Craps in Macao

Macao is the up-and-coming locale in the Far East for hotel & casino development. Macao actually surpassed Las Vegas in casino revenues back in 2007, but development continues. The “Cotai Strip” is destined to be equivalent or even better than the Las Vegas strip.

Macao is made up of two distinct areas Macao itself, which is connected to mainland China. And Tapai, which is an island connected to Macao by three different bridges. Tapai is the area of intense development right now. There were no less than 10 hotels/casinos being built there now. All the big names are there. Sands, Wynn, MGM, etc.

Ever since I took my first trip to Las Vegas in 2003, the only game I play is Craps. Its an awesome game. You feel like you’re part of a team, because typically the entire table is winning or the entire table is losing. Compare that to Blackjack, where you play individually against the dealer.

The Chinese must not be big with Craps. I had a really hard time finding it in Macao. They do love their Baccarat, and they do love Sic Bo. Without a doubt, over 50% of the table games in Macao are Baccarat.

There are over 40 casinos in Macao. I went to (9) of them in search of Craps. Here’s what I found:

Sands Cotai Strip –  has 1 Craps table at Himalaya Casino (located in the Conrad). The other casino in the Sheraton only had electronic craps.

The Plaza Casino @ The Four Seasons hotel – has 1 Craps table. This hotel is also connected to the Venetian, which is the area’s largest (actually world’s largest) casino. I didnt get to the Venetian, but I’m betting there is a craps table in there.

Wynn Macao – The Wynn in Macao has 1 Craps table. Wynn is also opening another hotel/casino on the Cotai Strip. I think it’ll be done in 2015. They were putting steel in when I visited today.

Starworld – No craps. No blackjack either. Tons of Sic Bo and of course Baccarat. They also have 6-foot tall Asian women at every entrance and every escalator/elevator as ambassadors. Its a stark difference between the security at the other facilities.

L’Arc Casino – No craps. No blackjacks. Primarily a Baccarat casino.

MGM Macao – Lots of Baccarat, Sic Bo, 3 Card Poker, two Blackjack tables, three Caribbean Stud tables, and they only had electronic Craps. MGM is opening a new casino on the Cotai Strip as well. I think it’ll be done in 2015.

Lisboa & Grand Lisboa – No craps. The typical Macao casino: Baccarat, Sic Bo, Carribean Stud, Money/Fruit Wheel, and a few Blackjack tables.

There are about 30 other casinos in Macao. Maybe next trip I’ll get to try them all and find more Craps tables.

Also to note, while despite being in Macao, and the currency is the Pataca (MOP), none of the casinos accept Patacas. You must gamble in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD). The HKD has an exchange rate of 1 USD to 7.76 (fixed), and MOP has an exchange rate of 1 HKD to 1.02 MOP (fixed). Both – HKD and MOP are treated essentially at the same exchange rate. Taxis will accept HKD and give back change in MOP. Hotels will convert for you (and also casino cages) but you’ll pay a penalty, despite the two currencies being almost identical. If you’re getting money at an ATM, be sure to get HKD not MOP or RMB.