Craps FAQ
What terms do I need to know when I play craps?
- Any Craps means that next time the dice are rolled it will fall on a 2,
3 or a 12. You have the chance of quite a good pay out. For every $1 you
put in, you’ll get $ 7 back. Of course the casino has the edge, being 11.1
%.
- 3-way Craps means that you can bet in the three sections. Part will be
bet on the 2, part on 3 and part on the 12. You’ll see that this is like
he born betting except that there’s no betting on 11.
- Any 7 means that next time the dice will be rolled the number 7 will come
up. The payout for this type of betting is $4 for every $1 you put up. Of
course you’ll want to bear in mind that the casino has the edge, being 9.1%.
You can also plave a bet in a similar fashion with the number 6. The house
pays $ 7 for every $ 6 you bet. This is a better bet because the casino only
has the edge of around 1.5 %
- Big Eight means that the number 8 will come up before 7 comes up again.
Of course the house has quite an edge here. This is 9.1 %. When you make
a place bet on the number 8 it’ll hap $ 7 for every $ 6 you put down. It’s
truly the same as when you bet on 8 in all other ways. Of course playing
a bet is a better idea since the casino has an edge of only 1.5 %.
- Buy Bet is when you give the casino a commission of five percent so that
you can receive correct odds when you make a place bet. An example of how
this works is that if, for example you bet on 4 or on 10, normally the casino
has a 6.67 percent edge, but if you set up the buy bet then the casino edge
is reduced to 4 percent. In certain houses they only receive this commission
in cases where the player wins the bet. Of course in other casinos, they
want you to play up the commission when you place the bet, initially.
- A come out roll is when the dice are rolled initially in the first round
of betting. You’ll see that pass bets take the money in cases where the dice
fall o n 77 and 11 and the pass bets lose money if the dice in this round
fall on 2, 3 and the number 12.
- A virtual pass-line bet is when a bet is placed once the come out die has
been rolled, but in every other way it’s the same as the pass-line bet.
The question is whether or not bets tend to lose when a 7 or an 11 are rolled.
Is it also the opposite that bets are bound to win when a 2 or a 3 is rolled.
The betting doesn’t come out equal for all when the outcome is a 12. In this
situation it’s a “pass” when the person rolling the dice (in other words the
shooter), gets either a 2 a 3 or a 12.
In cases where the come-out roll falls on the “point”, (numbers 4, 5, 6, 8,
9 and 10), then the shooters keeps rolling the dice. Once a 7 comes up then
there are no more passes. Incases where the shooter gets a 7 the dice aren’t
passed on.
NB – In cases like these, the pass does not imply that the dice are passed
on to the next player in turn. The shooter has to hit a 7 in order to lose
the dice to the next player and also in cases where the shooter has finished
the game and has no desire to roll again.
- The “virtual don’t pass” bet is a bet that is placed once the initial dice
roll had taken place. In fact it’s no different to the “don’t pass” bet,
in all other respects.
- The “don’t pass” bet is when players bet that the dice will not be passed
on. This is a bet that’s placed right before the “come out” dice are rolled.
Casinos vary in their rules, but you can expect that either the 2 or the
12 will bring on the push. The casino has a 1.4 % advantage in this case.
The don’t pass bet may be reduced once the come-out roll has been played.
- The double odds is when the amount being bet literally is doubled the previously
amount in the come bet or the pass bet. There are those casinos that allow
even higher better ratios. Some play for 5 times the amount or even 10 times
the amount.
- The field bet is when players bet that a specific bet will be the next
number to come up. (It could be a 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or a 12). This pays a lot
more for the 3, 4, 9, 10 and the 11 than it does for the other numbers. It
normally pays 2 to 1 in cases of the 2 and the 12. Sometimes casinos even
pay 3 to 1 for the 2 and the 12, but obviously not for both at the same time.
Then again, you may find that some casinos choose the 5 rather than the 9
as the field roll.
- The hard way is when you place a bet where you’re expecting the next number
to come up to be 4, 6, 8 or a 10. This bet only counts when both the dice
show the same number –In other words it’s a double of the same number, in
order to win.
- The hop bet is when the next number to come up is a specific combination
of the two dice. For example, 3-3 that is called hopping the hard way. Other
examples are 3-5 or 3-3, 4-4. These are paid the same as in a one-roll for
the number 2. In cases of other hop bets, the payout is the same is it is
in the one-roll for 2. The other hop bets pay the same as for the one-roll
for the number 11.
