Craps 101 - The Basics To Get You Rolling!

Arguably the most exciting game you'll find at your local casino is going to be the crowd hovering around the craps table. The cheers, the jeers, and the celebrating that comes from the players is rarely ever quiet - but to actually play the game with confidence is not something quickly learned. The game can be overwhelming with the number of bets, what each dice rolls means, the chips on the table, and just how you win is not clear cut. So we're here to try and break it all down for you! This is the first of 4 parts to break down Craps - covering the basics today!

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🔍 What We’ll Cover:​

• How To Play
• The Come-Out Roll
• After The Come-Out Roll
• Other Bets Available

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💥 How To Play​

Essentially the game of craps is played by one of the gamblers at the table getting to roll the dice for a round - they will be referred to as the shooter. Their job is to throw the dice until the shooter "sevens-out" - meaning that aside from their very first roll, they keep throwing the dice until they roll a seven as this ends the round, and a new shooter takes over.

Crap tables have identical areas at each end of the table so gamblers don't have to all huddle to one side, with a section in the middle in front of one of the house staff running the game for side bets. A typical table is illustrated below:


The game has two distinct phases, which we are going to break down next, including how to bet them.

• The shooter's first throw - known as the Come-Out throw
• The shooter's next throws

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💥 Come-Out Throw​

The first throw of the round by the shooter starts the action and can be defined by the two main bets available - the Pass Line and the Don't Pass Line. Those bets are defined as:

• Pass Line - You are betting that the shooter will either hit a 7 or 11 to win immediately. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12 you lose the bet. If any other number is rolled, that becomes the Point, and must be rolled again before a 7 to win.
• Don't Pass Line - You are betting that the shooter will roll a 2 or 3 to win the bet, or a 12 to push the bet, and lose the bet on the first roll if they roll a 7 or 11. If another number is rolled, the bet is won if a 7 is rolled before the point is hit, and lose if the Point hits.

What does that mean? Let's walk through some examples:

1. The shooter throws a 7 on the come-out roll - all bets on the Pass line win even money; all bets on the Don't Pass Line lose
2. The shooter throws a 2 on the come-out roll - all bets on the Pass Line lose; all bets on the Don't Pass Line win.
3. The shooter throws a 5 on the come-out roll, making that the Point. Then they throw another 5 - the Pass Line pays out, the Don't Pass Line loses.
4. The shooter throws a 10 on the come-out roll, making that the Point. They they throw an 3 (nothing happens on the Pass Line bets), and then throw a 2 (again nothing happens) before rolling a 7. The Pass Line loses, and the Don't Pass Line wins.

Basically, if you bet on the Pass line, you want the shooter to hit a 7 or 11 right away, or not at all. If you bet on the Don't Pass Line, you want the shooter to throw anything but a 7 or 11 on the come-out throw, and then throw a 7 as quickly as possible before the Point is rolled again.

The round ends when the Point is rolled, or a 7, effectively ending that round and re-starting with the Come-Out bet. Shooters can keep the dice if they hit the Point; they pass the dice along however if they roll a 7.

It should be noted that rolling an 11 only matters on the come-out roll. If you roll an 11 after, nothing happens.

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💥 After a Point is Established​

Betting in Craps is not restricted to being in on the come-out roll. Bettors can bet on mini rounds that are referred to as Come Bets that act very similarily to Pass Bets:

• Come Bet - You are betting that the shooter will either hit a 7 or 11 to win immediately. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12 you lose the bet. If any other number is rolled, that becomes the Come Point, and must be rolled again before a 7 to win.
• Don't Come Line - You are betting that the shooter will roll a 2 or 3 to win the bet, or a 12 to push the bet, and lose the bet if they roll a 7 or 11. If another number is rolled, then the shooter must roll a 7 before they roll that Come Point to pay out the bet.

This is where Craps can now get confusing to some, as you could encouter a shooter that just doesn't roll a 7 at all, and keep a round going, creating mutliple Come Points in addition to the initial Point. Here's an example:

1. Come-out roll - shooter rolls a 5, making that the Point
2. Rolls a 3 - creates a Come Point for those that bet on the Come line
3. Rolls a 10 - creates a second Come Point for those that bet on the Come line
4. Rolls an 12 - this pushes Don't Pass or Don't Come bets, but does not create a new Come Point or end the round
5. Rolls a 3 - this pays out the Come Point bets that bet on the Come on roll 2
6. Rolls a 4 - this creates another Come Point for those that bet the Come on this roll
7. Rolls a 9 - this creates yet another Come point for those that bet the Come on this roll
8. Rolls a 4 - this pays out Come Bets from roll 6,
9. Rolls a 5 - this pays out the Pass Line bets, but all Come Points are still active & the shooter rolls a new Come-Out bet. Note - because the 12 was rolled earlier, the Don't Pass bets were pushed on roll 4, and there are no Don't Pass Bets that lose.

