No Call Bets Rule
| Updated: Craps has simple playing rules, yet gamblers are expected to adhere to a long list of unwritten principles of etiquette while at the table. In fact, this elaborate etiquette is one of the main reasons the average rookie approaches the craps pit with hesitation and apprehension.
Some of these etiquette rules concern patrons’ behavior toward fellow players and casino personnel, while others are directly related to security and the workings of the game, such as knowing when to place a bet, how to handle the dice properly, and so on. Some wager types in craps, like the Come Bet, may be unavailable during certain stages of the game, while others remain active and are therefore permitted.
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As elaborate as craps table etiquette is, it has also undergone various changes. Back when the game was at the height of its popularity, patrons were allowed to call out their bets, much like players at a roulette table. Call bets have now become almost obsolete, although you may still find them at the craps tables in some casinos. So, what are craps call bets, and why have most gambling venues prohibited them? Read on to learn the answers to these questions.
As with all other casino games, adhering to specific rules at the craps table is essential. Therefore, we will examine the No Call Bets Rule at some craps tables and explain why it is important to have sufficient chips to cover your bets. We will also outline some of the most common rules pertaining to etiquette and security at the craps table. Once you are familiar with these guidelines, you will be able to join the craps tables calmly and confidently.
Call Betting in Craps
Back when craps ruled the casino floors, you would often see a player hastily approach the table and shout, “Ten dollars on the Field!” at the dealer. The player would not place any chips in the Field betting box on the layout, but the stickman would still accept the wager.
If one of the Field numbers appeared and the outcome was resolved, the player who had called out the winning Field bet would be paid in accordance with the odds offered by the house for this wager. Calling out wagers gave late arrivals at the table an opportunity to bet on specific outcomes without producing any chips to back their call bets.
In essence, call bets are wagers declared only verbally, without the patron producing the appropriate amount of chips to cover the bet. The next section explains why calling out craps bets has become almost obsolete, although some gambling establishments still allow this practice for loyal patrons they trust to pay if they lose.
Some seasoned players use call betting when they miss their opportunity to place a bet while ordering a drink or arranging their chips on the rail. Others do so during a long session when they run out of chips. Apart from these situations, there are few good reasons for a player to call out a bet. Even when this practice is allowed, call bettors are required to follow certain rules of etiquette when declaring their wagers.
Common courtesy, along with the superstitions surrounding this game, dictates that you should not call out a bet if the stickman has already pushed the dice toward the shooter. The same applies if the shooter is already holding the dice and is about to throw them.
Why Do Casinos Enforce the No Call Bet Rule for Craps?
In modern casinos, there is a good chance you will see the phrase “No Call Bets” printed on the layout when you approach the craps table. Consider the following hypothetical situation. You have played for a long time and run out of money but are still reluctant to end your session.
You find a $5 chip in your pocket but want to wager $10 on the 8, so you toss the $5 chip onto the layout and tell the base dealer, “Place 8 for $10.” The dealer responds, “No call bets, sir,” and pushes the chip back toward you. You consider calling the pit boss and making a fuss about the dealer’s refusal, then cast a sidelong glance at the table and see that the layout says, “No Call Bets Accepted.”
In other words, you are prohibited from calling out bets if you do not have enough money to cover them. The base dealer must ensure that you have sufficient cash or chips before booking the wager.
If the bet won, they would collect their payout and leave the pit without drawing further attention to themselves. If the bet lost, the table personnel would demand that the player pay the amount called out. However, since the unscrupulous player was practically penniless when joining the game, they would be unable to produce the sum. They would be thrown out without facing any repercussions other than stern reprimands from the staff.
At tables where verbal bets are permitted, you may be able to call out a bet if you have plenty of chips in front of you, even when the dice are in the air. The dealer will book your action, and the money will change hands as soon as the dice land and determine the outcome of the roll. Even so, it is common courtesy not to place bets after the shooter has received the dice or is about to throw them.
Another reason call bets are prohibited is to avoid confusion about the amounts wagered. A dishonest player may toss a red chip, worth $5, onto the layout right before the shooter throws the dice and call out, “Place the 8 for a nickel.” This might confuse the dealer because, contrary to common sense, chips with a denomination of $500 are sometimes called “nickels” in gambling slang. With so much action at a busy craps table, the dealer might misinterpret the announcement and presume the player is betting $500 instead of $5 because the tossed chip is not clearly visible.
That said, many dealers will accept wagers placed at the last moment before the dice are rolled because they do not want to slow down the fast-paced action at craps tables.
For example, if you put a $10 chip on the layout and tell the dealer, “Place 8 for $5,” they will announce, “It’s a bet!” and return your $5 in change before the shooter rolls the dice. However, if you have not clearly stated what you are betting on, the table personnel have the right to decline your chips.
Common Rules Related to Etiquette and Security at the Craps Table
Many seasoned craps players consider table etiquette just as important as the game’s actual rules of play. Rookies are usually expected to arrive prepared and follow the rules of etiquette closely to prevent misunderstandings, annoyance among experienced bettors, and other disruptions to the natural flow of the game.
Compliance with the rules is essential whether you are calling out your bets, where allowed, or placing them normally. In the following sections, we outline some of the most widespread rules pertaining to security and etiquette at craps tables. Some of these guidelines relate to players’ superstitions, while others stem from common courtesy.
Joining a Craps Table
Rookie players should remember that they do not have to buy in as soon as they join the craps table. You may take a position at the table and simply observe the game before buying in, especially if the shooter has received the dice and is about to roll.
