How Craps Works

An Example of Basic Play

First, find a table and check the minimum bet to make sure it's in your budget. Lay your money on the table and the dealer will exchange it for chips -- you don't even have to ask. (The dealer won't cash your chips in, though. You have to go to the cashier for that.)

Players take turns rolling the dice. If someone is rolling when you walk up to the table, you have to wait until the next "come out" roll before you can place your bet. As soon as a shooter sevens out (rolls a seven after a point has been established), the next player becomes the shooter. To place a Pass Line bet, you put your bet on the Pass Line before the shooter rolls his come out roll. Let's say you bet $5 (a "nickel" in betting lingo).

The shooter starts off hot and rolls a 7 right off the bat. You just doubled your money and now have $10. You can either take your winnings and keep your original bet on the table or else let it ride and double your bet (called pressing your bet). You decide to press your bet.

Now the shooter rolls an 8, so 8 becomes the point. Remember, you want to see another 8 before you see a 7. The dealer places a white puck called a marker puck on the number 8 in the Place Bets section of the table to mark the point. (When the black side of the puck is showing, no point has been established.)

The next roll is a 3, then a 5, and finally an 8 the hard way (two fours). You've just doubled your money again. Now you can either pick up your bet or place another one for the next roll. That's all there is to the most basic craps game.

Rule

Once a point is established, you can't pick up your bet -- you have to wait until the player sevens out.

Etiquette

When you roll the dice don't blow on them or polish them; just shake them in one hand and roll them down the table to the back wall.
Try to keep the dice on the table when you roll them. If you don't, the roll doesn't count.
Never reach into any portion of the table (the layout) except the Pass Line, Don't Pass Line, Field, Come, or Don't Come. You place your own bets in those areas. The dealer must place your bets for you in the other areas.
Do not exchange lower denomination chips for higher denomination chips (coloring up) unless you are leaving the table.
Do not touch the dealer.
Speak clearly when you tell the dealer how much and where you want to bet.
Make sure you get your bet in early while the dice are still in the middle of the table. Late bets might look like past posting (see Can You Cheat at Craps?). Also, most dealers won't take bets after the shooter has the dice.
Wait for your turn to be paid. The dealer has a system for paying winnings according to your position at the table.
Don't touch your chips while you're waiting to be paid.
Place your bets on the table closest to where you are standing.
If you want to press your bet (parlay your winnings), tell the dealer just as he is about to pay you. This way, he doesn't have to count out your chips twice.