CRAPS

Blue Lake Casino Hotel is one of many California casinos that now offer craps on an electronic stadium-style machine rather than a traditional live table.

Instead of a dealer controlling the game:

• Each player sits or stands at their own electronic betting terminal.
• Two oversized foam dice bounce inside a clear acrylic dome or bubble.
• After the dice come to rest, the machine determines the official result.
• Winnings are automatically paid to your machine credits.

The atmosphere is quieter than a traditional craps table, but the rules are much easier for beginners because there’s no pressure to make quick betting decisions.

Why Is It Different?

California gaming laws don’t allow the same style of banked live dice games offered in places like Nevada.

To comply with state law, casinos developed electronic versions that use approved gaming technology while preserving the familiar rules of craps.

The exact technology varies by casino and manufacturer, but to the player, it simply means:

• No live stickman
• No dealers handling chips
• No throwing the dice yourself
• and No crowded rail full of experienced players

A typical round follows this sequence:

1. Place Your Bets

Using the touchscreen, you can wager on:

• Pass Line
• Don’t Pass
• Come
• Don’t Come
• Place Bets
• Field
• Hardways
• Proposition bets
• Odds bets

A countdown timer shows how much time remains before betting closes.

2. Betting Closes

When the timer expires:

• No more bets can be made.
• The machine locks all wagers.

3. The Dice Roll

Inside the bubble:

• Two large foam dice are vigorously bounced by compressed air or a mechanical mechanism.
• The dice tumble randomly before coming to rest.

Everyone watches the same roll.

4. Results Are Posted

The machine:

• Displays the rolled number.
• Updates the point if necessary.
• Automatically pays winners.
• Removes losing bets.
• Opens betting for the next roll.

Is It the Same Game?

For most players, yes. The betting options, payouts, and strategy are essentially the same as traditional craps.

The biggest differences are the experience:

Traditional Craps	Bubble Craps
Live dealers	Electronic terminals
Shooter throws dice	Machine tumbles dice
Chips	Credits
Fast-paced social action	Individual betting stations
Dealer pays winners	Automatic payouts
Can feel intimidating	Beginner-friendly

The same principles that apply to traditional craps still apply here:

• Focus on Pass Line (or Don’t Pass if that’s your preferred style).
• Always consider taking Odds behind your Pass Line bet.
• Place the 6 and 8 if you want additional action.
• Treat high-paying proposition bets as entertainment rather than a long-term strategy.

Because every roll is independent, there is no betting system that can overcome the built-in house edge.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Betting every box on the screen.
• Chasing losses by increasing bets.
• Playing proposition bets because of their flashy payouts.
• Forgetting to take Odds after making a Pass Line bet.
• Betting more than your bankroll can comfortably support.

Why Many Players Like It

Bubble craps has become popular because:

• It’s less intimidating than a live table.
• Bets are easy to make on a touchscreen.
• Automatic payouts eliminate chip-handling mistakes.
• You can learn at your own pace.
• Minimum bets are often lower than live craps tables.

For many first-time players, the electronic version is actually an excellent way to learn the game before trying a traditional live craps table. It removes the pressure of keeping up with dealers and other players while preserving nearly all of the game’s rules and betting options.