The Rules of Craps
The basic idea behind Craps is to establish a "point" number and roll that number again before rolling a 7 (craps). Only the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 can be a point number and all otherrolls on the dice have special meanings depending on when they are rolled (before or after a point is established).
The casino game of Craps is played with a set of two perfectly balanced dice with each die having six white dots numbered 1 through 6. The game is played by tossing the dice from one of the short ends of the table to the other (make sure that both die hit the opposite side wall of the table). Payoffs are made based on the number combination displayed when the dice come to rest.
The inside walls of the table are covered with a serrated egg-carton like foam, designed to make the dice bounce around to assure randomness. Each throw of the dice is called a "roll". Players take turn rolling the dice, clockwise around the table, and the player rolling at any given time is called the "shooter". When a new shooter is given the dice, his or her first roll is called the ""Come Out"" roll. This begins a new series of rolls by that shooter and lasts for as long as that shooter continues to make winning rolls.
A new game in Craps begins with the ""Come Out"" roll. A "Come Out" roll can be made only when the previous shooter fails to make a winning roll -- more correctly known as "not making the "Point"" or "seven out". A new game then begins with a new shooter. If the current shooter does make his "Point", the dice are returned to him and he then begins the new "Come Out" roll. This is a continuation of that shooter's roll, although technically, the "Come Out" roll identifies a new game about to begin.
Box man: is the craps table supervisor who sits between the one stickman and directly behind the thousands of dollars worth of chips that the casino keeps on hand at each craps table.
Dealers: the two dealers at the Craps table are responsible for all the bets made on his half of the table. Whenever you want to make free odds, place, or lay bet in a casino, you should give the money to the dealer at your end of the table and he will make the bet for you.
Floor men: are the supervisors who are responsible for the games in the casino and the employees running them. Floor men spend their time behind the tables watching over the games.
Marker Puck: is the plastic disk, which the dealers use to mark the "Point" on the Craps table. When the puck is turned so that the side inscribed with 'off' is face up, then all free odds bets have no action on the following roll of the dice.
Pit: is the area enclosed by all of the craps tables in a casino. Floor men walk around in the pit and keep an eye on the craps games in progress and the casino employees.
Stickman: is the casino employee who calls out the dice rolls and returns the dice to the shooter. The stickman also is responsible for the placing and paying the proposition bets.
Betting
Betting the Pass Line (Betting with the shooter)
When the "shooter" rolls a 7 or 11 on the first throw (The Come-out roll) it is refer to as a "natural" and an automatic win. On the other hand, if 2, 3 or 12 rolls, it is called, "craps" and you lose your Pass Line bet.
Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes your "Point." You win if the "Point" repeats before 7 rolls, and you lose if 7 show before your "Point." Is made. Place these bets in the area marked "Pass Line" on the layout.
Betting the Don't Pass Line (Betting against the shooter's point)
This is the reverse of betting the "Pass Line." You lose on a "natural" 7 or 11, and win if a 2 or 3 rolls (12 is a "standoff," no one wins). If the dice roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 it becomes your "Point" and you win if 7 rolls before your "Point" is repeated.
You lose if your "Point" is made before 7 rolls. Place these bets in the area marked "Don't Pass Line" on the layout.
Come Bets (Same principle as a Pass Line bet)
The simplest explanation of "Come" bets is that you're betting with the dice, exactly as on the "Pass Line," except that "Come" bets are made any time after the "Come-out" roll.
You win on "naturals" 7 or 11, and you lose on "craps" 2, 3 or 12. Any other number becomes your "come-point" and you win if your "come- point" is made before 7 rolls. You make these bets in the area marked "Come" on the layout.
Don't Come Bets (Same principle as a Don't Pass Line bet)
The reverse of betting the "Come." You lose if the next roll is a 7 or 11, and win on a 2 or 3 (12 is a "stand-off"). Here you will win if 7 rolls before your "Don't Come Point" is repeated, and lose if the "Don't Come Point" is made before a 7 is rolled.
Place Bets
You may make a "Place Bet" any time on any or all of the following numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
The number you have "placed" rolls before a 7 you win and are paid as follows:
Point: 4 or 10 $9.00 for each five dollars wagered
Point: 5 or 9 $7.00 for each five dollars wagered
Point: 6 or 8 $7.00 for each six dollars wagered
Buy and Lay Bets
Buy bets are usually made on the 4 and 10. Lay bets are usually made on the 4, 5, 9 or 10. A buy bet wins if the number rolls before a 7.
A Lay bet wins when 7 roll before the number. Five percent (5%) is charged for these types of bets.
In craps there are bets called Proposition bets. These are all one-roll bets that are decided on each roll of the dice. Proposition bets are located in the center of the table. Here is an explanation of these bets:
Hardway bets
There are four Hardway bets: 4, 6, 8 and 10. Hard way bets pays as follows:
Hard 4 & 10 Hard 6 & 8
$7.00 for every $1.00 wager $9.00 for every $1.00 wager
To win on a Hard way bet, the dice must show a pair before the number "7" is rolled or any other combination of the Hard way number is rolled.
For example, if you have a hard 6, the number must be rolled as 3 & 3, before any combination of a 6 (4/2; 5/1; 2/4; 1/5) is rolled.
Craps & Eleven (C&E) (Similar to the Horn bet)
When betting on the C&E, you'll win if the next roll is 2, 3, 11 or 12. Here are the payoffs:
Craps (2, 3, 12) Eleven (11)
$7.00 for every $1.00 wager $15.00 for every $1.00 wager
Tip: For better payouts, keep bets in even denominations ($2, $4..)
Proposition Bets
Horn Bets
Horn bets are won if the next roll is 2, 3, 11 or 12. Four dollars is the minimum bet for this choice ($1.00 for each number).
Here is the payoffs:
2 or 12 3 or 11
$30 for every $1.00 wagered $15.00 for every $1.00 wagered
Field Bets
This is a one-roll bet that may be made on any roll. If 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 rolls, you win even money. If 2 or 12 is rolled you will win at a ratio of 2 to 1 (some casinos will pay 3 to1 on the number 12).
If any other number rolls you lose. This bet is placed in the area marked "Field" on the layout. Unless other Proposition bets, you have to wager the equivalent to a Pass or Don't line bet. For example, if the minimum Pass line bet is $5.00, you must wager at least this amount for a Field bet.
Any 7 (Big Red)
You are betting that the next roll will be a 7. This bet pays $4.00 for every $1.00 wagered.
