A Guide to Playing Craps

Craps is probably among the most exciting games to play in the casino. For those who have not played it yet, they might find it a little intimidating because the gameplay is a bit fast-paced and the table seems very complicated. However, some find the game really simple once they take time to learn it.

Before playing craps, you need to choose where you want to play. When starting out, it is recommended that you find a $5 table or lesser than that. For a beginner, $10 is fairly expensive for a game of craps, especially when you make multiple bets.

Also, find a table that has an extra spot. Don’t force your way in the table that’s already crowded.

Once you’ve found your table, you can start playing. When you see “a break in the action” (when the shooter is not holding the dice), you need to place your cash on the table, since the dealer can’t take it from you, and ask for your chips.

Here are the four common employees at a table: the Stickman – the one who has a stick and uses it to retrieve the dice, the Dealers – two people who place and payout your bets and the Boxman – the person who sits in the table and supervises the “action.”

Aside from that, there are also two common bets for beginners: the Pass Line and the Odds.

When the shooter has sevened-out, you can go for a Pass Line bet. You simply place your minimum bet on the Pass Line, indicated on the table. The shooter will roll the dice. If he rolls an eleven or seven, then you’ve won even money. However, if the he rolls a twelve, two or three, you lose the bet.

When you place extra chips behind your Pass Line bet, that is called laying Odds. With that, you can raise your bet with the payout that is higher than the 1:1 you earn on the Pass Line.

Take note: the four and ten pay at 2:1, the five and nine pay at 3:2 and the six and eight pay at 6:5.

Once you familiarize these, you are ready to start playing craps.