- The horn bet is when you bet that the next roll will fall on a 2, 3, 11
or a 12 and that these will all be multiples of the number 4 and that there
will be a single unit of each of those numbers.
- The horn high bet is when the numbers you’re betting on is in multiples
of the number 5 and also has 2 units that fall on the high number. For example,
you might put $ 5 horn high on the number 11. This means that you’re placing
bets of $ 1 on 2, 3, and 12 but place twice that amount on the 11.
- 2 units placed on a high number means that a dollar is bet on say 2, 3
and 12 and 2 dollars is bet on number 11.
- A lay bet is when the player bets that a specific number will not come
up before the number seven comes up. 5 % of all the winnings go to the casino
in this case. Commission is taken in advance in most places.
- Lay the odds means that after a point has already been stated, the player
can place an extra bet that may better the previous bet. This bet will be
paid out according to the same odds as for the point. It is a straight fair
bet that has nothing tricky about it.
- A don’t come bet works according to the same approach. It’s known as laying
the odds.
- A line bet is when the player states, when they start playing, that the
shoot must make a line bet so as to throw the dice. This bet must be placed
before the dice are rolled at the beginning of a game.
- An odds off be is when bets don’t work out. This type of bet can be cancelled
by a player at any time during the game. In this case the bet remains on
the felt until the outcome can be determined. In certain cases odds off bets
are often “off” initially in the come out round. The player does have the
right to ask that the bet is in effect in this round.
- Don’t’ come odds are normally in effect in the initial round.
- A pass bet is usually placed before the initial round. It is also called
a pass line bet. A player can also increase the bet whenever he so wishes.
This all sounds too good to be true, and this is because the house edge is
1.41 percent.
- A place bet to win is a bet that is placed on a specific number. According
to the rules of this bet, the player is betting that the number of their
choice will come up before the number 7 is next rolled.
- The house edge on this type of bet runs at 1.52 percent, 4 percent, and
6.67 percent for 6/8, 5/9 and 4/10 respectively.
- There is also the place bet to lose. This is claims that the number 7 will
come up before they place. In order to place a bet of this nature, the casino
has an edge of 3.03 percent, 2.5 percent and 1.82 percent on 4/10, 5/9 and
6/8 respectively.
- When a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or a 10 comes up then that specific number becomes
the point. The shooter needs to roll a point again before the rolls a number
7 comes up again.
- A come point is a number that will be used for the point in the next round
of betting.
- A put bet is when a bet is placed on the pass line only after the initial
rolling of the dice. This is found in Las Vegas and also at Turning Stone.
In Atlantic City and Foxwoods this is not allowed. It’s not a particularly
good idea to bet like this because nearly half of your winnings are made
in bets placed on the initial roll of the dice.
- Another type of bet is when the player bets directly on a specific number.
An example of this would be to bet five dollars and ten dollars on the number
5. This is also not a bet with very good chances of winning.
- A right bettor is someone who bets that both dice will pass the number
seven when the shooter throws a 7 once a point has already been stated. In
this case, the dice are passed on to the next person to shoot the dice. This
can also be called the miss out. There are some other ruder names for this,
too.
- A shooter is the person who roles the dice. In order to qualify as a shooter
the player needs place a line bet. He can place any other bet as well, just
like the other players at the table. You’ll notice that the majority of shooters
who bet “don’t pass” are in fact not simply betting against their own bet.
They are really betting that the dice won’t pass this round.
- A single odds bet is a bet that is almost as big as the initial pass/come
bet.
- You’ll find that there are casinos that permit you to lay a bet that is
double odds and even larger.
- A take odds bet is when an extra odds bet is placed once the point has
been stated. This bet is paid out as the right odds for that point. It’s
a fair good bet and doesn’t have a house edge.
- You’ll hear the phrase “two-ways” used at the table. You’ll also hear the
phrases “hardway” and “proposition bet”. It means that the person playing
is going to bet a chip for the dealers together with his own chips. In other
words, if a player bets $ 2 then he’ll be splitting it equally with the dealers.
If he bets $ 6 then he’ll get $ 5 and the dealer will get $ 1. On the other
hand, if he were to bet $ 10 two ways, the player would win $ 5 and the dealers
would get $ 5.
- Another example is Hard 6, two-ways.
- A working bet is when a bet can be instituted with the very next roll of
the dice. You’ll find that usually, buy bets, lay bets place bets and “come
odds” bets aren’t in effect unless the dealer brings them into action, which
is known as to make them work. The remaining the bets are all in effect unless
you choose to call off those bets.
