Even blindfolded in a crowded casino, anyone can find the craps table when the dice are hot. Just follow the screams, shouts, and cheers. Jackpot winners on slot machines may be the loudest individuals in the house, but nothing is quite like the collective excitement that builds at a craps table. Whereas blackjack players are quiet studies in concentration, craps players let loose as they win or lose together.

Mar 04, 2015  This video briefly covers how to approach the game and the most basic bet of the pass line. Enjoy and subscribe! Leave comments and questions below. In online craps played at both desktop and Mobile Casinos, and in live games too for that matter, gamblers place wagers on the outcome of the roll of the dice.Two six-sided dice are used in the game. The player who throws the dice is called “the shooter,” and if you play in a live casino, every player at the table can have the opportunity to roll.

Conversely, nothing is quite as dead as a craps table when the dice are cold. At peak hours, when you see three or four somber individuals at the big table for 24, you can be sure the loser 7s have been coming up all too frequently.

Craps is the fastest-moving of casino table games. An average speed at a busy blackjack table runs around 60 hands per hour, but the house expects about 100 decisions per hour at craps. That, along with the tendency of craps players to have several bets working at once, means that craps requires a larger bankroll than other table games. And craps offers the widest variety of bets in the casino, with dozens of wagering options on the table.

All this can be pretty intimidating to a newcomer. But casino games were not designed to chase customers away, and craps is easier than it looks at first glance. Yes, there are an enormous number of bets available, but only a few are really worth playing. And those few are among the best bets in the casino. In this article, we'll discuss the fundamentals of craps, as well as the wide variety of bets and which ones to place at the right times to increase your odds of winning. We will begin with the layout of the table and the common terminology used for a game.

The Table and Personnel
Most craps tables today are double layouts. At the center of one side of the table is the boxman, who supervises the game and takes cash collected by the dealers and deposits it in a drop box. Directly opposite him is the stickman, who uses a stick to push the dice to the shooter. The stickman controls the tempo of the game. He calls out the results of each roll and keeps up a continuous patter, urging players to get their bets down.

At the center of the table between the boxman and stickman are boxes for proposition bets -- one-roll bets. Also here are areas for hard-way bets -- betting that a 6, for example, will be rolled as two 3s before either a 7 or any other 6 is rolled.

On the sides are two dealers who take bets, pay off winners, and collect losing bets. The players encircle these side areas. In front of the players is the 'Pass' line, a bar that extends all around the table for players who are betting with the shooter. A smaller, 'Don't Pass' bar is for players betting against the shooter. The areas marked 'Come' and 'Don't Come' are for bets similar to Pass and Don't Pass but are placed at different times of the game.

Also on the layout in front of the players is an area marked 'Field' for a one-roll bet that one of seven numbers will show up. Boxes marked 4, 5, Six, 8, Nine, and 10 are for 'Place' or 'Buy' bets that the number chosen will be rolled before the next 7. Six and nine are spelled out because players are standing on both sides of the table -- no need to wonder if that's a 6 or an upside-down 9. Down in the corner at either end of the double layout are boxes marked 6 and 8 -- the 'Big 6' and 'Big 8' bets that a 6 or 8 will roll before a 7.

Craps 2,3, or 12 Yo, or Yo-leven 11 C and E Craps 11 Snake Eyes Two 1s Boxcars Two 6s. Though the public is familiar with both snake eyes and boxcars, most stickmen don't use them very often. The more common calls would be 'Two, craps,' or '12, craps.' Little Joe, or Little Joe from Kokomo 4, particularly rolled as a 1 and a 3 Jimmy Hicks The number 6 Skate and Donate 8 Skinny Dugan A loser 7 Center Field 9, because it's in the middle of the seven numbers on the field bet Puppy Paws Two 5s -- though the more common call is simply 'Hard 10,' or '10, the hard way' Natural Winner 7 or 11 on the come-out roll

Craps Talk
'Comin' out. Bet those hard ways. How about the C and E? Hot roll comin', play the field. Any mo' on yo?'