It's important to know what roll the shooter is on to know where your bets should go - the floor staff will always have the Point identified along that top bar of numbers, and all Come bets will be makred as well to know what bets are still active.

Essentially you will always place your chips on:
Pass Line / Don't Pass Line when no point is established
Come Line / Don't Come Line when a point is established

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💥Other Bets Available​

There are many other side bets available to gamblers at a craps table if they don't want to bet the Pass or Come lines, as these generally offer better than even money:

• Field Bets - Bet that the next roll will not be a 5, 6, 7, or 8. If it isn't the payouts are: even money on 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11; 2 to 1 on 2 and 3 to 1 on 12.
• Hardways - Bet that the shooter will roll one of the combination of numbers shows before they roll a seven. Generally: Hard 4 or 10 pays 8 to 1; Hard 6 or 8 pays 10 to 1. Other combinations may be available with odds generally listed on the table.
• Any Seven - Bet that the next roll will be a seven, in any way - odds could vary but in this example above it pays 5 to 1
• Any Craps - Bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3 or 12 with odds of 8 to 1
• Hop Bets - Bet the exact dice roll - could be a six and three for example. These pay anywhere from 16 to 1 all the way up to 31 to 1, depending on the combination and casino. These must be verbally called out to the dealer before the roll.

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🎯 Summary​

Craps is one of the craziest, loudest, and most entertaining games to watch and play at the casino, but it is by far one of the most complicated to learn. The math is something we'll break down in an upcoming part to this series, but next time we'll break down some of the more advanced betting concepts in craps, and try to clarify any of the confusion you may have following what is happening at the tables, so that you are armed with the intel to tackle this great casino game on your next trip!

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💬 Let's Talk About It!​

• If you are new to Craps - what questions do you have about the lesson above?
• If you've played before - what are your favorite betting strategies and what are things you try and avoid?
• Join the conversation here and let us know your thoughts on playing craps!

Be on the look for our next part where we go deeper into betting concepts and the more complex bets available to players at the craps table!

CRStals said:

• If you are new to Craps - what questions do you have about the lesson above?
• If you've played before - what are your favorite betting strategies and what are things you try and avoid?
• Join the conversation here and let us know your thoughts on playing craps!

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I always thought there was only one "Come point". Now I know why the game is more complicated than I thought.

I only played 2 times, was with a friend in both cases, he loves craps, told me to put $10 on Pass Line and leave it there till I lose it then replace it again and again, meanwhile I got paid many times without understanding why. He was betting on 4, 6 and 8. We both left winning, he was trying to explain to me what was happening, but I actually did not care as I had no plans to play again. Your explanation clarified the Pass and Don't pass bets, thank you.

I enjoyed this lesson though I don't think I'll be playing craps anytime soon. However, I've always stopped by a crap table whenever I was in a casino, it's indeed the most entertaining to watch out of all table games.

I like to play the "pass" and "don't pass" line. Basically the same odds as red/black for roulette with the exception has better odds to win in the long run. Everybody cheers for the 7 to come on the come out roll? I prefer the better odds and being booed when my 7 will come later

So this is a game where I don't only lose my money to house, but also have to take crap from other bettors when my throwing makes them lose too

No, thanks. But I guess this is the game where the phrase "Baby needs a new pair of shoes" belongs to the etiquette.

Thanks Chris for yet another great article. This typical craps table that you posted looks interesting but also pretty confusing to be honest. Im completely new to craps and I honestly dont even know what question i want to ask to begin with as there are so many. First question: Can u only shoot the dice inside the pass line?

I always put a few bucks in craps when blackjack isn't hitting, but never thought an 11 counted against you when trying for your point, just the 7?
It was always lots of people getting excited and loud, which makes it fun, although I did play the side numbers, I mostly stuck to the pass line
and usually did ok. Rolling the dice is cool because everyone around the table is rooting for you.

jaymfc said:

I always put a few bucks in craps when blackjack isn't hitting, but never thought an 11 counted against you when trying for your point, just the 7?
It was always lots of people getting excited and loud, which makes it fun, although I did play the side numbers, I mostly stuck to the pass line
and usually did ok. Rolling the dice is cool because everyone around the table is rooting for you.

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Good catch Jay - when writing this I couldn't confirm that a 7 was good for the shooter but upon further inspection, rolling 11 after the point is established is just a re-roll - it doesn't end the round so the post was corrected for this.

I love dice games. But I've never played Craps. I read everything carefully and am quite intrigued. The game is obviously very interesting but also quite complicated. In any case, thank you for the detailed explanation

I've always wanted to play Craps but have never learnt how.

