How To Play Craps

The game of Craps isn’t as difficult as it may look. Two dice are used so the numbers rolled are 2 through 12. The layout of the craps table may look confusing because many bets can be placed, and the layout of the table is the same on both ends. The reason the table is duplicated on both ends is to allow more people to play at once.

When players are making multiple bets on different areas of the table at the same time the game may look more confusing and fast paced than it really is. Craps play can at times be a relatively slow game since the dice are often rolled multiple times before an outcome is determined.

Basic Craps Bet

  • Place your bet on the area of the layout that is marked ‘Pass Line’.
  • Because the Pass Line bet is a series bet, the shooter (the person shooting the dice) may have to roll more than once before you win or lose.
  • When the series starts, the first roll is the “come out roll”. The come out roll is different from the remaining rolls in the series.

The Come Out Roll

  • Roll a 7 or 11. These are automatic Pass Line winners that end the series.
  • Roll a 2, 3, or 12 (craps). These are automatic Pass Line loser’s that end the series.
  • Roll any of the other numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 – these become the shooter’s point and the series then continues.

If The Series Continues

If you have rolled a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) the series continues and the shooter continues to roll. The object has now become to roll their point number again before you roll a 7.

If the shooter rolls:

  • Any other number besides the point number or a 7 nothing happens and the shooter will roll again.
  • The point number, the Pass Line bets win and the series is over.
  • A 7 the Pass line bets lose, which is called a ‘seven out’ and the series is over.

So to sum it all up, if you roll a point, which are numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 you will continue to roll the dice until you either roll your point or “seven out”. It is that easy.

Now that you understand how to play Craps, read our craps strategy guides to maximize your winnings at the craps table.