How To Play Craps

Need to know how to play craps? Craps is a game that at first glance can look confusing due to the large nature of the table design and the multitude of bets that can be wagered. The board is designed to be a mirror image of itself on both ends to maximize the amount of players at one table. The game is played with two dice at all times, and there are winning opportunities at every roll of the dice. The basic premise of craps is that you make a wager on what numbers you believe the shooter will roll.

1. The first thing to grasp when learning how to play craps is that rolling a seven is crucial. On a player's first roll, also called the "come-out" roll, throwing a seven will be a winning roll. This is only the case on the first roll for a particular player. If the player's first roll is anything besides a seven, a point has been established and the series begins. At any point that the player rolls a seven after the series has started, the series ends and everyone loses. This is typically the most confusing aspect for new craps players to understand.
2. When a new player begins his turn at throwing the dice, the first roll is called the "come-out" roll. If the player throws a seven or eleven, people that bet on the pass line are automatic winners. When a seven or eleven is thrown first, no official point has been established. When the player throws a four, five, six, eight, nine or ten, it triggers the start of that player's series. If the player rolls a two, three or twelve on the first roll, the people playing on the pass line are losers and the series ends.
3. Once a point is established by the shooter rolling a four, five, six, eight, nine or ten, the goal of the shooter becomes to roll that point number again before rolling a seven. When the point number is rolled again, the pass line players win and the series ends. A new series will begin with the next roll by the same shooter. The shooter does not change until he rolls a seven after the new series has been established. When learning how to play craps, understand that the same shooter can have multiple "come-out" rolls. The same player will roll continuously until he rolls a seven after a point has been established.
4. When placing a bet in craps, never hand the money to the dealer. Wait until nobody is about to throw the dice and place your money on the table in front of you. When it becomes your turn to throw the dice, one of the dealers, known as the "stick man," will slide four to six dice towards you. With one hand only, select two dice that you want to throw. Never use both hands to touch the dice and always hold the dice over the craps table. Should you use both hands or remove the dice from the craps area, you will be asked to return the dice to the table and select different dice.
5. Playing craps correctly means that you must understand how to throw the dice correctly. The dice must be thrown to the opposite end of the table and hit the back wall one time before bouncing back to be valid. A proper throw will have the dice being thrown so they bounce one time and softly bounce against the back wall.