How to Play Craps

How to Play Craps On Line and Off

Learning how to play Craps is harder to learn and harder to play than many other casino game, because of the game rules. You can bet, then roll, then roll repeatedly. Some people never do "get it," and that's a shame because craps can be fascinating. Read on and learn some of the basics of this classic game.

If you're still uncertain about how the game is played after reading this, there are online helps. Download any of the casino software from this site, and play for free until you're more confident of your ability to understand what's going on at the craps table. I seriously recommend that you practice in one of these risk-free environments until you become comfortable with the game.

Craps The Basics

You can wager in any of about 40 ways during a craps game. That doesn't mean that you should. Many of the possible bets give such poor odds that they should be avoided. Here I'll focus on what are called the "passline" bets.

If you're playing the game online, as opposed to in person at a casino or elsewhere, the major difference is that the punter (player) can choose who will throw the dice, and can decline a roll. In person, four staff control the table: the boxman who guards the chips and supervises the dealers, the stick man who announces the results of the roll and collects the dice with a stick, and two dealers, who collect and pay off the bets..

Two standard six-sided dice are used in craps: each side of each dice is marked with the numbers 1 to 6.

Take a look at the craps table below and familiarize yourself with the layout.

The Object of Craps

The basic object of the game is simple: to predict the total count of both dice, a total that can range from 2 to 12 depending on what numbers are face up after the dice is thrown.

Craps The Game

The first step is for each player to place a bet on the table. In person, the dealer will do this for you; online, you indicate your bet by clicking the mouse in the appropriate place. Once all the bets have been placed, one designated shooter will toss the two dice against the backboard or "wall" of the craps table. In live games, both dice must hit and bounce off the wall, otherwise the throw won't be counted as a "roll." In online games, making sure that both dice hit the wall is less important, since the software automatically makes sure that this happens.

After the dice are first rolled, the total of the numbers facing up determines what happens next. This opening roll is called the "come-out roll." If the dice should total 2, 3, or 12, any passline bets are lost, and that gaming round is over. If the dice total is 7 or 11, any passline bets are won, and again the game round is over. Any other total of the two dice becomes a "point" and the game continues.

If the first roll produces a "point," then rolling that number again becomes the main point of the game. However, it needs to be rolled before a 7 is. Suppose the shooter rolls a 6 on the come-out roll. That 6 becomes the point. The shooter continues to roll the dice until either another 6 is rolled, or a 7 is. If the 7 comes up first, the passline bets are lost and the dice are handed on the next shooter in line. If the 6 is rolled first, the passline bets win and betting can begin anew, with the original shooter continuing to roll the dice.

Advanced Betting: The "Odds Bet"

Once the point has been established, players can make an additional bet behind the passline bet. This is called the "Odds bet." An odds bet is the only bet in the casino that doesn't have a house edge-it reflects the true odds.

In most casinos, double odds bets are offered. You can make an odds bet that is twice the amount of your passline bet. So, if your passline bet is $10, you can make a $20 odds bet.

The odds bet payoff is:

• If the point is 4 or 10, the bet pays 2 to 1.
• If the point is 5 or 9, the bet pays 3 to 2
• If the point is 6 or 8, the bet pays 6 to 5.

Craps Summary

The basic craps games consists of making a "point" (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) and then rolling the dice again until either that number or a 7 ("crapping out") is rolled. A passline bet is the easiest way of getting you on your way to playing this thrilling game.

It's really not that hard and it can be a lot of fun. Good luck!

How to play Craps | History of Craps | Craps Hints & Tips | Craps Strategy