While the shiny sound of cards slapping against the table is one much equated with Las Vegas casinos, there are other gambling games to be enjoyed. Las Vegas offers non-card games for both the professional and the novice gambler, such as craps, roulette, and keno. These games are equally as popular as card games, and often create even more of a stir in the casino.

Craps

Craps has been described by Frommer’s 2000 Portable Las Vegas as having the “most exciting casino action.” The betting is fast-passed and there is often screaming and yelling. Marked areas divide the table into areas where you place your chips to bet. A pass line bet is one where you win if the first roll adds up to 7 or 11. This, though the most common bet, is only one of several craps bets. There is also the Don’t Pass Line bet, the Come Bet, the Don’t Come Bet and several others. The rules are different with each bet, but basically, you are betting on the likelihood that two rolled dice will add up to the number on which you bet.

Roulette

Roulette is also a casino favorite to play as well as to watch. There are several things that you can bet on when playing this game. You can bet on color, specifically on whether or not the metal ball will land on red or black. You can also bet on whether or not the ball will land on an odd number or an even number. Then there are single numbers that you can bet on. Many gamblers chose a straddle method, where they place their chip between two or even four different numbers to increase the chances of betting. One of the most well known Vegas games is also one of the most entertaining to play, and to watch!

Keno

Keno originated in China and was once operated as a lottery. The game was introduced to the states in the 1800s by railroad construction workers. Keno is played with a ticket system. Using a black crayon, a player fills out a keno form. A keno runner will come get the ticket, and return with a winning or losing ticket. Keno is basically a number picking exercise similar to bingo.