The Rules of Craps Simplified for Beginners
Craps can seem complicated at first because of all the different bets and terminology, but once you understand the basics, it's a fun and exciting game. Here’s a simplified guide to the rules of Craps for beginners:
1. Overview of Craps
Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of the roll or a series of rolls. Two dice are rolled, and players bet on what numbers will appear. The game can be played by multiple players, but the main objective is for the shooter (the person rolling the dice) to make specific rolls to win.
2. The Come-Out Roll
The game starts with the come-out roll, the first roll of the dice. The outcome of this roll determines what happens next:
Winning Come-Out Roll:
7 or 11:If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the Pass Line bet wins, and the round is over.
Losing Come-Out Roll:
2, 3, or 12:If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 (called "craps"), the Pass Line bet loses, and the round is over.
Point Established:
If the shooter rolls any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the point. The shooter will continue to roll, trying to hit the point again before rolling a 7.
3. After the Point is Established
Once a point is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the shooter continues rolling. The goal is to:
Hit the Point Again: If the shooter rolls the point number again, the Pass Line bet wins.
Roll a 7:If the shooter rolls a 7 before hitting the point, the Pass Line bet loses. This is called "sevening out," and the round ends.
4. Basic Bets in Craps
There are two main types of bets you can make in Craps:
Pass Line Bet
This is the most common and easiest bet. You win if:
The come-out roll is a 7 or 11.
If a point is established, you win if the shooter rolls that point number again before rolling a 7.
You lose if:
The come-out roll is a 2, 3, or 12 (craps).
The shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point again.
Don't Pass Line Bet
This is essentially the opposite of the Pass Line bet.You win if:
The come-out roll is a 2 or 3.
The shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point number.
You lose if:
The come-out roll is a 7 or 11.
The point is rolled before a 7.
5. Other Common Bets
Come Bet
The Come Bet works like a Pass Line bet, but you can make it after the come-out roll, once a point is established.
The same rules apply as for the Pass Line, but the bet is placed on the table in the "Come" area.
Don't Come Bet
The opposite of the Come Bet. You win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 (before the point is established), or a 7 before the point is rolled.
You lose if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11.
Place Bets
You can bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to be rolled before a 7.
The payout depends on the number you're betting on. For example, a 6 or 8 pays 7:6, while a 4 or 10 pays 9:5.
Field Bets
This is a one-roll bet where you wager on whether the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
The payout varies, with 2 and 12 usually paying higher.
6. Payouts
Here are the payouts for some common bets:
Pass Line:Even money (1:1)
Don't Pass Line:Even money (1:1)
Come:Even money (1:1)
Don't Come:Even money (1:1)
Place Bets:
6 or 8 = 7:6
5 or 9 = 7:5
4 or 10 = 9:5
Field Bets:Varies, usually 1:1 for most numbers, with 2 and 12 paying higher (like 2:1 or 3:1).
Proposition Bets (one-roll bets): Payouts vary widely, depending on the specific bet.
7. House Edge
The Pass Line and Come bets have a low house edge (around 1.41%).
The Don't Pass Line bet has an even lower house edge (around 1.36%).
Proposition bets, which are one-roll bets, tend to have a much higher house edge and should generally be avoided by beginners.
8. Etiquette
Handling the Dice:When it's your turn to shoot, pick up the dice with one hand and throw them to the back of the table so that they hit the far wall.
Betting:Place your chips in the appropriate areas on the table. Dealers will assist you if you're unsure where to place your bet.
Stay Calm:Craps can get loud and exciting, but it's important to respect others at the table and avoid disrupting the game.
9. Tips for Beginners
Stick to the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line: These bets are simple and offer some of the best odds in the game.
Avoid Proposition Bets: They have a high house edge and are best left to more experienced players.
Start Small: Start with small bets until you're comfortable with the game.
Understand the Odds: The odds are important in Craps, especially for bets like Place Bets and Come Bets, so take some time to familiarize yourself with them.
Conclusion
Craps might seem overwhelming at first, but once you understand the basic bets and flow of the game, it becomes much easier and more enjoyable. Focus on the Pass Line, Don't Pass Line, and Come bets when you're starting out, and keep things simple until you're comfortable with the rules. Happy rolling!
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