Craps is probably the most popular dice game in existence. It has the unique distinction of being the only dice game regularly featured in casinos, and it's earned this place of honor by maintaining a large fan base for hundreds of years. Like many other casino games, craps has ancient and diverse origins. Some of the craps rules date back as far or further than the 14th Century. So how has this kind of game maintained its appeal for over half a millennium? The building excitement of the game makes it ideal for the large groups that regularly crowd around a craps table. The group dynamic and building momentum surrounding the game actually make it more interesting the longer you play, so that many craps players find they enjoy the game more and more with every new session.
Though craps encompasses as many as a hundred or more individual bets, the craps rules are actually quite simple. The action of the game is focused on two dice, the shooter (the person rolling the dice), and the board. Craps is played in rounds, and how long each round lasts is totally dependent on how the dice fall. Every round begins with a "come-out" roll. If that initial roll results in a dice total of 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 then the shooter must roll again. In this initial phase, a roll of 7 or 11 will mean a win for players betting on the pass line while a 2, 3, or 12 results in a win for the don't pass bettors. If on the other hand the shooter rolls any other total (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) then the total they roll becomes the point. For a pass bet to win, the shooter must roll the the point again before rolling a 7. Alternately, if the shooter rolls a 7 before the point then don't pass bettors win.
Hot shooters that are on a winning streak will continue to roll until they hit a 7 before the point (also called seven-out). When this occurs, they must pass the dice clockwise to the next eligible player who will begin a new round with another come-out roll. Shooters can only make "Pass" or "Don't Pass" bets, but other table players have a variety of betting options. You can elaborate on your pass or don't pass bets by betting pass or don't pass odds. You can also place "Come" and "Don't Come" wagers and can bet on individual or multiple rolls.
For many craps players the most exciting part of the game occurs when you take your turn as the shooter. Now the odds are literally in your hands. Craps rules dictate that the right to shoot rotates clockwise around the table. The stickman (the casino worker overseeing the craps table) will present each new shooter with a selection of dice from which they will choose two to roll. To be eligible to shoot, you must place at least a minimum table bet. Remember that as the shooter you can only bet pass or don't pass. As long as you continue to roll naturals (a 7 or 11 on the come-out) or to hit your point in every round, you will remain the shooter.
Finally, while some sites may try to sell you craps strategies or betting systems, the nature of the craps rules clearly shows that this is a game of pure chance. If you feel like luck is on your side tonight, then try craps.
