.
“I can't read 'er, she's in the cedar” - One or both of the dice landed in the players chip rack.
“In the plank, not worth a wank” - One or both of the die landed in the rail.
Inside Bet - A place bet on the number 5, 6, 8, or 9
Inside Numbers - The numbers 5, 6, 8 and 9.
Jesse James - A nine. (Jesse James was shot by a forty-five).
Jimmie Hick - A six.
Lay Bet - A bet that a particular number (4,5,6,8,9, or 10) will NOT be rolled before a 7 comes up. The casino takes 5% of the winnings on these bets. The 5% commission is usually taken up front, but some casinos take the commission after the bet wins.
Lay Odds - After a point has been established, the don't pass bettor can place an additional odds bet that will win if the original don't pass bet wins. The odds bet is paid at the correct odds for the point, and is a fair bet with no house edge. This also applies to a don't come bet. Making this bets is referred to "laying the odds" for your don't bet.
Lay Wager - Betting against a point number that has been thrown by paying a 5 percent commission
Layout - The imprinted surface of a craps table, which shows all the areas where bets can be placed
Line Bet - A bet on the "pass line" or the "don't pass line" is called a "line" bet. These bets are placed at the beginning of the game, before the "come out" roll. The shooter is required to make a line bet in order to shoot the dice.
Loaded Dice - Dice that have been weighted to tamper with their roll.
Long and Strong - When the stickman asks you to throw hard enough to hit the backboard.
Marker Buck (Puck) - Plastic round disk used to mark either the point or to indicate that no point is yet established; "OFF" on one side, "ON" on the other side.
Midnight –The roll of a 12
Natural - Another term for a 7 or 11 rolled on the come out roll.
Nickels - A term used by experienced players meaning chips with a five dollar denomination
Odds Off - Odds bets that are "not working". Odds bets can be called "off" by the player at any time, but are left on the felt until the bet is resolved. Also, come odds bets are usually "off" during the come out roll, unless the bettor asks to have the odds bets "working". Come odd bets that are "off" will be returned to the player if the line bet loses on the come out roll. Don't come odds generally work on the come-out roll.
Off : A term meaning that certain bets will not be at risk on the next roll of the dice.
On Base - The term for the dealers other than the stickman
On the Stick - The term to signify that a dealers is now working the stick, and is the stickman for a designated time.
One For The Boys - A bet for the dealers. Used as a gratuity. It is proper casino etiquette to ask the dealer(s) if they would like you to bet for them.
One-Roll Bets - Wagers whose outcome is determined by the very next roll of the dice.
Outside Numbers - The numbers 4, 5, 9 and 10. Usually designated as outside numbers when making a place bet on these numbers.
Ozzie and Harriet - A square pair. (Hard eight.)
Pair of aces in the wrong places - Two
Parlay (Press) - To increase a bet, usually by double.
Pass - A winning situation for the right bettors
Pass Bet - A bet that the dice will pass, also known as a "pass line" bet. This bet is generally placed immediately before a "come out" roll, although you can make or increase this bet at any time.
Pass line bet - Betting that the point number will be thrown before a seven.
Pass line - The area on the layout where a pass line bet is made.
Pass - A winning decision for the dice.
Payoff - The paying out of a winning bet to a player
Pit Boss - A casino employee who is in charge of all the tables in a particular area
Place Bet (To Lose) - A bet that a 7 will be rolled before the number you are placing (4,5,6,8,9, or 10) comes up.
Place Bet (To Win) A bet that a particular number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7 comes up.
Point - When a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled on the come out roll, then this number becomes the "point". The shooter must roll the point again, before rolling a seven, in order for the dice to "pass". A "come point" is just the number that is serving as a point for a come bet.
Proposition Bet - Bets that are made in the center of the layout
Put Bet - A bet made on the pass line after the come out roller a bet made directly onto a come point number.
Quarters - A term used by experienced players meaning chips with a twenty-five dollar denomination
Rails - The grooved area of the craps table where players keep their chips that are not in play
Right Bettor: A player betting that the dice will pass, or win.
