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Craps is a dice table game built around a sequence of rolls. It can look crowded because the layout contains many marked areas, but the basic round is easier to follow when separated into the come-out roll, the point and the result of later rolls.
This craps rules guide explains the standard vocabulary and broad table flow. It is educational, not a system for predicting dice or making money. Rules, side bets, table limits and availability can vary by game and location. It is intended for adults where participation is permitted; read the table rules, set time and spending limits, and never chase losses.
What Is Craps?
In a typical craps round, two dice are rolled and their total determines what happens next. The first roll of a new sequence is commonly called the come-out roll. Depending on that total, the round may end immediately or establish a number called the point.
The words Pass Line and Don’t Pass identify betting positions on the layout. They do not mean a player personally passes or does not pass a turn. The dice and the published table rules determine the outcome.
Craps Dice Totals
Two standard six-sided dice can make totals from 2 through 12. Several totals have special names in common craps terminology:
| Dice total | Common term | Basic role in a standard round |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Two / Snake Eyes | Immediate result on a come-out roll under standard rules |
| 3 | Three / Ace-Deuce | Immediate result on a come-out roll under standard rules |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 | Point numbers | Can establish a point |
| 7 | Seven | Immediate result or later seven-out depending on the round stage |
| 11 | Eleven / Yo | Immediate result on a come-out roll under standard rules |
| 12 | Twelve / Boxcars | Immediate result on a come-out roll under standard rules |
The table’s rule placard, not a nickname, is the reliable source for how a specific game settles.
The Come-Out Roll
The come-out roll starts a new standard Pass Line sequence. In broad terms:
- A total of 7 or 11 is commonly an immediate Pass Line win.
- A total of 2, 3 or 12 is commonly an immediate Pass Line loss.
- A total of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 commonly establishes that number as the point.
The wording “commonly” matters because variants and side wagers can operate differently. These points describe standard table-game rules, not every digital or live presentation.
What Is the Point in Craps?
When a point number is established, later rolls continue until either the point is rolled again or a 7 is rolled. Under standard Pass Line rules, rolling the established point again settles that position as a win; rolling a 7 before the point settles it as a loss. This later 7 is often called a seven-out.
For example, if the come-out roll establishes 6 as the point, the next relevant rolls keep the sequence open until another 6 or a 7 occurs. Other numbers can be rolled in between without ending the basic point sequence.
Pass Line Explained
The Pass Line is a main table position that follows the standard sequence described above. Its settlement changes depending on whether the table is on the come-out roll or has an established point.
| Stage | Example total | Standard Pass Line result |
|---|---|---|
| Come-out roll | 7 or 11 | Win |
| Come-out roll | 2, 3 or 12 | Loss |
| Come-out roll | 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 | Point is established |
| Point phase | Point repeats before 7 | Win |
| Point phase | 7 before point | Loss |
This table explains the rule sequence only. It is not a recommendation to choose a position or an indication of a guaranteed outcome.
Don’t Pass Explained
The Don’t Pass position follows the opposite side of much of the standard Pass Line sequence, but it is not a mirror image in every detail. On a common table, 2 and 3 are immediate Don’t Pass wins, 7 and 11 are immediate losses, and 12 is a push. Once a point is established, a 7 before the point is generally a Don’t Pass win, while the point repeating first is generally a loss.
Because the treatment of 12 illustrates why details matter, do not assume that a label alone explains the entire position. Check the exact printed rules for the table or digital version in front of you.
What Is a Push in Craps?
A push is a result that normally returns the stake rather than recording a standard win or loss. In a common Don’t Pass come-out rule, a 12 is a push. This is one example, not a universal rule for every dice wager.
Pushes, voids and returned stakes should be read from the specific game rules. They do not predict what happens on the next roll.
Other Areas on a Craps Table
Craps layouts can include additional positions such as Come, Don’t Come, Place, Field and proposition areas. These positions have their own conditions and may be settled in different stages of the dice sequence. A crowded layout does not mean they must be understood all at once.
Start by identifying the basic come-out roll, point and Pass/Don’t Pass terminology. If you later read another area, use that table’s own rules instead of assuming it follows the main Pass Line sequence.
Live Craps and Digital Craps
Live and digital presentations can look different, but the game information should identify the dice process, available positions, limits and settlement rules. A live presentation may show a dealer and physical dice; a software presentation can display the same concepts through a digital interface.
For the distinction between streamed and software-based table-game formats, read Live Casino vs RNG Games. The technology format does not replace the need to read the game-specific rules.
Common Craps Rules Mistakes
- Treating Pass Line and Don’t Pass as personal player roles.
- Forgetting whether the round is on a come-out roll or in the point phase.
- Thinking every number rolled after a point ends the sequence.
- Assuming a 12 is settled the same way on every position.
- Confusing a push with a win.
- Assuming previous dice totals make a later total due.
- Ignoring limits, side-wager rules or the published game information.
Craps Rules Checklist
Before reading a craps table:
- Confirm whether the sequence is on the come-out roll or has a point.
- Check the table’s Pass Line and Don’t Pass rules.
- Identify any special rule for a 12 or a push.
- Read the terms for side positions separately.
- Check the stated limits and game variant.
- Treat dice outcomes as uncertain entertainment, not income.
For practical spending-limit and controlled-play reminders, see the Responsible Gaming and Account Security Guide. You can also compare another table-game rule structure in Baccarat Rules Explained or Blackjack Rules Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the point in craps?
The point is commonly a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 established on the come-out roll. The standard sequence then continues until the point repeats or a 7 is rolled.
What is a come-out roll?
It is the first roll of a new standard Pass Line sequence. It can create an immediate result or establish a point.
What happens when a 7 is rolled in craps?
On a standard come-out roll, 7 commonly settles Pass Line as a win. After a point is established, a 7 before the point commonly causes a Pass Line loss. Check the specific table rules.
What does Don’t Pass mean in craps?
It is a table position with settlement rules that generally oppose much of the Pass Line sequence. It is not a player identity or a prediction.
Is 12 a push on Don’t Pass?
On a common standard table, a 12 on the come-out roll is a Don’t Pass push. Variants can differ, so verify the printed game rules.
Can previous rolls predict the next dice result?
No. Previous rolls do not guarantee a later dice total. Keep play within affordable entertainment limits.