Craps in 90 seconds

No. Most players only bet. The stickman offers the dice to one shooter at a time; you can decline. If you do shoot, use one hand, toss so both dice hit the far wall, and follow the stickman’s instructions. You are not required to shoot to play Pass or Don’t Pass.

Bring enough for several Pass Line units at the posted minimum, plus room for odds if you take them — and only money you can lose calmly. Nighttime Strip minimums can be high; if the number on the table feels wrong, walk to another pit or a locals property. Leaving is always allowed.

The table sounds loud, but your first job is one bet: Pass Line, then optional odds after a point. You can ignore Come, Place, and propositions until the come-out / point loop feels automatic. Standing one step back and watching a full roll cycle before you buy in is normal and smart.

OFF (or no puck on a number) means the next roll is a come-out. ON sitting on a number means that number is the point — Pass wins if that total shows again before a seven. Dealers move the puck; do not touch it. If you are unsure, ask “is the point on?” once between rolls.

On a standard layout, come-out 12 is a loss for Pass and usually a push (bar) for Don’t Pass — neither side wins that unit. Exact bar rules are printed on the felt; some specialty tables differ. When in doubt, ask the box before you put Don’t Pass money down.

After a point is established, a total of seven ends the roll against Pass: Pass Line bets lose, the puck goes OFF, and the dice usually move to a new shooter. It is the most common way a Pass bet dies once the point is on — not a come-out craps.

No for the Pass Line itself — any 6 (or 8, etc.) is the same point. Hardways and some place bets care how the dice show (for example hard 8 as 4+4). That is why hardway tickets are separate bets with different payoffs and a worse edge for beginners.

The stickman calls the total; the box and base dealers settle bets. If a die lands cocked or off the table, the crew will call a no-roll and the toss is redone. Do not touch a settled die to “help” — let the crew handle it.

Usually before the come-out, when the puck is OFF. After a point is on, new Pass bets are generally not taken for that round — use a Come bet instead if you want similar action mid-roll. Dealers will stop you if the window is closed; wait for the next come-out rather than arguing.

Once a point is on, stack extra chips behind your Pass (or Don’t Pass) bet. Odds are paid at true mathematical odds for that point, which is why the combined Pass + odds edge is low. Maximum odds (3x, 5x, 10x…) are set by the house and printed or recited by the dealer — ask “what odds do you pay?” before you size the stack.

Pass is the main line bet for the current come-out. Come is the same win/lose logic started on a later roll while a point is already on — your Come bet gets its own point number. Both are “with the shooter” style bets; Come just starts after the puck is already ON.

They are calling how the dice landed for the whole table. Hard means a pair (3+3 for hard six); easy means the total without a pair. Pass Line players usually do not care; hardway bettors do. Listening helps you learn the language without placing those bets yet.

Don’t Pass is a normal, posted house bet. Some tables tease dark-side bettors in fun; you are not cheating the other players. If the vibe feels wrong, switch to Pass or change tables. Never scold strangers for which legal bet they choose.

There is no required move. A simple beginner plan is to keep your Pass unit steady, take odds when offered, and pocket chips when you hit a comfort target. Pressing every win or chasing losses with Field and horns is how short sessions end early — optional, not obligatory.

Casinos require a legal toss that hits the back wall; they are not obligated to indulge practice routines that slow the game. This guide does not teach dice-setting systems. Focus on bet selection and etiquette — those are under your control without fighting house procedure.

In many pits a personal rules chart is fine if you are quick and not blocking the dealer’s view. Filming the layout, calling out totals from a solver, or delaying the stick is not. When unsure, ask the box once — their answer beats a blog post.

While a point is on, many players treat saying “seven” as bad luck. It is superstition, not a criminal rule, but courtesy is to avoid the word until the seven-out actually happens. Apologize briefly if the table reacts and move on — do not argue about math at the rail.

Tell the dealer immediately, before the next roll if you can. They will move or return the bet according to house procedure. Do not reach into the layout yourself. Honest mistakes happen to newcomers; past-posting after the dice land is the line you must never cross.

Wait for a pause between rolls, then ask the dealer to change you up or color up large stacks if needed. Carry chips to the cage to cash out, or keep them if you are staying in the casino — follow that property’s chip policy. You do not need the shooter’s permission to leave.

Speak up calmly before the next roll: “Can you check that Pass bet?” If it is unclear, ask for the box or floor. Do not grab chips in the middle of an argument. Clear, polite questions are what the crew expects.

Use the venues listed below — resorts in our catalog with published NGCB craps table counts, sorted high to low. Open a casino page for hours and the full game mix. Live minimums and open tables change through the day, so treat the list as a shortlist, then confirm on the floor.