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Craps Rules

Craps is often viewed as one of the more confusing casino games. It is actually a fairly simple game with many betting options. Learning craps rules involves learning how a round is played, how to bet, good bets and bad bets and etiquette at the table.

It’s always a good idea to a have good understanding of the game before you arrive at the table. Don’t rely on the dealers to explain the craps rules to you, they are busy enough operating the game itself.

If you are new to the game, the first thing you should do is watch a game in action. Watch how the players bet and shoot and watch the dealers to see how they operate the game. A craps table in a casino will usually have two identical ends so that more people can play. If you play online, you will usually only see one side of the table.

The first thing to understand is that craps is a game based on rounds. The first roll of a round is called the come out roll. The play of a round is determined by the come out roll. If the come out roll is 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12 the round is over. If any other number is rolled then that is called the point. The dealer then places a white marker puck on the point number in the Place Bets section of the table. If the marker is placed black side up then no point has been established. When a point is rolled the shooter will continue to roll the dice until the same point is rolled again or the shooter rolls a 7. When this round ends, a new shooter takes over.

Some bets can be placed before the come out roll and some can be placed after. Check out our article on Craps Betting to read about all your betting options.

Many bets that you make can be removed, added to or deducted from usually at any time. This doesn’t include pass and come bets. You can bet more than the maximum on odds. Unless you ask the dealer to change your bet, dealers will usually let place and proposition bets ride after paying out the winnings.

To become eligible to be a shooter, a player must place a bet on the Pass or Don’t Pass area of the table. Dice are passed from player to player in a clockwise direction, so you may have to wait a while to take a turn as the shooter. When it is your turn to shoot, the stickman will pass a number of dice to you (usually 5) and you can pick up two with one hand. Then roll the dice hard enough to hit the far wall of the table.

Casinos have specific rules about how to hand the dice when you are rolling. These craps rules keep players from hiding the dice in anyway while a player is handling them. Be sure to follow the craps rules, or the house may ask you to leave.

Dice used in casino craps are made to very strict standards. They are regularly inspected for damage. Dice are often replaced with new ones after they have been in use for about 8 hours. Casinos have strict rules about how players may handle the dice.

Don’t listen to other craps players. Most are fools just throwing their money away. If you are new to the game, don’t announce it to the table. New male players are considered bad luck, while new female players are considered good luck.