The ideal time to buy in is during a natural pause in the action, after the shooter sevens out and the dice are about to be passed to another player. This way, you will not disturb the other participants. If you place money on the table when the shooter is about to roll, you risk disrupting the chips the dealers have arranged on the layout. Players who buy in while the dice are mid-roll are looked down upon by many craps bettors because they superstitiously believe it brings bad luck.
Some casinos allow loyal patrons to call out their bets, but you should never do this before buying in. Sometimes, an approaching player will call out a bet before actually reaching the table. Such behavior is not only considered incredibly rude but may also cause heated allegations that the offender has ruined the entire table’s chances of winning. Some people are superstitious enough to quit the game altogether if this happens.
One of the most important rules is to watch your hands and keep them off the table when the dice are rolled. If the dice come into contact with your hands or anyone else’s, they are considered “jinxed” and may not produce the desired result. The stickman will often warn players to watch their hands by yelling, “Hands high, let them fly,” or something similar.
How to Behave While at the Table
It is important to demonstrate graciousness and good manners while at the craps table, whether you are winning or losing. Remember, it is neither the crew’s nor the other players’ fault that you have lost. Losing is inherent to games of chance like craps and can happen to anyone. Do not become angry with the table personnel or other participants after losing a few rolls.
Casinos often attract patrons by offering complimentary food and beverages. You can take a complimentary drink with you to the craps table, but make sure to place it on the beverage rail under the table and keep it off the layout. Spilling your drink may affect play because the dice behave differently when rolled on wet baize. Spills may not only slow down the game but also lead to the temporary closure of the entire craps table.
One final rule bears repeating: under no circumstances should you utter the word “seven” at a craps table. In craps, 7 is the “number that must not be named” because it causes Pass Line bettors to lose if it rolls before the point. Out of superstition, craps players usually refer to it as “it,” “the S-word,” “Big Red,” or “the Devil.”
Placing Self-Service Bets
As explained elsewhere in this guide, some wagers, such as Pass Line/Don’t Pass, Come/Don’t Come, and the Field, are called self-service bets because players are permitted to position the chips on the layout themselves.
However, it is worth remembering that some of these wagers are contract bets, particularly the Pass Line and Come bets. This means that players are prohibited from taking their chips off the table before the outcome is resolved, which often involves multiple rolls of the dice.
Mistakes can occur at a crowded table, and a base dealer may sometimes pay a wager incorrectly or overlook a winner altogether, especially with certain side bets. Be sure to point out the mistake or request your payout if you were overlooked.
How to Handle No Self-Service Bets
Some of the most exciting and risky wagers in craps are not self-service bets. This means that only members of the table crew, particularly the stickman and the boxman, can handle the chips for them.
These bets are posted by the crew after players place their chips on the layout. Dealers and stickmen cannot read your mind, so be sure to state clearly what type of wager you intend to place. The bet is then repeated verbally as confirmation to prevent mistakes. Communicate clearly with the table personnel instead of blindly tossing chips onto the layout.
Shooting the Dice
Craps players take turns clockwise when shooting the dice, but you may decline to shoot when your turn comes. No one other than the shooter is allowed to touch or hold the dice by hand. Even the stickman moves them around the table using an elongated, crooked stick, also known as “a mop” or “a whip.” The dice should never leave the table, as this is a precaution against cheating.
It is for this reason that shooters are not permitted to use both hands when handling the dice. If you want to switch hands, you must first place the dice on the table and then pick them up with your other hand. The dice must remain in full view at all times.
The dice must also be thrown in a specific manner for the roll to be considered valid, as this helps ensure the randomness of the game. Your goal is to toss them so that they hit and bounce off the back wall of the table. Some establishments prohibit shooters from tossing the dice above eye level.
Be careful not to throw the dice off the table, as this may require a new pair to be introduced into play. This is also considered a bad sign, with some gamblers vehemently insisting that the dice thrown off the table remain in play to avoid jinxing the game. Shooters should also avoid careless throws. The dice should not disrupt the stacks of chips on the layout.
As you can see, craps players are generally a rather superstitious group, and many perform small rituals before shooting the dice. Some people go so far as to pray before rolling. You may perform your own ritual before shooting if you believe it helps, provided that you do not delay the action.
Tipping the Craps Table Personnel
Casino table employees may rely on tips from patrons to supplement their income. Therefore, it is customary to tip the craps dealers occasionally, especially if you are on a hot roll. Tipping is frequently referred to as toking in these circles.
There are two accepted ways to offer a modest gratuity for good service. The first is to hand the dealer the money immediately before leaving the table. If you choose this option, make sure you clearly indicate that the money is a tip.
Your other option is to make a bet for the dealer. This is usually done by making a two-way parlay on long-shot wagers like the Big 6 and the Big 8. Some patrons prefer to toke the dealers by making two-way bets on long-shot propositions like the Yo, but many dealers do not appreciate the gesture because such wagers have very little chance of winning. Dealers generally prefer low-house-edge bets, such as the Pass Line and Come bets.
Quitting a Craps Game
It is hardly surprising that you must follow the established etiquette when both joining and leaving this ritual-ridden game. As with buying in, you should color up your chips and leave the table without interrupting the game’s flow.
The best time to do this is during a natural pause in the action, such as when the shooter has sevened out and the base dealers are collecting the losing players’ chips. You should not leave the table without coloring up, meaning that you should exchange your smaller chips for higher-denomination chips. This is also more convenient because you will not have to walk around the casino floor with pockets weighed down by numerous small-denomination chips.
If you no longer feel like playing, you can take down your bets and simply observe the other players until a natural pause occurs. The dealer will mark the chips you have on the layout with a small disk that reads “off,” allowing you to retrieve them when the pause occurs.