Craps is one of the most exhilarating and social games in any casino, drawing large crowds and generating an atmosphere of excitement.
But like many games of chance, craps is also surrounded by a myriad of superstitions. You’ve likely encountered some of these beliefs yourself.
This guide delves into the most common craps superstitions, shedding light on their origins and examining their validity.
Top Craps Superstitions: A Roll of Beliefs
Craps, the high-energy casino favorite, is as much a game of chance as it is of superstition. Here’s a look at the most popular craps superstitions, where they might come from, and a pinch of insight into their peculiar logic.
1. The Virgin Thrower – Belief has it that a first-time female player brings luck, while her male counterpart does the opposite. This superstition’s roots are foggy, but it’s a scene often played out around the craps table, with bets flying when a newcomer takes the dice.
2. The Curse of the Seven – In the craps world, the number seven is a double-edged sword. Considered lucky in many cultures, its mere mention is taboo at the craps table post-come-out roll, feared to summon an untimely end to the bets.
3. The Dice Touching the Hands – A dice touching a player’s hands could supposedly cool off their luck. This leads to the common call of “hands high” to prevent potential bad luck from interfering with the game’s flow.
4. The Unlucky Stickman Change – Switching the stickman during a winning streak is often met with dismay. Many players see this as a jinx, capable of chilling the table’s hot streak.
5. Lucky Charms and Rituals – From blowing on the dice to carrying a rabbit’s foot, players have their rituals and talismans, each believed to edge the odds in their favor.
6. Entering the Game Mid-Roll – Joining a game in progress is thought to jinx the current shooter’s lucky streak. Many wait for a natural pause before buying in, out of respect for this superstition.
7. The Field Bet Jinx – Betting on the field is sometimes seen as inviting bad luck, a “sucker bet” that could sour the table’s fortune due to its unfavorable house edge.
8. Counting Money at the Table – Flaunting your winnings or counting chips during an active roll is frowned upon, considered bad luck, or worse, tempting fate.
1. The Virgin Thrower
One of the most widespread superstitions is that a first-time female player, often referred to as a “virgin shooter,” will bring good luck.
Conversely, a male virgin shooter is believed to be unlucky.
The origins of this belief are unclear, but it’s a common sight to see seasoned players placing bets when a female novice takes the dice.
2. The Curse of the Seven
While the number seven is often considered lucky in many cultures, in craps, shouting or even whispering the word “seven” is considered bad luck, especially after the come-out roll.
Players believe that mentioning the number can jinx the game, leading to a seven being rolled and other bets losing.
3. The Dice Touching the Hands
Some players believe that if the dice touch a player’s hands, they will “cool off,” leading to unfavorable rolls.
Dealers often hear the phrase “hands high” to warn players to lift their hands away from the table when the dice are thrown.
4. The Unlucky Stickman Change
A change in the casino staff, especially the stickman (the dealer who uses a stick to move the dice), during a hot streak is often viewed with suspicion.
Many players believe that changing the stickman can disrupt the flow of the game and bring bad luck.
5. Lucky Charms and Rituals
It’s not uncommon to see players with lucky charms or engaging in specific rituals before throwing the dice.
This can range from blowing on the dice, shaking them a certain number of times, or even using a specific set of dice.
6. Entering the Game Mid-Roll
Many craps players believe that entering the game while a player is on a roll can disrupt the rhythm and bring bad luck. To avoid this superstition, some players wait for the “button” to be off before buying in.
7. The Field Bet Jinx
Some seasoned players view betting on the field (a one-roll bet that wins if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled) as bad luck. They believe that it’s a “sucker bet” due to the house edge, and placing it can jinx the game.
8. Counting Money at the Table
Counting money or chips at the table, especially while a player is rolling, is considered bad form and unlucky. It’s believed that flaunting your winnings can anger the gambling gods.
Why is 7 Unlucky in Craps?
In craps, the number 7 is considered unlucky, especially after the come-out roll, because it is the most likely number to be rolled with a pair of dice.
When a player has established a point, rolling a 7 before rolling the point number again results in a “seven-out,” ending the player’s turn and causing them to lose their pass line bet.
This association with losing has cemented the number 7’s reputation as an unlucky number in the context of the game.
Conclusion
Superstitions are deeply ingrained into gambling, and craps is no exception. While many of these beliefs are based on age-old myths and personal rituals, it’s essential to remember that craps is a game of chance.
Whether you adhere to these craps superstitions or dismiss them as mere folklore, the most important thing is to enjoy the game, play responsibly, and respect the beliefs of fellow players.
