What's So Special about the Small Crap Table at Four Queens?

The Las Vegas media seems to be making a big deal out of the mini craps table at the Four Queens. Why is that? I mean, what's so special about it? Haven't pint-sized craps tables been around for a long time?

Yes, the crap "tub" at Four Queens, and coming to Binion's sometime soon, is new and making a splash.

Whereas a standard double-layout crap table is four feet wide by 14 to 16 feet long, the Four Queens mini is eight feet, roughly half the size. It has a single layout, so it can be manned by two dealers, rather than the standard four. Of course, it fits half the number of players.

In the coverage we've been paying attention to, one interesting fact emerged. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the Las Vegas metro area, there are now 14,940 dealers employed. That compares to the 19,590 working here before the pandemic. That's a pretty significant reduction of almost 25%. We hadn't realized the reduction was quite so high -- that is, if you can believe the numbers, which frankly, we have a bit of a hard time doing.

Either way, these mini tables (another is on the casino floor at the Golden Nugget) allow crap games to operate when ordinarily they might not be able to for the lack of manpower.

As for how long these babies have been around, mostly what we've seen in the past is a movable back wall. When there aren't enough players, or dealers, to operate a full-size table, the wall is moved into place in the middle of the table, reducing it from the two layouts to one. One time in Wendover, we played on such a table with only one dealer, who tripled as the dealer, stickman, and boxman. And to say he was poetry in motion is a major understatement; we're sure plenty of dealers could do what he did, but not with such efficiency, grace, and humor.

These baby tables, however, are made specially by TCS John Huxley, family-owned and operated, which has been among the largest manufacturers and suppliers of live-gaming products for 50 years, with 10 offices worldwide in every major gaming jurisdiction, including Vegas.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Where did casino shills work in the '70s and '80s and how much did they earn?

Comments

King of the Bovines Jun-17-2024

One of the last time I dealt dice...

I was solo on one of those tubs, the biggest wager was maybe a $12 six or eight.

Hop bets from half the table every single roll, another guy on the Don't Pass / Don't Come with improper odds...

Excuse me, I need to curl up in the corner and cry myself to sleep...

Kevin Lewis Jun-17-2024

What a sight

I saw this Friday night at the Four Queens. Seven players (the obvious table maximum) and one dealer. The players were all boisterous and loud, but one guy in particular screamed in joy after virtually every roll, regardless of the result, as if he was being handed gold coins while simultaneously being fellated by Taylor Swift. The dealer, an older Asian gentleman, handled the action with impassivity and aplomb. Think of Buddha surrounded by seven overstimulated chihuahuas.

The 4Q pit is not a pleasant place. There are always several drunken screamers, who might be kind of cute initially but quickly devolve to intensely annoying.

BTW, they seem to have rescinded the mandatory BJ prop bet--you can still make the bet, but it's no longer compulsory.

Tim Soldan Jun-17-2024

BJ Prop Bet

What is this sometimes compulsory bet? I know nothing about craps but haven't heard of this.

Dave Jun-17-2024

Ellis Island

I remember they used to have one, not sure if it is still there.

Bob Nelson Jun-17-2024

BJ prop bet

I would assume it is on Blackjack.  Probably a comment not related to the craps table but to 4Q.

Jeffrey Small Jun-17-2024

BJ Compulsory Bet

I assume what Kevin is talking about (saw this at the Fremont) is that at the $ 10 BJ table you had to add a dollar on the side bet to play.  So you were really wagering $ 11 a hand.   Ofcourse, the side bet has a very high house advantage.  My friend refused to play $ 11 Blackjack so we walked out!

Stuart Merrian Jun-17-2024

Answer the Question

I feel the LVA answer is inadequate. The question is why make such a big deal out of a pint-sized craps table as it's nothing new. And the answer is "Yes, that's correct, it isn't something new." (I've played on them about 10 years ago) "But it is something new to the Vegas scene as they were quickly shown to be unpopular and were dumped and forgotten. Now they're back...and that's new."

jay Jun-17-2024

I like the tub

I think the casinos will like the tub until someone with really good dice control comes along. The standard in craps is that the dice must bounce off the back wall. Their are players that practice this religiously. Throwing to a 8ft table is considerably easier than a 14ft table, especially if you have long arms and can lean in to take off another 2 feet from the distance. 

Dice are standardized with the 1/6,2/5,3/4 on opposite sides. If you can simply eliminate 1/6 from the possible outcomes by keeping the dice level you can then modify your betting strategy immensely. 

I think this will bring in advantage play into craps at a level never seen before.

Jxs Jun-17-2024

Been around a long time

They were on the strip decades ago but slowly went away. I remember playing one over 20 years ago at the old Boardwalk. Pretty sure Ellis had one too. Boardwalk was super strict about no dice setting since the table was so small.

Loren Mannino Jun-17-2024

Crap Tubs

I played these (20?) years ago at Ellis Island, not as much fun as a full size

Question of the Day - 17 June 2024

Comments