Craps: Lesson 1

Whether you are an experienced / "expert" craps player or never played the game before, I hope the following lessons will be helpful for all levels.

For the beginner: don't be intimidated, nervous or shy about approaching the table.  Craps is simpler than you think and with a few lessons under your belt you can play confidently, enjoy the energy of the most exciting game in the casino and probably win more than the so called "experts".

For the "expert" player: please continue to read on and check in often.  You never know what you might learn.


So here goes: Lesson 1
At the beginning of a roll, the puck is OFF.  There are actually two pucks, one on each end of the craps table.  For the beginner, each end of the table is identical, with a dealer assigned for their ends (called first and third base) and a the middle area designated for "prop bets" with a stick person in charge.  We will discuss the table layout, prop bets and dealer responsibilties in subsequent lessons.

The puck is the indicator for all players as to what stage the game is at.  When the puck is OFF, a new game essentially begins.  If the puck is ON, then you have entered a game "in progress" and I suggest all beginners to wait it out, until the puck is turned OFF.

The first bet to learn is the PASS LINE bet.    ALL players should make this bet, with the minimum the table allows (or more if your budget dictates).  Most casino's will have either a $5, $10 or $ 25 table minimum.  With your first bet on the PASS LINE, the shooter (the player who has been given the dice by the stick person / dealer) will roll both of the the dice simultaneously. YOU place your bet in the area directly in front on you within the lines of the PASS LINE area.  No other chips of yours should be on the table at this time.

Your bet WINS (even money) if a seven (7) or eleven (11) is rolled. 
Your bet loses if a two (2), three (3) or twelve (12) is rolled.

It is that simple; make a pass line bet when the puck is OFF and see what rolls.  If a seven or eleven roll, you WIN.  If a 2, 3 or 12 roll you lose your pass line bet.  The dealer will immediately pay you your winnings or take your bet away.  If a decision is not made (ie a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) is rolled, then the puck is turned ON and placed on that number (more on that in Lesson 2) 

That's it !  Make a simple PASS LINE bet when the puck is OFF and wait for the roll of the dice.

For the math people out there; on this first roll of the dice, your PASS LINE bet has eight (8) ways to win, four (4) ways to lose and twenty-four (24) rolls are neutral (at least for the time being).

Stay tuned for Lesson 2 and see what happens when a neutral roll occurs and learn what YOU MUST do !