Top Tips for Playing Craps. Don't rush into complex bets straight away. Stick with Pass and Come bets for as long as is necessary to get your bearings. Pick a Strategy. Avoid Proposition Bets. Beware of the Gambler's Fallacy. Collect Your Winnings. There's always excitement and action around the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Craps table, which helps explain the game's phenomenal and growing popularity.
First Things First. You walk up to a craps table that's just opened for action. A few other players join. Before you throw you must place a bet on the pass line or don't pass line (more on this later). An average speed at a busy blackjack table runs around 60 hands per hour, but the house expects about 100 decisions per hour at how to play craps at the casino craps. To understand how to play casino craps, a player first needs to understand the craps table personnel and where they are located. How to play craps and how to win is explained by casino gambling expert, Steve Bourie, in this first part of a three-part series. Topics covered include: how.
I've written previous posts in this series about craps — that examined the staff at the craps table and the equipment used to play (the dice and the table). This post is the 1st one in which I discuss the nuts and bolts of how to play a craps game in a casino.
Part 3 of 6
- 1 The Craps Dealers and Other Staff at the Dice Table: Who's Who
- 2 How the Craps Table Layout Works and How the Dice Work
- 4 The Best and Worst Craps Bets You Can Make
- 5 Craps Bets Ranked According to House Edge
- 6 How (and Why) to Act Like a Craps Player
I've seen other pages that explain how to play craps, and some of them are very good indeed. I hope, though, that this post will include a level of detail heretofore unseen on the internet as it relates to how to play craps.
First Things First
You walk up to a craps table that's just opened for action. A few other players join you. Maybe a class on how to play craps just finished—casinos usually hold those earlier in the day and then open up a table immediately afterward.
You and your new companions will start by buying in. You'll put cash on the table and get chips in exchange. Once everyone has bought in, the stickman will give the dice to the player on his left. Dice is like cards, by the way.
If you don't go broke 1st, you'll get a chance to roll the dice, too. Don't worry about that. You just have to wait your turn.
Also, you and the other players aren't required to roll the dice. You can always pass on that, for any reason you want to. No one will give you a hard time about it, either.
The player gets to choose 2 dice from the 6 or 8 dice he's given. Once she picks those dice up, the stickman puts the other dice away until there's a new shooter. (They go in a dice tray.)
But the game still can't start, because no one has placed a bet yet. Actually, though, at a real craps table, bets will have been made already. I just haven't mentioned that yet.
Usually, players will start by making pass bets and don't pass bets. You'll see a lot more pass bets than don't pass bets, too.
In this case, 'pass' means for the dice to win. 'Don't pass' means for the dice to lose.
If you read my previous post about the table layout, you'll already know where those bets go on the table. In fact, those are bets you can place on the table yourself, as opposed to some of the bets where the dealers have to place the bet on your behalf.
But you're not limited to just those 2 options. You can bet on the field. You can bet on big 6. You can bet on big 8. You can even place a proposition bet in the center of the table.
One Roll Bets
It seems appropriate at this point in the discussion to point out the different kinds of bets available. Bets like pass and don't pass are multiple roll bets. They stay in action as the dice are rolled repeatedly until they're resolved.
The proposition bets, and some of the other bets, like the field bet, are one roll bets. These are bets made on the outcome of the very next roll. They win or lose based on what happens on that roll. They don't stay on the table.
The Come Out Roll Is When the Action Starts
The 1st roll a new shooter makes is called 'the come out roll.' If she rolls a 7 or an 11 on the come out roll, the dice win. Anyone who placed a bet on the pass line gets paid off at even money. Anyone who bet on don't pass loses their bet, and their money gets collected.
But if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll, the pass line bet is an immediate loser. This is called 'crapping out.' Those totals—2, 3, and 12—are 'craps.' The don't pass line, though, MIGHT be a winner.
Remember when I discussed the layout and how the don't pass bet includes the words 'bar 12' or 'bar 2?'
This means that if the shooter rolls a 12 (or a 2, depending on what the layout says), the don't pass bet doesn't win any money. Instead, it's treated as a 'push' or a 'tie.' You get your money back, but you don't get any winnings with it.
Any other total sets a point. The possible points are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
If the shooter doesn't set a point, she gets to keep the dice and continue to roll. It doesn't matter if the dice won or lost on the come out roll. And any time the shooter hasn't set a point, the next roll is always a new come out roll.
But if a point number has been rolled, the shooter keeps rolling until she either:
- Rolls the point number again. (In which case, the dice win.)
- Rolls a 7. (In which case, the dice lose.)
If the dice win, the shooter keeps the dice and continues to shoot. Also, the pass line bets pay off at even money.
If the dice lose, the next person to the left of the shooter gets a turn as shooter. Also, the don't pass bets pay off at even money.
