Craps can be a little intimidating for the uninitiated but the actual objective of the game is very simple, predict the outcome of a roll of dice. Key to understanding the game of Craps is that it is a game of rounds.

The player rolling the dice is called the “shooter”. The first roll of the dice is called the Come Out roll. If the dice adds up to 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12 the game ends and the shooter rolls the dice again to start another round.

If the dice adds up to 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 then that number becomes the Point. The Point is marked, usually with a white puck.

If a Point is rolled the shooter rolls the dice again until the same Point number is rolled or a 7, this is called the Point roll or rolls.

The are many different types of bets available to players in Craps, both regular and ones after the Come Out roll, called “supplementary” bets.

Craps Basic Bets

The Pass Line

The Past Line is the core bet in Craps, almost every player will bet on it. The bet is placed on the Pass Line area at the beginning of a round, before the Come Out roll. If the Come Out roll is a 7 or 11 then you win. This is called a “Natural”. If the Come Out roll is 2, 3 or 12 you lose, called “Craps”.

If the Point is rolled again before the 7 then you win

If any Point is rolled on the Come out roll if the Point is rolled again before a 7 you win. If a 7 comes before the Point you lose.

Don’t Pass Line

The Don’t Pass Line is nearly the opposite of the Pass Line. If the Come Out roll is a 2 or 3 then you win. If the Come Out roll is a 7 or 11 you lose. A 12 is a push.

If the 7 is rolled before the point is rolled again then you win.

Craps History

The early history of Craps is vague, it is generally believed that Craps is based on the old English game called hazard.