- A world bet is a bet that states that the next time the dice are rolled
the outcome will be 2, 3, 7, 11 or a number 12. All of these will be thrown
in multiples of five and have one until per number.
- A wrong bettor is a participant who bets that the rolled dice do not pass.
How do we play Craps?
Craps is a game that players play by betting directly against the casino.
The game is played on a large felt table top that has high railing all around
the perimeter. The reason for this is to prevent the dice from accidentally
rolling off the table onto the floor and also so that players can bounce the
dice off the railings when they’re rolling the dice, without risking inadvertently
causing the dice to go flying off the table.
Twelve to sixteen players can participate at one time – This will depend how
large the table is, since they all need to be able together around it.
The table dictates the minimum bet that each player has to start with. Now
it’s time to roll the two dice. The person who rolls the dice is known as a
shooter. In order for a player to be qualified to actually roll dice, he needs
to make a pass or don’t pass bet.
There is one exception to this rule, and that is if the shooter lets his Hot
Babe throw the dice in his place in situations where he gets a pass or a don’t
pass bet that is down.
The total of the two dice is known as a roll.
Essentially, Craps betting is made up of several rolls.
2, 3 and 12 are called craps. The initial rolling of the dice by a shooter
is known as a come-out. In cases where a come-out roll is a 7 or an 11, the
game ends there and then. Bets that fall on the Pass line will win 1:1, while
bets that fall on the Don’t Pass line will lose completely.
In cases where the come-out roll lands on craps (2, 3, or 12) the game ends.
The bets that are on the Pass line lose it all.
Those bets on the Don’t Pass line usually win, unless there any of the following
condition is in place: The Don’t Pass line has “Bar X” – X being a stipulated
number that will then not win.
This come-out roll of the dice is known as the point. The shooter places a
big white marker on that number. You’ll notice that it will be one of the following
numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or the number 10.
From this point on, reach time the dice are rolled the following guidelines
will help you know where you stand:
- When the dice are rolled and it’s the same number as the point you’ll have
a 1:1 win.
- All bets on the Don’t Pass line will lose.
- When the dice fall o n the number 7 the game ends.
- All bets on the Pass line win 1:1.
- The shooter’s turn comes to an end or the game keeps going and the shooter
keeps throwing the dice.
You’ll realize that bets that are on the Pass line may not be taken off, but
they can in fact be made larger.
When the game ends you’ll notice that in cases where the game ended with the
come-out dice, or in cases where the point number was rolled yet again, the
shooter is allowed to keep rolling in the next game to be played if he so desires
or he can simply pass the dice on. The dice are to be passed in a clockwise
direction, giving each player a turn to be the shooter.
NB Have a look at the previous section, regarding a full description of the
other bets and what happens when they win or lose.
What does “Odds” mean?
Once the point has been worked out, the casino will enable players to place
their bets, or odds on the various options. It may be pass, come or don’t come.
The odds bet will be fairly paid when that particular bet wins. In other words,
the odds on the pass and on the come are paid at a rate of 2:1 in case of the
numbers 4 and 10. In cases of 5 and 9, the odds are 3:2 and the odds for the
6 and 8 are 6:5. In cases where the odds for the “don’t’ pass” bets and the
“don’t come” bets will be paid 1:2 for the numbers 4 and 10.
In cases where the bets can’t be paid in the exact, precise amount, you’ll
notice that the dealer rounds the amounts down, so one should try to make bets
that get paid out in the exact amount, so as not to lose out. For example:
If a player puts odds on the pass line the best thing to do is to make it a
multiple of the number 5. On the other hand, if the player is betting on the
point, which is a 6 or an 8, then he’d be wise to choose a multiple of the
number 2. This is not a hard thing to work out.
Typically you’ll see that casinos allow you to bet a maximum amount of bets
on one specific number. It is acceptable for the player in increase his odds
bet over the allowed amount of times if and only if he makes an “odds” bet
that will be paid out in a precise amount.
Of course, the player may change his odds bets when ever he so wishes.
Does the casino have an advantage when playing on 10 x odds?
You’ll find a list of the odds for both types of bets below. The meaning of
the house advantage is that the casino will win that percentage of your money
from you, as the game runs its course. Playing for raised odds also means that
the handle will be higher too, thus you’ll lose your hard-earned cash faster.
Casino Advantage over the player
The odds pass bet don't pass bet
0 x 1.4141% 1.4026%
1 x 0.8485% 0.8320%
2 x 0.6061% 0.5915%
3 x 0.4714% 0.4588%
4 x 0.3857% 0.3747%
5 x 0.3263% 0.3167%
6 x 0.2828% 0.2743%
7 x 0.2496% 0.2418%
8 x 0.2233% 0.2163%
9 x 0.2020% 0.1956%
10 x 0.1845% 0.1785%
What is the meaning of “come” and “don’t come” betting?
