Craps superstitions: things that make the shooter "7-out" during a good roll.

[Alan Mendelson]

Okay, it's time to list the superstitions about craps which is perhaps the most superstitious game in a casino. Perhaps you believe in a superstition -- if so, tell us why? Perhaps you don't believe in any superstitions but you've heard them, and if so please tell us about the one's you've heard. I'd like to compile here a list of the big casino craps superstitions. I will list those that I've heard, and I will number them starting with the number "1." As you add to the list, please pick up on the numbering system where the previous poster left off -- this way it will be easier to compile a "master list" of craps superstitions and beliefs later. Thanks.

Okay, here are the superstitions and beliefs I know about and have heard discussed at the tables more than once:

THINGS THAT MAKE THE SHOOTER 7-OUT DURING A GOOD ROLL

1. A die or dice flies off the table.
2. The stickman changes.
3. A new player comes to the table and buys in.
4. A player leaves the table and colors up.
5. A chip refill comes for the table bank.
6. A don't player comes to the table and throws out a "don't come bet."
7. A don't player comes to the table and throws out a "big red" or "any seven" bet.
8. A player at the table mentions the word "seven."
9. An observer asks if rolling a 7 is good.
10. An observer asks how to play the game and someone explains what happens when a 7 is rolled.
11. A player says "don't roll a 7."
12. An accounting team comes to the table and does a count of the table's bank.
13. There is a dispute between a player and a dealer about a payoff.
14. The stickman pushes the dice to the wrong player for the next roll.
15, The stickman pushes the dice to the shooter with a "7" showing.
16. The shooter starts to crack jokes.
17. The shooter orders a drink.
18. A cocktail waitress asks the shooter if he wants a drink as he is about to throw the dice.
19. The shooter puts odds behind his passline bet when he didn't have odds before.
20. The shooter stops to count his chips.
21, The dealers are slow paying off bets and the dice get "cold" waiting for the next throw.
22. The shooter throws three horn numbers in a row.
23. The shooter throws three craps numbers in a row.
24. The shooter's wife comes to the table and says "what's going on?"
25. The shooter pauses to take a drink.
26. Players touch the shooter to congratulate him: slap on the back, fist pump, shake hands, slap hands

Okay, who has Number 27 ??

[regnis]

A very good list, but you missed the worst one IMHO---the guy's wife comes up to the table (whether the shooter or any other player) in the middle of a roll to discuss dinner or get some $$ to go shopping or to play the slots.

When I was a control shooter your #26 used to really piss me off. People would try to do that to me and get mad when I ignored them.

[Alan Mendelson]

27. The shooter's spouse comes to the table and asks for money to play slots or another casino game or go shopping. (Not limited to women.)

And #28 is?

[regnis]

This one is specific to Chicago games. There was a guy named Sam that everyone, from the players to the dealers to the box man to the pit boss referred to as "seven out Sam". Every time he walked up to a table you heard seven out, even before he bought in. All he had to do was walk up to a table. As soon as I would see him I would call off all my bets, If he stayed and played I would take them all down. If he went to the next table I would put them back up.

He was worse than the guy in A Bronx Tale.

Played with him for 20 years and never saw him win. Funny story tho, he finally saw what I was doing and then was always nasty to me. So 1 day, he's playing alone and having the first good roll of his life. I walk up to the table and am watching--he doesn't notice me and he's making one number after another. Then he notices me standing there, takes all his bets down and leaves--right in the middle of the first good roll of his life.

He sure showed me--lol.

[russkg]

28 or 1B. A die or dice flies off the table. Shooter yells "same dice" despite the fact that the shooter and those "same dice" have yet to heat up yet. Usually some novice on the table saw the "same dice" request before and is telling the also novice shooter to demand the same dice! Game temporarily stops until those "same dice" are retrieved, inspected and returned to the shooter only to immediately seven out. Depending on how far the dice flew, it can take some time to retrieve. I once heard the stick mutter after the immediate seven out, yeah, "same shitty dice" requested!

29. At some casinos, certain Grouchy Floor Managers and dealers are bad luck and I will not play when they are around. They will scowl and insist that both dice hit the back wall even if the table is clearly cold. Not sure what their problem is but they do not seem to enjoy their job or life. I go to Vegas to play craps and enjoy my vacation. Perhaps that is not a superstition but more of a personal gambling policy.

[russkg]

Copied and pasted from another Vegas BB. This is from Nate, highroller who posts an entertaining report from Vegas/

Superstitious flow...

1. If a player buys in during my hot roll (I usually have my own side with my friends but on the other side), I will ask him if he wants to place any bets before rolling, because sometimes they can't make up their minds and their hands reach in while the dice is in the air and hits their hands...an inevitable 7 out.

2. If a player comes up and leans his head over the table, or touches the table on my side during my hot roll, I have the pit boss ask him politely to step 5 feet back from the table.

3. If the cocktail waitress comes, and I have to pay her, I usually have the stickman bring the dice back to the middle, and wait until her calls of drinks drinks fade away....

It gets weirder...

4. If the dice flies off the table, I don't call my bets off, but I have to place a hopping bet for the point. If I do nothing, I believe it will always 7 out.

5. If I have one denomination of chips that add up to 7 (for instance 7 red chips, 7 green chips, 7 black chips, 7 yellow chips), I have to bet the extra 1 chip...usually for the boys if black or under.

6. If the hardways bets add up to 7 chips, I always press one more. For example if there are 2 units on 3 hardways and 1 unit on the other, I have to add a unit somewhere. I also will do different units depending on the point, so usually when the point is 6, I have increments in 3 on all my hardways, hop bets, and horn bets.

7. If on a hot roll, and a dealer changes, i will do a hop bet for the point or a bet for the dealers. Can't let that motion go unnoticed.

8. If another table loudly proclaims 7 out, I will loudly shout a hopping bet for the point.

See how much crap I have to keep track of at the table? it is sick. and you think you are superstitious.

Craps players are a very superstitious bunch indeed!

Love this Forum Alan!