Roll - A single throw of the dice. Also, a complete series of throws until the shooter sevens-out.
Rolling The Bones - Throwing the dice. Playing Craps.
Sequence Bet - A bet whose outcome is not necessarily determined on the following roll but may take a succession of rolls to be determined.
Seven Out - When the shooter rolls seven after a point has been established. Control of the dice is transferred to the next shooter.
Shooter - The player who is rolling the dice. The shooter must place a "line" bet ("pass" or "don't pass") in order to be eligible to roll the dice.
Slow bleed – Losing a bankroll in a slow and consistent manner.
Snake Eyes - A slang term for the number 2.
Square pair - Hard eight.
Standoff - A situation where no decision results from a throw of the dice on certain bets.
Stickman - A casino employee who calls the game and handles the stick at a craps table.
Studio 54 - Nine
Take Odds - After a point has been established, the pass/come bettor can place an additional odds bet that will win if the original pass/come bet wins. The odds bet is paid at the correct odds for the point, and is a fair bet with no house edge.
Ten the hard way - two fives
Tip (Toke) - A gratuity given to a dealer by a player
True Odds - The odds a particular number will be rolled on any single roll of the dice.
“Two rolls and no coffee” - Sevened out after two rolls.
Two Ways - A phrase appended to a hardway or proposition bet to indicate that the player is betting one chip for the dealers along with his own bet.
Vig or Vigorish - A gambler's term for the house edge.
Whirl bet - A one roll bet on the 2, 3, 7, 11 and 12.
Working - Bets that are "live" are said to be working. Generally, place bets, buy/lay bets, and come odds bets do not work on the come-out unless you tell the dealers to "make them work." All other bets work unless you call them "off".
World Bet - A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12, made in multiples of 5.
Wrong Bettor - A player who bets against the dice.
Yo (Yo-leven) - A slang term for the 11.
2X/5X/10X odds - The multiple of your original pass line bet. You make this bet behind your pass line bet and get paid at true odds.
3-Way Craps - A bet made in units of 3 with one unit on 2, one unit on 3, and one unit on 12. This is a horn bet without the bet on 11.
Acey-Deucy - A roll of the dice that results in a 1 and a 2.
Advantage: The edge a casino has over a player on a particular bet.
Any Craps A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, or 12. This bet pays 7:1.
Any Seven A bet that the next roll will be 7. This bet pays 4:1.
Back Line - Another term for Don’t Pass Line.
Ballerina Dice (aka Hardway) - A roll of the dice that yields a pair deuces.
Bar the 12 - Shown on the craps layout in the Don't Pass Line and Don't Come Box areas. A 12 is a standoff in these areas to ensure the casino has an advantage over the wrong bettors.
Behind the Line - A bet on the free-odds after a point has been established on the come out roll.
Betting Right - Betting that the dice will win on Pass Line and Come bets.
Betting Wrong - Betting that the dice will not win, or pass, by betting Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets.
Big 6 & Big 8 - A bet that pays even money that a six or an eight will be rolled before a seven.
Big Red - A one roll bet that the next number thrown will be a seven.
Box Numbers - The box areas around the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, which is used to mark the point, and to put place, come and buy bets.
Boxcars - A slang term for the roll of the 12.
Boxman - The casino executive who is in charge of the craps table. The Boxman sits between the two dealers and remains seated behind all the casino chips during the play.
Bring Out - A term used by dealers and players when betting on the hardway of a point, to "bring out" the point.
Buy Bet (Buy the 4 and 10) - Giving the house a 5% commission in order to be paid correct odds for a place bet. The buy bets on 4 and 10 allow the player to reduce the house edge on these bets. Some casinos collect the commission only on winning bets, while others collect it at the time the bet is made.
C & E - A one roll bet on the 2, 3, 11.
Cafeteria dice - aka hardway six (a pair of treys).
Center Bets (Proposition Bets) - The bets located in the center of the layout.
Change Color - Changing casino chips into smaller or larger denomination.
Chips (Checks) - The common term for tokens, issued by a casino in place of money, and having the equivalent of cash.
Cold Dice - Dice which consistently don't pass.
