Craps - Background
Craps is a casino-style game using dice, and is played against other players or against a bank. This is a game where it really helps to know the ins and outs in order to take home some money. Players make their bets against the bank, which is known as bank craps, or against the other players which is known as street craps.
How to Play Craps
The most common setting for a game of craps is in the casino. It can be played by as little as one player, but generally there a few players around the table. The casino sets its own odds on payouts and it covers all of the player bets. All players at the table take a turn rolling two dice unless they choose to pass their roll to the next player. In this position, they are known as the shooter.
The game of craps is played in a couple different rounds. During the "come-out roll," or the first roll of a new round, the player rolls the dice. When the dice come up with a total of 2, 3, or 12 it is called craps and the shooter loses his or her "pass line bet" (types of bets are covered below). If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, it is known as a "natural," which results in a pass line win for the shooter.
When either craps or a natural is rolled, the round is over and the shooter must toss a new come-out roll. If the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 are thrown on the come-out roll, it is known as the "point." When the point is in play, the shooter will continue to roll the dice until the point is rolled again or until a 7 is rolled by the shooter. When he or she rolls a 7 instead of the point (a seven-out), he or she loses their pass line bet, the round is over, and the player to his or her left becomes the new shooter.
If the original shooter, however, rolls the point again, he or she wins the pass line bet, the round still ends, but the game starts over with the same shooter throwing another come-out roll.
Craps - Types of Bets
In the game of craps, there are a large number of bets that a player can make, depending on what they feel like doing. There are four main types of bets in craps: Players Bets, Multi Roll Bets, Single Roll Bets, and Line Bets. First things first, Multi Roll Bets.
This type of bet is one that could need any number of subsequent rolls before an outcome is determined, and may not be settled on the first roll. Single Roll bets are kind of like multi roll bets, except for the fact that their result in one roll by the shooter.
Line bets are simple in the fact that the shooter must make one in order to shoot, and they are based around points. All three of these types of bets can become more advanced when the individual player knows more about the game. Make sure to take a look at our craps advanced bets article if you would like to learn about these four different craps bets.
Craps - How to Act at the Table
Playing craps in the casino is kind of like playing golf. There are certain "rules" that should be followed to ensure the best experience for all players. The dice should only be handled with one hand at a time and should not be taken past the edge of the table.
When in the shooter position, this player is expected to make sure that at least one die hit the opposite wall of the table. There are certain areas on the table in which the dice are/are not allowed to land, such areas are usually specified on the table.
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