Craps Rules

You must be new to the game of craps. Well, first things first: you need to know the rules of this fine game! Craps rules are not as hard to grasp as the large, complicated looking table may seem to imply. We’ll start with the basics here, and then move onto the more advanced aspects of the game on the following pages.

Getting Your Chips

To exchange your cash into gaming chips, simply throw your money on the table at an appropriate time and yell "change". It is important that you do not hand your money to one of the dealers as they will not take it. Another important thing to consider while playing craps is the superstitions surrounding the game. Some old school craps players consider it bad luck and bad form if change is made any time other than just before the come out roll.

The Come Out Roll

First of all, a roll of 2, 3, or 12 is called "craps". If the first roll of the game, known as the "come-out roll" is craps, the game is over and the following craps rules apply:
-Bets on the "Pass line" lose.
-Bets on the "Don't Pass line" win unless the "Don't Pass" line says "Bar" and the roll is the indicated value, in which case the bet pushes.
-Otherwise, the come-out roll becomes the "point", and a large white marker is placed on the number representing the point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10).

If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, the game is also over and the following craps rules apply:
-Bets on the "Pass line" section of the table win 1:1.
-Bets on the "Don't Pass line" lose.

After the Come-Out Roll

After the come-out roll, totally different craps rules apply. If the roll is the point, the game is over and:
-Bets on the "Pass line" win 1:1.
-Bets on the "Don't Pass line" lose.

If the roll is 7, the game is over and:
-Bets on the "Pass line" lose.
-Bets on the "Don't Pass line" win 1:1.
-The turn of the "shooter" is over.

If neither of these rolls occur, the game continues and the shooter rolls again.

Other Craps Rules

During a game, bets on the Pass Line cannot be removed, but they can be increased. Bets on the Don't Pass line may be decreased or removed, but they cannot be increased.

When tossing the dice, they should hit the far wall to be considered "fair" but the staff working the table will overlook the occasional short throw, especially if you are an obvious newcomer the game.

Game Over

If the game ends on the come-out roll, or because the point was rolled again, the shooter may continue to go another game, or they may choose to pass the dice on to the player clockwise of them. If this is not the case, however, they must pass the dice on to the player clockwise of them.

Continue on to How to Play Craps...