buying chips

[vegas40]

You can't play craps without chips, but before you buy chips, there is one thing that is an absolute must, look at the sign on the craps table that shows what the table limits are. When you're learning, don't risk your whole bankroll, and bet smaller than you would at a game you know well. Craps is a fast-paced game, and the money can fly away quickly, just as it can flow your way quickly. I recommend starting out at a $5 craps table.

To buy your chips, you simply place your cash on the craps table and say, "Change." Do not try to put money into a dealer's hands; they're not allowed to accept your cash this way. The dealer will take your money and give it to the boxman to count. After counting the bills, the boxman will then announce to the dealer how much you just bought, and the dealer places your chips in front of you. There's a groove for you to place your chips in on the table railing. When you need more chips, just call out "Change." again.

[VegasLuvsMe]

I've watched a friend play craps several times, but I think he played at a $10 table.

He took $50, started on the pass bet line and started his gambling.
I stuck around for about five minutes and watched him double his money.

I had another game on my mind to play, blackjack, a game I love to play where I can have a few drinks, relax and cut-up with the players at the table.

Well, after about an hour went by, and I had finally lost my first $50 buyin at a $5 blackjack table, I decided to go see how my friend was making out at his craps game.

My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw he had about $500 in a nice neat row in front of him, and he was still into the game intensely.
He looked at me and said, "When all of my white chips are black, I'm quitting and cashing in".
I just said ok, about how much is that?
He said, oh, about $2,000.

Another hour later he had his $2,000 and then some, but continued playing.
I think that night he walked away from the table with around $2,500.

If the craps table is hot and people stick around to play, there is money to be made when you know what you're doing.

[vegasrocks]

I don't know a whole lot about craps, just things that I have read. I do know that a lot of the casinos offer to teach you craps and other table games for free. They teach you the basics and then you get to play live with other people who are just learning too. You don't have to buy chips or anything for these lessons. I think thats a wonderful thing.

[Super Rick]

Buying Chips

There is such a thing as table etiquette that should be followed and it start off when you buy-in.

1. Wait for a point to be made, look at the table lay-out and see what number the big white puck is on. That is the point that has to be made, they will flip that puck over if no point has been made yet, and it will be black. That is the time you want to buy into the game. Do not just walk up to the table and throw your money on the table. When the dice are in the center of the table, and the shooter does not have the dice then put your money on the table and the dealer will give you chips for what ever you bought in for.
2. Always place your bets when the dice are in the center of the table, before they go to the shooter, once the shooter has the dice no more bets!
3. If you are standing next to the shooter give them room to shoot step out of their way!
4. Keep your hands on top of the table rail or off the table once the shooter has the dice.
5. Do scream at the shooter to make your point when they have the dice.
6. If you are making pass-line bets don’t stack your chips. If you want to bet anything over $25 do it with a green chip, keep the chip on the line as low as possible. Think about this one for one moment it will help you win money if the dice does not hit your chips!

When you first start playing craps it might take you a little time to get the hang of it, but you will look like a pro to the rest of the players on the table by just following the table etiquette.
You can ask the dealer standing in front of you about any bet you want to make, and when placing a bet do it when the dice are in the center of the table by placing the chips on the table in front of you. The dealer will then place them in the box at the same spot in every box for a bet you make, that how they know whose bet it is to pay off if the bet wins.

If you like the game and you want to play again, then buy a book on line, there are 850 just on craps. John Patrick’s books and Charles C. Westcott are just two of the great authors on craps, which I would recommend!

The same thing goes for any game you are going to play in a casino, buy a book on the game even before you ever set foot in the casino, it will save you money!

[nutforslots]

Thank you so much for the tips. I had no idea of what to do or not to do for that matter.

Taking the time to explain these things to us newbies is greatly appreciated and should make playing for the first time a much nicer experience.

I just don't know what we would do without the input of great people like you and others who have played before. Thanks so much.

[anita]

I have always been interested in the game of craps but never knew anything about the game.

Thank you all for the tips and very helpful information,I hope to use it soon when I get to go an vacation.I plan to go to Vegas then,I will give it a shot and let ya'll know how I did.