How to Play Craps
Craps is a game played with dice around a craps table… and most people tend to go into the game with a strategy.
Every player will roll the two dice when it is their turn – and the other players will place a bet on the outcome.
- The player who is rolling the dice is called ‘The Shooter’.
- The first roll of the dice is called the ‘Come-Out’ Roll.
Pass Line Bets
Before the shooter rolls the ‘Come Out’ roll, the other players will get the chance to make a pass line bet on the roll.
The pass line bet in an even money wager which pays out at 1:1. If the come-out roll reveals a total of 7 or 11 (a natural), then you will win double your money. If the total of the dice reveals a 2, 3 or 2 (a craps), then the bet is lost.
The other possible outcomes: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 would be a ‘Point Number’. In order to win your bet in this instance, the same number would need to be rolled again (although not necessarily in the exact same way) before a 7 is rolled.
If a 7 is rolled before the point number is rolled then the pass line bet will be lost and the next player in a clockwise position will be the shooter.
Don’t Pass line Bets
This is the opposite of a pass line bet. Anyone betting on this will want a 2, 3 or 12 to be rolled on the come-out roll. If not, then any other result will be a point number.
However, Don’t Pass Line bets will only win if a 7 is rolled before the point number. This is, essentially, betting against the dice so some players call this bet ‘betting wrong’.
Other Types of Craps Bets
However, these aren’t the only types of craps bets. There are more advanced bet types to play on a variety of outcomes. These include:
- Place Bets
- Field Bets
- Hardways Bets
- Proposition Bets
- Big 8 Bets
However, although these are usually enjoyed by more experienced craps players, it is recommended for new players to practice and understand pass line and don’t pass line bets.