Craps – learn to play with

By: Dennis B. B. Taylor

Welcome to the world of CRAPS!

Craps is an exciting game where you take turns rolling dice and trying to predict the outcome. You can place bets on the person rolling the dice or on the series of rolls themselves. Just remember, all bets must be made before the dice are thrown. And the best part? Up to 20 players can join in the fun!

Ready to Play? Let’s Get Set Up!

First, the dealer collects all the bets from the players at the table. Then, a pair of dice is handed to the lucky thrower. It’s time to roll those dice on the craps table! The dealer carefully watches the outcome and makes sure everyone gets paid according to their bets.

It’s Time to Roll the Dice and Have Some Fun!

When I’m at the craps table, I start by placing my bets with the croupier. I have options: I can bet on a single throw, a series of throws, or even bet on the thrower themselves. Once everyone has made their bets, it’s time for the thrower to take the stage. They pick up the dice and give it a toss, and we eagerly await the outcome. Depending on the rules, the winners are paid and the losing bets go to the casino.

Here are the rules you need to know:

  • When handling the dice, I must only use one hand.
  • I can’t take the dice past the edge of the table.
  • If I want to switch throwing hands, I need to place the dice on the table first and then pick them up with the other hand.
  • And when I’m throwing the dice, I always make sure they hit the farthest wall at the end of the craps table.

When it comes to playing dice games, there are some important rules and variations that you should know.

First, let’s talk about the rules. It’s important to know that if either or both dice land in certain areas of the table, the roll is considered invalid. These areas include the boxman’s bank, the stickman’s bowl, and the rails where chips are kept. So make sure to keep your dice on the playing surface.

Another rule to keep in mind is that you can’t hand anything directly to the dealer. All interactions should be done through the designated areas on the table.

Lastly, call bets are not allowed in dice games. You have to place your bets before the dice are rolled.

Now, let’s move on to some variations of the game.

One popular variation is called Bank Craps, also known as Las Vegas Craps. This version of the game is commonly found in Nevada’s casinos. In Bank Craps, all bets are made against the house. The layout of the table is different, and the dice are thrown over a string that is a few inches off the table’s surface. This variant is also available to play online.

Another variation is called Bastard Craps, or Crapless Craps. In this version, there is no losing number on the first roll. However, the house edge is higher in this variant compared to the traditional game.

So remember, when playing dice games, follow the rules and have fun exploring different variations.

Bastard Craps is like a simplified version of Bank Craps, but with a catch. The person who throws the dice, called the thrower, is stuck with a house edge of 5.38%. In this game, players can also bet on the numbers 2, 3, 11, or 12 before a 7 is thrown. The odds for 2 and 12 are 11:2, with a house edge of 7.143%. And for the numbers 3 and 11, the odds are 11:4, with a house edge of 6.25%.

Now let’s talk about another version called New York Craps.

New York Craps is played on the Eastern coast of the USA, and it has a higher house edge compared to Bank Craps. It has its own table layout, and in this version, the Come or Don’t Come bets are not in play. Instead, players usually bet on specific numbers like 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. The overall house edge for this version is around 5%.

Now that you know about the different versions of craps, let’s dive into the types of bets.

There are different types of bets you can make in craps, and here are some of them:

– Pass line: This is a bet on the shooter winning.

– Don’t pass: This is a bet against the shooter winning.

– Pass odds: This is an additional bet made after a point has been established.

In the game of craps, there are many different types of bets you can make. Some bets are more popular than others, but they all have their own unique set of rules and outcomes.

Let’s start with the basic bets:

  • Pass line bet
  • Don’t pass line bet
  • Come bet
  • Don’t come bet

These bets are known as “line bets” because they are placed on the line that goes around the edge of the craps table. The pass line bet is one of the most common bets in craps. It’s a bet that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll (i.e., the first roll of the dice).

If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, you win even money. If the come-out roll is a 2, 3, or 12, you lose. Any other number becomes the “point” and the shooter continues to roll the dice until they either roll the point again (in which case you win) or roll a 7 (in which case you lose).

The don’t pass line bet is the opposite of the pass line bet. You win if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3, but lose if it’s a 7 or 11. If the come-out roll is a 12, the bet is a tie. Any other number becomes the point, and you win if a 7 is rolled before the point is rolled again. This bet is sometimes referred to as betting “against the shooter.”

The come bet and don’t come bet are similar to the pass line bet and don’t pass line bet, but they are placed after the point has been established. The come bet is a bet that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11, while the don’t come bet is a bet that the shooter will roll a 2, 3, or 12. The rules for winning and losing are the same as the pass line bet and don’t pass line bet.

Now let’s move on to the multi-roll bets:

  • Don’t pass odds
  • Come bet
  • Don’t come bet

These bets are called “multi-roll bets” because they stay in play for multiple rolls of the dice. The don’t pass odds bet is a bet that the shooter will roll a 7 before rolling the point. The come bet and don’t come bet are the same as in the basic bets section.

Next, we have the single-roll bets, also known as “service bets.” These bets are resolved in a single roll of the dice:

  • 2 (Snake Eyes or Aces)
  • 3 (Ace-Deuce)
  • Yo
  • 12 (Boxcars, Midnight, or Cornrows)
  • 2 or 12 (Hi-lo)
  • Any Craps (Three-Way)
  • C & E
  • Any Seven
  • Horn
  • Whirl or World
  • On the Hop, Hop, or Hopping
  • Field

Player bets are bets that depend on the outcome of the shooter’s roll. These include the pass line bet, come bet, and don’t pass line bet, among others. Multiple bets are a combination of any of the bets available.

Finally, there are working/not working bets. These are bets that are in play but not marked on the board, similar to call bets in card games.

And that’s the end of the game! Now that you know the different types of bets in craps, you’ll be prepared to make your next move at the craps table.

If you place a bet and predict the correct outcome, the dealer will give you a payout. But if your bet is incorrect, the house keeps your money.

Want more games like this? Take a look at the rules for Baccarat!

Want more games like this? Take a look at the rules for Baccarat!

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