By Samantha Williams
In the game of gambling craps, it has a very clear definition of what can or shouldn’t be done, neither of these factors are governed by rules however, they are governed by good manners or etiquette if you like. They are “tacit” or unspoken rules!
The first and most important for the new player to remember is never say that number out loud! Do you know what “that number” is? It is the number 7 – oh sh*t, I just cleared the craps table!!!
This is what will happen to you if you mention the number 7 at a craps table in a land based casino, and if you mention it online, more or less the same thing. All the players will lose their enthusiasm, wander away to other games or other tables and you will be left standing there with egg on your face as though you let off a smelly fart.
The Number 7 in this game is pivotal; the entire game revolves around it. Have you ever looked at a die and seen how the numbers are imprinted on it? The 3 is opposite the 4, equaling 7. The 1 is opposite the 6, equaling 7 and the 5 is opposite the 2, again equaling 7. This means that the chances of 7’s coming up in gambling craps is incredibly high. Sometimes you want it to, and other times you don’t but it is revered, feared and treated as being God-like in gambling craps circles.
Craps players call it “that number”, “Big Red” and in some instances they have even called it “the devil” or worse. Saying the word out loud brings bad luck to the table and this number said loud will bring powerful bad luck. Gamblers are a superstitious bunch by nature and the one thing that you don’t do is question this universally held idea. Craps is absolutely no fun to play alone.
The other form of acceptable etiquette is to not play against the shooter. This is not a rule of the game it is another one of those unspoken rules. However the anonymity of gambling craps online has taken this unspoken rule and shook it up a bit. It is hard to be intimidated by antagonizing the shooter when he has no idea who you are. However it would be totally aimless to bet against a shooter who is on a hot streak, this would be like shooting yourself in the foot. And it is for this reason that most players bet with him or her.
Another little bit of “7” gambling craps advice; never bet on “that number” either, this number on a place bet has a house edge of 16.67%. So, you may as well just give the casino cashier all your money as you walk out the doors as place this kind of wager.
