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Dice setting and the Dice Coach have contributed a
positive addition to my game. The more "tools" available to me as an
advantage player, the better chances I have of coming away with a
winning session.
Of all the "tools" in my arsenal, I still cling to
the metaphysics or what I typically call the prevailing energy as one of
the more import. The prevailing energy at a craps table is an expression
of all the players, personnel and events that occur at the game. Often
energy is expressed in subtle yet powerful ways. Little things can occur
during a game to effect the energy. Sometimes this is good, sometimes it
is not so good and sometimes it does not make a difference. Often a
shift in energy occurs as a result of an inconsiderate act or otherwise
uneducated player that does not follow protocol at a craps table.
Table manners at the craps table goes beyond
social etiquette. It is more than the basic "yes sir", "no ma’am",
"thank you", "yes please". Your behavior is an expression of your
energy, stating to the universe who you are and how you expect to be
treated. My intention, when playing dice is to be treated like a winner.
Winners are always respected, and they are treated in an honorable
manner. During a recent session with Dice Coach and Soft Touch one
player exhibited poor table manners. After the session I was encourage
to write an article on table manners and how a person’s play can effect
the game on an energy level.
I will take you through what I consider protocol
for entering a game, playing and exiting a game.
Before entering, be aware of the game. Is it a
come out roll or is it in the middle of a hand? Identify the shooter. Do
not push in and crowd the shooter. Doing so is an invasion and usually
breaks the energy, which results in the seven out. If standing next to
the shooter is where you wish to play, be patient and wait until the
shooter has finished the hand. I have a personal rule of never entering
in mid-game and never interrupt the shooter. The shooter is sacred.
When you have selected your position and you are
ready to buy in, do so during the come out roll or at lease when the
dice are in front of the box man. Do not toss in your money and rating
card with a "look at me, I am in this game" kind of energy. Get the
dealers attention. Politely put your money down with the rating card
stating how much you have and if you want to book a bet or want no
action. If you are going to buy-in during the middle of a hand, please
do so when the dice are in the middle and when you can see that your
buy-in is not going to hold up the game. Example: Don’t call for a
marker. Don’t make bastard bets that befuddle the dealers and require
repeated explanation. You owe it to those already in the game to get in
with a low profile allowing for the flow to continue. Your buy-in if not
handled properly can be an interruption and cause the game to break
down. There is always plenty of time. You do not have to rush. You will
not miss a thing.
Now that you are in the game, here is a bit about
the dealers serving you. There are three dealers at the table. The
stickman runs the game. He controls the dice and sends them to the
shooter. The stickman is in charge of the proposition bets directly in
front of the stick position. It is the stickman’s job to determine the
winning pay-off, who is paid, and when they are paid. The stickman first
instructs payment of winning proposition bets from the end of the table,
opposite to the shooter. He begins with the player closest to the paying
dealer.
There is one dealer at each end of the craps
table. They are the money handlers. The dealer exchanges cash for chips,
settles winning bets, and picks up losing bets. They have a set routine
for the order of how they pay and pick up bets. Watch, and you will
quickly see that the order is right to left or left to right, depending
on which end of the table you are playing. When being paid, you have to
pay attention and wait your turn.
The same thing happens when booking a bet. The
dealer is like a cocktail waiter, willing to take your order. In the
lounge, a table of six people would not shout out the drink order all at
once. Unfortunately, it happens at a craps table all the time. Here are
just a few suggestions for good table manners once in the game.
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Be patient, be alert, and be ready to make your
wager when it becomes your turn to bet.
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Be polite! Learn the dealer’s name and use it
when booking your wager. It helps to get their attention, as well as a
way of honoring them.
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Wait your turn to be paid before giving the
dealer betting instructions. That is, "same bet, press up, take down".
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Proposition bets go to the stickman. Get his
attention first before throwing the chips in. Nothing slows the game
like a stickman chasing checks then having to ask who’s it is and what
they want. Never mind the attitude it can evoke.
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Make your wagers when the dice are in the
middle of the table. There is plenty of time and all you have to do is
be ready when it comes your turn to bet.
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Don’t try to make late bets after the dice are
out.
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Don’t toss your money or chips out in front of
the shooter after they have the dice. If you have to make a late bet,
get the dealers attention by name and make a call bet chips in hand.
After the roll politely put your action down for the dealer.
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Keep your hands up and out of the table at all
times except when making a bet. Too often I see zealous players
pointing out their bets to a friend crossing the shooter’s energy,
line of site or worse, having the dice hit their hand. Always a
guarantee for a seven out.
