A Simple Guide to Craps.

The Fundamental Principles:
Craps is a game of dice, and one of the most exciting casino games around at the moment.

It is perfectly normal to hear people hollering and clambering around a craps table. Craps is played at a specialist table, built uniquely for the purpose of playing craps and there are two dice involved. The dice are fabricated according to strict guidelines and are regularly inspected to ensure they meet the requirements. At the majority of casinos the dice are replaced after eight hours of gaming and there is a rule which states the way in which players should handle the dice.

The player should roll the dice using only one hand and the dice have to touch the rim opposite them on the table. If a dice is thrown off the table, it will need to be inspected before replaying it on the table.

Each table can incorporate up to 20 players. Each player has their turn at rolling the dice, or, they can bet on the person whose turn it is to roll. There are different types of bets that can be made. The casino's team consists of a "stickman", a "boxman" and two dealers.

The first roll of the dice of a round of bets is called the "Come Out Roll"- a new game of craps always begins with the "Come Out Roll". Only if the first player has not won, can you do a "Come Out Roll".

A new game begins with a new player rolling the dice. If the roller manages to get the right numbers, the dice are returned to him and he starts a new "Come Out Roll".

If the player who is rolling the dice does not manage to get the numbers he needs, the dice are given to the subsequent player, who throws a new "Come Out Roll" and the game continues in the same fashion. The game moves in the direction of the hands of a clock located on the table.

The craps table is divided into three parts- two parts off to each side and then a central part. The side parts are opposite and they contain the betting lines: "pass" and "don't pass"; "come" and "don't come"; "odds"; "place" and "field". The central part is shared by the side parts and contains the bet propositions.

The "pass" bet wins if the player throws a 7 or 11 and it loses if they throw a 2, 3 or 12. The "don't pass" loses if the player throws a 7 or 11 and win if they throw a 2 or 3 and a 12 means the game is tied.

Here is a list of the various bets in craps:

Pass Line-
Somebody wins if the "come out roll" is a natural (7, 11) and loses if it is a Craps (2, 3 or 12). If a point is thrown (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) it needs to be repeated before a 7 is thrown, otherwise you lose.

Don't Pass Line-
Opposite to the pass line, if the first throw is a natural (7 or 11) you lose, and if it is a 2 or 3 you win. If the dice rolls a 12 this means that the score is equal or "Push" with the casino. If the roll establishes a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) a 7 needs to be thrown before the point is repeated otherwise you lose.

Pass Odds-
After a point is made you can place an additional bet to increase your chances of winning. There are different possibilities: with a 4 or 10 you win 2:1, with a 5 or 9 you win 3:2, and with a 6 or 8 you win 6:5. if you throw a 7 before the point you do not win anything.

Come Bet-
Basically the same rule as the Pass Line, but the difference is that you can make the bet only after a point at the Pass Line has been determined. After you place the first bet, the first "Dice Roll" will place the "Come Point". You win if you throw a natural (7 or 11) and you lose if it is Craps (2, 3 or 12). Other numbers win if the "Come Point" is repeated before a 7 is thrown. Otherwise you lose.

Don't Come-
The opposite to the "Come". After the "Come" point is established, you win if a 2 or a 3 is thrown and you lose if a 7 or an 11 is thrown. 12 means you have drawn and other rolls are winners if you throw a 7 before their emergence in the following throws.

Come Bet Odds-
The same odds as the Pass Line but here you are wagering on the Come Bet.

Place-
You wager after the point has been determined on a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. you win if your number of choice is thrown before a 7, otherwise you lose. The amount you win is determined by the number which you chose. 4 or 10 pays 9:5, 5 and 9 pays 7:5 and 6 or 8 pays 7:6. you can annul this bet at any time.

Field-
This is only available to the player rolling the dice. If a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 is thrown you win. You lose with a 5, 6, 7 and 8. The odds are: 2 pays double 2:1 and 12 pays 3:1. other rolls pay 1:1.

Big Six, Big Eight-
Wager on any roll of the dice. These bets win if a 6 or an 8 is rolled before a 7. Big Six and Big Eight are equal bets and pay 1:1.

Propositions-
These bet are placed anytime except the "hardways".
1. Any Craps: win with a 2, 3 or 12. payoff 8:1
2. Any Seven: win with a 7. payoff 5:1
3. Eleven or Yo: win with 11. payoff 16:1
4. Ace Deuce: win with a 3. payoff 16:1
5. Aces (also known as Snake Eyes) or Boxcars (also known as Midnight): win with a 2 or a 12 respectively. Payoff 30:1
6. Horn: bet on a 2, 3, 11 and 12 at the same time. If one of the numbers is thrown you win. The payoff is determined by the number.
7. Hardways: the bets named "hardway" win is a "hard" is thrown (a "hard" is the sum of the pairs 1:1, 3:3 and 4:4) before an "easy" and a 7 is thrown. Payoff: Hard 4 and 10: 8:1; Hard 6 and 8: 10:1.

The house advantage is usually between 2 and 17%.

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