Bubble Craps: Your Guide to the Electronic Version of Craps

Bubble Craps: What You’ll Learn

• How to play Bubble Craps, including its basic rules and gameplay mechanics.

• The differences between Bubble Craps and traditional Craps, such as the electronic betting system and the automated dice roll within a transparent bubble.

• Strategies for playing Bubble Craps, particularly for beginners, focusing on Pass Line bets and playing the odds.

• Common mistakes to avoid in Craps, applicable to Bubble Craps, such as thinking a number is “due” or playing poor odds.

• Casino etiquette specific to playing at a Bubble Craps machine.

It felt a little strange sitting at the Bubble Craps machine and placing my first bet. The idea behind the game was simple: it was an individual, more cost-effective way to play Craps – once you place your bets, you press the roll button. Then, in a transparent bubble on top of the machine, two large dice pop up. The dice bounce in the bubble and land on the number.

There were some aspects of the game I didn’t like, such as the lack of other players who will cheer when you roll a 7 coming out or when the point is 10 and you hit it the Hardway. I missed watching the dice fly from one end of the table to the other and the croupier flicking the dice over with the stick before sending it to the shooter.

But there were also things really liked. I could go at my own pace, the minimums were more affordable and I could change bets on my own without tossing chips toward the Craps dealers. For those interested in learning the game, there is a lot less pressure to keep up with the action.

Bubble Craps is popping up in casinos all over. This article will explain how to play Bubble Craps and the mechanics of the game, offer strategies and provide some insights into this casino game.

What is Bubble Craps?

Bubble Craps is an electronic version of Craps where players can make bets electronically and then have a non-electronic roll of the dice. Two large dice sit in a bubble on top of the machine with a platform that rolls it automatically.

There can be several machines connected that will pay out based on the dice in the center or an individual machine for a single player.

Other than large dice in a bubble, the game is played the same as at a traditional table. However, there are no dealers and each person playing is responsible for placing or removing their bets.

Another benefit of Bubble Craps is it’s generally less expensive to play than at the Craps tables. For example, one of the casinos I go to generally has a $15-$25 minimum Craps table, depending on the day and time, whereas the Bubble Craps will have a minimum $3.

This is similar to video Blackjack machines that are cheaper to play than table games.

Let’s check out the bubble craps rules!

Basic Rules of Bubble Craps

If you’re wondering how to play Bubble Craps, it’s basically the same rules as traditional Craps.

The idea behind Craps is that you’re betting on the outcome of the dice rolls. The shooter – in this case the dice in the transparent bubble – rolls the dice to determine the number.

When starting fresh, the first roll of the dice is called the Come Out Roll. For Pass Line bets (which is a common bet for the Come Out roll) here are the payouts based on the outcome of the roll:

• 7 or 11 wins 1:1 on the bet
• 2, 3, or 12 is a loss of the bet
• 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 becomes the point

If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, they can keep rolling.

Once the point is established, the table loses IF the shooter rolls a 7 BEFORE the point. If that happens, the table is cleared of all bets and the dice go to the next shooter.

If the shooter rolls the point, the Pass Line wins and the game starts over.

Any other number other than 7 or the point will payout if players opt to bet on those numbers.

There is a betting option called Don’t Pass. These bets are opposite of Pass Line bets. So, if the shooter is rolling their Come Out roll and it’s a 7, the Don’t Pass loses. Once a point is established, the Don’t Pass bet loses if the point wins and they win if the shooter rolls a 7.

Playing the Odds

Bubble Craps offers the same odds as the tables. If you place a bet on the Pass Line and a point is established, you can place odds “behind the line.” These bets pay better than the 1:1 payout if you just bet the Pass Line. Here is the breakdown of odds when wagering with the point

• 6 and 8 pay 6:5 ($10 bet pays $12)
• 5 and 9 pay 3:2 ($10 bet pays $15)
• 4 and 10 pay 2:1 ($10 bet pays $20)

Bubble Craps: Gameplay Mechanics:

The Bubble Craps machine is all electronic so if you’ve played Video Poker, Video Blackjack or Slot Machines, you’ll have a little familiarity with it.

