Traditionally, like most table games, crap tables are constructed with felt for the surface of the layout. Felt can be made from natural fibers, such as wool, fur, and hair fibers, that are matted together in an interlocking pattern. Felt can also be made from synthetic fibers like acrylic and rayon. Some felt is a combination of naturals and synthetics. Our understanding is that natural felt, along with a beefed up underlayment of vinyl padding, creates more surface friction, which slows the bounce of the dice, while synthetic felt is more slick and slippery, which makes the table bouncier. In addition, at the two ends of the table are strips of what's called "diamond pyramid bumper rubber." The more or the newer the rubber, the bouncier at the backs of the table. Casinos prefer synthetic-felt layouts for a few reasons. First, they're more durable, so they have to be replaced less often; second, they colors are more vivid; and third, they can be printed with more creative and intricate designs. A fourth reason is that it discourages precision dice throwing, which according to proponents is predicated on the "three c's": control, consistency, and comfort. The first two benefit from a less bouncy table. However, an unintended consequence of a bouncier table is that the dice bounce off the table much more frequently. Since most crapshooters want the same dice, someone has to chase the pesky cubes around the floor, then the boxman has to check them for damage and to catch loaded dice that might be switched in. Of course, this slows down the game, which is frustrating to the players and cuts into the house edge. To verify all this, we turned to friend of LVA, casino consultant, and former crap dealer Dennis Conrad, who told us the following. "About eight years ago, I encountered a very bouncy layout at Harrah’s Reno, where I occasionally played and knew a few of the dealers. They confirmed that a new table-games manager had been hired and he was determined to stop what he considered the ‘controlled-dice-shooting epidemic. After he made all the adjustments to the crap tables, it took several months of no rolls with dice leaving the table, and numerous complaints from disgruntled players and dealers, before tables were slowed down again." Dennis concluded, "At least the players will lose at a slower pace.”
Las Vegas Advisor Question of the Day. Highly recommend you sign up for general Vegas low down and don't forget Vital Vegas also.
dave The thing that almost every casino over looked in this crusade against dice setters was the fact that the vast majority of them would lose more money thinking they could beat the table than they would have understanding they could not. The smart casino would have a 10 foot sign indicating dice controllers are welcome here. dicesetter
