This course is intended to teach you the basic rules for craps. First we'll discuss the basic rules of how to play craps and then we'll go over the rules for what bets can be made.
 
Many people find crap intimidating because the players are directly involved in the outcome. There are actually just a few simple rules for rolling the dice. Make sure you only handle the dice with one hand when throwing. This is so the casino can be assured you're not trying to switch dice or any other funny business. When rolling the dice, the thrower, or shooter, tosses to dice across the table to the other side. The dice must hit the walls on the opposite side of the craps table for the roll to be valid. Do worry if you don't hit the other end or even if the dice fly off the table. This happens every now and then and no one is going to think any less of you if it happens to you. You don't have to take a turning throwing if you don't want to or aren't feeling particularly lucky. Just pass and the dice will move on to the player to your left.
 
The first roll of a new thrower's round is known as the "Come Out" roll. The roller is basically attempting to make a point. The thrower makes a point by rolling a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. If a 7 or 11 is rolled before the point then the roll is a winner. If a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled then the rolls loses. A player's roll is not over until he or she rolls a 7 after making a point, called "Seven Out". Once you seven out your roll is over. After the point is made the dealer places a puck marked "On" above the point number on the craps table. Once a point is on, players can then place odds and a variety of other bets. We'll go over the betting rules in more detail in the next lesson.
 
Another intimidating side of craps is the shear number of betting possibilities a player has. If the betting seems overwhelming then try starting with a few simple bets. Once you become comfortable with these bets you can add more to your craps game plan. Below are the rules for the different types of bets you can make in craps.
 
Pass Line Bet The pass line bet is the most common and simple bet in craps. You win if the first roll is a natural (7, 11) and lose if it a craps is rolled (2, 3, 12). If a point is rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) the point number must be rolled again before a 7 is thrown in order to win. If 7 is rolled before the point you lose. If you forget what the point number is, just look at the place bet number on the craps table. The point will be marked with the "On" puck. This bet can only be made when a player begins rolling before the point is made. To make a pass line bet place your wager on the pass line in front of you. The bet cannot be removed until the point is won or lost.
 
Don't Pass Line Bet This is the opposite of the pass line bet. If the first roll of a dice is a natural (7, 11) you lose and if it is a 2 or a 3 you win. A dice roll of 12 means you have a tie or push with the casino. If the roll is a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) a 7 must come out before that point is repeated to make you a winner. If the point is rolled again before the 7 you lose. You make a don't pass line bet by placing your wager on the don't pass line. The bet cannot be removed until the point is won or lost.
 
Odds on Pass Line Bet/Don't Pass Line Bet After a point is rolled you can make an additional bet by taking odds. An Odds bet is a backup bet on a Pass/Don't Pass bet already on the table. There are different payoffs for each point number. The odds bet is usually limited to two or three times the original bet. If you place bet wins your odds also win. Odds are placed by stacking your wager behind your pass line or don't pass line bet. Odds can be removed at any time.
 
Come Bet A come bet has the same rules as the pass line bet. This bet is made by placing a wager on the come line after a point has been made. After you place your bet the first dice roll will set the come point. You win if it is a natural (7, 11) and lose if it is craps (2, 3, 12). Other rolls will make you a winner if the come point is repeated before a 7 is rolled. If a 7 is rolled first you lose. When 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled the dealer will place your come bet on the number rolled. The come bet cannot be removed until the come point is won or lost.
 
Don't Come Bet The don't come bet is the opposite of the come bet. After the come point has been established you win if it is a 2 or 3 and lose for 7 or 11. 12 is a tie and other dice rolls will make you win only if a 7 appears before them on the following throws. This bet is made by placing your wager on the don't come line.
 
Odds on Come Bet/Don't Come Bet These odds bets are the same as the pass line bet or don't pass line bet. When your come bet wins your odds also win. The place an odds bet you must alert the dealer by placing you wager on the craps table saying something like "odds on 5".
 
Place Bets A place bet can only be made after the point has been determined. You can bet on a dice roll of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. You win if the number you placed your bet on is rolled before a 7. Otherwise you lose. The Place Bets payoffs are different depending on the number you bet on. You can cancel this bet anytime you want to. To make a place bet you must alert the dealer.
 
Field Bets Unlike the previous bets, field bets are for one dice roll only. If a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 is rolled you win. If a 5, 6, 7 or 8 is rolled you lose.
 
Big Six, Big Eight Bets The big six and big 8 bets are located at the corners of the craps table. This bet can be placed at any roll of dice. A players wins if a 6 or 8 comes out before a 7 is rolled.
 
Proposition Bets Proposition bets are located in the center of the craps table. These bets can be made at any time and, except for the hardways, they are all one roll bets. To place a proposition bet put your wager on the craps table and alert the dealer to the type of bet you wish to make. The proposition bets are listed below:
 

Any 7	Wins if a 7 is rolled.
Any Craps	Wins if a 2, 3 or 12 is thrown.
Eleven	Wins if a 11 is thrown.
Ace Duece	Wins if a 3 is rolled.
Aces or Boxcars	Wins if a 2 or 12 is thrown.
Horn Bet	Acts as the bets on 2, 3, 11 and 12 all at once. Wins if one of these numbers is rolled.
Hardways	The bet on a hardway number wins if it's thrown hard (2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5) before it's rolled easy and a 7 is thrown. The hardway bets are 4, 6, 8 and 10.