Craps Rules: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Craps is without a doubt the most exciting, fast-paced dice game in the casino. While the betting layout might look intimidating at first glance with all its boxes, rest assured: the foundational rules are extremely simple to understand for a fun home game night.

Unlike card games, Craps is played with two dice. The goal is simply to wager on the outcome of the dice rolls.

Roles Around the Table

• The Shooter: This is the player currently rolling the dice. Everyone around the table can bet with or against them. The shooter role rotates after each round.

The Core Rule: The Pass Line

To start playing right away without making mistakes, you only need to place your chips on the large area marked "PASS LINE". The game then unfolds in two main phases:

Phase 1: The Come-Out Roll

The shooter rolls the two dice for the very first time. Three outcomes are possible:

• A 7 or 11 (A "Natural"): An instant win! If you bet on the Pass Line, you win 1x your wager and the round ends.
• A 2, 3, or 12 ("Craps"): An instant loss. The dealer collects the Pass Line bets and the round ends.
• A 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: This number establishes the "Point". The round continues to the next phase.

Phase 2: Chasing the Point

Once a Point is established (for example, a 6), the shooter continues to roll the dice as many times as needed. The goal changes:

• The shooter rolls the Point (the 6) again before rolling a 7: You win! Pass Line bets are paid out.
• The shooter rolls a 7 before hitting the Point: You lose. The round ends and the dice are passed to the next player.

Other Simple Bets to Enjoy

Once you master the Pass Line, you can explore other sections of the layout:

• Don't Pass Line: The exact opposite of the Pass Line. You are betting that the shooter will lose (that they will roll a 7 before hitting their Point).
• The Field: A single-roll bet. You place your chip, and if the very next roll results in a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12, you win instantly.