Color Change - The changing of chips to a higher or lower denomination.
Come Bet - A a bet made after the come out roll but in other respects exactly like a pass line bet.
Come Box - The area on the craps layout where Come bets are placed
Come Out Roll - The first roll of the dice in a betting round is called the "come out" roll. Pass bets win when the come out roll is 7 or 11, while pass bets lose when the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12. Don't bets lose when the come out roll is 7 or 11, and don't bets win when the come out roll is 2 or 3. Don't bets tie when the come out roll is 12 (2 in some casinos; the "bar" roll on the layout indicates which roll is treated as a tie).
Coming Out - A term to designate that a new come out roll is about to happen.
Correct Odds - The mathematical likelihood, or probability, that a bet will be made a winner (usually the odds a point will be made prior to a 7 rolled).
Crap Out - Rolling a 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out roll, an automatic loser for Pass Line bettors.
Craps - The term for a roll of a 2, 3 or 12. Also the name of the game.
Crew - Four casino employees that staff a craps table, includes a boxman, a stickman, and two dealers.
Dealer - A casino employee who works directly with the player and handles the monetary transactions, bets and payoffs.
Dice - The cubes, which are marked from 1 to 6, whose combinations when, thrown, determine the wins and losses at a craps table
Dice Pass - The dice are said to "pass" when the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. The dice "don't pass" when the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out. If the come-out roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, this roll sets the "point", and the shooter continues to roll until the point is rolled again or a 7 is rolled (see "seven out"). If the shooter rolls the point before rolling a seven, the dice pass. If the shooter sevens out, the dice do not pass and the shooter loses control of the dice.
“Die in the wood, roll no good” - One of the dice landed in the players chip rack.
Disk (Puck) - A round object white on one side and black on the other. When on the white side and in a place number box signifies that a come-out roll has occurred and that a point has been established.
Don't Come Bet - A bet made after the come out roll but in other respects exactly like a don't pass bet.
Don't Come Box - The area on the layout where a Don't Come bet is made.
Don't Pass Bet - A bet that the dice will not pass. This bet can be placed only immediately before a "come out" roll. One result (either the 2 or the 12, depending on the casino) will result in a push. A don't pass bet can be taken down, but not increased, after the come-out roll.
Don't Pass Line - The area on the layout where Don’t Pass bets are placed
Don't Pass - A bet made on the come-out roll that the dice will not pass.
Double Odds - A free odds bet made at double the original Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come or
Don’t Come Bet/Wager. Some casinos offer higher odds, such as 5X or even 10X odds.
E.T.: A bet on the eleven and twelve.
Easy Way - The roll of a 4, 6, 8 or 10 where the dice are not matched as a pair (i.e. the hardway), such as 5-5, but other combinations.
Evealine - Eleven, after the point is made.
Even-Money - A payoff of 1:1.
Eyes of Texas Shine Upon Us - Hard Ten
Hardways Bet - the next roll will be a double: 4-4, 6-6, 8-8, or 10-10 before a 4, 6, 8, 10 or 7 appears in any roll.
Field Bet - A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. This bet pays even money for 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11, and usually pays 2:1 for 2 or 12. Some casinos pay 3:1 for either the 2 or 12 (but not both), and some casinos may make the 5 instead of the 9 a field roll.
Floorman - A casino employee who stands behind the craps table, checking on the players and authorizing credit for players.
Free-Odds Bet - Another term for any odds bet where the house has no advantage. Either taken (or laid) on a Pass, Don't Pass, Come or Don't Come bet after the point is established.
Front Line - A casino term for Pass Line.
Hard Ten - two fives.
Hard Way - A bet on 4, 6, 8, or 10 that wins only if the dice show the same face.
Hi/Lo: A bet on the twelve and two.
High Roller - A player (bettor) who wages large sums of money at a craps table.
Hop Bet - A bet that the next roll will result in one particular combination of the dice, such as 2-2 (called a "hopping hardway") or 3-5. 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5 are paid the same as a one-roll 2; other hop bets are paid the same as a one-roll 11.
