Rock 'n Roll Dice

Introduction

Image used with permission.

Rock 'n Roll dice is a dice game I noticed at the Wynn on May 2, 2010. It is a craps variant played at a blackjack-sized table. In it, a dice shaker the size of a cookie jar is used to determine the roll. Following are the rules of the available bets.

Rules

As in craps, there are various bets available. I think it would be easiest to explain each one individually.

Players Circle

This could be easily compared to the pass line bet in craps, except an 11 pushes instead of wins and a 12 pushes instead of loses. For those unfamiliar with craps, here are the full rules.

1. The first roll after making the bet is called the "come out roll." If that roll is a 2 or 3, then the player loses. If that roll is a 7, then the player wins. If that roll is a 11 or 12, then it is a push.
2. If the "come out roll" is anything else (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10), then whatever was rolled becomes known as "the point." Then the dice will be shaken until either the same point is rolled again or a 7 is rolled. If a 7 is rolled before the point, the player loses. If the point is rolled first, the player wins.
3. Wins pay even money, except if a point is made the "hard way" (meaning both dice are the same), then a win pays 6 to 5.

The Numbers

These are like the odds bets in craps, but the player can bet any of them as long as he has a Players Circle bet. In other words, he is not limited to betting on whatever the point is. The player may not bet more on any individual number than the amount of his Players Circle bet. For those unfamiliar with craps, here are the full rules.

1. If the player rolls any point on a come out roll, then the player may make the Numbers bets. There are four Numbers bets, on a 5, 6, 8 and 9.
2. Each Numbers bet will win if the Number is rolled before a 7. If a 7 is rolled first, then the Numbers bet loses.
3. A win on the 5 and 9 pays 3 to 2.
4. A win on the 6 and 8 pays 6 to 5.
5. Numbers bets may be made or removed any time after the "come out roll." However, the player may not bet more than the amount of his Players Circle wager on any given Number.

Juke Box

The Juke Box is similar to the field bet in craps, except the 9 loses instead of wins, and some of the wins pay more than the field does. For those unfamiliar with craps, here are the full rules.

1. Juke Box bets may be made at any time and are always resolved after a single throw.
2. A 2 or 12 pays 3 to 1.
3. A 3 or 11 pays 2 to 1.
4. A 4 or 10 pays 3 to 2.
5. A 5 to 9 loses.

Analysis

The following table shows how the return for Players Circle bet is determined. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 3.32%.

The following table shows how the return for Numbers bet on 5 and 9 is determined. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 0.00%.

The following table shows how the return for Numbers bet on 6 and 8 is determined. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 0.00%.

The following table shows how the return for Juke Box bet is determined. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 2.78%.

Strategy

The lowest house edge is on the Numbers bets, which are mathematically fair. However, you must make a Players Circle bet first. My advice is to make the Players Circle bet and then make the maximum bet on all four Numbers bets. Combining all five kinds of bets, the overall house edge is 0.90%.

In case another casino lets the players bet more than 1X on each Number, the following table shows other combined house edges based on various multiples of Numbers bet to Players Circle bet, assuming the player bets all four Numbers.

Links

rocknrolldice.com: Official website for the game.