After the come-out dice are rolled by one of the players, players can make
other bets. These bets are known as the “come” and the”Don’t come”. A player
places a bet by simply making a bet on either the “come” or “don’t come” boxes.
If the dice are rolled and the number 7 or the number 11 shows up the Come
bet will be the winner, On the other hand, if it’s a 2, 3 or a 12 then the
come bet will lose.
In cases where the Point number comes up, it’s placed in the centre of the
table until either that number comes up or the 7. You’ll find that the game
is always played in this manner until this happens. In cases where the shooter
rolls the dice and hits the point for the Pass line the shooter can roll for
a new game or roll for the pass line, but as long that the rules for ending
the game have not been met the game will go on.
Payoffs are the same for all types of bets: come, don’t come, ass and don’t
pass.
You also have the right to bet odds on your own Come and don’t’ come. You
simply give your bet to your dealer and say hat you wish to put odds on your
own bet. This is perfectly acceptable.
If you do not stipulate differently, the dealer will assume that your “come
bet odds” are not on when the come out dice are rolled. The contrary is true
for “don’t come” bet.
What other bets are there?
Here‘s a list of bets and what they mean:
- Place bets to win means to bet that other numbers will show up before the
number 7 is rolled.
- Place bets top lose means that you’re betting that another number will
not show up before the number 7 does.
- 1 roll betting is when you bet that a certain set of dice will face up
with a certain number. This type of bet is only to be placed before the dice
are thrown.
- A field is a specific case where the bet rests on one single roll of the
dice. The pay out for this type of bet is 1:1 when the numbers 3, 4, 9, 10
and the 11 are rolled. The number 2 and 12 offer high winnings in some cases.
- The hardways be is a bet that a specific set of dice will be rolled before
the number 7 comes up. In other words, if you’ve bet hard 6, it means that
you’ve bet that 2 and 2 will come up. If a 5 and 1 are rolled you lose. Any
bet that is hard… loses when the number 7 appears.
- The hopping hardways is when a bet is placed on a set of identical numbers.
According to this bet the very next roll of the dice need to be doubles in
order to win. The pay out varies, but is normally 30-1.
- A horn bet is when the player bets that 2, 3, 11 and the 12 simultaneously.
It’s made up of four parts, considering that the bet is really for four numbers.
What odds to these bets carry?
Betting odds vary from location to location and to what promotional bets are
and rates are being offered to players, but the rates listed here are typical
of what you can expect to find in Las Vegas.
Bet Casino payout Casino percentage gain
Pass-Line 1:1 1.41
With Single Odds 1:1 + odds 0.8
With Double Odds 1:1 + odds 0.6
Come 1:1 1.41
With Single Odds 1:1 + odds 0.8
With Double Odds 1:1 + odds 0.6
Don't Pass 1:1 1.40
With Single Odds 1:1 + odds 0.8
With Double Odds 1:1 + odds 0.6
Don't Come 1:1 1.40
With Single Odds 1:1 + odds 0.8
With Double Odds 1:1 + odds 0.6
Place Numbers (to win)
4 or 10 9:5 6.67
4 or 10 (bought) 2:1 (less 5% commission) 4.76
5 or 9 7:5 4.0
6 or 8 7:6 1.52
Place Numbers (to lose)
4 or 10 5:11 3.03
4 or 10 (laid) 1:2 (less 5% commission) 2.44
5 or 9 5:8 2.5
6 or 8 4:5 1.82
Big 6 and Big 8 1:1 9.09
Field
With 2 and 12 paying 2:1 1:1 except 2 & 12 5.55
With 2 pay 3:1, 12 pay 2:1 1:1 except 2 & 12 2.77
With 2 pay 2:1, 12 pay 3:1 1:1 except 2 & 12 2.77
You’ll find that in most casinos the odds are quoted as “A for B” for proposition
bets. This means that the casino pocket your a bet and will pay out winnings
of you B bet.
Proposition Bets
Bet True Odds Casino Payoff Casino Advantage
Any 7 5:1 4:1 16.67%
Any Craps 8:1 7:1 11.1
2 or 12 35:1 30:1 13.89
29:1 16.67
3 or 11 17:1 15:1 11.1
14:1 16.67
Hardways
4 or 10 8:1 7:1 11.1%
6 or 8 10:1 9:1 9.09
