Can 50 Cent's Headcrack Take Street Dice to the Casino Floor?

^{Casino executives learning how to play 50 Cent Headcrack during the Global Gaming Expo (Photo: Marc Meltzer / Casinos.com)}

LAS VEGAS – 50 Cent Headcrack from TCS John Huxley was one of the most talked-about games to debut at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E). Attendees whispered about a possible appearance by 50 Cent while trying to make sense of the non-craps dice game.

Headcrack was easy to find, thanks to a large video display with the tagline “From the street corner to the casino.” That message is literally the story of the game and 50 Cent.

Despite whispers about 50 Cent making an appearance on Tuesday, he never showed. Casino executives might still be trying to figure out how to play the casino version of Cee-Lo. The dice game is usually played for cash on streets, sidewalks, and stoops. Some players take it indoors, anywhere away from public view.

The dealers hired for the show were patient and diligent, walking small groups through how three dice can make a single point with a small number. That may not translate to the casino floor, where players often lean toward games they know. Dealers don’t always have time to explain the rules.

While some players learn to gamble in casinos when they turn 21, others learn games like Cee-Lo, poker, and sports betting at home with friends. The manufacturer is betting that the games could appeal to players who otherwise wouldn’t step into a casino.

The game debuted at the conference and expo, so it’s not in casinos yet. A rep at the show told Casinos.com he expected orders before the expo closed, though details on where and when Headcrack will land remain unannounced.

How to Play 50 Cent Headcrack

Headcrack is based on Cee-Lo, which is also called Four-Five-Six or just “dice.” The original game is played for cash with no dealer involved, but Headcrack has dealers and paytables and is banked by the casino like a traditional table game.

Reminder: Headcrack isn’t craps.

The game is played with three six-sided dice. Players wager on whether the Bank or the Shooter will win the round, or whether it will end in a Tie.

The game starts with the dealer rolling the three dice to set a point, which can take a few rolls. The point is established when two dice show the same value and the third die shows a 2, 3, 4 or 5. For example, 3-3-2 equals a point of 2.

Then it’s the shooter’s turn. The player wins if the shooter rolls a higher point than the bank. The player also wins if the shooter rolls 5-5-6, any triple, a 6 (x-x-6), or a Headcrack of 4-5-6.

It’s a push if the shooter matches the bank’s point.

Players lose if the shooter rolls 1-2-3 or a total of 1 that isn’t a triple.

There are a handful of single-roll side bets. Cover All bundles four of them into a single wager:

• 5-5-6 – Pays when the shooter rolls a 5-5-6.
• Headcrack – Pays when the shooter rolls a 4-5-6.
• Any Trips – Pays when the shooter rolls any three of a kind, or a triple.
• 1-2-3 – Pays when the shooter rolls a 1-2-3.

A separate Four or Better bet (not included in Cover All) pays when the shooter rolls a point of 4 or 5, or any natural win.

The main bets stay live until the round is decided. If the shooter establishes the same point as the bank, the result is a tie.

TCS John Huxley hasn’t released house edge information yet. My quick back-of-the-envelope math suggests the casino advantage will be 2% to 5% on the main bets and as high as 15% on the single-roll wagers.

That’s it. Easy peasy?

Will 50 Cent Headcrack Work In Casinos?

Headcrack is a dice game, but it isn’t craps. It took some time for executives to understand the rules.

While some players just lingered for the pretty dealers, most were trying the game as research to see if it would perform in their casinos. They had to be patient to learn the rules.

Learning Headcrack might be harder for players on a casino floor. People visit casinos to enjoy the games, and the learning curve might be too much for those who would rather jump in than stand around listening to someone explain how to play.

Downtown Grand tried a cartoonish version of outdoor Street Dice in 2014, and it lasted only a couple of weeks, even though it was fun.

Traditional craps also takes time to learn, but the history of the iconic dice game attracts players who are a little more patient with all the rules and wagering options.

Based on numerous discussions with executives during G2E, there doesn’t seem to be a large market for truly unique games like Headcrack. Time will tell, but breaking through isn’t easy. For example, Galaxy Gaming introduced Yahtzee at G2E last year. It’s currently only available at one Las Vegas casino today: the Golden Nugget.