Hop - A one roll wager that a particular number will come up on the next throw of the dice.
Horn Bet - A one-roll wager that combines the 2, 3, 11 and 12.
Horn High Bet - A bet made in multiples of 5 with one unit on 3 of the horn numbers, and two units on the "high" number; e.g.,
Hot Roll - Dice that are continually passing, and that are held by a shooter for a long time before a seven-out.
House Edge (Edge) -The advantage a casino has over a player on a particular bet.
“I can't read 'er, she's in the cedar” - One or both of the dice landed in the players chip rack.
“In the plank, not worth a wank” - One or both of the die landed in the rail.
Inside Bet - A place bet on the number 5, 6, 8, or 9
Inside Numbers - The numbers 5, 6, 8 and 9.
Jesse James - A nine. (Jesse James was shot by a forty-five).
Jimmie Hick - A six.
Lay Bet - A bet that a particular number (4,5,6,8,9, or 10) will NOT be rolled before a 7 comes up. The casino takes 5% of the winnings on these bets. The 5% commission is usually taken up front, but some casinos take the commission after the bet wins.
Lay Odds - After a point has been established, the don't pass bettor can place an additional odds bet that will win if the original don't pass bet wins. The odds bet is paid at the correct odds for the point, and is a fair bet with no house edge. This also applies to a don't come bet. Making this bets is referred to "laying the odds" for your don't bet.
Lay Wager - Betting against a point number that has been thrown by paying a 5 percent commission
Layout - The imprinted surface of a craps table, which shows all the areas where bets can be placed
Line Bet - A bet on the "pass line" or the "don't pass line" is called a "line" bet. These bets are placed at the beginning of the game, before the "come out" roll. The shooter is required to make a line bet in order to shoot the dice.
Loaded Dice - Dice that have been weighted to tamper with their roll.
Long and Strong - When the stickman asks you to throw hard enough to hit the backboard.
Marker Buck (Puck) - Plastic round disk used to mark either the point or to indicate that no point is yet established; "OFF" on one side, "ON" on the other side.
Midnight –The roll of a 12
Natural - Another term for a 7 or 11 rolled on the come out roll.
Nickels - A term used by experienced players meaning chips with a five dollar denomination
Odds Off - Odds bets that are "not working". Odds bets can be called "off" by the player at any time, but are left on the felt until the bet is resolved. Also, come odds bets are usually "off" during the come out roll, unless the bettor asks to have the odds bets "working". Come odd bets that are "off" will be returned to the player if the line bet loses on the come out roll. Don't come odds generally work on the come-out roll.
Off : A term meaning that certain bets will not be at risk on the next roll of the dice.
On Base - The term for the dealers other than the stickman
On the Stick - The term to signify that a dealers is now working the stick, and is the stickman for a designated time.
One For The Boys - A bet for the dealers. Used as a gratuity. It is proper casino etiquette to ask the dealer(s) if they would like you to bet for them.
One-Roll Bets - Wagers whose outcome is determined by the very next roll of the dice.
Outside Numbers - The numbers 4, 5, 9 and 10. Usually designated as outside numbers when making a place bet on these numbers.
Ozzie and Harriet - A square pair. (Hard eight.)
Pair of aces in the wrong places - Two
Parlay (Press) - To increase a bet, usually by double.
Pass - A winning situation for the right bettors
Pass Bet - A bet that the dice will pass, also known as a "pass line" bet. This bet is generally placed immediately before a "come out" roll, although you can make or increase this bet at any time.
Pass line bet - Betting that the point number will be thrown before a seven.
Pass line - The area on the layout where a pass line bet is made.
Pass - A winning decision for the dice.
Payoff - The paying out of a winning bet to a player
Pit Boss - A casino employee who is in charge of all the tables in a particular area
Place Bet (To Lose) - A bet that a 7 will be rolled before the number you are placing (4,5,6,8,9, or 10) comes up.
Place Bet (To Win) A bet that a particular number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7 comes up.
Point - When a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled on the come out roll, then this number becomes the "point". The shooter must roll the point again, before rolling a seven, in order for the dice to "pass". A "come point" is just the number that is serving as a point for a come bet.
