Craps - How to Play
Craps looks like a game that may be too complicated for the average person to learn but it really is not. Players who are intimidated by all the noise and action around the table can always learn the game online. Once learning the basics, the game is really much simpler than it appears.
Basic Craps Play
In craps, a shooter rolls the dice for the "come out roll," being sure to hit the back wall with his throw. If he rolls a 2, 3 or 12, it is craps and all pass line bets are lost. If he rolls a 7 or 11, he is an automatic winner and all pass line bets win even money. If he rolls any other number, that is the "point."
The shooter's goal is to roll the point again before rolling a seven. When he rolls a seven, all pass line bets are lost and a new shooter takes over.
Craps Betting
When you play craps, any player can bet on any roll, no matter who is the shooter. On the come out, players start by putting a bet on the pass line, the ring around the edge of the layout. Once establishing a point, players can put additional money behind the pass line. This is advisable, as these "odds" bets pay the true odds of making the point, rather than the even money of the front line bet. If a point has already been established, or a player wants an additional point to play, he can put money in the come box, which makes the next roll the point for that bet.
Other Bets
Most of the other bets on the layout are bad odds bets and should be avoided. An exception is "Don't Pass" or "Don't Come," which are bets against, rather than with the shooter. These bets have a low House edge, but if you are playing in a live casino, it may make you unpopular, as you are effectively betting on other players to lose.