Craps Rules

Craps is a game which is played by one or more players against the bank eg the casino. Each casino will set the odds on its payouts and will be responsible for covering all bets placed by players at the table. During game play, players take turns rolling two dice. The player who is actually rolling the dice is referred to as the "shooter". The other players at the table will bet on the outcome of the shooters dice rolls.

Any player who wishes to be the shooter must first bet the table minimum on either the "pass line" or the "don't pass line". The pass line is often referred to as the win line or the right line, while the "don't pass line" is referred to as don't win or wrong line.

Shooters will be chosen one at a time going clockwise around the craps table. Players who are selected as shooters can choose to roll the dice or pass their right to do so. Once a player accepts the position to be shooter they will be given dice by the stickman and they will select two dice to roll.

The game is played in rounds, a shooters first round is called the "come-out roll". The first roll is used to establish a point. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 it is called "craps" and the round ends and any player who bet on the pass line will lose their bets. A roll of 7 or 11, called a "natural" will result in all players who bet on the pass line winning. If the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 that number will become the "point" and the come out round is concluded. The dealer will place a button on the point number to identify it for all players at the table. The shooter then will roll the dice until they either get that point or a seven. If the shooter gets the point the pass line will win. If they roll a seven the pass line will lose and the rounds end for that shooter - another is then selected.

Any player who wishes to join the game should first check to see if the dealer has placed the button on a point. If you do not see a button establishing the point, then the shooter is still in the come-out round. Between each dice roll the dealer will be collecting and paying out bets. After the dealer has done this players will be able to place new bets. The stickman oversees all of this action and will decide when to give the shooter the dice - once the dice are slid to the shooter all betting must stop.

Players who are playing the position of shooter will be required to roll the dice with one hand only. This measure was put into place to prevent players from changing out dice. If at any time the rolled dice leave the table, the shooter will be given the opportunity to select a replacement dice. If they shooter chooses they may also be able to use the same dice as long as the dealer deams it fit for game play.

The craps table can be manned by four individuals, a boxman who supervises the dealers and guards the chips, two dealers who stand on either side of the boxman and collect and pay bets, and a stickman who announces the results of each roll, collects and distributes the dice to the shooters.