Craps: A Thrilling Dice Game Offering High Stakes and Excitement — Now Finding Fans in Finland

Imagine the thrill of winning with your own hands. The simple pleasure of tossing dice, anticipating the result. The feeling of control. Just about everyone has rolled a pair of dice at some point, which makes Craps a surprisingly accessible game… once you’ve learned the rules.

Not only is there a series of rules to learn, but there is an entire realm of etiquette and jargon. It's amazing how much money and excitement can be generated by two small dice.

Today, we’ll explore the nuances of Craps to appreciate the depth and variety of betting options that keep players coming back for the next round — even here in Finland, where interest in international casino games continues to grow.If you're looking to try your luck, there are several Finnish craps casinos that now offer live and online options to enjoy this fast-paced game.

Low Limits Attract Players

When a player moves to the table, they see first the "lollipop sign" displaying the minimum wager — typically only €5 in the majority of European casinos. Low threshold. The gaming industry, always looking to lure players to wager and keep wagering, does not provide chairs at Craps tables as it does for other table games, so that initial wager typically happens while standing.

There are a few different methods of easing new players into their initial bet. Given they've noticed the low minimum sign, they might glance over at the dealer and ask, "How do I play?"

I, the dealer, could tell them:
Place a chip on the PASS LINE. Roll 7 or 11, you win. Avoid rolling 2, 3, or 12. That's 8 wins, 4 losses — nice odds, don't you think? Otherwise, it's your 'point,' and you have to roll it before you roll 7. Simple.
The Field Bet's also a good bet to try — a one-roll bet you win if any of 7 special numbers roll, with an extra payoff for 2 or 12.

Game Slang

Your first visit to a Craps table, some of the terms will be unfamiliar. "Big Eight," "Boxman," "Natural"? You might not even recognize what the other players are talking about!

Here's an instant dictionary to get you up to speed:

• Any Craps – Bet that the shooter's next roll is 2, 3, or 12.
• Any Seven – Bet that the shooter's next roll is 7.
• Arm – Skilled and skilled dice shooter.
• Betting Right – Betting with the shooter on the Pass Line.
• Betting Wrong – Betting against the shooter.
• Bones – Dice.
• Boxman – Game operator in charge of the game, often between dealers.
• Cold Dice/Table – A game involving constant losing.
• Come Out – The first roll of the shooter.
• Don't Come Bet – The opposite of a Come Bet.
• Front Line – Another term for the Pass Line.
• Mark The Point – Dealer marks the rolled number with a marker to identify the point.
• Natural – 7 or an 11 on the Come Out roll.
• Pass Line Bet – Bet the shooter rolls a 7, 11, or their point again.
• Pass Line – Place where Pass Line bets are made.
• Point – A come out roll which must be struck again before 7.
• Shooter – The person rolling the dice.
• Snake Eyes – Two ones rolled.

Multiple Ways to Play Give a Feeling of Mastery

The opposite of the PASS LINE wager is the DON'T PASS — or better known as a "dark side" wager. It becomes a winner when the table loses. It's not the most socially popular wager, and will get side glances from the rest of the players at your table, but it is perfectly legal.

The same goes for the point numbers. If a number is "marked," that is the point, and any bettor can bet for or against that number being rolled up again before a 7.

Decision Fatigue and Intimidation

It's just too much choice. Players don't know where to put their bet, or they're uncomfortable with the suggestion that their roll will hurt someone else. That's one of the reasons the Craps table layout may seem so messy — it's trying to cram in all the betting possibilities.

And the greatest thing about Craps is that you can bet on ANY combination of rolls possible. That's where the jargon kicks in, with creative nicknames that enable you to bet quickly and easily and naturally converse with the dealer. Some popular ones are Yo (11), Snake Eyes (2), and Box Cars (12).

Conclusion

With its limitless variety of bets, Craps is a high-energy game with which you can attempt limitless tactics. By actively communicating with the dealer, you can encourage players to make multiple bets — building their play nearly automatically over the table minimum. As tough as the game appears, there is no ceiling to its payoff.