Mastering Craps: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Dice Game
Craps stands out as one of the most exhilarating and social casino games you can find on the floor. While the fast-paced action and unique terminology might seem overwhelming at first glance, understanding its core mechanics reveals a surprisingly straightforward and incredibly engaging experience. If you’ve just watched our video on how to play craps, you now have a foundational understanding of the game’s flow and essential bets. This article delves deeper, expanding on those concepts to provide a more comprehensive guide to mastering the craps table, allowing you to confidently join in the excitement.
The Heart of the Craps Game: The Shooter and the Dice
At its core, craps revolves around a single player, known as the “shooter,” rolling two dice. This shooter is responsible for setting the pace of the game, aiming to roll specific numbers that determine the outcome for all players placing bets on the table. The dice are a central element, needing to be thrown with enough force to hit the back wall of the table, ensuring a fair and random roll.
Imagine you step up to the craps table, ready for your turn as the shooter. You select two dice from the stickman’s offerings, feeling the weight in your hand. The anticipation builds as you prepare for the crucial “come-out roll,” the initial throw that kicks off a new round of betting and action.
Decoding the Come-Out Roll: Naturals, Craps, and Points
The come-out roll is arguably the most significant single roll in craps, as it establishes the dynamic for the entire round. Understanding its potential outcomes is essential for every player. Here is a breakdown of what each result signifies:
- Naturals (7 or 11): If the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11, it is immediately a win for players betting on the Pass Line. This exciting outcome is called a “natural,” and the shooter gets to roll again, keeping the round lively.
- Craps (2, 3, or 12): Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll results in a loss for Pass Line bets. These are collectively known as “craps” numbers. Despite the loss, the shooter maintains control of the dice and makes another come-out roll, hoping for a better outcome.
- The Point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10): Should the shooter roll any of these numbers, that specific number becomes the “point” for the round. The dealer then marks this number on the table with a small puck. The objective now shifts: the shooter must roll the point number again before rolling a 7.
Consider a scenario where the shooter rolls a 5 on the come-out. That 5 is now the point, clearly marked by the dealer. The game continues, with the shooter repeatedly rolling the dice, aiming for another 5. Each subsequent roll either brings them closer to victory or closer to the dreaded “seven out.”
Essential Craps Bets: Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line
The Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets are the foundational wagers in craps, often dictating the flow of the game and the collective excitement around the table. Every shooter must place one of these two bets, setting the stage for their own roll.
The Pass Line Bet
The Pass Line bet is by far the most popular and aligns with the shooter’s success. When you place a bet on the Pass Line, you are essentially betting that the shooter will win. This means:
- You win if the come-out roll is a 7 or 11 (a natural).
- You win if a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is established, and the shooter rolls that point number again before rolling a 7.
Imagine the shooter places their chips on the Pass Line. If they roll an 8 on the come-out, the point is 8. Everyone with a Pass Line bet is now rooting for an 8 to appear again before a 7. The communal cheering for the same outcome is what makes craps so incredibly engaging.
The Don’t Pass Line Bet
The Don’t Pass Line bet is the opposite of the Pass Line, essentially betting against the shooter. While less common, it offers a slightly better statistical edge due to the specific rules. With a Don’t Pass bet:
- You win if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3.
- You win if a point is established, and the shooter rolls a 7 (sevens out) before hitting the point number.
- If the come-out roll is a 12, it is a “push,” meaning your bet is returned, and nothing happens. The casino calls this “barring the 12” or “craps 12.”
Consider a player who places a Don’t Pass bet. If the shooter rolls a 12 on the come-out, their bet simply pushes. If the shooter rolls a 4, establishing 4 as the point, the Don’t Pass bettor is now hoping the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling another 4. This creates a fascinating dynamic, as some players root for the point while others hope for the 7.
