How to Play Don't Pass Bar in Casino Craps

While playing Craps in the Casino there are times when the dice are cold; playing the Don’t Pass Bar can be a wise choice on a cold table. The Don’t Pass Bar is considered betting with the House (casino) because the odds are in the House favor a “Seven Out” will roll before the Point. Other players may feel threatened by a Don’t Pass Bar wager. One should not let other players or their superstitions dissuade you from making any bet which may win. After all, everyone’s in the casino to gamble.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bankroll
• Time
• Basic Math Skills

1. Memorize these craps definitions/calls.
   
   Come Out Roll:
   Time when no point is marked; black side of circular puck placed in Don’t Come box.
   
   Seven Winner:
   Dice roll of 7 called during Come Out Roll.
   
   Point:
   Dice rolls of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 when marked with white side of circular puck.
   
   Seven Out:
   Dice roll of 7 called only when a point is marked.
   
   Lay Bet:
   Wager made after point is rolled. Placed approximately 1 inch from initial Don’t Pass Bar bet.

2. Decide to play the Don’t Pass Bar after asking the dealers and other players, “how’s the table?” If they respond, “it’s hot” do not make any Don’t Pass Bar bets. If the response is “it’s cold” or “we haven’t made a point in a few shooters” then chances are betting the Don’ts will pay off.

3. Place your wager on the Don’t Pass Bar when no point is marked. During the Come Out Roll dice rolls of 7 and 11 lose, 2 and 3 win even money, and 12 is a Push (doesn’t win or lose). Any other number becomes the Point (4,5,6,8,9,10).
   Your initial Don’t Pass Bar wager is called the Flat Bet and must equal no less than the table minimum.

4. Take a Lay Bet against the Point by placing chips approximately 1 inch from your Flat Bet. Lay bets pay different odds from the pay out of the Flat bet-which always pays even money. A $20 lay against the Point of 4 or 10 pays $10 when 7 Out rolls. $15 lay against the Point of 5 or 9 pays $10 when 7 Out rolls. $12 lay against the Point of 6 or 8 pays $10 when 7 Out rolls.

5. Pick up your winnings and Lay bet once 7 Out rolls. Leave the Flat Bet on the Don’t Pass Bar and make your next Lay bet based on the next Point.

Tips & Warnings

• Lays against the 4 or 10 pay 1:2 (win $1 for every $2 bet).
• Lays against the 5 or 9 pay 2:3 (win $2 for every $3 bet).
• Lays against the 6 or 8 pay 5:6 (win $5 for every $6 bet).
• Occasionally, you may feel like the shooter is going to roll their Point. If this is the case you may pick up your Don’t Pass Bar wager at any time, however, you cannot place the bet back after there is a Point.
• A Don’t Pass Bar wager will be called “No Bet” by the base dealer, if placed after a Point is set.

Resources

• Crapdice.com interactive layout

[Schlim]

on 10/11/2009 I love playing don't pass and getting a big lay bet when the point is 4 or 10. Good article.