Gaming 101: Craps

At Four Winds Casinos, we understand that it can be intimidating to walk up to a table with seasoned players and try to learn a new game, so we're going to teach you how to play the exciting game of Craps.

To Play

Craps is not as confusing as it looks. It actually is an easy game to learn. An understanding of the basics of the game and how to make a pass line bet will get you started enjoying the action. You don’t have to be concerned with any other of the craps bets when you begin to play craps. There are over  40 different bets that can be made on a craps layout, some are determined after each roll and some require multiple rolls before winning. To get started playing craps, all you need to understand is the basic pass line bet.

Before The Come Out Roll Bets

Pass Line

A pass line bet works like this. You place your bet on the pass line before a new shooter begins his roll. This is known as the Come Out Roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 you win. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12, you lose. If the shooter rolls any other number, that number becomes the point number. The shooter must roll that number again before a 7 is rolled. When that happens, you win even money for your pass line bet. If a seven is rolled before the point number is rolled again, you lose.

Don’t Pass Line

A bet on this line plays the game in opposite of the Pass Line. You lose on the 7 and 11 and win on 2 and 3 on the Come Out Roll. When 12 is rolled, it is a “push.” When a 4,5,6,8,9 or 10 rolls, it becomes  the point number. You are betting that a 7 will be rolled before the point number. This bet must be placed before the Come Out Roll, but may be removed or decreased after a point is established.  It may not be replaced or increased once a point is established.

After The Come Out Roll Bets

Come

You can bet on “Come” any time after the Come Out Roll and can try for a new point at any time. You win on 7 and 11 and lose on 2,3 or 12 on the roll immediately following placement of the bet. If any other number rolls it’s your “point” and your bet will be moved to that number. If  your point rolls before 7, you win. If 7 rolls before your point, you lose. A Come bet cannot be reduced or removed after a number is established for such bet.

Don’t Come

A bet on this plays the game in reverse of the Come line. You lose on the 7 and 11 and win on 2 and 3 on the roll immediately following placement of the bet. When 12 is rolled, it is a “stand-off.” When 4,5,6,8,9 or 10 rolls, it is your point. You are betting that 7 will be rolled before the point. When a point is established, the bet will be placed behind that number. Don’t Come bets cannot be increased, but may be removed, or decreased after a point is established. However, they may not be replaced or increased once a point is determined.

Odds

An additional wager in support of a Pass Line, Come, Don’t Pass Line, or Don’t Come bet can be made and allows a player to win an amount equal to their original bet. These additional wagers in support of a Pass Line, Come, Don’t Pass Line or Don’t Come bet may be moved any time after the Come Out Roll and the point is established. Come odds are inactive on the Come Out Roll unless called “on” by the Player. Double, triple, four, and five times odds may be offered as an additional wager. In addition 3,4 and 5 odds may be offered, where three time odds are allowed on the 4 and 10, four times on the 5 and 9, and five times on the 6 and 8.

Individual Roll Bet

Field

You can bet on every roll of the dice. If 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 rolls, you win. If 5,6,7 or 8 rolls, you lose.

Place Bets

On a “Place Bet,” you can bet on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 at any time. If your number rolls before 7, you win and if 7 is rolled before your number, you lose. Place Bets are inactive on the Come Out Roll unless called “on” by the Player.

Buy Bets

“Buy Bets” are exactly the same as “Place Bets,” except by paying 5% commission on the “Buy Bet,” you receive the true odds as shown on the chart. “Buy Bets” are inactive on the Come Out Roll unless called “on” by the Player. A “Buy” button denotes this bet.

Lay Bet

You may “Lay” a bet against 4,5,6,8,9 or 10 at any time. In order to do so , you must pay a 5% commission based on what you could win. A “Lay” button denotes this bet.

Hop Bets – Proposition Bets

These are one roll bets, except for “Hard Ways.” The Dealer will place all “Propositions” bets in the center of the Craps table. The Dealer will take or pay all “proposition” bets on the next roll of the dice – again, except for “Hard Ways.” Unless you request otherwise, your winning bet remains in action.

Hard Ways

There are four “Hard Ways” combinations. Hard Four (two 2s), Hard Six (two 3s), Hard Eight (two 4s) and Hard Ten (two 5s). “Hard Ways” wagers will win if the selected “Hard Way” is rolled before a 7 and lose if a 7 is rolled or the selected number is rolled the easy way.

Payouts

Pass Line/ Come Bet – Pays even money

Don’t Pass Line/ Don’t Come Bet – Pays even money

Odds – Pays according to the payout chart at the table

Field – Pays even money except 2 and 12, which may pay up to triple, as indicated on layout

Place Bet – Pays according to the payout chart at the table

Buy Bet – Pays according to the payout chart at the table

Lay Bet – Pays according to the payout chart at the table

This is the basics of Craps. There are additional Craps variations like “No Way Craps” and “Bonus Craps.” All three of these Craps games are available at Four Winds New Buffalo. If you are still unsure about playing Craps, just let the Dealer know it’s your first time playing and they would be happy to assist you.