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How to Play Craps Game – Rules, Gameplay, & Strategies

craps game

Are you fascinated with dice games? The Craps dice game is a popular game for your fun game night. Craps is one of the most exciting and fast-paced games popular in casinos and street craps. The craps game is also known as “come out roll” where one player is a shooter and throws a dice on the table. The other players in the game bet on the outcome of the dice roll.

Craps is a casino dice game where players can bet on the outcome of a roll or a series of rolls of two dice. This game involves a great deal of action and strategy with dice and money. To learn how to play craps, you will need to get familiar with the craps table and their location. In this blog, we will learn craps rules and gameplay.

Craps Game Rules

The craps rules are easy to understand and implement during the game. However, we must be familiar with the craps game rules before we start with the gameplay.

General Craps Rules 

  • The Craps dice game is played with two 6-sided dice.
  • As per the craps game rules, a special craps table is used in the game which is marked with different betting areas for different bets. 
  • The three important people in the Craps game are Boxman, who manages the chips and dice, Stickman, who manages the call-out results, and the Dealers who handle the betting and payouts in the game. 
  • Only a shooter is allowed to roll the dice in the Craps dice game. 
  • Shooters must use only one hand to roll the dice on the craps table.
  • The dice must hit the back wall of the table for a roll to count as valid in the game.

Shooters Craps Game Rules 

  • The first shooter in this game is chosen randomly.
  • After the first shooter, the dice moves clockwise to the next player who is next to roll.
  • The shooter will continue rolling until they get a 7 after setting a point in the game.
  • If the shooter rolls off the table or dice land on the chips the roll is claimed as invalid and the dice are rolled again. 

Come Out Roll & Point Phase Craps Rules 

  • The game begins with the come-out roll which is the first roll of a new round.
  • Natural Outcomes (7 or 11): In this roll’s outcome, pass-line bets become winners.
  • Craps Outcome (2, 3, or 12): In this roll, pass line bets lose the round.  
  • Point Number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10): This roll outcome becomes the point number in the game. 
  • If a point number comes, the shooter must keep rolling the dice until a certain roll outcome. 
  • If the point number comes again as an outcome, then they win. 
  • If a 7 comes as a result, then they lose the round.
  • If the shooter wins by rolling point again then a new round starts with a new phase.
  • If the shooter loses by rolling a 7, then the turn of the shooter ends and the next player takes over the role of shooter. 

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How to Play Craps Game

The Craps Dice game is played with a dice where players make bets and the game continues for multiple rounds. Let us understand how to play the Craps game below.

The Objective 

The main goal of the Craps dice game is for the shooter in the game to roll an outcome containing point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) and then roll the number again before rolling a 7, also known as craps. 

Setup for Craps Dice Game 

Everything you need to play a Craps dice game must be present to ensure the game runs smoothly.

  • This game is played on a well-defined craps table with marked betting areas for players.
  • A standard Craps table can accommodate up to 14 players at a time.
  • Players have to use two 6-sided dice in this game. 
  • This game can include multiple players but the main action includes the player rolling the dice, i,e. the shooter. 
  • This game is played in rounds and can accommodate at most 20 players at a time in this dice game. 

The Shooter 

The shooter is a player who rolls the dice in the game of craps. A shooter in the craps dice game is a single personnel who makes the rolls and is changed in every round of the game. 

  • A Shooter uses two dice and starts with a come-out roll in the first round.
  • The shooter keeps rolling as they do not seven out in the point phase. In this case, they lose and their turn ends in the game.
  • If they roll a point number in the game, they win and continue rolling. 
  • A Shooter’s turn ends when they roll a 7 after a point is established in the game. 
  • The dice then move to the next player -the player sitting to the left of the shooter.
  • The new shooter begins with a new come-out roll in the next round. 

The Game Table 

crap game table

Source: serpeblu /shutterstock

The Craps table layout is large and can accommodate multiple players at a time. It is compulsory to have a Craps gaming table to play the game of craps.

  • The craps table has two identical betting sections so players can use both sides easily.
  • The center section on the Craps table contains high-risk proposition bets like Horn bets, Any 7, Hardways, and more.
  • There are multiple betting areas marked on the table, such as place bets, pass line, Don’t Come, Come Bet, and more.
  • The Pass Line betting area is located on the outer betting area on the Craps table.
  • Come and Don’t come bets are similar to the pass line but placed after the point is set.
  • The field bet section covers numbers such as 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 where players can bet individually.
  • The shooter must throw the dice in a way so that it hits the back wall of the table.
  • If the dice leaves the Craps table a new roll is made again.

The Betting 

crap game

Source: Deborah Aronds /shutterstock

There are multiple bets in Craps dice game and you must be familiar with these betting options to play the game of craps easily.

1. Pass Line & Don’t Pass Line

This is a bet done on an automatic win-or-lose scenario. If the shooter rolls the dice and the outcome is a 7 or 11 then you will win automatically. However, if the outcome is 2, 3 or 12 then you will lose automatically. Any other outcome is added as a point. 

