Etiquette at the Craps Table

1 March 2000

By Larry Grossman

I was playing at a hot craps table the other night and the shooter was rolling number after number. The dealers were doing everything humanly possible to keep the game moving. Unfortunately there were a few players that were totally out of control. They threw their chips down, instead of placing them in a pile. Also, when they bet on the hard ways they tossed their chips into the center of the table all at the same time making it impossible for the dealer to catch them. As the shooter continued to hit more numbers, and lots of hard ways, the dealers job became more and more stressful. Also to straighten out everyone's action took more time. Some were pressing their bets, others were dragging and just pressing it up one unit. The dealers much to their credit were keeping the game moving as best as they could.

Earlier in the action they politely told the sloppy bettors where they should place their bets and were all but ignored. Without being rude the dealers reminded them a few more times. Their words fell on deaf ears. The players weren't rowdy enough to call security, they just made the game less enjoyable for the rest of us, even though we were winning, it was not a particularly pleasurable experience.

Finally after about 40 minutes the shooter sevened out. The shooter received a well deserved ovation and most of the players toked the dealers for their professionalism and service. The game was a good one except for a few individuals that treated the craps table as their own private play-pen.

Normally I would have left but couldn't because it took place in the middle of a great roll. Great rolls are few and far between and when you are on one, you just have to hold on tight and not let the insanity around you affect your game.

This is not only true at the craps table, but also at all of the other games of chance in the casino. If you are doing very well at a blackjack table and there is someone playing at your table that is particularly rude, you have more than one decision to make. If you are just getting ready to sit down at a table make sure you will feel comfortable. If your gut tells you that this is not the place for you, don't sit down. Find another table. Also if you are already at a table and winning and a rude dude sits in, it's decision time. Stay or go.

There are lots of decisions to make in a casino. Some are predictable, some are forced upon you. Either way, keep your wits about you and don't let others ruin your gaming experience. As Always…Good Luck!!!