What is Craps and How to Play It?
Craps is one of the most exciting casino table games where players bet on the outcome of a roll of two dice. The game has a rich history, likely evolving from the English game “Hazard,” eventually developing into the modern version of craps we know today in casinos worldwide. While the rules may seem complex at first glance, craps is actually a straightforward game once you understand the basic principles.
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Basic Rules of Craps
Craps is played on a specially designed table using two dice. The objective of the game is to bet on the outcome of the dice roll, with several different betting options available. The key figure in the game is the shooter, the person who rolls the dice, while the other players bet on what the shooter will roll.
The First Roll: Come-Out Roll
The game begins with the come-out roll, the first roll of the round. The result of this roll determines how the game will proceed:
- If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, they win immediately, and the round ends.
- If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, this is called “craps,” and the shooter loses, but they get to roll again.
- If the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point, and the game continues.
After the Point is Established
Once a point is established (e.g., number 5), the shooter continues rolling the dice until they roll that point number again or roll a 7. If the shooter rolls the point before rolling a 7, they win. If a 7 is rolled before the point, they lose, and the round ends.
Types of Bets
There are several types of bets in craps that players can make:
- Pass Line Bet (Bet on the Shooter to Win): This is one of the most common and basic bets. When betting on the pass line, players bet that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. If a point is established, players are betting that the shooter will roll the point again before rolling a 7. The payout is 1:1.
- Don’t Pass Line Bet (Bet Against the Shooter): Players who bet on the don’t pass are betting that the shooter will lose. This means they want the shooter to roll a 2 or 3 on the come-out roll (12 is a tie). Once a point is set, they are betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before rolling the point again. The payout is also 1:1.
- Come Bet: This is similar to the pass line bet, but it can be placed after the come-out roll. Players are betting that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 before a new point is established for this specific bet. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, the player loses.
- Don’t Come Bet: This is the opposite of the come bet and can be placed after the come-out roll. The player is betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before establishing a new point.
- Odds Bets: These bets can be placed after a pass or come bet when a point has been established. Players can bet extra money called “odds,” and the payouts for these bets vary depending on the point number. For example, if the point is 4 or 10, the payout is 2:1; for 5 or 9, the payout is 3:2; and for 6 or 8, the payout is 6:5.
- Place Bets: Players can bet directly that a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7.
- Field Bets: This is a one-roll bet where players bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Payouts vary, for example, 2:1 for rolling a 2 or 12.
Craps Strategy
Craps is a game of chance, but there are certain strategies players can use to maximize their chances of success. Some of the most common strategies include:
- Bet on Pass and Come: These are considered the safest bets as they offer the lowest house edge, typically around 1.41%.
- Take Advantage of Odds Bets: Odds bets have no house edge, so if you already have a pass or come bet, adding odds can increase your potential winnings.
- Avoid High-Risk Bets: Bets like Field Bets, Proposition Bets (bets on specific dice rolls), and some others have a higher house edge and are riskier.
Conclusion
Craps is a fast-paced and exciting game that is popular among both beginners and seasoned players. Once you understand the basic rules and the different types of bets, you can easily enjoy the game and experience the thrill it offers. It’s always important to play responsibly and keep in mind that craps is primarily a game of luck, where every roll of the dice can be decisive.