If the shooter rolls the point outcome before rolling a 7 you win and if vice versa then you will lose i,e. The shooter rolls a 7 before the point. The Don’t Pass line is a bet just opposite to the pass line where in case of 2 and 3 you will become an automatic winner, while with 7 and 11 you will become a loser. If the roll comes out to be 12 it pushes. 

2. Come & Don’t Come Bet

In the come bet if a shooter rolls a 7 or 11 in the next roll, you will win automatically. However, if the next role outcome comes to be 2, 3, or 12 then you will lose automatically. The come bet point is a slight variation of the pass line. In the case of other numbers, the bet transfers to the outcome number automatically. 

If you roll the number before a 7 outcome then you will win while if you don’t then you will lose. In the Don’t Come bet, the roll outcome with 2 and 3 become automatic winners while 7 and 11 are tagged as losers in this betting. If the shooter rolls a 7 before the number, then you will win while in the opposite case, you lose, that is, the number comes before 7. 

3. Field Bet 

This is a one-roll bet where players can make wealth on a range of numbers in the game. If the number of outcomes comes to be 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 then you win. If any other number is in the outcome such as 5, 6, 7, or 9 then you will lose. 

4. Place Bets 

Place Bets are used when players bet on an individual number. If the number you select in a particular round comes before a 7, then you win. However, if the number you selected is not achieved before a 7, then you lose. 

Gameplay

Phase 1: Come Out Roll

  • This phase is the beginning point of the craps game.
  • The game begins with the shooter making one come-out roll which is often the first roll of a round.
  • The possible outcomes in the game can result in a win, loss, or establish a point in the game.
  • You will win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 i,e. A natural in the game.
  • You will lose if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, i,e. A Craps in the game. 
  • While all other rollouts in the game such as 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 result in a point number. 

Phase 2: Point Roll 

  • If the outcome in the previous phases comes to be a point then the shooter continues to roll the dice.
  • The main objective is to roll the point number again before rolling a 7 in the game. 
  • If the shooter rolls the point, then you will win, and a new round starts.
  • If the shooter rolls a 7 before the point number, then you will lose and a new shooter takes over in the game.

Phase 3: The Betting Phase 

In this phase, players take on a bet based on the dice rolled by the shooter in the game. There can be a win or loss depending on the roll outcome in the game.

  • 7 or 11 (Natural): Instant Win for Pass Line bets.
  • 2, 3, or 12 (Craps): Instant Loss for Pass Line bets.
  • 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 (Point): Establishes a Point Number; the game continues.
  • Point Number (again): Win for Pass Line bets. Shooter rolls again.
  • 7 (Seven Out): Loss for Pass Line bets. Shooter changes.
Bet TypeWinning Bets ConditionLosing Condition 
Pass Line Either a 7 or 11 in the Come out roll or Point is rolled again before a 7 in the outcomeEither a 2, 3, or 12 on Come Out Roll or rolling a 7 after a point is set.
Don’t Pass Line Either a 2 or 3 on the Come Out Roll or rolling a 7 before the point. Either a 7 or 11 in the Come-Out Roll or rolling the point before a 7.
Come Bet Either a 7 or 11 in the net roll after placing a bet or a new point is rolled again before a 7. Either 2, 3, or 12 on the first roll after placing the bet or rolling a 7 before the point. 
Don’t Come Bet Either a 2 or 3 on the next roll after placing the bet or rolling a 7 before the point. Either a 7 or 11 on the first roll after placing the bet or rolling the point number before a 7.
Place Bet (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10)Wins if the chosen number is rolled as an outcome before a 7.Loses if 7 is rolled before the chosen number in the game.

Phase 4: The Ending 

  • The Craps dice game continues as long as players want to bet and roll.
  • The game ends for a shooter when they roll out a 7 after setting a point in the game.
  • The table might be paused or end when no one wants to become a shooter. 

The Winning 

Winning conditions in online craps games depend on various conditions and bets. Let us check some of the conditions which can lead to a win or loss in the Craps dice game.

  • If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 in the Come Out Roll, then the Pass line bets win immediately.
  • If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 then the Pass line bets suffer an instant loss in the game.
  • If the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 then the number becomes the point number in the game.
  • If the shooter rolls the point number again before rolling a 7, they win immediately for Pass line bets and the shooter rolls again in the next round.
  • If the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point number, then the Pass line bets lose again, and the shooter changes for the next round. 

Best Winning Strategies for Craps Dice Game 

You can maximize your chances of winning by following the best strategies. Here are some important tips and strategies for the Craps game. 

