Golden Touch Craps

Craps Etiquette Question

By Jerry "Stickman"

Hi Stickman,

Quite a while ago you wrote an article on craps etiquette and there was one thing not covered and it has always been in the back of my mind to ask you about it, so I am.

The shooter whips the dice down the table and one of then careens into my stack of chips on the Don’t Pass. A few get dislodged. Do I restack them (touch them) or do I wait and hope the dealer sees it and tidies up? I’d do it immediately but don’t wish to be accused of adding chips to what should be guaranteed winner (at that point in time). I suppose a pass line bettor would not want to be accused of removing a chip or two from their stack which would probably be a loser.

Thanks,

Arnie

 

Arnie,

You are correct in your assumption that the casino does not want you adding chips to the base portion of you Don’t Pass bet. Once the table is in the point cycle, the Don’t Pass bet has the edge over the house. That is why the house allows you to remove a DP bet.

It is different with the Pass Line bet. The player has the edge on come out, but the edge swings dramatically to the house once the point is established. That is why the house will let you add chips to the base part of a pass line bet once the point is established, but will not let you reduce the base portion of the bet. The odds can be changed at the player’s whim, however.

To your question. It is always preferred to have the dealer restack your base bet (Pass Line or Don’t Pass) so there will be no question as to the accuracy of the bet. Most dealers are very attentive during the game and will see the dice have toppled your stack and restack them for you immediately. If you are tipping them, they are even more attentive. If this is not the case I would try to get the dealer’s attention. You can call him by name (read from the name tag). If you are unable to get his attention, and the dice are passed to the shooter, do NOT restack them yourself. Take care of it with the dealer after the dice have been thrown. The worst that should happen is the box person will find out that the dealer is not doing his job. Oh, you could also try coloring up your stack so it is only a couple chips high rather than a tower of chips.

I hope this answers your question satisfactorily.

May all your wins be swift and large and all your losses be slow and tiny.

Jerry "Stickman"