Betting in the Game of Craps: The Don’t Pass Line Bets
“Don’t Pass Line bets” are generally seen as bets against the dice and even against other players at the Craps table. Here, you’re hoping for “Pass Line betters” to lose. Unlike “Pass Line bets” where you’re betting with the dice, a Don’t Pass Line bet is betting against the dice. Not only that, Don’t Pass Line bets may be frowned upon (and even considered rude by some!)
Let’s explain how to make a Don’t Pass line bet first, and then we’ll learn a bit more about the “Dark side of Craps betting”.
When you want to make a Don’t Pass Line bet, just walk up to an open spot, wait until the shooter is finished throwing the dice, hand the money to the boxman for chips, place the money on the line, and tell the dealer you want to make a Don’t Pass Line bet. Depending on the casino you may be allowed to place your chips in the Don’t Pass bar area yourself. The staff is there to help you so don’t be afraid to ask. Everyone’s a newcomer at first!
You win if a 2 or 3 are rolled during the “Come out” roll. It’s the first roll before “The Point” becomes established. Rolling a 7 or 11 is an automatic loss. Unlike in Pass Line bets, a 12 isn’t a loss but a push where you neither win nor lose. Until the Point, of course - once a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 are rolled, that becomes the number to avoid. Most of the other people at the table are hoping to hit the point number, but not you. You’re hoping for a 7 now, because it’s now a winner for you. Like with other Pass Line bets, the house edge is small and you get even money on wins.
Since Craps is somewhat of a community game, Don’t Pass Line betters are sometimes the odd person out. Don’t Pass Line bets aren’t the most common bets. That honor falls to Pass Line bets. Since you’ll be losing when the majority wins and winning when the majority loses, you’ll lessen the chances to join in the fun or get a thumbs up from someone who’s just lost a bet. For these reasons, some players feel Don’t Pass Line bets are wrong, rude, and go against the spirit of the game.
The choice of bets is up to you, of course. You aren’t reducing anyone’s chances to win and it is your money, so bet how you want. So if you are feeling a bit un-neighborly, go ahead and feel the power of the Dark Side of Craps betting. Hey, being bad is fun once in a while.
Good luck!
