THE BASICS Craps is one of the most preferred and popular casino games. It is a type of dice game that is played against the bank or other players.

THE TABLE Craps is a game of rounds. At the top of the table is a puck which reads either white (ON) or black (OFF). If it is white, then that means that a game is ongoing.  If it is black, then that means the game has not started yet.

Essentially, there is only one person playing at a time, and that is the shooter. All the other people at the table will be betting either for or against the outcome of the shooter's throws.

HOW TO PLAY The game starts when the shooter rolls the dice for the first time, which is called the come out roll.

If a 7 or an 11 comes out, it is an automatic win for the shooter, who gets to keep the dice and is thereby entitled to another come out roll.

If, however, he shoots a 2, 3 or a 12, then he automatically loses the game, which is called craps. He still gets to keep the dice, though, and is still entitled to another ‘come out roll’.

Finally, if he shoots a number other than those mentioned before, then the puck will be flipped over, showing the white (ON) side instead of the black, and the real game begins to decide if player wins. The puck will then be placed on the number on the table corresponding to the number rolled on the dice. For example, if the shooter rolled a 9, then the puck will be placed on the number 9 square, and the number 9 becomes the point.

When the game starts, the set of rules will change. At this time, the last number you'll want to roll is 7. And this is where most people that learn how to play craps get confused (7 wins on come out roll and loses if point was already established). If you're the shooter, then you will keep rolling the dice until you roll the point again or if a 7 comes out. If the point comes out before the 7 does, then you win. If the 7 comes out first, then you lose and the dice will change hands.

CRAPS BETS Remember that craps is played with two dice so the possible numbers rolled are 2 through 12. Craps play can look confusing and fast-moving because players can place multiple bets on different areas of the layout at the same time.

Bets are made by the shooter and the spectators. But only the shooter is required to make one. There are several possible bets to be made in a game of Craps against or for any possible outcomes of the dice roll. They can be broad as in win or lose, or they can be very specific, as in craps, snake eyes, two 1's in order to form the number 2. The more specific bets will give higher pay outs and the broader ones usually pay out evenly, meaning that if you bet a dollar, then winning will give you another dollar.

Pass Line Bet This means that you'll be betting for a 7 or an 11 during the come out roll. If a 2, 3 or 12 are rolled, then you will lose. If the point is rolled, then the pass line bets are kept in their place. They'll win if the shooter gets the point before he sevens out. The shooter is required to make a pass line bet. Don't pass bet is exactly the opposite and is not recommended unless you want to intimidate other players.

Come Line Bets and Don't Come Bets These are made after a point is established, but they are essentially the same as pass line bets and don't pass bets. The advantage is that you can establish another point and take advantage of odds bet (see below) on different points as they are established. Of course until shooter sevens out.

Odds Bet This takes place after the point is made. The spectators can bet on the point coming out before the 7 does. If you have $10 on pass line you can make $10 odds bet or $20 at double-odds table. This is the best bet you can make at craps because casino will pay you correct odds on this bet - there is absolutely no advantage (with pass line bet casino has only 0.85% advantage, 0.63% with double odds)

There are about 40 different bets that can be made on a craps layout but many of them have terrible odds, and with advice from the helpful dealer, you should avoid. At any Jackpot Casino table, you can ask the dealers for a refresher on the rules of the game. The dealers are there to make sure you are comfortable playing any game you choose and are having a good time.