7 surprising superstitions in the game of craps

Around a craps table, the dice are governed by chance, but players do not always rely solely on probability. Forbidden words, lucky dice, the right moment to place a bet or specific throwing techniques: here are 7 beliefs associated with this casino game.

1. ‘Hot’ dice in craps

A run of favourable rolls is sometimes enough to turn two ordinary dice into genuine lucky charms in the eyes of some players. From then on, replacing them is out of the question.

This belief becomes particularly evident when a die accidentally leaves the table. Some players then ask for exactly the same dice back, convinced that replacing them could interrupt a run of good luck.

Whilst this belief may be psychologically powerful, it does not alter the odds. The results of the dice are completely random, and this behaviour is replicated in online craps games thanks to the RNG.

2. The number seven: a taboo in craps

Once the point has been established, saying ‘seven’ is considered by many superstitious players to be a bad idea. The belief is that simply naming this number could cause it to appear and make the shooter lose.

This unwritten rule is well enough known to have given rise to an alternative term. Some players prefer to use the nickname ‘Big Red’.

Of course, the dice cannot hear the conversations around the table, and a single word cannot alter their outcome. But this superstition shows just how deeply language itself has become woven into the folklore of craps.

3. Is an empty craps table less lucky?

Even before placing a bet, some players observe the atmosphere around the table.

An empty table may be seen as ‘cold’, in other words, devoid of luck. Conversely, a lively, noisy table filled with players who are already winning can be much more appealing.

The sight of a table buzzing with activity can reinforce the impression that something favourable is happening. The noise, the reactions and the winnings of other players lend a collective dimension to this perception of luck.

Conversely, a silent table with no players can give the impression that it should be avoided. This contrast clearly illustrates how the gaming environment can fuel beliefs that are not based on probability.

4. The timing of your bet is important in craps

The moment a player decides to place their chips can also be seen as decisive.

When the disc indicating the status of the point shows that a point is already active, some regulars believe one should not join the game. Placing money at that moment is thought to bring bad luck. They therefore prefer to wait until the end of that phase before betting.

However, it is possible to place a bet before any roll. The idea that the arrival of a new player during a phase that has already begun could lead to an unfavourable outcome is a matter of superstition rather than a rule governing probabilities.

5. Can you influence the dice with your throw?

Could a sufficiently skilled player control, even slightly, the way the dice land?

Several practices are associated with this idea.

One of them involves carefully positioning the dice before the throw. Followers of this method hope that a precise initial arrangement might influence their trajectory and, ultimately, the result.

Another practice mentioned involves bouncing the dice off a reflective surface facing the croupier in the hope of reducing their bounces and better controlling their trajectory. Casinos strongly discourage this practice to avoid damaging their equipment.

These methods illustrate a particularly age-old temptation in games of chance: seeking a gesture that can transform uncertainty into control. But in craps, this control remains illusory.

6. When a hand or chips become signs of bad luck

Even a throw made in the normal way can fuel a new superstition when an obstacle lies in the path of the dice.

Some players do indeed believe that if a die touches a person’s hand or the chips on the table, it heralds a losing roll. To avoid this situation, players are encouraged to keep their hands away when the dice are being rolled.

Any unexpected contact immediately attracts attention because it disrupts the usual flow of the roll. If the next result is a bad one, it then becomes easy to link the two events: the dice hit something, and then the player lost.

This association fuels superstition, even when there is no proven link between the two events.

7. Opposite numbers: a strategic red herring

Superstitions in craps can also take on a mathematical guise.

One belief involves betting on a number considered to be the opposite of the established point. When the point is four, for example, some players may opt for ten. The reasoning is based on the fact that these opposite numbers add up to fourteen.

Presented in this way, the idea may seem to have a certain logic to it. However, this arithmetic relationship does not make either number any more likely to come up.

If the point is four, ten does not become any more likely. And vice versa.

Why are there so many superstitions surrounding craps?

The various beliefs surrounding craps have one thing in common: they seek to give meaning to events whose outcome remains random.

A single word could bring bad luck. A pair of dice might remain lucky. A table full of players would be more favourable than an empty one. A particular throw would allow for better control of the dice. An obstacle encountered during their trajectory would foreshadow defeat.

None of these beliefs alters the random nature of the game. That does not prevent these rituals from playing an important part in the culture of craps tables. They give rise to habits, expressions and behaviours that players can recognise and replicate.

Beliefs do not override the odds in craps

Folklore may accompany the game, but it does not replace the odds. The key conclusion, therefore, remains simple: craps is a game of chance. We recommend playing for fun, sticking to your budget and respecting your fellow players.

Learn the rules of craps and try it out in free demo mode at PepperMill Casino.