Craps. It's the only casino game that sounds like a cuss word and bonds strangers faster than happy hour at Mardi Gras.

The craps pit in any casino is the one place guaranteed to cause a commotion. For outsiders, the screaming and shouting can be as intimidating as a Wall Street trading floor.

Conspiracy theorists suggest the casinos set it up this way intentionally, to keep potential winners away because some of the easiest bets in craps are the ones with the lowest house advantage. The truth is that by nature craps is fun, loud, and fast. The casino couldn't have invented a better game if they'd tried.

Once you learn the rules, you'll see that craps is much easier than you ever dreamed. Before you know it, you'll be able to march up to that craps table and scream, "Dont crap out!" with the best of ‘em.

What Is Craps?

Craps is a dice game played with two a large, sunken table in a craps pit.

Who's in Charge

There are four casino employees to each full-sized craps table. They are...

• The Boxman: This guy stands in the center, keeps an eye on everything, and has final say in disputes.
• Two Dealers: They deal with the money—collecting, placing, and paying off the bets.
• The Stickman: This guy is in charge of the dice. He announces whose turn it is, what's rolled, and what bets won.

Who Plays?

The shooter is the person who rolls the dice. The shooting order is clock-wise around the table.

• The Stickman will offer 5 dice—pick 2 to roll with.
• First shooter roll is called the "Come-Out." The dice must bounce off the opposite side of the table and bounce back. This establishes the winning point.
• Shooter rolls until they "crap out" – roll a 7.

What Should the Shooter Hope for in the Come-out Roll

The shooter wants to establish a winning point and roll it again before rolling a 7. If the shooter rolls a...

• 7 or 11 they keep control of the dice.
• 2, 3, or 12 they lose control of the dice.
• 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, they have established the winning point.

What Is ‘Establishing the Point'?

As just explained, if the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 on their come-out roll, this is the winning point.

The shooter does not want to roll a 7 before this point comes up or they will lose the roll. If they roll the point, they will have the chance to shoot a new come-out roll, starting the process over again.

Betting

There are many, many different bets in craps. A lot to remember, especially if you're new to the game or distracted by the winner screaming next to you! So, keep it simple. The easiest bet in to start with in Craps is the Pass Bet.

The Pass Bet

Your money is placed on the PASS LINE during the come-out roll. Pay out will be equal to your bet.

• If the shooter rolls 2, 3, or 12, you lose.
• If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win!!!
• If they establish the winning point, the real fun begins. Start rooting for your shooter because, i.e., if the point established is a 6, you're hoping they roll a 6 before a 7. If they roll a 7 before that 6, you lose. If they roll a 6 before the 7, you win!!!

Fun, right?! Okay, let's try another.

Let's say you're the antagonistic type. You cut people off in traffic, you root against the underdog, you laugh if someone cries. Then the "Don't Pass Bet" was made for you! All rules above are reversed, except if the shooter rolls a 12, you don't win or lose – it's a stand-off.

The Don't Pass Bet

Your bet is placed on DON'T PASS during the come-out roll.

• If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you lose.
• If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, you win!!!
• If the shooter establishes 4 as the winning point, you're hoping they'll roll that 7. If they roll a 4 before the 7, you lose. If they roll a 7 before the 4, you win!!!

Now for those of you who just joined the game. The come-out roll has already taken place, but you want to get in there.

Place a COME BET or DON'T COME bet. They're exactly the same as the Pass and Don't Pass, but they only involve the winning point.

Odds Bet

Like the Come and Don't Come, the Odds Bet can only be placed after the winning point has been established. The odds bet does just what it implies—increases your odds.

NOTE: There is not a slot for this on the Craps table because it's in your favor to raise the odds, not the casino's. After the winning point is established and you know how you want to play it, raise your odds! Normally, there isn't a limit on this, so be sure to bet wisely.

Time to Get Crazy

Alright, so you've mastered the basics. You understand Pass, Don't Pass, Come, Don't Come, and how to raise your odds. So, let's get into the complicated stuff.

General Bets Around 7s

• WIN BET – additional bet that 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 will show up before the 7.
• LOSE BET – additional bet that a 7 will appear before a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
• FIELD BET – additional bet that a 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 are thrown, or 2-1 a 2 or 12 shows up.
• HARDWAYS BET – additional bet on a 4, 6, 8, or 10 that the number will be rolled as doubles before it shows up any other way AND before a 7.
• BIG 6's AND BIG 8's – additional bet that 6 or 8 will be rolled before 7 or the opposite – that the 7 will be rolled before the 6 or 8.
• ANY SEVENS – you're betting a 7 will appear in the NEXT roll.

Nest Roll Bets

• ANY CRAPS – that a 2, 3, or 12 shows up.
• TWO or "SNAKE-EYES" – that a 2 is rolled. 30-1 pay-out.
• THREE – a 3 is rolled. 15-1 pay-out.
• ELEVEN – an 11 is rolled. 15-1 pay-out.
• TWELVE – a 12 is rolled. 30-1 pay-out.
• HORN – if any craps show up – 2, 3, 12 – or the number 11.

Ready to Roll?

Oh, crap. So much to remember! Can you do it? Of course you can! All it takes is a little practice and a whole lot of fun.

Just remember, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of winning but nothing feels great about losing. Plan ahead—know your financial limits and stick to them.

Get ready for a crappin' good time!