How Craps Rolls

CRAPS

Don't roll the dice on craps.

CRAPS

Don't roll the dice on craps.

Goal

Predict how the dice will land.

HOW TO PLAY

Each round consists of two phases:

The Come-Out phase:

  • Place a bet on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line. Dice move around the table clockwise.
  • Rolls of 7 or 11 mean Pass Line Bets win and Don’t Pass Line Bets lose.
  • On rolls of 2 or 3, Pass Line Bets lose and Don’t Pass Line bets win.
  • Rolls of 12 mean Pass Line Bets lose, but Don’t Pass Line Bets push (your bet stays on the table).
  • Hardways and Place Bets are off on the come-out roll, unless you request them on.
  • Rolls of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 establish the Point, and the round proceeds to the Point phase.

The Point phase:

  • Once a point has been established, you may take odds, (an additional bet placed directly behind your line bet). This is a bet that the shooter will make the Point before a 7.
  • This is when you may bet on the other numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10). The Hard Ways are open for betting.
  • If the Point is made, the shooter keeps the dice and begins a new round with a come-out roll.
  • If a 7 is rolled before the Point, the dice are passed to the next shooter and the game starts over with a come-out roll.

 

Craps table

 
 
BET
ODDS
1
Pass Line
1 to 1
2
Don’t Pass Line
1 to 1
3
Field
3, 4, 9, 10, 11: 1 to 1 2 or 12: 2 to 1
4
Horn
3–11: 15 to 1 2 or 12: 30 to 1
5
Come
1 to 1
6
Don’t Come
1 to 1
7
Any 7
4 to 1
8
Any Craps
7 to 1
9
Hard Way
4 or 10: 7 to 1 6 or 8: 9 to 1
10
Place Bet
4 or 10: 9 to 5 5 or 9: 7 to 5 6 or 8: 7 to 6

VOCAB LESSON

Pass Line: A bet that the outcome of the first roll of the dice will result in a 7 or an 11.
Odds: A side bet that is made after a point is thrown and is completely optional. You are betting on the outcome of a number before a 7 is rolled. The player can bet on a range of outcomes that are grouped, each with different odds. Odds pays 2 to 1 on points of 4 and 10, 3 to 2 on a 5 and 9, and 6 to 5 on a 6 and 8. 
Don’t Pass Line: On the come-out roll, you win on 2 or 3, and you lose on 7 or 11. If 12 comes up, it’s a push (a tie)—you don’t win or lose, but the round is over. Any other number that comes up establishes the point. On subsequent rolls, you win even money if 7 comes up. If the point comes up, you lose. A Don’t Pass Line bet can be picked up before a win or lose decision is reached. This bet pays 1 to 1.
Field: A one-roll bet you can make anytime. If 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 are rolled, this pays 1 to 1. If 2 or 12 are rolled, this pays 2 to 1.
Horn Bet: A one-roll bet you can make anytime. You’re betting that 2, 3, 11 or 12 will come up on the next roll. If 3 or 11 come up, you are paid 15 to 1; 2 or 12 pay 30 to 1. If none of those numbers come up, you lose.
Come: A bet that can be made after a point has been established. It’s a 1 to 1 bet with the same rules as a Pass Line bet.
Don’t Come: A bet that can be made anytime after a point has been established. It’s a 1 to 1 bet with the same rules as Don’t Pass Line betting.
Any 7: A one-roll bet that can be made anytime. When a 7 comes up on that roll, you’re paid 4 to 1.
Any Craps: A one-roll bet paying 7 to 1 you can make any time. You win on 2, 3 or 12.}
Hardway: A bet placed on 4, 6, 8 or 10. To win, the number must come up the “Hardway,” as doubles. For example, if you bet on Hard Six, you win if a pair of 3s comes up before a 7 or an Easy Six (5 and 1 or 4 and 2).
Place Bet: A bet that 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will be rolled before a 7, after the come-out roll. A roll of 4 or 10 pays 9 to 5; a roll of 5 or 9 pays 7 to 5; a roll of 6 or 8 pays 7 to 6.

ETIQUETTE

  • Always throw the dice with one hand only, and be sure to hit the back wall.
  • Always keep the dice where the dealer can see them.
  • When buying in or asking for change, place your money on the table instead of giving it to the dealer.
Illustration of a person in a dice table learning the rules

WHAT TO KNOW

Odds are the only bet in the casino which pay true odds. There is no house advantage on this bet.

With so many types of wagers, knowing the odds provides a healthy perspective.

A round begins when you place a bet on a roll of the dice.

Each roll is random and independent from any previous roll.

Disclaimer: This game guide is meant as an introduction. The official regulations for Massachusetts electronic gaming devices can be found at massgaming.com/regulations/table-games-rules/.

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