A fast-talking stickman goes hand in hand with the rapid game of craps. Listening to the chatter, a novice player may have no idea what it's all about. In the example above, the stickman is letting players know that the next roll is a come-out and is urging bets on the hard ways; the one-roll proposition on craps or 11 (C and E); the one-roll bet on the field of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12; and on the one-roll bet on 11 (yo, or yo-leven).

Once the roll has been made, you'll hear something like, 'Winner seven!' (a 7 has been rolled, Pass line bets win) or 'Seven, line away, pay the Don't' (a 7 has been rolled, Pass line bets lose and Don't Pass bets win). Many casinos prefer this call to 'Loser seven,' meaning the same thing, because they want to emphasize the winning Don't bets without forcing the ugly word 'loser' into the minds of customers.

Every stickman has his or her own style, and some invent calls for dice combinations. But most calls are well-established throughout the United States, and below is some common game terminology to be aware of.

Craps Trivia and Superstitions
Opposite sides of dice -- tops and bottoms -- always add up to 7. That is, 1 is opposite 6, 2 opposite 5, and 3 opposite 4. Adjacent sides never add up to 7.

Dice can be rotated so that 1, 2, and 3 come into view in succession, then turned so that 4, 5, and 6 come up in rotation. It's an anticheating device, so that players and casino personnel know dice with all numbers are in the game.

Casinos do not use dice with round corners. Modern dice have square corners and are manufactured to a tolerance of 1/10,000th of an inch.

Dice made from sheep's knuckles have been found at archaeological sites, including a die with 4s on two faces found at a Roman site.

Superstitious players consider it bad luck to change dice in the middle of the roll. If, in the middle of a hot roll, the shooter throws one or both of the dice off the table, he'll often call 'Same dice,' just to make sure.

Don't be surprised if the table clears if a player yells out 'Seven.' The word is considered unthinkable, let alone unspeakable.

A penny thrown under the table is supposed to be good luck. More likely, it's just a lost penny.

It's supposed to be bad luck to throw both dice in the air while preparing to shoot. Toss one up and you'll look like an old pro; toss both and you'll have 'em heading for the exits.

Knowing the table layout, terminology, and common calls are a good start, but it's also important to know how to bet. Players have dozens of wagering options available to them and they need to make wagering decisions within seconds. We will discuss the various types of bets, and when to use them, in the next section.

This page gives you everything you could possibly need to learn how to play craps. Though this dice game is simple, the game of craps can be confusing to play. We have everything you need from basic craps rules to expert strategies from professionals. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player, we can help you learn the ins and outs of the game while developing your craps strategy. Learn about all of the various bets you can make in this fun casino game. Familiarize yourself with which bets are good to make and which ones should be avoided most of the time.

Be sure to check out our index of articles and podcasts about the game of craps. We have strategies written by craps experts as well as podcasts to help you become a better player.

• Audio Podcast – Everything you ever wanted to know about craps with Frank Scoblete
• Audio Podcast – Playing craps with Larry Edell

The basics - how to play craps

Craps can be quite a hectic game and seem very complicated until you’ve learned how the game works. Many things are happening simultaneously in craps while bets can be made at any time during a round. Although you can play craps knowing the basics, it is much more entertaining when you know:

• What betting possibilities are available to you
• How to place your bets
• When to place your bets

When playing craps online, bets are made on the outcome of the dice roll. According to craps rules, two six-sided dice are to be used in a game of craps. In a live casino, each player can have a chance at rolling the dice, however, when playing online craps, there is a “shooter” who rolls the dice. When the dice are passed, they go counter-clockwise.

In a round of craps, the shooter must select the dice they wish to roll and make a Pass Line Bet. This bet is made either on the ‘Pass’ or ‘Don’t Pass’ line. The other players also make bets. The shooter then proceeds to roll the dice off of the table’s wall.

