Craps is a popular dice game typically played in casinos or among friends. The game revolves around betting on the outcomes of dice rolls. Here’s a basic guide on how to play Craps:
1. Basic Terminology
- Shooter: The player rolling the dice.
- Come Out Roll: The first roll of the dice in a new round. The shooter establishes the point here.
- Point: A number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that is rolled on the come out roll. If the shooter rolls this number again before rolling a 7, they win.
- Pass Line Bet: A bet that the shooter will win on the come out roll or by hitting the point.
- Don’t Pass Line Bet: A bet against the shooter, meaning they will lose if the point is rolled again or if a 7 is rolled before the point.
2. Starting the Game: The Come Out Roll
The game begins with the come out roll. Here’s what happens:
- If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come out roll, Pass Line bets win.
- If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, Don’t Pass Line bets win (though a 12 may be a push depending on the house rules).
- If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, this becomes the point, and the shooter continues to roll.
3. The Point Phase
Once a point is established (a number 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the shooter must try to roll that number again before rolling a 7 to win. Here’s what happens:
- Pass Line Bet: If the shooter rolls the point again, Pass Line bettors win.
- Don’t Pass Line Bet: If a 7 is rolled before the point, Don’t Pass bettors win.
4. Types of Bets
- Pass Line Bet: A bet that the shooter will win either on the come out roll or by hitting the point again. This is the most common bet.
- Don’t Pass Line Bet: A bet against the shooter. This wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 on the come out roll, or if a 7 is rolled before the point.
- Come Bet: Placed after the come out roll. Works like the Pass Line bet but is placed after the point is established.
- Don’t Come Bet: Placed after the come out roll. Works like the Don’t Pass Line bet, betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before the point.
- Odds Bets: Once the point is established, you can place additional bets with higher odds on the Pass or Don’t Pass line. These are bets on the point being rolled again before a 7.
- Place Bets: Bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to be rolled before a 7.
- Field Bet: A one-roll bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
5. Winning and Losing
- Pass Line Bet: Wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come out roll, or if the point is rolled again before a 7. Loses if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled on the come out.
- Don’t Pass Line Bet: Wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 on the come out roll or rolls a 7 before the point is made. Loses if a 7 or 11 is rolled on the come out.
- Come and Don’t Come Bets: These work in a similar way to the Pass and Don’t Pass Line bets, but are placed after the come out roll.
- Place Bets: Wins if the specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled before a 7.
6. Craps Table Layout
The Craps table can be intimidating due to the variety of betting options, but here’s a breakdown:
- Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line: These are the primary betting areas near the front of the table.
- Come and Don’t Come Areas: These are located just past the Pass Line area.
- Place Bets Area: Located to the right side of the table.
- Field and Other Proposition Bets: These areas are in the middle of the table.
7. Rolling the Dice
- The shooter picks up the dice and must roll them with one hand (no tossing or spinning off the table).
- The dice must hit the back wall of the table.
8. Additional Notes
- House Edge: Craps has several bets, each with different odds and house edges. Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets tend to have the lowest house edge.
- Etiquette: Don’t touch the dice after they’ve been rolled, and be mindful of the other players’ betting preferences.
By starting with the Pass Line or Don’t Pass bets, you’ll get a good sense of the flow of the game. Once you’re comfortable, you can experiment with more advanced bets!
