Quick Craps Guide for New Players

With this short guide, anybody should be able to enjoy a game of craps.

The Flow Of The Game

A game of craps will start with an initial bet on the “pass” or “don’t pass”, the shooter will then roll the set of dice. The initial dice roll is known as the “come out” roll. The dice roll will result in one of three outcomes.

  • The roll results in a 2,3 or 12 this is known as “craps”, the bet is lost outright, and the wagered round is over, move to the next play as shooter
  • The roll results in a 7 or 11 the bet is one outright and the wagered round is over, move to the next player as shooter.
  • The roll results in a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. This number going forward will be known the “point number” this is the target for the next rolls, marked as “On” with a special usually white piece.

When a point number is established, betting will open for the subsequent dice rolls, Rolling will continue with any most bet options available until either a 7 is rolled or the point number is rolled. At this point (between rolls) bets cannot be removed from the table, only winnings can be removed. You can however add to an existing bet or a new bet if you so wish. Once a 7 or point number is rolled, the round will be over.

Types Of Bets

  • Pass: the most basic of bets in craps, the pass is wont if the shooter rolls 7 or 11 on the come out roll or the point number on any later rolls.
  • Don’t pass: the opposite of pass bet, this is won if the shooter rolls craps on the come out roll or a 7 on later rolls
  • Come: this bet is the same as the pass, except it cannot be made on the come out roll, only later rolls.
  • Don’t come: this bet is the same as the don’t pass bet, except it cannot be made on the come out roll, only later rolls.
  • Field: This is a bet placed on any individual number on the field. These include 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12. it is important to note that these bets are only placed for one roll at a time.
  • Place: Similar to field bets except the bet is placed on the chosen number being rolled before 7 or the point number. These numbers exclude any craps numbers (2, 3 and 12).
  • Hardway: this is a bet which requires a chosen number to be rolled with a double (both dice having the same number). Only certain numbers can be rolled with a double, specifically 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12. E.g., rolling two 3s would result in a hardway 6.

It is no wonder craps can be the most exciting casino game, action on every dice roll means an exhilarating game that you now know how to play.