Casino & Table Games
Craps game
Craps is a dice game in which players wager on the result of a pair of dice being rolled, either against the house or against each other.
Key points
- The game is driven by the roll of two dice, with players betting on various possible outcomes1.
- Casino craps uses a specialised table with marked betting areas for different wagers.
- Street craps is an informal, player-versus-player version played without a table or house bank1.
- Common slang terms include 'snake eyes' (two 1s), 'boxcars' (two 6s), and 'yo-leven' (11).
- The shooter is the player who rolls the dice; the round begins with a 'come-out roll'.
Craps table layout
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Pass line | Bet that the shooter will win; placed before the come-out roll |
| Don't pass bar | Bet that the shooter will lose; opposite of the pass line |
| Come | Bet on a number after the point is established, similar to the pass line |
| Don't come | Bet against the come; opposite of the come bet |
| Place numbers | Bets on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) to be rolled before a 7 |
How to play craps
- Place a bet on the pass line or don't pass bar before the come-out roll.
- The shooter rolls the dice. If the total is 7 or 11, pass line bets win. If 2, 3, or 12, they lose.
- Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the point. The dealer marks it on the table.
- The shooter continues rolling. If the point number comes up again, pass line bets win. If a 7 appears first, they lose.
- Additional bets (come, place, field) can be made during the round; each has its own rules and odds.
Common questions
How to play craps game?
Start by placing a bet on the pass line or don't pass bar. The shooter rolls the dice; a 7 or 11 wins on the pass line, while 2, 3, or 12 loses. Any other number becomes the point, and the shooter keeps rolling until the point or a 7 appears.
Where this term is used
Not the same as
- Bubble craps — a machine-based version of craps, not the general dice game
- Casino craps — the house-banked casino version, while craps game is the broader term that includes it1
- Pass line craps — a specific bet or betting context within craps, not the name of the game itself4
Related terms
Casino games
Craps bets explained
Explains the various wagers available in a craps game.
Casino games
Street craps
Covers the informal, player-versus-player version of craps.
Casino games
Craps payout chart
Lists the payouts for different craps bets.
Casino games
Craps odds chart
Shows the true odds and house edge for craps wagers.
Casino games
Come line craps
Details the come bet and how it works in a craps round.
Casino games
Craps terms and phrases
A glossary of slang and terminology used at the craps table.
Sources
- Craps en.wikipedia.org Provides the definition of craps and distinguishes between casino and street versions.
- Craps wizardofodds.com Lists the place numbers used in casino craps.
- クラップス jp.wizardofodds.com Explains that bets can resolve on one roll or over multiple rolls.
- Online Craps (Play Stress-Free) wizardofodds.com Clarifies that pass line craps is a specific bet, not the game itself.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.