ENDEFRITES

Craps Dice Probability Glossary

Master the terminology of craps, understand probability concepts, and learn proper table etiquette for informed gaming

Educational Reference Guide

Essential Craps Terms

Come Out Roll
The first roll in a craps round that establishes the point. If you roll 2, 3, or 12, it's "craps" and the round ends immediately. Rolling 7 or 11 wins the pass line bet. Any other number becomes the point that must be rolled again before a 7 to win.
Point
The number established on the come out roll (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). Players on the pass line must roll this number again before rolling a 7 to win their bet. The point can only be established by rolling 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 on the come out roll.
Snake Eyes
When both dice show one pip each, totaling 2. This is considered an unlucky roll on the come out roll, immediately losing pass line bets. It's one of the worst rolls a shooter can throw at the start of their round.
Boxcars
When both dice show six pips each, totaling 12. Like snake eyes, boxcars is a losing roll on the come out roll for pass line bettors. This roll ends the come out round immediately without establishing a point.
Seven Out
When a 7 is rolled after a point has been established. This ends the shooter's turn and the current round. All pass line bets lose when a seven out occurs, while don't pass bets win.
Pass Line
A fundamental bet in craps where players bet that the shooter will win. Wins on a come out roll of 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12, and wins if the point is rolled before a 7. It's one of the most popular craps bets.
Don't Pass
The opposite of the pass line bet. Players win on a come out roll of 2 or 3, lose on 7 or 11 (except 12 pushes), and win if a 7 is rolled before the point is repeated.
Odds Bet
An additional bet made after a point is established. This bet is paid at true odds, making it one of the best bets in craps. The house has no advantage on odds bets, though maximum odds vary by casino.

Probability and Odds Explained

Understanding dice probability is fundamental to mastering craps. With two six-sided dice, there are 36 possible combinations. Each total from 2 to 12 has different probability. The number 7 can be rolled in six different ways (1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1), making it the most likely result with a 16.67% probability.

The point numbers have varying probabilities: 4 and 10 can each be rolled in three ways (3%), 5 and 9 in four ways (11.1%), and 6 and 8 in five ways (13.9%). This means 6 and 8 are more likely to be rolled than 4 and 10 before a 7 appears, affecting the odds calculations for different bets.

The house edge varies significantly based on which bet you make. Pass line and don't pass bets have approximately 1.4% house edge. Taking odds on these bets reduces the overall house edge considerably. More exotic bets like proposition bets in the middle of the table carry house edges of 4% to 16%, making them less favorable for players.

Table Etiquette and Responsible Gaming

Craps is a social game with specific etiquette expectations. Never touch the dice with two hands, and avoid placing your hands on the playing surface during rolls. Always handle the dice gently and roll them so they hit the back wall. Respect other players and dealers, maintain a reasonable noise level, and avoid superstitious comments about lucky or unlucky rolls.

Responsible gaming is essential. Set strict bankroll limits before playing, establish loss limits you can afford, and never chase losses. Take regular breaks, avoid gambling when emotional, and remember that dice outcomes are random and unpredictable. If gambling becomes problematic, seek help from responsible gaming organizations.

$ Betting Terminology

Come Bet
Similar to pass line but made after the point is established. Follows the same rules: wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12, and needs the next point number rolled before 7.
Advanced betting option
Field Bet
Covers multiple numbers (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12) with a single wager. Wins if any of these numbers are rolled on the next throw. Commonly offered with 2-to-1 payouts on 2 or 12.
One-roll bet
Lay Bet
Betting that a 7 will be rolled before a specific point number. Works opposite to buy bets. You're betting against the shooter's success with specific odds applied.
Risk vs reward betting
Proposition Bets
High-risk, high-reward bets made on specific outcomes during a single roll. Located in the center of the table. Examples include betting on 2, 3, 11, or 12. Carry higher house edges than standard bets.
High variance option