Proposition Bet - Bets that are made in the center of the layout
Put Bet - A bet made on the pass line after the come out roller a bet made directly onto a come point number.
Quarters - A term used by experienced players meaning chips with a twenty-five dollar denomination
Rails - The grooved area of the craps table where players keep their chips that are not in play
Right Bettor: A player betting that the dice will pass, or win.
Roll - A single throw of the dice. Also, a complete series of throws until the shooter sevens-out.
Rolling The Bones - Throwing the dice. Playing Craps.
Sequence Bet - A bet whose outcome is not necessarily determined on the following roll but may take a succession of rolls to be determined.
Seven Out - When the shooter rolls seven after a point has been established. Control of the dice is transferred to the next shooter.
Shooter - The player who is rolling the dice. The shooter must place a "line" bet ("pass" or "don't pass") in order to be eligible to roll the dice.
Slow bleed – Losing a bankroll in a slow and consistent manner.
Snake Eyes - A slang term for the number 2.
Square pair - Hard eight.
Standoff - A situation where no decision results from a throw of the dice on certain bets.
Stickman - A casino employee who calls the game and handles the stick at a craps table.
Studio 54 - Nine
Take Odds - After a point has been established, the pass/come bettor can place an additional odds bet that will win if the original pass/come bet wins. The odds bet is paid at the correct odds for the point, and is a fair bet with no house edge.
Ten the hard way - two fives
Tip (Toke) - A gratuity given to a dealer by a player
True Odds - The odds a particular number will be rolled on any single roll of the dice.
“Two rolls and no coffee” - Sevened out after two rolls.
Two Ways - A phrase appended to a hardway or proposition bet to indicate that the player is betting one chip for the dealers along with his own bet.
Vig or Vigorish - A gambler's term for the house edge.
Whirl bet - A one roll bet on the 2, 3, 7, 11 and 12.
Working - Bets that are "live" are said to be working. Generally, place bets, buy/lay bets, and come odds bets do not work on the come-out unless you tell the dealers to "make them work." All other bets work unless you call them "off".
World Bet - A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12, made in multiples of 5.
Wrong Bettor - A player who bets against the dice.
Yo (Yo-leven) - A slang term for the 11.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The First World Craps Championships
One of my favorite sites on craps is Craps Hero. Every time I go there, I find a wealth of information. I surfed on over the other day when I found I had some time on my hands, and I was not disappointed.
This time, I came across an article about Frank Scoblete's 2006 World Craps Championships. For those of you who do not know who Frank Scoblete is, he is an author, gambler and and authority on dice control. His goal was to have a tournament to determine who the best of the best was in the game of craps.
The tournament was a non-casino sponsored event that expected to have just over 30 players pay the $365 entry fee to vie for titles in 9 different areas, as well as overall. However, 167 contenders actually showed up for the June 22-23 competition at Atrium Suites Hotel in Las Vegas to try and claim the title "World Craps Champion".
In addition to the individual titles there were also team championships as well. Teams from Florida to Hawaii competed to see who had the most skillful members. Each member of a team had an individual score that was averaged with the other members of the team to determine the team score and the winners. In addition a "best man" and "best woman" were also awarded. These were the individuals who beat the most people in the first nine tournaments. A special set of awards called "The Goldies" were also awarded to participants. These were essentially "good humor" type awards that were given to promote camaraderie.
But the weekend was not just for tournaments. It was about the science and techniques behind craps. Several seminars, most notably in dice control (one of Scoblete's claims to fame) and several special challenge matches were held. It was a chance for craps players from all over to get together, share knowledge, have fun, compete and, yes, play some craps.