Beyond the Come-Out: The Come and Don’t Come Bets
Once a point has been established on the table, a new set of betting options becomes available: the Come and Don’t Come bets. These wagers operate very similarly to the Pass and Don’t Pass lines but are placed after the initial come-out roll, effectively treating the next roll as a “new” come-out roll specifically for that bet.
The Come Bet
If you place a Come bet, the very next roll of the dice becomes your personal “come-out roll.”
- You win if the next roll is a 7 or 11 (a natural for your bet).
- You lose if the next roll is a 2, 3, or 12 (craps for your bet).
- If the next roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes your “come point.” Your bet then moves to that number on the table. You win if the shooter rolls your come point again before rolling a 7.
Imagine the main point is 6. You place a Come bet, and the shooter then rolls a 9. Your Come bet immediately moves to the ‘9’ box. Now, you need the shooter to roll a 9 before they roll a 7 (which would also end the main round).
The Don’t Come Bet
The Don’t Come bet mirrors the Don’t Pass bet but applies to rolls after the main point is established.
- You win if the next roll is a 2 or 3.
- You win if a come point is established, and the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling your come point.
- If the next roll is a 12, it’s a push for your Don’t Come bet.
If you place a Don’t Come bet and the shooter rolls a 5, your bet moves to the ‘5’ box. You now hope a 7 appears before a 5. These additional bets add layers of complexity and excitement, allowing players to have multiple wagers active simultaneously, each with its own mini-game playing out.
Navigating the Craps Table Layout: Other Key Bets
Beyond the fundamental Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come bets, the craps table offers a wide array of other wagers, each with its own probabilities and payouts. These additional options allow players to customize their betting strategy and increase their involvement in every roll.
Place Bets on Numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
Once a point has been established, you can directly bet on individual numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) to be rolled before a 7. These are known as “Place Bets.” If your chosen number comes up, you win according to specific odds; if a 7 appears first, you lose. These bets offer better odds than some of the riskier proposition bets in the center of the table.
The Field Bet
The Field bet is a single-roll wager where you bet on the outcome of the very next roll. You win if the next roll is a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Most casinos offer double payouts for rolling a 2 or 12, making it an enticing, though volatile, option for those seeking quick action.
Big 6 and Big 8
These are straightforward bets: you are wagering that a 6 or an 8 will be rolled before a 7. They offer even money payouts. However, astute players often prefer to make Place Bets on the 6 or 8, as Place Bets offer slightly better odds for the same outcome.
One-Roll Bets (Proposition Bets)
The center of the craps table is home to a variety of “one-roll” or “proposition” bets. These are high-risk, high-reward wagers on the specific outcome of the very next roll. The “Any Craps” bet, for instance, wins if the next roll is a 2, 3, or 12. Other proposition bets include betting on specific numbers like “Aces” (double 1), “Boxcars” (double 6), or “Horn” bets (betting on 2, 3, 11, or 12 simultaneously). While these bets offer thrilling payouts, their high house edge means they should be approached with caution.
The Social Energy of Craps
Craps is not just a game of chance; it’s a communal spectacle. The shouts, cheers, and groans around a craps table are unlike any other casino game. When the shooter is on a hot roll, hitting point after point, the entire table unites in a shared wave of excitement, creating an electric atmosphere that is infectious. The dealers, often called “stickman” and “boxman,” contribute to this energy, managing the game with expert precision and often a playful banter, making everyone feel part of the action. This interactive element is a major reason why craps maintains its status as a crowd favorite on any casino floor.
Understanding the “Seven Out”
Eventually, every craps round comes to an end. This typically happens when the shooter “sevens out” – meaning they roll a 7 after a point has been established, but before hitting that point number. When this occurs, all bets tied to the current round, such as Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line (if the point wasn’t hit), Come bets, and Place bets, are resolved. The dice are then passed clockwise to the next player, who becomes the new shooter, initiating a fresh round of betting and the opportunity to begin anew with their own come-out roll. This cyclical nature ensures continuous action and keeps the energy flowing around the craps table.