The display is similar to a Craps table with the Points near the top, the Pass Line closer to the player and betting areas like the Field, Hardways and Cs and Es throughout.

To place a wager, all you have to do is click on the chip denomination you want to use and tap the location you want to bet. If you want to bet $10 on the Pass Line, go to that chip denomination and then click on the Pass Line – that’s it.

If you are playing on a Bubble Craps machine that shares spots with other players, there will be a time limit allocated for players to wager. There is also the possibility that the casino will have an individual Bubble Craps machine. This allows you time to consider your bets then press “Roll” or “Shoot” to roll the dice.

How the Dice Roll

Curious on how the dice roll? Want to make sure each roll is random? Here are the mechanics of Bubble Craps.

At the center of the table is a sealed, transparent dome called the bubble with two regulation-sized dice sitting on a flat surface with an air jet system underneath. When the player presses Roll button or the time limit has elapsed, a blast of air fires upward through a small nozzle, launching the dice into the air.

The dice then hit the top of the dome and bounce around until they settle. A sensor reads the outcome and the machine will pay accordingly. Because the dice bounce unpredictably, each roll is just as random as if you were shooting at the Craps table.

Best Tips for Bubble Craps (especially beginners)

If you’re looking for a Bubble Craps strategy, it’s no different than if you were standing at a table and shooting.

For beginners, Bubble Craps is a great way to get practice in and see what Craps strategies work best for you. I would recommend placing the minimum bet on the Pass Line to start. This way you can get the basics down by wagering only a little at a time.

Once the Point is established, you can place money behind the Pass Line for odds. Here’s how this betting strategy would work.

• $10 on the Pass Line when the dice roll a number associated with a Point – let’s say the Point is 8
• If you don’t make any other wagers and the dice rolls an 8 before a 7, you win $10.
• If you place a $10 bet behind the line and 8 rolls before 7, you will win $10 for your Pass Line bet and $12 for the behind the line bet (pays 3:2).

You can also experiment with another bet somewhere else on the table. Some bets like the Field are one-roll bets while placing money on a number will stay there until you roll that number and win or roll a 7 and lose.

4 Common Mistakes People Make at a Craps Table

1. Thinking a Number is Due. A lot of players will see that 6, for example, hasn’t been rolled in a while and think it’s bound to come up. However, each roll of the dice is completely random so there is no number that is ever due.

2. Not Understanding Game Flow. For beginners, this is a common mistake. Sometimes they will place bets better suited once the Point is established instead of on the Come Out Roll. For the most part, betting on the Pass Line is standard for the Come Out Roll.

3. Playing Poor Odds. Betting on Big 6 or Big 8 for even money seems safe but they actually have poor odds; it’s much better to place a bet on 6 or 8 for 7:6 odds. Playing the Hardways can be fun but they have a house edge of 9-11% depending on the bet.

4. Poor Bankroll Management. In Craps, money can come and go really fast. You could be doing well one moment and then have a big loss when someone rolls a 7. It’s best to manage your bankroll to maximize how long you play. This might mean limiting the amount you bet after the Come Out Roll or sticking to a specific strategy, such as only betting on 6s and 8s.

Casino Etiquette at the Bubble Craps Machine

Because Bubble Craps is a machine, the etiquette isn’t as formal as if you were to stand around a Craps table.

One thing to consider is that it’s a shared console. It’s likely that someone will sit down soon after you get up so try to keep the area clean. If you’re drinking or having a snack, also consider what shape your fingers are in – not sure anyone wants Cheeto dust on the screen when they’re wagering.

Also, wash your hands after using a Bubble Craps machine; actually, do this after any table or machine you’re at. Who knows what germs people leave behind.

Finally, if all the consoles are taken, don’t hover behind anyone. Although casino gambling is done in public, many gamblers like their privacy when playing machines and don’t want someone looking over their shoulder or offering suggestions.

Craps Without all the Dice Rolling

I enjoy playing Bubble Craps – I can play at my pace, the minimums are a lower and I can make add and remove chips when I want without having to get the attention of the dealer.

Bubble Craps is a great way to test out Craps if you’re new to the game and many casinos are investing in these machines. If you see one in your favorite casino, check it out.