The Basic Rules of Craps
Anyone who understands the game of Craps probably considers it to be one of the most exciting games in a casino. For others, it is generally considered too complicated to bother learning or playing. Craps is actually a fantastic game - if the player understands how it works! The complexity of Craps comes in the numerous variety of betting options available, some which can be won or lost in a single roll of the dice, others that stay on the table for a series of rolls. This article will teach the basics of Craps, including the Table, the Players and the different Bet Types.
CRAPS TABLE
The felt table consists of a large diagram with all betting options. In the center is the Hardways and One Roll betting section. To each side is a mirrored diagram of other bets, including the Pass Line, Don't Pass Bar, Come, Don't Come Bar and Field bets.
CRAPS PLAYERS
Up to 8 players can join in the game, with the "Shooters" taking turns, rotating clockwise around the table. The Shooter is the dice thrower. The Shooter must throw the dice so that they hit off the opposite end of the Craps table wall.
BASIC CRAPS BETS
These are commonly placed bets that pay 1 to 1.
Pass Line - Pays 1 to 1: Betting on the Pass Line is betting that a 7 or 11 will be the Come Out roll (a Shooter's first roll). If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 is rolled, this becomes the "Point". The Pass Line bet now becomes a bet that the Point will be rolled again before a 7. However, if a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled, the bet is lost. If a Point is established and a 7 is rolled before the Point comes again, the bet is lost.
Don't Pass - Pays 1 to 1: This is a bet that the Come Out Roll will be 2, 3 or 12 - the opposite of a Pass Line Bet. If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 is rolled first (the POINT), it becomes a bet that the Point will not be rolled again before a 7 comes.
Come - Pays 1 to 1: A Come bet is exactly the same as a Pass Line bet except that it can be placed AFTER the Come Out roll, once the Point has been established. This is a bet that the Point will Come before a 7 is rolled.
Don't Come - Pays 1 to 1: A Don't Come bet is exactly the same as a Don't Pass bet, except that, like the Come bet, it can be placed after the Come Out roll, once the Point has been established. This is a bet that the Point will not come before a 7 is rolled.
Craps Out: Also called 'Sevens Out', this is not a bet, rather what happens when a Point has been established and the Shooter rolls a 7. The roll of Shooter will now pass to the next player in a clockwise fashion.
Place Bets - Pays 1 to 1: A Place Bet may be made on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. This is betting that the chosen number will come before a 7 is rolled. This bet may only be placed after the Come Out roll, and may be reduced or removed from the table any time before it is won or lost.
Big 6 & Big 8 Bets - Pays 1 to 1: This is a bet on the Big 6 or Big 8 section of the table, betting that the chosen number will come before a 7 is rolled.
OTHER CRAPS BETS
These are less commonly placed bets, as the odds of winning are further reduced, though the payouts are higher. All of these bets, aside from Field Bets, are placed in the center betting box on the Craps table. Most are won or lost in a single roll.
Field Bets - Payouts Vary: This is a bet that 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 will be rolled next. If 5, 6, 7 or 8 (which have the highest odds of hitting) are rolled, the bet is lost. Payout: 3, 4, 9 and 10 pay 1 to 1 - 2 pays 2 to 1 - 12 generally pays 3 to 1.
Hardway Bets - Payouts Vary: This is placing a bet that a number will come up the 'hard way', meaning a pair of 3's to equal 6, or pair of 5's to equal 10. For example, betting on 4+4 is betting that 8 will be rolled 'the hard way' before it is rolled any other way - 4+4 rather than 5+3 or 6+2. Payouts: 2+2 and 5+5 pay 7 to 1 - 3+3 and 4+4 pay 9 to 1.
Any Seven - Pays 4 to 1: This is a single-roll bet that a 7, of any combination, will be rolled next.
2, 3, 11 or 12 - Payouts Vary: This is a single-roll bet, placed in the center of the table, that the chosen number will roll next. Payouts: 3 and 11 pay 15 to 1 - 2 and 12 pay 30 to 1.
Horn Bets - Payouts Vary: The same as 2, 3, 11 and 12 Bets described above (including payouts), this is a single-roll bet placed on all 4 numbers at once. It requires the placement of 4 chips.
Any Craps - Pays 7 to 1: This is a single-roll bet that 2, 3 or 12 will be rolled next.
