The Basics of Craps
In our How to Play Craps section we discuss the basics of the Craps game, how the game starts, the "Come Out" and the "Shooter". If you have not read our Craps Basics section then we recommend you do so now by clicking here.
If you are the Craps Shooter, then you are in control of the game and other players can choose to bet with or against you, i.e. if you win they win, and if you lose they lose. In real casino's this can really make the atmosphere electric.
Place your bet in a permitted section. At online Casino's such as Windows Casino, you can only bet in green permitted sections (green), conversely non-permitted betting sections are shown as red. This is a great way to learn Craps rules and betting strategy. (Windows Casino is an ideal place to learn as they will let you play Craps for free).
When you first throw the two dice (note that in a real casino up to five dice will be passed to you and you must pick up only two dice with one hand and throw them to bounce off the far wall of the table) this is called the "Come Out" and the result of your throw can be one of three outcomes, depending on the total of your dice;
After the "Point" has been created
As the shooter your objective is now to get the "Point" number again (you win) before you get a 7 (you lose).
Craps Shooter Examples - Winner
Craps Shooter Examples - Loser
How Players win (i.e. non-Shooters)
Note that the Shooter can also bet on the same things that Craps players bet on, and is not merely restricted to the above initial bet.
"Pass Line"
The "Pass Line" is the most simple bet in Craps, and is the same as being the Shooter (the one who throws the dice). When you bet on the "Pass Line" you are betting with the Shooter, that the Shooter will win. Almost every player bets on the "Pass Line", which is an even money bet - if you bet $5 on the pass line and the Shooter wins the you will get $10 back ($5 winnings, plus your original $5).
To bet on the "Pass Line" place your bet on the "Pass Line" area on the table on a come out roll (the first roll of a Shooter (the player who is throwing the dice). If the "Come Out" roll is a 7 or 11 you win, which is also called a “Natural”. If the come out roll is a 2, 3, or 12 (craps) you lose.
If any Point is rolled on the come out roll if the point is rolled again before a 7 you win. If a 7 comes before the point you lose. That is all there is to it. Once you understand the pass line bet you are ready to play craps.
"Don't Pass Line"
This is almost the opposite of the Craps "Pass Line", so if you bet on this then you are betting against the Shooter, that the Shooter will lose.
If the Come Out roll is a 2 or 3 then you win, a 7 or 11 you lose. A 12 is a push (draw). Otherwise the dice are rolled over and over until either the Point or a 7 is rolled. If the 7 comes before the point then you are the winner.
A person betting on the "Don't Pass" is not the wager of choice by many players, since this bet is betting against the Shooter. This is also called a "wrong" bettor and is usually winning when everyone else is losing, and vice versa.
We recommend you get used to Craps betting using the above methods before you go on to the other bets available in Craps on our next betting page.
You can play Craps free at Windows Casino.
