Basic Rules of Craps Explained

Craps is one of the games visitors are most drawn to on the casino floor. However, many never play due to how intimidating the game appears. Despite how the game looks, it is actually rather simple to play as long as you know the rules, and it is one of the games with the lowest house edge.  

In essence, Craps is betting on the outcome of a dice roll. The rules are fairly simple, demanding you place your bet before the dice are rolled or wait for the next round. Read on to learn more about the basic rules of craps.

Where Did Craps Come From?

Before we dive into the basic rules of craps, many wonder when this game originated. Unfortunately, the origins aren’t clear, though it is suspected to have evolved from a similar game called Hazard. Hazard began in Western Europe sometime during the Crusades, and was called “Krabs” in French. Later, in the United States, the game was simplified and given the name Craps based on the corruption of the French term.

Craps was first found in the United States in New Orleans in 1805, though it is unclear if it was still under the name Krabs then, or was already being referred to by the name Craps. Regardless, the simplification of the original French version of the game has been attributed to Black Americans living in the area at the time.

Craps was popular among the lower class because of its ease of play. All you needed was a pair of dice and chalk or a stick to draw squares in the sand. It was popular to play in railroad cars as well as on boats sailing up the Mississippi River, which is how it gained notoriety.

The Basic Rules of Craps

1. You Are Betting on Dice Outcomes

Although this isn’t a rule per say, it’s important to remember that any bets you are placing are on the outcome of rolling two dice. This means you can use your own knowledge of probabilities for dice rolls when placing your bets.

2. Place Your Chips Before the Come-Out Dice Roll

While this may seem like a no-brainer, one of the very strict rules of craps is that you have to place your bets before the dice leaves the roller’s (often called the “shooter”) hand for the first time (called a “come-out” roll). If you arrive at a table where someone is already rolling the dice or is on roll two, you must not place your bets until the attendant clears the board, pays out players, and the next round begins. This is to avoid confusion for the dealer and discourage cheating.

3. Only Two Dice Can Be Used

Many newcomers to craps are confused when they are the shooter and are handed more than two dice. This is so you can make a selection of which dice you will roll—you will not be selecting all you are offered. Typically, five dice are offered, but sometimes there can be more. Regardless, no matter how many you are shown, you only choose two to roll.

4. You Must Bet Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line to Shoot

Generally, all players at a craps table will be offered a chance to shoot. That being said, they must either place a bet on either PASS Line or DON’T PASS Line in order to be eligible to play.

5. An Effort Must Be Made to Bounce the Dice Off the Back Wall

Now, this one isn’t a hard rule, and we rarely see it enforced unless it is violated multiple times. But basically, when it is your turn to act as shooter, you must throw the dice so that they bounce off of the back wall. Generally, if you miss with one die, or once, the casino will let it slide; however, if you miss repeated times, a roll may be void until a toss sufficiently bounces off of the back wall per the rules.

6. Bets Are Paid Out After a Shooter Finishes

All rounds of craps have at least one dice roll, though many have more than that—but none have more than 7. See the bets below, but basically, playing craps is a contract bet, and you may not win right away, and your bet may remain active for several rolls. Once a shooter finishes their rolls, that’s when a round ends and bets are paid.

Bets In Craps

As you can see, there aren’t a lot of rules while playing craps. The difficulty comes more with knowing what you are betting on than following specific rules. Below are the most common bets while playing craps. Your risk level will vary based on the bets you choose to place.

PASS LINE: Once the come-out roll, 7 or 11 wins, 2,3, and 12 lose. Any other number is the “point.” To win on 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10, that number must be rolled again before 7 tosses occur. However, if a 7 pops up before those 7 rolls are completed, all PASS LINE bets lose and a new shooter begins.

DON’T PASS LINE: Basically, this bet is the opposite of the above. 7 or 11 loses, 2,3 wins, and 12 is a push. 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10 all become pushes, and that number must NOT be rolled again within 7 rolls. Unlike a PASS bet, if a 7 occurs before 7 rolls are reached, the whole DON’T PASS Line wins.  

Come Bet: This is an additional bet PASS LINE players can place after the come-out roll when the “point” is established. For example, if you bet PASS LINE, and the first roll is an 8, then you are betting more than your 8 will come again before the shooter completes 7 rolls.

Don’t Come Bets: The opposite of a Come Bet. Also placed after the point is established, players win if a 2 or 3 is rolled and lose if a 7 or 11 appears. 12 is still a tie. Players win when their point appears before a 7.

Field Bets: These are single roll bets, ideal for players who want to observe gameplay before trying their hand at other bets. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are all winning rolls, while a 5, 6, 7, or 8 will cause you to lose. The odds are only good on 2 and 12, which is why this is considered a beginner bet.

Big Six: You are betting a 6 will come before any 7 is rolled. Pays 1:1.

Big Eight: You are betting an 8 will come before any 8 is rolled. Pays 1:1.

Any Craps: 2, 3, and 12 win. Pays 8:1.

Any Seven: Win if a 7 is rolled. Pays 5:1.

Eleven: Pays if an 11 is rolled. Pays 16:1.

Ace Deuce: Win if a 3 is rolled. Pays 16:1.

Aces (Or Boxcars): Win if a 2 or 12 is rolled. Pays 30:1.

Horn Bet: Bet on 2, 3, 11, and 12 all at once. Win if one of these numbers is rolled.

Hardways: You are betting that the two dice will match (i.e., snake eyes or a 2-2). Pay varies based on what is rolled.