After this action is completed, there's a new come out roll, regardless of whether or not there's a new shooter.
That's the basics of craps right there—the come out roll and whether the dice win or lose. Sometimes they win or lose on the first roll; sometimes there are subsequent throws which determine whether they win or lose.
But the other bets are whether the casino really cleans up.
Summarizing the Action
It helps to think of craps as being a game played in rounds. Each round starts with a come out roll.
The dice can win or lose immediately on the come out roll. If you roll a 7 or an 11, that's an immediate win. If you roll a 2, 3, or 12, that's an immediate loss.
Any other number sets a point. In that case, the shooter continues rolling the dice until she either rolls a 7 or the point again. If she rolls a 7 before rolling the point, the dice lose. If she rolls the point before rolling the 7, the dice win.
The pass bet pays off at even money when the dice win.
How To Play Craps Table
The don't pass bet pays off even money (or pushes) when the dice lose. The only time it's a push is when a 12 is rolled on the come out roll. (Or if a 2 is roller in a casino that says 'Bar 2' instead of 'Bar 12.')
And that's it.
Craps is a much simpler game than you expected, isn't it?
The real wrinkles start when you look at the dizzying arrays of bets that are available to be made in the game besides the pass and don't pass bets.
I'll look at the available bets in the next post.
Conclusion
A craps game starts when players buy in, place bets, a shooter is chosen, and then that shooter rolls the dice. The most basics bets in the game (the pass and don't pass bets) pay off based on whether the dice win or lose, respectively.
You do, of course, have multiple other bets available on the table. Some of them are one roll bets, like proposition bets, while others are determined after multiple rolls.
This is the 3rd post in my series about playing craps. My next post will include details about how the other bets on the craps table work.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.How Do You Play The Casino Game Craps
When you visit Leelanau Sands Casino you don't want to miss the craps table. Since it's one of the most exciting tables games on our casino floor, you'll often hear cheering around the craps table. Not sure how to play? Let us help!
Craps is a fairly simple game but can get complicated with the sheer number of bets you can make on the table and odds you need to keep track of.
Allow our experts to guide you through the basic rules of craps and teach you how to play…
What You Need to Know About Craps
Craps is one of the only games in the casino where a player is in charge of their own hand. Meaning, instead of you being dealt cards, you get to select and roll your own dice. The goal in craps is to predict how the dice will land.
The table is played in rounds with two phases in a round; the come out and point. Each player's turn to roll the dice moves clock-wise around the table at the end of each round. There can be up to 20 players at a craps table and everyone will get a chance to throw the dice. If you don't' want to throw the dice, you can still play, but you bet on the shooter, or the person throwing the dice.
How Do You Play Craps at the Casino?
When it's your turn to roll, you'll be presented with five dice on the table, pick up two of them. You can only handle and throw these dice with one hand. Before you throw you must place a bet on the pass line or don't pass line (more on this later).
First Phase in Craps: Come out
Any other total sets a point. The possible points are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
If the shooter doesn't set a point, she gets to keep the dice and continue to roll. It doesn't matter if the dice won or lost on the come out roll. And any time the shooter hasn't set a point, the next roll is always a new come out roll.
But if a point number has been rolled, the shooter keeps rolling until she either:
- Rolls the point number again. (In which case, the dice win.)
- Rolls a 7. (In which case, the dice lose.)
If the dice win, the shooter keeps the dice and continues to shoot. Also, the pass line bets pay off at even money.
If the dice lose, the next person to the left of the shooter gets a turn as shooter. Also, the don't pass bets pay off at even money.
After this action is completed, there's a new come out roll, regardless of whether or not there's a new shooter.
That's the basics of craps right there—the come out roll and whether the dice win or lose. Sometimes they win or lose on the first roll; sometimes there are subsequent throws which determine whether they win or lose.
But the other bets are whether the casino really cleans up.
Summarizing the Action
It helps to think of craps as being a game played in rounds. Each round starts with a come out roll.
The dice can win or lose immediately on the come out roll. If you roll a 7 or an 11, that's an immediate win. If you roll a 2, 3, or 12, that's an immediate loss.
Any other number sets a point. In that case, the shooter continues rolling the dice until she either rolls a 7 or the point again. If she rolls a 7 before rolling the point, the dice lose. If she rolls the point before rolling the 7, the dice win.
The pass bet pays off at even money when the dice win.
How To Play Craps Table
The don't pass bet pays off even money (or pushes) when the dice lose. The only time it's a push is when a 12 is rolled on the come out roll. (Or if a 2 is roller in a casino that says 'Bar 2' instead of 'Bar 12.')
And that's it.
Craps is a much simpler game than you expected, isn't it?
The real wrinkles start when you look at the dizzying arrays of bets that are available to be made in the game besides the pass and don't pass bets.
I'll look at the available bets in the next post.