Craps come-out roll

A round of craps starts with the come-out roll. This is the shooter’s first roll of the dice or the first roll after the previous round finished.

There are three possible outcomes that can happen once the dice are rolled.

1. If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, the Pass bet wins. This is referred to as a ‘Natural.’
2. If the come-out roll is a 2, 3, or 12, this is known as ‘Craps,’ and the Don’t Pass line wins. In some particular online casinos, 12 would result in a tie.
3. If the come-out roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that respective number becomes that player’s point. A puck would be placed on that number on the table and the shooter continues to roll the dice.

The shooter rolls once again in hopes of hitting the same number. If you roll the same sum as you rolled before, you win. The shooter will continue to roll until they roll the same number again, or they roll a 7 instead. If they roll a 7 in this case, they lose.

Craps rules - popular bets

• Pass line bets - When you bet on the pass line, you are betting that a 7 or 11 will come out of the come-out roll. If the shooter happens to roll a 7 or 11 on this, your money doubles. However, if the shooter instead rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, then the sum revealed is the point. When you bet on the Pass line, you want this number to be rolled again. If the shooter rolls this number again, your Pass line doubles, however, if the shooter rolls a 7, it ends up being a lost Pass line bet. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 - also known as ‘craps’ - you lose the Pass line bet.
• Don’t Pass line bets - Don’t Pass bets are the opposite of Pass line bets. Choosing to bet on the Don’t Pass line means you are betting against the shooter. On the come-out roll, you want the shooter to roll a 2,3, or 12 - in other words, to ‘crap out.’ If a point is established, then you want the shooter to roll a 7 before they roll their established point number again.
• Come bets - These are similar to Pass line bets however Come bets can be placed at any time after the point has been made. The Come bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 after the Come bet is made. The Come bet loses if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 instead. Should the shooter happen to roll any other number, that number becomes your point. Just like the Pass line, if the shooter rolls your point number before they roll a 7, the Come bet wins. If the shooter rolls a 7 first, the Come bet loses. This bet pays out even money.
• Don’t Come bets - This works in the opposite way as the Come bet and similar to the Don’t Pass line bet. If the shooter rolls a 2 or a 3, you are in luck. 12 results in a tie. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you are not in luck. Once the point is made, you can hope for a 7 before the shooter rolls the point again.
• Odds bets - This is a side bet and side bets can only be placed once you have made a Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet. This bet is made by placing chips on the table directly behind your original bet. If you have made a Pass or Come bet, you ‘take odds.’ If you have made a Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet, you ‘lay odds.’ You are taking odds or laying odds based on whether or not the point number will be rolled before the 7. Odds bets can be made and removed at any time. You can change the amount of the odds bet at any time throughout the game. For example, let’s say you have placed a Pass bet and you are taking odds. If the point number is rolled before a 7, you win. If your first bet wins, your odds bet will also win.

Craps strategy

Once you get the hang of playing craps, there are various other wagers that you can play around with. It is important to understand the odds of the bets you choose, in order to properly formulate your craps strategy.

Proposition bets

When learning how to play craps, it is important to learn these single-roll bets for some added excitement. These bets should only be used sparingly however as each of these offer a large house edge and are usually not recommended.

Ace Deuce: This bet wins only if the shooter rolls a 3. It pays 15 to 1.

Any Seven (Big Red): This bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7. It pays 4 to 1.

Any Craps: This bet wins if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12. It pays 7 to 1 for each number.

Aces or Two Craps: This bet wins if the shooter rolls a 2. It pays 30 to 1.

Twelve Craps or Boxcars: This bet wins if the shooter rolls a 12. It pays 30 to 1.

Horn: This bet wins if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, 11, or 12. Wagers are split evenly between numbers.

