CRAPS VERSUS BLACKJACK
by Ha3ry Giusto

OK, here is another interesting question gleaned from our E-Mail:

What are the basic rules of craps how are the winning chances (in a Vegas casino) compared to black jack?

Whoa! The basic rules of craps! It seems pretty easy, for me at least, to just explain the basic rules in a few concise words. In a humorous way I tell people, "seven you win, seven you lose". Where there is money involved that's as basic as you want to get. And the reason why it's funny is because it's true!

It's all in the timing, Pilgrims. When you cast the dice on your very first roll and roll a 7 or an 11, it is considered a win, if you bet that the dice will "pass"(win). It is also a loser for those bet that the dice will lose "don't pass". If on that first roll you cast a 2, 3, or 12, it is considered a loser on the "pass line" and a winner on the "don't pass" (12 is a push "a non pay" in most casinos, in others it's the 2).

Now the third and final option is, on that first roll you roll one of the remaining numbers 4,5,6,8,9,or 10. Then that number becomes what we call the "point". The rule is to roll that number point before you roll a seven. If your number point rolls first then it is a win for the pass line. A Pass. The shooter will continue to roll to try to make as many passes as possible. If the seven rolls before the point number, then the pass line will lose and the don't pass will win. Shooter done. Dice go to the next person in wait to cast the cubicles, in their own quest to try to make as many passes as possible.

Gee Whiz, Pilgrims, didn't we have this same lesson once before? Seems to me that we have or was that in another lifetime?

As far as answering you question about winning percentages between craps as compared to the game of blackjack, I can't. My expertise is in the field of the dice table. And anyway, I don't think the two games stand up to comparison. They make their own percentages for the house -- and both games support the house very well or they wouldn't be there.

In Craps there is a whole lot more to learn other than the basic rules that will cut into that house percentage. And I guarantee dice will tower far and above any other casino game insofar as a player's advantages and disadvantages go. So, Pilgrims, venture forth, find yourselves a game of craps, buy in, ask questions, have fun, and GOOD LUCK.