5 simple steps to understanding Craps rules

Craps is a casino-table betting game which can be played by one or more players. All that is needed to play is two dice and a Shooter (the player who rolls the dice). Other players can also be added to the table as mere wager-placers, if they so wish. The combined efforts of the Dealer, Stickman and Boxman ensure that fair play is always practiced at the table. Their responsibilities include: organising the bets and making sure that they are duly settled, guarding the casino chips, watching out for cheating and keeping conflicts at a minimum.

The Shooter aims to throw a 7 or 11 on his first roll (i.e. the “Come-out” roll). Rolling any one of these numbers will result in a win. The player wants to avoid throwing a 2, 3 or 12 on the Come-out roll as combinations leading to these numbers are classified as a loss.

If the Shooter throws anything other than a 7, 11, 2, 3 or 12 on the Come-out roll, he will have “established a Point”. The Point of the player is basically the benchmark against which the player’s next rolls will be judged against and it is equivalent to the player’s rolled number. So, if the Come-out throw is 10, then the Point is 10.

The Shooter will be granted another turn to throw the dice if he did not get a 7, 11, 2, 3, or 12 on his Come-out throw. He will continue to throwing until he throws either his Point or a 7. At this part of the game, all other numbers are irrelevant. If the Shooter rolls his point before he rolls a 7, he wins. If a 7 is rolled before the Point, the Shooter loses.

When it comes to betting in Craps, anyone can place a bet. When a person places a bet, he is then referred to as a “Player”. However, players do not necessarily have a turn at becoming the Shooter. The most common bets are placed on whether the Shooter will win or “the house” will win (i.e. the Shooter will lose).