What Is Craps? A Beginner's Guide to the Dice Game
Craps is a dice game built around one simple question: will the shooter roll the point before rolling a seven?
The game in one sentence
Craps is played with two dice. A shooter rolls, players bet on outcomes, and the main round is decided by the come-out roll and the point phase.
The table can look intimidating because it offers many bets at once. A beginner does not need all of them. The pass line and the point are enough to understand the heartbeat of the game.
The come-out roll
Every new round begins with a come-out roll. For pass line bettors, 7 or 11 wins immediately, while 2, 3 or 12 loses immediately.
If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, that number becomes the point. The game then changes from a one-roll result into a race: point before seven.
The point phase
Once a point is established, pass line bettors want the shooter to roll that point again before rolling 7. If the point repeats, the pass line wins. If 7 appears first, the pass line loses.
This is why craps players talk so much about the seven. It is good on the come-out roll for pass line players, but dangerous after a point is set.
Quick Reference
Responsible Play Note
Craps can move quickly, especially online. Set a budget, use low stakes while learning, and stop before chasing losses. The purpose of this lesson is to explain rules and reduce confusion, not to promise winnings.