Conclusion
A craps game starts when players buy in, place bets, a shooter is chosen, and then that shooter rolls the dice. The most basics bets in the game (the pass and don't pass bets) pay off based on whether the dice win or lose, respectively.
You do, of course, have multiple other bets available on the table. Some of them are one roll bets, like proposition bets, while others are determined after multiple rolls.
This is the 3rd post in my series about playing craps. My next post will include details about how the other bets on the craps table work.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.How Do You Play The Casino Game Craps
When you visit Leelanau Sands Casino you don't want to miss the craps table. Since it's one of the most exciting tables games on our casino floor, you'll often hear cheering around the craps table. Not sure how to play? Let us help!
Craps is a fairly simple game but can get complicated with the sheer number of bets you can make on the table and odds you need to keep track of.
Allow our experts to guide you through the basic rules of craps and teach you how to play…
What You Need to Know About Craps
Craps is one of the only games in the casino where a player is in charge of their own hand. Meaning, instead of you being dealt cards, you get to select and roll your own dice. The goal in craps is to predict how the dice will land.
The table is played in rounds with two phases in a round; the come out and point. Each player's turn to roll the dice moves clock-wise around the table at the end of each round. There can be up to 20 players at a craps table and everyone will get a chance to throw the dice. If you don't' want to throw the dice, you can still play, but you bet on the shooter, or the person throwing the dice.
How Do You Play Craps at the Casino?
When it's your turn to roll, you'll be presented with five dice on the table, pick up two of them. You can only handle and throw these dice with one hand. Before you throw you must place a bet on the pass line or don't pass line (more on this later).
First Phase in Craps: Come out
Live Casino Craps Videos
This is the first roll of the game and the black puck in the middle will say 'Off.' A dice roll of 2, 3 or 12 (rolling these numbers is also known as craps) ends the roll and the players lose their bets on the Pass Line, but you get to roll again! A come out roll of 7 or 11 results in a win for bets on the pass line (this is the only time in craps where 7 is good!). The shooter will continue to make come out rolls until they roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10. When they land on one of those numbers, it becomes the point. When this happens, the dealer moves the ON button to the point number on the table and this signifies the beginning of the second round.
To recap: Pass line bets on the come out roll: 7 or 11 wins; 2, 3, and 12 lose.
Second Phase in Craps: Point
In the second round, it's the shooter's goal to roll the point number they established in the first round.
If the shooter rolls a point number, it's a win for bets on the pass line and you get to roll again. If the shooter rolls a seven before their point number they 'seven out,' and have lost; bets on the pass line lose and the round ends.
To clarify, the first roll in a round is the come out roll and is the beginning of a new game. A come out roll can only happen after the previous shooter makes their point or rolls a seven. When this happens, the dice move to the left of the shooter (clock-wise).
Craps Table Layout
A craps table is divided into two sides, both a mirror image of each other, to allow bettors on each side of the table to play without reaching all over the table.
How Do U Play Craps At The Casino
Each area on the table signifies a different bet.
How to Place Basic Craps Table Bets
There are dozens of bet variations you can place on a craps table, and we won't cover all of them here.
1) Pass and Don't Pass Bets
Two of the best and safest bets in craps are bets on the Pass and Don't Pass lines. When you bet on the Pass line, you're betting that the shooter will win. The opposite is true for the Don't Pass line.
To place these bets, simply place your chips in these areas on the table before the come out roll. Once the point is established, you cannot remove your pass line bet. Be sure to ask the dealer if you have any questions before placing your bet!
2) Odds Bets
Once the point is established, you can place odds bets or 'bet behind the line.' The odds bet is a great bet because the casino has no advantage. To make this bet, simply place your chips behind your bet in the pass or don't pass line. These bets can be removed or changed at any time during the round.
3) Numbers Bets
During the points roll, you can place bets on certain numbers that are on the table. If they come up during the points roll, you win! Different numbers have different odds. When you want to place a bet on a number, place your chips in front of you and tell the dealer where you want your bet placed.
4) Field Bets
If you want to play the field, place your chips in this area on the table. If the dice lands on any of the numbers in the field (2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12) you win! These are one-roll bets, meaning they removed after the dice is rolled.
Tips for Playing Craps
- Never say the number seven at the craps table. It's bad luck!
- When rolling the dice, roll them hard enough to hit the back wall of the table.
- When on the other end of the table, keep your hands and arms clear to avoid contact with the dice.
- Don't intentionally hit the chips at the end of the table with the dice
- Don't make late bets! Know how much and when you want to place a bet.
Play Craps in Leelanau County
Leelanau Sands Casino Casino offers Vegas style gaming with the charm of Leelanau County. Looking for a weekend getaway? Give us a call at(800) 930-3008to book a room! Don't forget to check ourpromotionsfor any upcoming concerts or events.
