Craps Rules

Craps

In craps, players place wagers on the roll of the dice. A pair of six sided dice are used in the game. The shooter is the player that tosses the dice. Every player at the table can have the opportunity to roll the dice. The dice are passed counterclockwise after each new round.

When a new round of craps begins, the shooter selects two dice to roll. The shooter must make a line bet (either on the pass line or don’t pass line). Other players at the table also make bets. The shooter begins the round by rolling the dice off the opposite wall of the table. The shooter’s first roll is known as the come-out roll.

The Come-Out Roll
If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, then the pass line bet wins and the don’t pass bets lose. This scenario ends the round.

If the come-out roll is a 2, 3 or 12 (or craps), then the pass line loses and the don’t pass line either wins or ties (a tie happens when the come-out roll is a 12).

If the come-out roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, then that specific number becomes the player’s point. The dealers at the table then place a puck on top of that specific number on the table. The shooter continues to roll the dice until he or she rolls the point number or craps out by rolling a 7. If the point number is rolled, then pass line bettors win and don’t pass bettors lose. If a 7 is rolled before the point number, then pass line bets lose and don’t pass bets win.

Types of Bets

Pass Line
Pass line bets are the easiest craps bets to make. When you wager on the pass line, you are betting that either a 7 or an 11 will be the result of the come-out roll. If a shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, you double your money. If the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 instead, then a point is established. When you bet the pass line, you want that point number to be rolled again, (before the shooter rolls a 7). If the shooter does hit the number before rolling a 7, your pass line bet is doubled.

If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12 (or craps) on the come-out roll, then you lose your pass line bet. If a point is established and a 7 is rolled before that point value, this also results in a lost pass line bet.

Don’t Pass Line
Don’t Pass bets are the opposite of pass line bets. When you make a don’t pass bet you are basically betting against the shooter. You want the shooter to crap out (roll a 2, 3 or 12) on the come-out roll. If a point is established on the come-out roll, then your goal as a don’t pass bettor is to have the shooter roll a 7 before hitting their established number.

Come Bets
A come bet is like a pass line bet. You can make a come bet on any roll of the dice. Come bets are made after a point has been established. If a shooter rolls a 7 or 11 after a come bet is made, the come bet wins. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 after a come bet has been made, the come bet loses. If the shooter rolls any other number, all come bets are moved to a smaller numbered box on the table. If that number is rolled before the shooter rolls a 7, then come bet wins. If the 7 is rolled before the number, the come bet loses. Don’t come bets are the exact opposite of the come bets.

Don’t Come Bets
Don’t come bets win, if a shooter rolls a 2 or a 3 after a point has been established (a 12 results in a tie). If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 is rolled, then a seven must be rolled before that number is repeated again, in order for the don’t come bet to win.

All of this might seem a bit complicated, but once you start playing, you’ll get the hang of it. Try downloading a free craps games online so that you can practice and familiarize yourself with the rules and betting procedures.

Sucker Bets
The different bets mentioned above are not all possible wagers that can be made in a game of craps. The other bets, however, are known as sucker bets and should be avoided at all costs.