How Craps Works

Dice, be nice! Baby needs a new pair of shoes! Give me a square pair! Have you ever walked into a casino and seen (and heard) the action at the craps tables? It's the most exciting game in the casino, and no wonder: It boasts better odds if you know the bets to avoid, and since it's a hands-on game, it's just naturally more fun -- if you know how to play.

Along with all that excitement comes a lot of confusing rules and lingo that isn't in the least intuitive. You can't just pick a color or pull a lever. You have to understand how it works. There are many types of bets you can place in craps: Some you win (or lose) on a single roll, some after a series of rolls. Many people never venture near the more complex bets, preferring to stick with the basic Pass Line play.

In this article, we'll walk you through the basic rules of craps and tell you about all of the different types of bets you can place. We'll tell you about some of the strategies the experts use, and we'll give you a rundown on etiquette so you won't make a fool of yourself your first time at the table. When you've finished this article, you'll be ready for the craps tables in Vegas.

Craps Basics: The Table

When you walk into a casino, you can usually spot the craps tables by the raucous crowds gathered around them. Just in case you happen in at a quiet time, just look for the long, usually green, tables with at least four casino workers standing around them. Here's the rundown on what to expect.

The Table
The craps table is covered in felt that is printed with a diagram showing the spaces for the types of bets. There is a center section where Hardways and One Roll bets can be placed. The ends of the table each have sections for the Pass Line, Come, Place, Field, and other bets. The ends of the table are mirror images of each other.

Usually, the felt layout is green with white lettering, but sometimes casinos use other colors.