Casino craps is a dice game where players wager on the outcome of the roll, or a series of rolls, of two six-sided dice. Players know the game for its wide variety of bets and fast pace.
Basic Components
Dice: Two standard six-sided dice.
Table: The craps table divides into various sections for different types of bets.
Players: Multiple players can bet, but one player, called the shooter, rolls the dice.
Basic Rules and Gameplay for Craps
Starting the Game:
Come-Out Roll: The game begins with a come-out roll. This is the first roll of the dice. The table chooses a new shooter when the previous shooter “sevens out” (rolls a seven after establishing a point).
Making a Bet:
Players place bets before the come-out roll. Players most commonly place the “Pass Line” bet.
The Come-Out Roll:
If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win.
If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll, they cause Pass Line bets to lose—this is called “crapping out.”
If the come-out roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, this number becomes the “point.”
Establishing the Point:
Once the shooter establishes a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), they continue to roll the dice.
The goal now is to roll the point number again before rolling a 7. If the shooter rolls the point number, Pass Line bets win. If the shooter rolls a 7 first (called “sevening out”), Pass Line bets lose and the round ends.
Types of Bets:Pass Line Bet:
Placed before the come-out roll.Wins if the come-out roll is 7 or 11.Loses if the come-out roll is 2, 3, or 12.If the shooter establishes a point, they win by rolling the point again before rolling a 7.
Don’t Pass Line Bet:
The Don’t Pass Line bet works opposite to the Pass Line bet. Players win if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3, lose if it’s a 7 or 11, and push if it’s a 12.
If the shooter establishes a point, players win when they roll a 7 before rolling the point again.
Come Bet:
Players place a Come Bet after the point is established, similar to a Pass Line bet. They win if the next roll is a 7 or 11 and lose if it’s a 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter rolls any other number, that number becomes the Come Bet point. Players win if the shooter rolls the Come Bet point again before rolling a 7.
Don’t Come Bet:
Players place a Don’t Come Bet after the point is established, similar to a Don’t Pass Line bet. They win if the next roll is a 2 or 3, lose if it’s a 7 or 11, and push if it’s a 12. If the shooter rolls any other number, that number becomes the Don’t Come Bet point. Players win if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the Don’t Come Bet point again.
Odds Bet:
Players can place an additional bet, called an Odds Bet, after establishing a point. The casino pays true odds on this bet based on the specific point.
Place Bets:
Players bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) and win if the shooter rolls that number before rolling a 7.
Field Bet:
A one-roll bet that wins if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled.
Big 6 and Big 8 Bets:
Bets that a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7.
Strategy and Tips on Craps
Stick to Pass Line and Come Bets: These have a lower house edge.
Use Odds Bets: They pay true odds and reduce the house edge.
Avoid Proposition Bets: These have a higher house edge and are more risky.
Casino craps can seem complex at first due to the numerous betting options, but focusing on the basic bets and understanding the flow of this casino game makes it much easier to play. With practice, you’ll become more comfortable with the various bets and strategies.