If you’re going to a casino for the first time, there are certain pieces of knowledge that you might want to research before you go. There are a lot of different games in the casino to choose from, and if you’re uncomfortable playing any of the various table games then you always have the option of playing at one of the lost machines or the video terminals, however, dollar for dollar nothing beats the excitement of playing at one of the classic table games. That is why, before you even go through the door for the first time it can be very helpful to do some homework, like learning the roulette wheel layout, before you actually step up to lay your first bet, or to learn the proper gestures for staying and hitting during blackjack.
However, learning those things can be quiet simple compared to trying to learn the rules craps has. Craps is derived from an older dice game called hazard, which was even more complicated, but craps itself can seem a bit overwhelming at time to people. It is easier than it seems however, and if you can, go to the casino and ask them when they have craps lessons, which they do often. If not however, keep some of these things in mind.
The most basic bet in craps is called the pass line bet. When you bet on this, you are going to win instantly if the roller gets a 7 or an 11, and lose if the roller gets a 2, 3, or a 12. Any other number becomes the “point”. Now, the shooter, (the person with the dice) will continue rolling until they either roll the same number that was established as the point, or until they hit a seven. If they hit a seven, the pass line bets are lost, but if they hit the point again before they hit that 7, then they win if they bet on the pass line. There is also a bet called the “don’t pass” line, which pays out in essentially the exact opposite manner as the pass line bet.
The rules for craps are more complicated than this, but understanding the pass line and don’t pass line bets are what you need to get started playing. After you spend some time at the table you will quickly see the other bets people are making and catch on to the nuances and the rest of the details which flesh out the game.