Craps Basics

Craps is often considered one of the more complicated games to play at casinos due to all the various options the player has when placing a wager. On the first roll of the dice (which is known as the "come out roll") the stickman (in land casinos) will slide five dice to a player known as the "shooter" who will then select two dice. He/She will throw the dice to the opposite end of the table. The dice must then hit the wall of the table to be considered a legitimate roll. Of course, playing at Internet casinos, there is no dice selection, and because rolls are handled by the pressing of a button every roll is legitimate.

The shooter tries to make a four, five, six, eight, nine or ten with the dice. The dealer will then take a "puck" that says "off" on one side and "on" on the other side, and place it on the number rolled. The shooter will then attempt to roll that number again before he/she rolls a seven.

   Craps Bets

The following are the various types of bets you can make when playing craps. Note that the desired rolls can change after the come out roll for most bets.

Pass line bet: An even money bet. If the first roll of the dice adds up to 7 or 11, you win. But 2, 3, and 12 loses the wager. Any other number is the "point" and if the point is rolled again, you win, but lose on 7.

Don't pass line bet: Just the reverse of the pass line, except that if 12 is the first roll, it's a standoff; nobody wins.

Come bet: Basically the same as the pass line, except that you must wager after the point.

Don't come bet: The reverse of the come bet, except that a first roll of 2 or 3 wins, and 12 is a standoff.

Odds bet: Once you have a "point" or a "come point", you may take the ODDS and win if the point or the come point is made before a 7. Payoff - Two to one for 10's or 4's, three to two for 5's or 9's, six to five for 8's or 6's. When betting DON'T PASS or DON'T COME, you lay the odds as outlined.

Place bet: Once a shooter makes a "point", you may take a PLACE BET on numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. If your number comes up before 7, you win. Payoff - Nine to five on 4's or 1 0's, seven to five on 5's or 9's, seven to six on 8's or 6's.

Field bet: Here you're betting that 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 is rolled before 5, 6, 7 or 8; 2 and 12 pay double.

Big 6 or 8 bet: You may wager one or both and win even money on the number when thrown before 7.

HardWay bets: You win if the number comes up exactly as on the table; lose if the number comes up any other way, or if a 7 is thrown.

Proposition bets: 2 and 12 pay thirty to one, 3 and 11 pay fifteen for one, all on the first roll.

Any Craps: You can wager on any roll. If a 2, 3 or 12 rolls, you win. You are paid seven times the amount of your wager. If any other number is rolled, you lose.