  • Place a Come bet when the come-out roll has already taken place. Being very similar to the pass line bet you get a higher chance of winning. 
  • Try to start with a conservative and basic bet at the beginning of the game. Avoid risking too much money over bets.
  • Try to learn the odds to increase your chance of winning in the game. The most common number in Craps dice game is 7 followed by 6 and 8. 
  • Try to play the field numbers to predict the next roll in the game, such as numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. 
  • Place a pass line bet before the Come Out Roll in the game. Place the maximum allowable odds bet if a point is set.
  • Place a don’t pass bet before the Come out Roll, when a point is set you can place the maximum odds bet against it. 
  • You can win multiple small payouts to minimize losing rolls using place bets on 5, 6, and 8. You can win on every number except 7.
  • Keep placing come bets until you have three numbers covered. You can place the maximum odds bet behind each come bet.
  • 6, 7, and 8 are considered to be safe place bets and most frequently roll numbers.
  • Try to avoid high house edge bets to keep your bankroll from exhausting fast.
  • Try to keep your game short and quit when you make a good profit. 
  • Try to maintain table etiquette while playing the game and avoid making enemies in the game.

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FAQs

How do you play the game craps?

To play a game of craps you will need a pair of six-headed dice and a group of players. You have to bet on the most rewarding number and set a budget for your game. You have to place your bets directly on the craps table. You can either win, lose, or get a point which you must note for the next round.  

Is craps skill or luck?

Craps is a game of skill where a shooter rolls two dice and the outcome determines the winner. The shooter can use their skill to influence the outcome of the dice and avoid landing specific numbers in the result. Players with the skills can consistently roll desired numbers and gain a considerable advantage over other players. 

What is the 3 4 5 rule in craps?

The 3 4 5 rules suggest the betting amount you should place based on the winning odds on the point established. 

  • If the point outcome is 4 or 10 you can bet a maximum of 3 times based on your pass line bets.
  • If the point outcome is 5 or 9, then you can bet up to a maximum of 4 times in odds.
  • If the point is 6 or 8 then you will go for 5 times on your pass line bet. 

What is the best bet in craps?

There are many bets in Craps dice game and the best bets are odd bets, don’t pass, don’t come, craps, place bets, betting on 6 or 8, and more. 

What are the basic rules of craps?

  • The game begins with the come-out roll which is the first roll of a new round.
  • The Craps dice game is played with two 6-sided dice.
  • Only a shooter is allowed to roll the dice in the Craps dice game. 
  • This game is played in rounds and can accommodate at most 20 players at a time in this dice game. 
  • Shooters must use only one hand to roll the dice on the craps table.
  • The dice must hit the back wall of the table for a roll to count as valid in the game.

What is the best bet for beginners in craps?

There is more than one best bet for a beginner in the craps game such as pass line bet, don’t pass bet, come bet, don’t come bet, odds bet, place bet, and more. However, a beginner must start with these bets to get good results.

How much do you win if you roll a 7 in craps?

The general payout if you roll a 7 in craps is 4:1. You can place this bet at any time during the gameplay. 

What is the simplest way to play craps?

Follow the Craps game rules and gameplay to play the Craps game in the most simplest manner. Start with a bet but do not overspend. You must memorize the odds to increase your chances of winning the game. 

What happens when you roll 11 in craps?

Players who made a pass line bet wins when a shooter rolls 7 or 11 in craps betting. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 all players with their pass line bets lose their bets. 

How to shoot dice 7-11?

You can roll two dice and try to get a 7 or 11 on the first roll. If you roll a 7 or 11 you win. If you roll a point number you will get a chance to roll again until you either roll the point again and win or you roll a 7 and lose. 

What does 7 come 11 mean?

7 come 11 is a phrase used in the Craps dice game which stands for anytime after you make the first roll you win a bet with an outcome of 7 or 11 and lose on craps with 2, 3, or 12 in the game.

What is the goal of craps?

The main objective in the game of craps is to roll an outcome containing point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) and then roll the number again before rolling a 7, also known as craps to win greater payouts in the game. 

How to play craps for real money online?

To play Craps online for real money you will need to follow these steps.

  • Choose a trusted online casino platform and join the table.
  • Create and register an account on the chosen site.
  • Make some deposits in your account.
  • Make your bets with the highest odds of winning.
  • Roll the dice in the game and keep shooting.
  • You can cash out your winnings from the cashier page on the site. 

Are online craps legit?

Most of the online casino sites provide legit Craps gameplay with trusted winning amounts and withdrawals. You can either practice free play online or play for real money on trusted platforms. Make sure to follow the Craps rules and gameplay to ensure fair games for everyone. 

What is the most profitable craps strategy?

Pass line betting is the most simplest and profitable strategy for the craps dice game. The payout ratio for pass-line betting is 1:1. You will win if the dice outcome comes out to be 7 or 11 in the game. 

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Vijaya is a seasoned gaming writer with a postgraduate degree from Australia. Her passion for online gaming and interactive storytelling drives her compelling content on real money games, game design and culture. With over 6 years of expertise in online gaming, Vijaya brings a unique perspective to her blogs. When she’s not crafting engaging pieces about the latest trends in real money gaming, you’ll find her binge-watching her favorite web series. Vijaya’s insightful analysis and captivating style make her a trusted voice in the gaming community.

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