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Keep your movements to a minimum when the
shooter has the dice.
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Keep your conversation focused to the game
only. If you want to talk about last night’s ballgame, take it to the
lounge.
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Camaraderie, high five and "way to go shooter"
is fun and usually okay. However, many shooters are "head down,
blinkers on" kind of players and all the yahoo stuff is a big
distraction from their game. Be conscious of what kind of celebration
is appropriate.
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Never ever get into an argument with other
players or the crew. If a referee is required, then that is the
boxman’s job. You keep your lip buttoned down. It is not your game and
you do not get to make the rules. Emotional control is crucial.
Engaging in emotion kills a game quicker then anything I know.
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Be aware and conscious of your involvement in
the game making sure that you are contributing to the flow of the game
and not holding it up. This means not making oddball bets in weird
amounts or making the dealer do unnecessary work are just two
examples.
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Losing is part of the game. Be a gracious loser
when you leave the game. It is an expression of who you are and a
courtesy to those remaining in the game.
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Just because it is called a craps game does not
mean you get to speak crap. Profanity really is not acceptable in the
game.
A separate issue that may come up is player
interaction. This covers free advice to disagreements between players.
Though I am well aquatinted with the game, I will not offer help or
advice unless asked directly for my input, and then sparingly with
caution. When it comes to money, the emotional charge is great and I
feel the responsibility of knowing the game rests with each player. On
an occasion, if I am next to a novice that is really struggling, I may
politely offer encouragement by saying, "if you have a question, ask me,
if you feel like you need help." However, I do this only as a motivation
to keep the game flowing. Okay, there is a bit of kindness in me too.
Disagreements or arguments at the table are the
kiss of death. Anytime you are at a table and there is any kind of
aggravation, "argy-bargy", the negative emotion swoops in, and the game
will be short lived. A particular trap is a disagreement in player’s
opinion of play. Everyone is entitled to his or her own approach to the
game. Craps is not a team sport where by one and all benefit from a
particular hand. It is best to keep your opinions and comments to
yourself. If you really don’t like another player’s energy it is your
choice to leave the game. When I speak of discipline and detachment,
this is a perfect example of what is meant, having the self-control to
keep quiet or having the good sense to leave the game.
When your session is over and it is time to color
up, you exit the game in a similar manner in which you entered,
politely. Order and count your chips. Prepare your color up so that it
can be paid back in multiples of $25. There is no sense in handing in
fives and ones that just have to count and given back. The idea is for
you to know how much you are coloring to confirm with the boxman and to
make the count up easy and quick for the boxman. All this with an
intention of not holding up the game.
When you have your chips sorted, wait for the
seven out, wait for the dealer to clear the table and get his business
complete. Get the dealer’s attention, and ask for the color-up. He will
check with the boxman and will either tell you yes, set it down or wait.
The boxman can only color one player at a time and you may have to wait
your turn.
If you have to color in the middle of a hand, not
recommended, do so in this order. Check to see that the box man is not
busy. Have your chips in the most reduced stack to make the transaction
as quickly as possible. Best if in multiples of 100. Color when the dice
are in the middle and not while the dealer is trying to settle bets. Not
good to color if a hard-way rolled with the point. Too much action and
movement of chips at this time and the table is heating up. Don’t break
it down with your need to leave, wait. When you do ask for color, hold
the stack in front of you. This is signaling the dealer non-verbally and
at the same time you will ask to color in a loud voice and with eye
contact with the boxman. The box man usually will nod to bring it in.
You know you have permission at the top and the dealer does not have to
ask, thus speeding up the process. You will still pass the stack to the
dealer and wait until the next pause in the game to get your color.
These are just a few suggestions for table
manners. It goes beyond being an expression of your energy, as it helps
to demonstrate to others table protocol. Please excuse my metaphor;
"monkey see, monkey do". If more players played this way it would be a
much better game for us all. The game would move along at a faster and a
smoother pace and develop a rhythm. I look for rhythm in a game. Rhythm
helps a game develop consistency. It is what I call a table’s
personality or table support. It helps predict what to expect from the
game.
The dealers are working for you. Tipping the
dealers is good table manners. It goes a long way towards encouraging a
positive dealer attitude and creates favorable energy for the table in
general.
In closing, think of the mystery and the
chivalrous nature that distinguished "gamblers" in the movies. Class was
the virtue that set them apart from the everyday losers. Was it their
class and charm supporting their wins or was it their skill playing the
game? When it comes to energy, what you put out, you get back in return.
You can win them all!
Copyright © 2003 Michael Vernon
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