Imagine that you are the shooter. You've made three passes, and nine rolls  
ago established the six as your point. It is now roll number forty-seven.  
You are totally focused on the dice as the stick man rakes them over for the  
eye in the sky. You know your dice sets and see what moves you will have to  
make when the dice come to you. You visualize setting them, lofting them  
down the table and tossing another inside number. You see yourself smiling  
as you collect another win.  
 
The stick man announces that the "dice are out," and pushes them toward you.  
You reach for the dice. Suddenly a player pushes in between you and the  
stickman, tosses twenty dollars on the table and says, "Change only - all  
dollars." All action stops. The stickman pulls the dice back in. The  
dealer takes the money and hands it off to the box, then puts a stack of  
dollar chips in front of the player.  
 
The player starts raining chips on the layout. "Sixes and eights hop for a  
dollar each," he says. "Three dollar three way craps."  
 
The stick man patiently sets up his bets, and once again calls "dice are  
out."  
 
The new player crowds in and leans on the rail, forcing you to adjust your  
stance. Finally you get the dice set and are about to toss them. But just  
as you're about to begin your throw the new player reaches in front of you  
and puts his remaining chips in the Field. And as you release the dice you  
feel your hand brush against the late bettor's arm and the dice slip ever so  
slightly in your grip.  
 
The call?  
 
"Seven out - line away."  
 
"Damn!" says the new player, sounding annoyed. "What kind of shooting was  
that?"  
 
Sound familiar? If you've played the game many times you've no doubt had  
similar encounters at the tables. These days it seems like no one has the  
patience to wait for a decision before buying in, the courtesy to keep their  
hands up and out of the way when the dice are out, or the good sense to keep  
their mouths shut when things don't go their way.  
 
Here are a dozen rules of betiquette that will help keep you out of trouble  
with the other players at the table and the dealers.  
 
1. Understand the rules of the game before you buy-in. Standing at the  
table with action on the layout is not the time to be learning the game.  
While part of the dealer's job includes assisting new players with the rules  
of the game, their primary responsibility is to deal the game. Likewise,  
never ask your fellow players for advice on how to play. Most have all they  
can handle watching their own action.  
 
2. There is a sign on every craps table that tells you the minimum bet  
size, correct odds, and table limits. Read it and don't embarrass yourself  
by trying to make a $5 wager on a $25 table, or taking 20X odds on a 2X odds  
game.  
 
3. Only buy in with cash or large denomination chips between hands. If you  
approach the table and the "ON" button is on one of the box numbers, the  
game is already in progress. Wait until there is a decision on the current  
point and the button is flipped to "OFF" before dropping your money on the  
table. If you approach the table in mid-game and already have chips to play  
with, it's okay to place the point or the numbers with your existing chips.  
However, this exception only applies if you are betting red or green chips.  
A black or purple chip will grind the game to a halt.  
 
4. When you buy-in, do not try to hand your cash directly to the dealer.  
He is not allowed to take cash or chips directly from the customer's hands.  
Instead, place your money on the layout in front of you and ask the dealer  
for "change only." This lets the dealer know that you want gaming chips,  
and are not making a "money plays" wager.  
 
5. When you want to place a bet that requires dealer assistance, set the  
money in the Come area in front of you and tell the dealer what you want.  
Do not place the money in front of the player beside you. Do not assume  
that the dealer will be able to read your mind and know what you want.  
 
6. There are rails in front of each playing position that are designed to  
hold your playing chips. Use them. If you try to hold all of your chips in  
one hand and place bets with the other, you will eventually end up spilling  
chips on the table or dropping them onto the floor - which ultimately  
interrupts the flow of the game.  
 
7. There is also a rail beneath the chip rack for your drink. Use it. If  
you hold your drink in your hand while leaning over the table to place bets,  
there is a good chance you will spill it on the layout. If this happens the  
game must be stopped while the spill is cleaned up. For that reason,  
anytime a player stands at the table with a drink above the rail he can  
expect to receive a warning from the dealer or boxman.  
 
8. Follow the KISS theory and keep it simple. That means sizing your bets  
correctly and minimizing confusing press or regress moves. Learning the  
language of the game will help you to communicate your wants to the dealer  
effectively. "Up a unit" or "Make my action look like $22 inside" tells the  
dealer all he needs to know. Further instructions from you will just  
confuse the issue.  
 
9. Keep you hands up and out of the way when the dice are out. All bets  
must be made while the dice are in the middle of the layout. When the  
dealer sends the dice to the shooter, the time for placing wagers has ended.  
If the dealer does not warn you about this, the other players at the table  
will!  
 
10. Don't shout instructions to the dealer while he is paying someone else'  
s bets. There is a specific order the dealer is required to follow when  
taking and paying bets. Losing bets are collected first. Come and Don't  
Come bets travel next. Come bets are paid "off and on." Then the dealer  
goes sequentially from player to player, paying their bets in order. When  
it is your turn you can tell him what you want.  
 
11. Never criticize another player's betting strategy or ability to toss  
the dice. You are simply inviting retaliation when your turn comes - or  
worse.  
 
12. If you are a smoker, please be respectful of others at the table that  
are not. Try to stretch your time between smokes as long as possible. When  
you do smoke, place your ashtray on the side away from the non-smoker, and  
be aware of where you are blowing smoke when you exhale. When you are done  
with your cigarette extinguish it fully. Nobody likes a smoldering ashtray.  
While others may respect your right to smoke at the table, many players have  
strong opinions about second-hand smoke and do not mind expressing them. A  
little courtesy goes a long way.  

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