How to play Craps

The objective of Craps is for the shooter to "make a point" by establishing a point number before getting a 7 when he rolls the dice. The only numbers available to become point numbers are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Before putting down your chips for a bet, make sure that you understand the whole game completely.

The player, or shooter, then throws the dice (called a roll) to the other end of the table. It is customary that both dice hit the far wall, for the throw to be "fair," but if you are new to craps, the casino crew at the table can overlook it.

Players take turns being the shooter, the one who throws the dice, by passing the dice clockwise around the table. However, if you do not feel like being the shooter, you can always pass your turn to another player. A newbie's first roll is called a 'come out' roll, and the stickman will usually call out "new shooter comin' out!" when a new player is about to roll.

A come out roll can also refer to a roll where the previous shooter does not make his "point," which means he didn't roll a winning roll. A winning roll entitles the shooter to another shot at the dice. 'Sevens out,' meanwhile, means not being to make your point, which means you didn't roll a winning roll, and the dice will then be passed on to the next player.

The come out roll has two primary wagers: the 'pass line' and the 'don't pass line.' A pass line bet means you are betting that the shooter rolls a winning roll, or makes his point, while a don't pass line bet means you are betting against the shooter. If a 7 or an 11 (or a natural) comes out, the pass line betters win, and the don't pass line betters pay up. But if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, don't pass line betters win, while pass line betters lose.

Shooting a natural or craps (2, 3, or 12) gives the shooter another chance to roll. If the roll comes out 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that means they are establishing that number as their point, and in order to win, the shooter must roll that same number again before rolling a 7.

When a point number has been established, the dealer moves a puck to that point number then turns it white side up. It stays on the point number until the shooter makes his point or sevens out. When he sevens out, the puck goes to the 'don't come' bar 12 area and turned on its black side. Moving the puck helps to track the game. A puck on its white side means a game is going on, while a puck on its black side signals a come out roll.

The payoffs when winning in craps depends on the point number. Rolling a 6 pays out less than when a 2 is rolled, because there are many ways to get a 6 with the two dice, while a 2 can only be rolled one way: 1/1. However, if you are betting on a 'hard six,' (3/3) the payoffs are higher than a normal 6.

Other bets include place bets, field bets, proposition bets and come/don't come bets. A place bet can be made on any point number. Place bets can be placed or removed at any time during the roll.

Come/don't come bets can bet made at any point after the come out roll, and functions just like the pass line and don't pass line bets.

Meanwhile, a field bet is a one roll wager that the player will roll a 2,3,4,9,10,11,12. Payoffs are as follows: 1:1 for 3,4,9,10,11; at times double or even triple for 2 or 12.

Proposition bets are also called 'any craps' and 'horn.' They are one roll bets and have high payoffs.