JCCC4: Dicecrusher Mountain

MatMontgomery

My wife and I are excited to play craps in the on-board casino, and we would like to offer lessons on rules, strategy, and etiquette to any sea monkey that wants to learn! 

Veteran players are welcome, too! In honesty, this would really be an excuse to play in the casino with fun people, but we thought it might make it easier for new players to try the game out with some friendly help. It's a large board with a series of strange (and sometimes counter-intuitive) bets and symbols, but the basics can be picked up in a matter of minutes, so those who are interested can be rolling in no time!

Let us know if this sounds like something you would like to do and we can figure out a good time to meet up. Thanks!

mikesphar

I don't know if I'll find time to play (and I'm a very casual player), but I will support that for anyone who is curious about it, craps is 1,000 times more fun with a nice full table, so playing with a group of seamonkey pals is just about the best possible way to experience it for the first time. And I second that, as intimidating as the table and all the action looks, very basic play is much simpler than it looks.

gbasden

I'd be interested in playing! I've enjoyed craps in the past, but it's been so long since I played that I don't remember much about strategy or odds.

RangerRick

Yay!  More craps players!

It's a little challenging to learn, but you can actually get along just fine only knowing a small part of what's on the table.  And, like blackjack, it's one of the few casino games where it's you as a group against the casino, so it's generally one of the more fun casino games IMHO.

isildur42

I saw how much fun everybody was having on the first cruise playing Craps...didn't really see anything like that on 2 or 3... I would like to be involved in that... What is good bank to play with as a beginner...?

autojim

I might have to join in. There's something about having a group together at one end of a table (if not the whole table) that makes it a lot more fun.

rhaje

I offer this: JCCC2 Preview - Gambling

MatMontgomery

Interest! Woo! 

@mikesphar Thanks! If you're going to play any game in a casino setting getting a big group all on the same side is definitely the way to go. 

@gbasden Perfect! After we review the line bets (Pass Line, Odds Bet, etc) we can go into some of the stranger stuff like which bets at the center of the table stay up and which ones are only one roll a piece. Also, why the Big 6 and Big 8 are for suckers and chumps. ^_^ Also, I was reading that Settlers of Catan is a good analog to the way Craps keeps track of numbers, I think I might have to use that...

@RangerRick Excellent point: There's really only two or three places you need to keep an eye on at the table to know what's going on at any given time. Everything else is extra. And the fez in your profile pic reminded me that we should absolutely have a craps night before or after a formal event, so everyone is looking classy. Oh! And to you and any other folks who have played on the cruise before - I've read that $5 table minimums are pretty standard, has that been the case?

@isildur42 A very good question! When you first get to the table I would recommend sitting out the first roll or two to get a feel for the rules and to see how well our particular table is doing. $20-40 dollars in chips should allow you to have a good time, play conservatively, and give yourself a chance to break even or come out on top. If it looks like people are making money, then start off conservative and place the bets you understand so far. If the table is cold and we're all losing money fast, then enjoy your free lesson ^_^ 

That $20-$40 range is really just a suggestion, though. Betting less or more is completely acceptable at any skill level, and no one will judge your play by your buy-in. The biggest advice I can give is to set your own limits (both on money and time spent at the table), and make sure that whatever you put on the table you're willing to give up in the name of rolling big fancy dice, drinking casino cocktails, and the opportunity to cheer/commiserate with your fellow sea monkeys. 

@autojim Sweet! Good to have you at the table ^^

@rhaje Fantastic. Rolling with P&S would be phenomenal. Have any of the performers on previous cruises been known to take advantage of the casino?

Chaosdreamer

I'm interested too!  Especially in the lessons since I have no idea how the game is played other than one person tosses the dice...

rhaje

@MatMontgomery - Did you watch the whole thing? Because, uh, they weren't playing the game you're talking about. ;-)

triciareneeb

Hubby loves craps, we played a bit on 3 and would love to get to play with some monkeys! Count us in!

paulandstorm

Craps table intel form the site inspection:

• $5 minimum
• 1x odds (I know, sux)
• generally pretty good, friendly dealers
• no Big 6/Big 8 (I forget what they've put in their place)

FWIW,

P.

MatMontgomery

Thanks Paul! 1x odds bets are a little lame, but friendly dealers are always good. I'm sure Big 6/8 were replaced with something equally as amazing (The little 3? Monumental nines?)

Chaosdreamer and Triciareneeb: Count yourselves in! Will give it a little more time and then we'll start with the scheduling.

oatmealpie

@paulandstorm - That's A-OK with me. Only chumps bet Big 6/Big 8, and sea monkeys are not chumps.

We are chimps.

MatMontgomery

"The Chimp" is when a shooter rolls with their prehensile tail. 

It is frowned upon.

paulandstorm

@MatMontgomery I *love* the concept of "Monumental Nines".

Storm and I exchange weary, knowing glances whenever we see anyone betting Big 6/8.

There being just the one table, it tends to be pretty crowded at peak times. (As you would expect.) Not impossible to get on; but certainly tough for a group of 3 or more friends to expect to stand next to each other.

Just FYI.

P

AuntiLaura

Shelley loves playing craps and volunteers as tribute!

Oboewan

I used to run the craps table for my dorm's casino night way back in the old days.   I'd love to participate but not sure I'll be able to last more than 5 minutes in the smokiness that is the casino.   Will play it by nose.....

stationary

I might try to join in.  I'm never in a casino with friends who want to play craps at the available minimums.

BlueCamel

So, I recently played craps for the first time and loved it! I learned by experience at the table and am sure I made chump choices for my first time out.

Anyway, I'd like to join in on this!

MatMontgomery

Hello shooters! 

Now that the schedule is out I would love to nail down a time (or times) that are good for everyone.

Monday morning we're at sea with nothing on the main schedule, and I would guess that it would be easier to find an empty table in the morning rather than at night. 

How does 10am Monday work for everyone? I bet we could sneak in a Friday afternoon session as well.

triciareneeb

hubby and I are in!

BrettGlass

I avoid casinos in general due to the smoke, but in the past when I have played craps -- most often at organizations' "gambling nights" -- I have always placed just enough in regular bets (usually "don't come") to be able to make fair side bets. One of the few situations in casino-style gambling where the house does not have an unfair advantage.

ZombieBender

I had had a good run on craps my first try, I hoping for a repeat performance on the boat.

isildur42

sounds good (if I am not running Artemis...)

Lissa

My husband and I are interested.

Chaosdreamer

@MatMontgomery Are we doing a lesson at 10am or is everybody meeting to actually play at that time?

MatMontgomery

I was thinking those who are familiar with the game can start right away, and those who are leaning can watch as it's played in real time as we explain what's happening. Folks could ask questions about what everything means and we can get a nice full table going.

Chaosdreamer

Great!  I'll be there (assuming we're doing with Monday 10am).

ETA: It looks like the tables won't open until noon on Monday? (scroll down to "Open Hours" on the Daily Planner page)

MatMontgomery

! 

Excellent catch! In that case we'll need a new dicetime.

mikesphar

If you have an idea of how big the group might be, definitely go talk to the casino director about it. It's possible they might arrange for the table to be open for some extra time. Certainly never hurts to ask.

MatMontgomery

I think that's an excellent idea! I say we shoot for 11am Monday Morning, pending approval from a friendly casino manager, whom I will attempt to speak with once we're oceanbound.