The rules of craps are not too difficult to grasp, it is all the different ways to bet that can seem confusing at first. Once you have got the hang of how the game progresses then you can start to learn how to bet on all the different outcomes.

Throwing the Dice

The person throwing the dice is called the shooter and each person round the craps table gets the chance to be the shooter. When each players turn is over the dice are passed by the stickman to the person on the left of whoever threw the dice last. When it is your turn to throw the dice it is entirely up to you if you want to throw. If you don't, tell the stickman and the dice will passed to the person on your left. If you do want to throw you will be offered several dice and you are required to pick just two. Before you throw the dice all the players round the table will place their bets when this has been done you are able to throw the dice. To throw the dice just hurl them towards the far end of the table, they must hit the far side of the table before stopping for the throw to be considered legal. Watch how other people do it before trying it yourself as at first it can be a bit tricky.

The First Throw

The first throw of the dice a player makes is called the "come out roll". There are several different outcomes depending on which number is thrown.

1. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 the stickman will say something like "Front-line winner, pay the do's and take the don'ts". The shooter will then start his go again with another "come out roll"

2. If the shooter rolls a 2,3 or 12 he is said to have "crapped out". The stickman will say something like "Two (or Three or Twelve), That's craps. Take the do's and pay the don'ts". If this happens the shooter still retains the dice and starts again with another "come out roll".

3. If the shooter rolls a 4,5,6,8,9 or 10 on their first throw then the shooter is said to have established a point. The stickman will say something like "five, mark five" (or 4,6,8,9 or 10 depending on which number was thrown) . Whichever number has been thrown is the called the point number. A marker is then placed on this number on the betting layout to show all players which number is the point.