Never played it either ^^

Tero said:

So this is a game where I don't only lose my money to house, but also have to take crap from other bettors when my throwing makes them lose too

No, thanks. But I guess this is the game where the phrase "Baby needs a new pair of shoes" belongs to the etiquette.

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Yes that's exactly the idea lol

CRStals said:

Good catch Jay - when writing this I couldn't confirm that a 7 was good for the shooter but upon further inspection, rolling 11 after the point is established is just a re-roll - it doesn't end the round so the post was corrected for this.

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still says 7 or 11 ends the roll after getting your point.

Testing

jaymfc said:

still says 7 or 11 ends the roll after getting your point.

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I thought I had them all but missed the Come Point - all fixed now!

Does anybody know of a good practice site for craps?

I think it would really help me get the rhythm of the game.

I googled free craps game and a few came up - they should be able to get you into the swing of the game pretty quick!

I dont't really play craps, but it always looks like they are having a lot of fun.

My early idea of gambling & casinos were guys & gals throwing dice on the felt because of the movies. So this one is called craps. Heck, now I know.

Poker_Mike said:

Does anybody know of a good practice site for craps?

I think it would really help me get the rhythm of the game.

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Yea - this is something I will only learn if I can play and learn.

Question for a non english speaker Why use the same word for craps and ....craps?

Debi said:

Yea - this is something I will only learn if I can play and learn.

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That's the same for me, I'm a hands on learner too.

I don't understand how dealers can know who placed which bet. In a game where multiple people are making different bets on a single table, is there a way to know which bet belongs to which bettor?

I hope they don't have to check the video every couple rounds.

Sounds like its complicated betting. I have never played Craps in a Casino. I have played Craps with the Street Guys. It does not have all the betting options as Casinos. If you are the Shooter, You lay your bet down ,say $20.00 . Any other Player can call part of your bet against you. Any player can lay down a bet with you. As Shooter if you roll 7 or 11 the bets are claimed for with you or lost if bet against you. . If as Shooter you roll a Point, say 8, then more betting can be laid down either betting with you or against you. This betting usually get intense among other players. Its basically like betting the Pass or Don't Pass line. If I am understanding your Carefully written article. I will need to relearn everything I thought I knew about Craps.

I guess you could call what I played "Street" Craps compared to Casino Craps. I know the Numbers well when rolling , The big adjustment I will need to make is the Betting and if I want to play anything beyond the Pass and Don't Pass line. Here all the years I thought i knew how to play Craps. Street Craps doesn't have a good Land aid out betting board. You roll a towel out or any cloth down on the concrete a bench or whatever fits your fancy. Then get them Bones a Rolling. 😂"Daddy needs a new pair of Shoes"...

Peace and thanks for a Good Article.
Tony

Antonio777 said:

Sounds like its complicated betting. I have never played Craps in a Casino. I have played Craps with the Street Guys. It does not have all the betting options as Casinos. If you are the Shooter, You lay your bet down ,say $20.00 . Any other Player can call part of your bet against you. Any player can lay down a bet with you. As Shooter if you roll 7 or 11 the bets are claimed for with you or lost if bet against you. . If as Shooter you roll a Point, say 8, then more betting can be laid down either betting with you or against you. This betting usually get intense among other players. Its basically like betting the Pass or Don't Pass line. If I am understanding your Carefully written article. I will need to relearn everything I thought I knew about Craps.

I guess you could call what I played "Street" Craps compared to Casino Craps. I know the Numbers well when rolling , The big adjustment I will need to make is the Betting and if I want to play anything beyond the Pass and Don't Pass line. Here all the years I thought i knew how to play Craps. Street Craps doesn't have a good Land aid out betting board. You roll a towel out or any cloth down on the concrete a bench or whatever fits your fancy. Then get them Bones a Rolling. 😂"Daddy needs a new pair of Shoes"...

Peace and thanks for a Good Article.
Tony

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street craps is the real deal. We were playing that long before ever seeing the inside of a casino, no cloth, just concrete with a wall
or something to bounce off, come on baby, three ways to make a seven, 4 and a 3, 5 and a 2, 6 and a 1, over and over.

These days, you hear someone say we got a shooter, you better look for cover instead of in your wallet

Craps is cool!
Although I usually ended up with empty pockets, it was definitely fun. I think I’ll carry on with my experiments, especially now that I’ve learnt some new stuff – it’ll be loads more interesting

Cool game. And by the way, the house edge in this game isn’t actually that high. With a bit of luck, you’ve got a chance of walking away with some cash. I think this weekend I’ll see where best to put my new knowledge to use. Craps is on my list this time.