Betting Variation in the Game of Craps
Care to make a proposition?
One of the many types of Crap Bets, Proposition Bets are generally more exotic than your typical “Pass Line / Don’t Pass” bets. They also pay more (but have less of a chance of winning.)
The Proposition bets area is usually found in the center of the Craps table. For this reason they’re sometimes referred to “Center bets” along with its other nickname, “Prop bets”. Proposition bets are two types of bets. First are “Hard way bets” which pay off when wagered numbers are rolled a certain way (such as an 8 coming up 4-4). Second are, “Single Roll bets” which are wagers on a single roll of the dice. What a thrill to bet a couple of chips on a win or lose throw!
But while it’s a thrill, Prop bets aren’t favored by professional gamblers due to their overwhelming house edge. However, winners win big and have a good story to tell along with some fun, and let’s be frank, isn’t that what gambling’s all about?
Setting up a Center bet is easy. Just tell the stickman what type of bet you want to place and he or she will place your bet. Bet at almost any time you like but it’s good Craps etiquette to refrain from making a bet two seconds before the shooter is about to roll the dice. The game will stop and everyone will look at you if that happens. That’s never fun…
Let’s assume you’re making a Hard Way bet next. If you bet “4 the Hard way” you need a 2 on each die. No more, no less – 2-2 is the only way to win (or 3-3 if you bet hard way six, etc).
Lucky for you, it’s not an automatic loss after one roll of the dice. The bet continues until one of three things happens: you win, your number comes up the “Soft way” (like a 3 and a 1 for a four, or a 5 and 1 for a six, etc), which is a loss, or a 7 is rolled, which is another loss.
Single roll bets are wins or losses on a single roll of the dice, and there are some neat choices - you can bet that the next roll will be a 7, the shooter will crap out, double ones will be next, a 3 will show up, the next roll will be an 11 or double six will come next. Be polite and say “Yo Eleven” so it’s not confused with “Seven” in a loud casino. Then there are “Horn bets” which are bets on Crap out numbers and “Hop bets” which are bets on an exact dice roll.
And remember to take your bet when you win. If your winning chips are left on the table, the dealer may assume you want to let it ride. Don’t press your luck on Prop bets – if you win, take it all and go buy some drinks!!
