Learn How to Play Craps

How to Play - Rules and Tips about the Game of Craps

Craps is simply a dice game. One by one, the players standing around the table, roll 2 dice. The only thing complicated to new players is the betting. Usually, crap players are the most energetic in the casino.

Who are the People that Aren't Players?

A "Boxman" oversees the game, acts as the manager of the game, and keeps an eye on money transactions. "Dealers" stand on both sides of the Boxman and sell chips, take bets, and pay out your winnings. A "Stick Man" stands across from the Boxman, and controls the dice with a hook. She also calls out the number on the dice after each roll.

The Play

The player who is rolling the dice is called the shooter and starts the game after bets are placed. The stick man pushes the dice to the shooter, who throws the dice across the table. The set of dice gets passed around the table in clockwise motion. You must have the minimum bet on the table, either on the Pass line or the Don't Pass line, in order to roll the dice. If you bet on the pass line, you keep rolling the dice until you make your point, or throw a seven, in which case you lose.

The first roll can have a number of outcomes:

·  Craps which is 2,3 or a 12 (and a loser), Pass, a 7 or 11 (winner) or Point number: 4,5,6,8,9,10.

·  If the shooter throws a 2,3 or 12, everyone on the pass line loses. If a 7 or 11 is rolled, everyone on the pass line wins and the shooter keeps throwing the dice.

·  When a 4,5,6,8,9, or 10 is thrown the shooter keeps rolling, trying to roll the same number again. If she rolls a 7 before this, she loses, and the dice are passed on.

Betting Options

·  The Pass Line: You are betting with the shooter. When she wins, you win.

·  The Don't Pass Line: You are betting against the shooter. When hse loses, you win. If a 12 is thrown, you lose.

·  The Come Line: You make this bet if a point has been established, and you win if the next roll after your bet is a 7 or 11. You lose on a 2, 3, or 12. If another roll comes up, it becomes your point, and you need to have it rolled to win.

·  Any Seven Bet: You win if the next roll is a 7. You lose on everything else.

·  Any Crap's Bet: You win if the next roll is 2, 3, or 12, in which case you win.

·  The Field Bet: You win if the shooter rolls 2,3,4,9,10,11 or 12. You lose on 5,6,7, or 8.

·  The Hard Way Bets: There are four hard way bets, and they can only be won if they come up in pairs (5,5 or 4,4 or 3,3 or 2,2). You bet one one hard way and it must come up before a 7 or your number easy way.

Taking Odds

Taking odds is increasing your bet in a way that increases your payout if you win. It's the only wager where the House doesn't have an advantage. When you take odds, you are betting money in addition to your original bet once a point has been set. The odds bet wins if your original bet wins. While your Pass-line bet pays even money if you win, an odds bet pays out the probability of rolling the point.

You lay your odds directly behind your passline bet. The odds on the points 4 and 10 pay two-to-one, on the points 5 and 9 pay three-to-two, and on the points 6 and 8 pay six-to-five. Remember, you win only if your point is hit before a 7 is rolled.

Good luck!