Craps Rules

Overview
Where there is noise, there is craps. This exciting, energetic dice rolling usually draws the attention of many casino regulars and visitors alike. Wagers are placed on certain number combinations being displayed when two dice are rolled and come to rest. The craps tables usually draw the attention of many casino regulars and visitors alike.

Gaming Items

  • One pair of 6-sided, perfectly weighted dice. The “Shooter” chooses the two dice that he or she will role from five or six dice.

  • Puck – Two-sided disc. One side of the puck is colored black or labeled “OFF”, the other white or labeled “ON.”

  • Craps Table Layout.

 

Players and Personnel

  • Shooter – The player in charge of rolling the dice. Craps may involve any number of players betting on the outcome of the “Shooter’s” role.

  • Dealers – Usually one at each end of the table. The dealers change cash into playing chips and make sure that all bets are handled properly.

  • Stickman – Calls the game that is in progress announcing every winning or losing role. The stickman returns the dice to the current “Shooter” after all bets have been handled.

  • Boxman – The final decision maker of a craps table, the Boxman sits at the table watching to make sure that gameplay is fair while guarding the casino chips.

Object of the Game
Players bet on or against numbers or number combinations being rolled on a pair of six-sided dice.

Basic Rules of Play
The dice are tossed from one end of the craps table to the other making sure that both dice bounce off of the back wall of the table.

Moving in a clockwise direction, players take turns rolling the dice. The Shooter’s first role is called the “Come Out” role. This Shooter continues to role as long as he or she makes winning roles.

The “Come Out” role is very important in craps in that it establishes the Shooter’s “Point.” “The Point” is the number that the Shooter must role again before he or she roles a 7. A 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 establishes the point. Rolling a 7, 11, 2, 3 or 12 on the “Come Out” role results in the dice being passed to the next Shooter.

The Puck – This two-sided disc indicates whether or not a game is in progress and if a “Point” has been established. The puck displays “OFF” and remains on the “Don’t Come Bar” until a “Point” has been established by the shooter. The dealer then turns the puck to the “ON” side and moves it to the numbered location on the craps table to denote the “Point” number for this shooter.

Betting On Craps

Pass Line Bet – A simple and basic even money bet. You are betting that the first role of the dice will add up to 7 or 11. On this bet, a 2, 3, or 12 loses the bet. Any other number establishes the “Point.” The “Point” number has to be rolled again before a 7 comes up to win, otherwise, the bet is lost.

 

Don’t Pass Line Bet – The reverse of the Pass Line bet. You are betting that the first role of the dice will not add up to 7 or 11. A 2 or 3 wins. A 12 causes a “Push” or “Standoff” where no one wins. If a “Point” is established, you are betting that the shooter will not “Make” or role his or her “Point” again before rolling a 7.

Come Bets – This bet is made after the “Point” has been established and is exactly like the “Pass Line” bet. You win if the “Shooter” roles a “Natural” 7 or 11 and lose on 2, 3, or 11, also called “Craps.” You place your wager in the area marked “Come” on the craps table. Your wager remains here unless a “Point” number is rolled. The dealer then moves your wager to the number that was rolled on the table. This same number must be rolled again before a 7 comes for you to win.

 

Don’t Come Bets – Your wager is placed in the “Don’t Come” area of the craps table. The reverse of “Come Bets,” you lose on the 7 or 11 role. 2 or 3 are winners and 12, once again, is a “Standoff” or “Push” meaning no money is won or lost. If a “Point” number is rolled, you win if a 7 is rolled in subsequent roles before the “Come-Point” is rolled again.

Field Bets – This is a “One Role” bet. Your wager is placed in the “Field” area of the craps table. You win even money or 1:1 odds if the role shows a 3,4,9,10,11. Rolling a 2 or 12 pays 2:1. Rolling a 5, 6, 7 or 8 loses the bet.

 

Place Bets – You are betting on single numbers. You win if your selected number from 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 comes up before a role of 7. When betting for a number, your wager is placed in front of the number on the craps table. You can also bet that your selected number will not come up before a role of 7. In this case, you wager is placed behind the number on the table.

 

Hard Way Bets – There are four hard way bets. 4, 6, 8 and 10. The “Hard Way” means that the number that you bet on must come up in “Pair” form on the dice before you role a 7 or any combination that adds up to the number that you placed your wager. Example: Betting on 10 “The Hard Way” means that you must role a 5 & 5 before rolling 7 or any combination adding up to 10.