Craps 101 for Colorado gamers

Craps is an exciting, fast-action game that allows you to wager with or against a shooter (the player throwing the dice). Traditionally, play starts on the “come-out” roll, which is the first roll of the dice for the shooter’s pass line number. Betting options and payoffs are varied, as are the different ways to win.

Pass Line – On the come-out roll, which is the roll before a point is established, 7 or 11 wins on the pass line and 2, 3 or 12 loses. Any other number becomes the point, (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10) and is marked by the puck. In order to win the pass line bet after a point is established, you must roll the point again before a 7. All bets on the pass line lose if a 7 is rolled before the established point. The dice are then passed to the next player.

Don’t Pass – Bets on the don’t pass are betting the opposite of the pass line. Rolling a 2 or 3 wins on the come out roll, 12 is a push. If 7 or 11 rolls, all bets on the don’t pass lose. Any other number becomes the point. After the point has been established the don’t pass wins on 7 and loses if the point is rolled again.
Come Bets – A come bet can be made only after a point is established. All bets on the come are betting on the next roll of the dice. It wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12. If any other number is rolled the money is moved to the numbered box in a position corresponding to the position of the player at the table. This bet wins if the number rolls again before a 7.

Don’t Come – A don’t come bet can be made only after a point is established. This bet is the opposite of the come. It wins if 2 or 3 is rolled and pushes on 12, it loses if 7 or 11 is rolled. If any other number is rolled, the money is placed behind the numbered boxes in a position corresponding to the player at the table. This bet wins if the 7 roll before the number is rolled again.

Odds – The casino allows a player to make an additional bet called the “odds bet” which may be made under any one or more of four different conditions:

Player must have a pass line bet.
Player must have a don’t pass bet.
Player must have a come bet on a number.
Player must have a don’t come bet behind a number.
Place Bets – A bet may be placed on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 individually or all at once. Place bets can be made, taken down or turned off at any time. Place bets are not self-service. These bets are given to the dealer, and the dealer sets up the bet on the number(s) that are requested. Place bets win if the number is rolled before a 7. Place bets lose if 7 is rolled before the number.

Can’t wait to get your hands on some dice?

Many of the Colorado casinos are offering craps lessons in June. Check with your favorite casinos to see if you can throw some dice before July 2 and get the feel of a real craps game. There are tentative plans to offer roulette lessons, as well. All lessons are free of charge and “training chips” make it a painless way to learn.

The Lodge Casino in Black Hawk will offer guest craps and roulette training June 15-30. Lessons will alternate every hour on the hour starting at 10 a.m.

The Gilpin in Black Hawk also will offer craps and roulette training June 15-30, also alternating every hour on the hour starting at 10 a.m.

Fortune Valley’s “Public Play Days” begin on June 5, with training sessions for craps and roulette running Wednesday through Sundays in the month of June from 3 to 9:30 p.m.