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Craps Rules – Learn How the Game Works

Understanding craps rules is the first step to enjoying and succeeding at this lively and strategic dice game. Craps is one of the most thrilling casino choices due to its energetic pace, varied bets, and strong odds for players who stick with the basics. Whether you’re watching a crowded table buzz with excitement in a traditional casino or joining a digital game from your mobile, learning how the system works is crucial. This comprehensive guide covers every aspect: from the game’s objective and shooter selection to winning rolls, phase progression, important terms, bet types, and casino etiquette.

Objective of the Game

Role

Description

Importance in the Game

Shooter

Player who rolls the dice

Determines the round outcome

Dealers

Staff who manage bets and payouts

Keep the game organized

Boxman

Oversees chips and betting activity

Ensures fairness and control

The main objective behind most craps casino rules is placing bets on the outcome of two dice being rolled. Players wager, hoping the shooter’s throw will result in a win for their chosen bet. Unlike many casino games, craps offers participants a sense of involvement, with clear phases and communal energy at the table. Every round begins anew, letting you recalculate your odds and churn up strategies with every roll. Explore the best slot online games available at Lucky Tiger Casino and enjoy high-quality gameplay.

The Role of the Shooter

The shooter is a central figure in craps, responsible for rolling the dice. If you want to know how the shooter is selected, it’s simple: the role passes clockwise around the table, giving each active participant a chance to throw. The shooter starts a round with the “come-out roll,” launching a sequence that defines every other action and wager for that round.

Winning and Losing Rolls

Outcomes for each throw depend on where the game is in its cycle. On the come-out roll, some results cause instant wins or losses. Rolling a 7 or 11 is a “natural,” while 2, 3, or 12 is “craps” (an instant loss for Pass Line bettors). Once a point is set, winning means hitting that point again before rolling a 7. Losing this duel is marked by the infamous “seven-out,” which ends the round and resets the game flow. If you understand what happens after a seven, you always know when to rethink your wager.

Dice Result

Meaning

Impact on the Game

7 or 11

Natural

Immediate win on Pass Line

2, 3, or 12

Craps

Immediate loss on Pass Line

4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10

Point is established

Game moves to Point Phase

Phases of the Game

Phase

Trigger Condition

Player’s Goal

Come-Out Roll

Start of a new round

Establish a natural win or a point

Point Phase

Point is established

Roll the point again before a 7

Craps is divided into clear phases that dictate the available bets and the rules for rolling two dice. Understanding these ensures you never miss an opportunity or make a wrong bet.

Come-Out Roll

Every new game starts with the come-out roll. Pass Line or Don’t Pass bets must be placed before this first throw. If the dice come up 7 or 11, those on the Pass Line win immediately. If 2, 3, or 12, they lose. Any other result (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) establishes a “point,” moving the game into the next phase. The energy and anticipation around this first roll set craps apart from other dice or card games.

Point Phase

Once a point is established, the shooter keeps rolling until either the point number or a 7 appears. If the point appears first, it’s a win for Pass Line bets. If a 7 comes up, that’s a seven-out: the shooter’s run is over, and a new go begins. This is when the game round resets, allowing for new strategies, new shooters, and new chances to win under familiar yet always-changing conditions.

Key Terms in Craps

Every craps player should master certain terms central to the game’s flow—these define instant wins, losses, and the core craps rules you’ll hear at every table.

Term

Definition

Example in Play

Natural

A roll of 7 or 11 on the Come-Out Roll

Pass Line bet wins instantly

Craps

A roll of 2, 3, or 12 on the Come-Out Roll

Pass Line bet loses instantly

Seven-Out, Natural, Craps, Point

  • Seven-Out: Rolling a 7 after a point is set; ends the round for the shooter and Pass Line bets lose.
  • Natural: Rolling a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll; results in instant wins for the Pass Line.
  • Craps: Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out; Pass Line bets lose.
  • Point: Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), which must be rolled again before a 7 for a win.

Grasping these basics ensures you never miss a crucial outcome or fail to spot the difference between come and don’t come, which shapes every betting strategy.

Pass Line and Don’t Pass Explained

The Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets are at the heart of most craps tables at craps card game rules. The former wins on a natural and after hitting the point, the latter wins if craps comes up or a 7 appears before the point is repeated. These bets, with their clear win/loss conditions, are the best introduction to line betting rules explained, providing steady play for newcomers and veterans alike.

Types of Bets in Craps

A big part of the game’s challenge and thrill is the broad selection of wagers, each with its own place in the sequence and its own impact on your odds.

Line Bets

Line bets include the Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come. These offer some of the best odds in the casino for players and work through both phases—before and after the point is set. 

Proposition Bets

These are “one-roll” bets in which you wager on the outcome of the very next dice throw at craps rules. Examples include Snake Eyes (a pair of ones), Ace Deuce (a one and a two), or Any Craps (2, 3, or 12). Proposition bets entice risk-takers but come with a higher house edge compared to line bets, which experienced players often avoid.

Hardways and Place Bets

Hardways are wagers that a number (4, 6, 8, or 10) will be rolled as a double before a 7 or before that number is rolled differently (e.g., 4 as 2+2, not 3+1). Place bets let you bet that a specific number (4–10, excluding 7) will be rolled before a 7. Both are more advanced but frequently used by seasoned players adjusting their craps game rules on the fly.

Craps Table Etiquette & Rules

Well-bred table manners and sharp observation of casino rules for craps set the experienced apart from the careless, making the experience better for all.

Handling Chips Properly

Always place your chips gently in the correct betting areas. Never toss or slide chips across the board. If uncertain, politely ask the dealer for guidance. Proper chip handling speeds up the action, minimizes mistakes, and extends respect to other players according to classic craps rules.

What Not to Do at the Table

Avoid late bets (placing chips after the dice are already in motion), distracting the shooter, or stacking chips outside your own area. Don’t handle the dice with two hands or remove them from sight. These are universal craps casino game rules and ignoring them can result in warnings or even ejection from the table. Before you play, make sure to read the terms on the bonus page so you know the wagering requirements.

FAQ

What are the basic rules of craps?

The core slot involves the shooter rolling two dice and players betting on the outcomes. Rounds start with a come-out roll and shift to a point phase if a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled. Pass Line and Don’t Pass are primary bets for beginners seeking steady odds.

Who is the shooter in craps?

The shooter is the player rolling the dice. Selection rotates clockwise around the table, and anyone at the table may have the chance to shoot, following craps game rules of etiquette and rotation.

When does the round end in craps?

A round ends whenever the shooter rolls a 7 after a point is set, known as seven-out. At this point, chips are cleared as needed and a new shooter takes over, so everyone gets a fresh chance.
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