For example, If you wager $16, then $4 will go on each number. 2 and 12 pay 30 to 1, while 3 and 11 pay 15 to 1.

Eleven (Yo): This bet wins if the shooter rolls an 11. It pays 15 to 1.

Craps and Eleven (C&E): You will see 16 circles with a C or E on the craps table. That is where you would mark this bet. This bet wins if an eleven is rolled or if one of the ‘Any Craps’ numbers are rolled. It pays 7 to 1 if the ‘Any Craps’ numbers are rolled. It pays 15 to 1 if the 11 is rolled.

Horn High Bets: This allows you to double your bet on one of the Horn bet numbers. You must indicate which of the four numbers you wish to claim as your high number.

For example, if you place a Horn High on the 12, $2 will be placed on the 12 and $1 will be placed on the 2, 3, and 11. If a 12 is rolled, you get paid double the payout, subtracting three dollars of the losing numbers. If one of the other Horn numbers is rolled instead of your high number, you will receive the single payout minus the $4.

World or Whirl Bet: This bet is a combination of the Horn bet and the Any Seven bet. It is five bets made in multiples of $5. If the shooter rolls a 7, that bet wins and the other four lose. This bet 4 to 1 for the seven and the payouts for the other numbers are the same as the Horn bet.

Field bets

A field bet is a bet that either a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 will be rolled next. There is a marked section on the craps table between the Come line and above the Don’t Pass line, where field bets are placed. The payout is 2 to 1 for a 2 or a 12. The 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 will pay out even money.

Hop bets

These bets can be made any time throughout the game. Hop bets allow you to pick any dice combination while wagering on the outcome of the next roll being your personalized combination. Not all craps tables have this bet indicated on the table.

Multi-roll bets

Multi-roll bets can also be played throughout a game of craps. These are slightly more complicated and if played correctly, can really bring you huge winnings.

Buy/Lay bets: This bet allows you to pick any of the following numbers to bet on at any time throughout the game: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. Should this number appear before the shooter rolls a 7, you will be paid ‘true odds.’ This means that your payback will be the same as the actual chance of winning. 5% of your winnings will go to the casino, however.

A Lay bet works in the opposite way, similar to the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets. When you make this bet, you are betting on the shooter to roll a 7 before the point that you choose. If you win this bet, you will be paid true odds, with 5% going to the casino.

Place Win/Place Lose bets: These bets are just the same as Buy and Lay bets, however, they do not offer true odds. Place win bets win when the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled before the 7. Place Lose bets win if the 7 is rolled first.

Big 6/Big 8 bets: This bet wins if the 6 or 8 is rolled before the 7. It pays even money. You can find this bet marked around the corners of the craps table.

Hardway bets: The ‘hard way’ outcome refers to both dice having the same number. This bet refers to the ‘hard way’ outcome of the dice resulting in the number of your choice before a 7 is rolled. Hardways can bet on the outcome of the dice resulting in a 4, 6, 8, or 10.

For example, you could bet on a 5-5 for Hardways 10, meaning the dice will both show 5’s, adding to the sum of your number 10.

Other dice combinations adding to 4, 6, 8, or 10 are considered an ‘easy way.’

For example, the combinations resulting in 6 are as follows:

• 1 and 5
• 4 and 2
• 5 and 1
• 2 and 4

How To Play Craps At Home

When you make a Hardways bet there are many outcomes that could happen.

You lose the bet if:

• A 7 is rolled
• An ‘easy way’ of your number is rolled

You win the bet if the ‘hard way’ combination of your number is rolled before a 7 or an easy way combination of your number.

How To Play Craps At A Casino

The bet stands until the next roll if a number apart from either a 7 or your number appears.

How To Play Craps Simple

Easy Way bets: This bet is the exact opposite of the Hardway bet, in that you are betting on the shooter rolling an ‘easy way’ combination of your number (4, 6, 8, or 10) before a 7 is rolled or the ‘hard way’ combination of your number.