The results:
Special Awards "The Goldies"
The Family that Plays Together Goldie - The Chabots
The Fabulous Hawaiians Goldie – Renfred Frias, Roland Shar, Art Yamamoto, and Regan Onikuma
The Above the Crowd Goldie – Dave "Da Porker"
The Generous Spirit Goldie – John "Skinny" Therkelsen
The Silk Purse Goldie – Charlie "Sandtrap" Romano
The Above and Beyond Goldie – "Travelin" Marilyn Taylor
The Golden Shovel Award - Missouri Rick
THE COME OUT CHAMPION
Jim Buckley
THE IN THE FIELD CHAMPION
Dennis "Nitro" Dion
THE MAKE YOUR POINT CHAMPION
Nancy Visco
THE ON THE HOP CHAMPION
Louis "Lou-cifer" Van Dyke
THE 4 AND 10 CHAMPION
Don Garcia
THE 6 AND 8 CHAMPION
Pat Higgins
THE CRAPSHOOTER CHAMPION
John Chabot
THE HARDWAY CHAMPION
Tim Barnes
THE NO SEVENS CHAMPION
Phil Corder
THE TEAM CHAMPIONS
The Cleveland Crew
THE BEST MAN (Three way tie)
Charlie "Sandtrap" Romano
Louis "Lou-cifer" Van Dyke
Jim Buckley
THE BEST WOMAN
Kathleen Bush
THE WORLD CRAPS CHAMPION
Linda "Lowroller" Mabry
So far there has not been a follow up to this tournament, but with it's initial popularity, common sense would dictate that it would be repeated eventually.
This was a landmark in craps. The game crowned a champion.
This time, I came across an article about Frank Scoblete's 2006 World Craps Championships. For those of you who do not know who Frank Scoblete is, he is an author, gambler and and authority on dice control. His goal was to have a tournament to determine who the best of the best was in the game of craps.
The tournament was a non-casino sponsored event that expected to have just over 30 players pay the $365 entry fee to vie for titles in 9 different areas, as well as overall. However, 167 contenders actually showed up for the June 22-23 competition at Atrium Suites Hotel in Las Vegas to try and claim the title "World Craps Champion".
In addition to the individual titles there were also team championships as well. Teams from Florida to Hawaii competed to see who had the most skillful members. Each member of a team had an individual score that was averaged with the other members of the team to determine the team score and the winners. In addition a "best man" and "best woman" were also awarded. These were the individuals who beat the most people in the first nine tournaments. A special set of awards called "The Goldies" were also awarded to participants. These were essentially "good humor" type awards that were given to promote camaraderie.
But the weekend was not just for tournaments. It was about the science and techniques behind craps. Several seminars, most notably in dice control (one of Scoblete's claims to fame) and several special challenge matches were held. It was a chance for craps players from all over to get together, share knowledge, have fun, compete and, yes, play some craps.
The results:
Special Awards "The Goldies"
The Family that Plays Together Goldie - The Chabots
The Fabulous Hawaiians Goldie – Renfred Frias, Roland Shar, Art Yamamoto, and Regan Onikuma
The Above the Crowd Goldie – Dave "Da Porker"
The Generous Spirit Goldie – John "Skinny" Therkelsen
The Silk Purse Goldie – Charlie "Sandtrap" Romano
The Above and Beyond Goldie – "Travelin" Marilyn Taylor
The Golden Shovel Award - Missouri Rick
THE COME OUT CHAMPION
Jim Buckley
THE IN THE FIELD CHAMPION
Dennis "Nitro" Dion
THE MAKE YOUR POINT CHAMPION
Nancy Visco
THE ON THE HOP CHAMPION
Louis "Lou-cifer" Van Dyke
THE 4 AND 10 CHAMPION
Don Garcia
THE 6 AND 8 CHAMPION
Pat Higgins
THE CRAPSHOOTER CHAMPION
John Chabot
THE HARDWAY CHAMPION
Tim Barnes
THE NO SEVENS CHAMPION
Phil Corder
THE TEAM CHAMPIONS
The Cleveland Crew
THE BEST MAN (Three way tie)
Charlie "Sandtrap" Romano
Louis "Lou-cifer" Van Dyke
Jim Buckley
THE BEST WOMAN
Kathleen Bush
THE WORLD CRAPS CHAMPION
Linda "Lowroller" Mabry
So far there has not been a follow up to this tournament, but with it's initial popularity, common sense would dictate that it would be repeated eventually.
This was a landmark in craps. The game crowned a champion.
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