How to Play Craps

Craps is a dice game played in casinos across the nation.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dice

Preparing

1. Learn the layout of the table.

2. Familiarize yourself with the payouts of winning bets.

3. Change money for chips at the craps table.

4. Place the chips in the groove at the edge of the table and shield them with your body.

In the Casino

1. Go to the promotions booth.

2. Fill out and turn in an application for a player's card.

3. Pick up the card.

Playing the Game

1. Present your player's card before you place a bet.

2. Watch the pair of dice be pushed toward the shooter.

3. Place your bet on either the Pass Line and with the numbers, or on the Don't Pass Bar and against the numbers.

4. Watch the shooter place the required bet on the Pass Line and throw the dice. The first roll of the dice is the come-out roll.

5. Make sure that the amount you receive is correct if you win the bet or that the dealer is correct when collecting your losing bet.

6. Place another bet on Come or Don't Come Bar if the shooter hits a point number.

7. Place a new bet on the Pass Line or Don't Pass Bar if the shooter rolls craps (2, 3 or 12) or a 7 or an 11.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid playing the proposition bets shown in the middle of the layout. They pay out as described on the layout.

• Notice the boxes with the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 on either side of the middle of the layout. These are point numbers and pay the following when you win: 4 pays 9-to-5, 5 pays 7-to-5, 6 pays 7-to-6, 8 pays 7-to-6, 9 pays 7-to-5 and 10 pays 9-to-5.

• Notice the boxes to the side and below the Field; these are the Pass Line and Don't Pass Bar boxes. Placing a chip on either of these boxes is, respectively, a bet that the shooter will make the point (roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10) or roll a 7 or an 11. Pass and Don't Pass bets pay even money.

• Notice the boxes to the side and below the point number boxes; these are the Come and Don't Come Bar boxes. Placing a chip on either of these boxes is, respectively, a bet that a point number will or will not repeat after being established. Come and Don't Come bets pay even money.

• Notice the box with the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12. This is the Field. Placing a chip in this box is a bet that one of these numbers will be hit after a point number has been established.

• In Las Vegas, the layout will contain a Big 6 and 8 box. Placing a chip in this box is a bet that either a 6 or an 8 will be rolled after the come-out roll and before a 7 is rolled.

• Accumulating points through play on a player's card allows you to get free rooms, food and show tickets. The casino likes craps players and should be happy to compensate you with many comps.

• If 7 or 11 is the come-out roll, the bet is paid at even money. If a 2, 3 or 12 appears, the bet is lost. The shooter will continue throwing the dice until he loses or hits one of the point numbers.

• You cannot win playing craps over the long term. This game gives the casino a large statistical advantage over the player.

• Starting out playing craps in a casino can be difficult, as the action is fast and furious. It might be wise to try playing online first to get a feel for the game and the pace.

• Gambling can be addictive. If you think you have a gambling problem, get help immediately.