If you have a dice, a solid surface, and a couple of friends who want to have fun, it’s time to play some street craps!

Street craps, like its name implies, is the street version of Casino Craps. However, it’s much simpler and faster, and you don’t need anything other than a couple of dice and a vertical surface to shoot.

The rules are pretty straightforward. You need a shooter to roll the dice and some participants to place wagers on whether the shooter will roll a specific number. Other than that, you don’t need anything.

If you want to win some money in street craps, you’ll need to learn how to shoot dice first!

Board Games & Card Lessons with 1-on-1 Private Instructors 

Board Games &amp; Card Lessons with 1-on-1 Private Instructors

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Although the street craps game is the simpler version of casino craps, its rules are a bit different. So, knowing the laws of the more complicated version doesn’t necessarily mean you can play street craps.

For starters, you play street craps with two dice, shot by a single player each time. As for the other participants, they can be an unlimited number.

Before starting the game, the players will roll the dice to decide the shooter. After that, the onlookers will start betting on whether the shooter will be able to pass or crap out.

To pass is to roll a 7 or 11, and to crap out is to roll a 2, 3, or 12. Needless to say, if the shooter craps out, the game ends, and the participants get their bets.

The first person to place a bet is the shooter, and the onlookers must match his stake for the game to continue. If they can’t match the bet, the shooter has to lower it and proceed.

Step 1: Learn the Game Basics

When the shooter doesn’t pass or crap out on his first roll, the rolled number becomes a point. In this case, all the dice numbers become useless except for seven and the point value.

The shooter now has to keep rolling his dice until he reaches either number. In this case, the Pass bets are all about whether the shooter will roll the point value again before rolling a 7. And, the Don’t Pass bets are the exact opposite.

In the case of a point, the game ends when the shooter rolls a seven or the point value.

Step 2: Learn the Point Value

No one likes to play with the person who constantly asks, ‘What does this mean?’ That’s why you’ll want to learn your vocab before playing to avoid a lot of questions. Here are the essential terms to know:

Crap out: to roll a 2, 3, or 12 in the come-out

Seven-out: to roll a seven before rolling the point value

The Point: to roll any number between 4 and 10 in the come-out

Step 3: Know Your Vocabulary

The game starts when the players ante up, which is basically throwing some money in the pot before the cards are dealt. In this phase, the players are paying to be considered for the position of the shooter. 

The next step is rolling to see who the shooter is. Everyone who anted up will roll, and whoever rolls the highest number becomes the shooter. 

After that’s done, the shooter will bet either pass or crap. The other players then have to match the shooter’s bet and then start placing side bets. Players who anted up earlier can either bet on the side or throw in to match the shooter.

When all that is done, it’s time for the shooter to roll the come-out, which is the game's first roll. If the come-out is a pass or a crap-out, the game ends, and the bets are distributed. If it’s a point, all crap-out bets become bets on whether the shooter will seven-out. And, all the pass bets turn into point bets.

Step 4: Start the Game

If you’re the shooter or want to become it, you’ll need to learn proper dice control. No one likes to wait for the shooter to set his dice, so the faster you become, the better.

It’s common among dice controllers to start with three on top of both dice. Of course, it’s unnecessary to do that, but shooters like to begin with their dice showing the same number. 

That’s a common principle among shooters, so no one will get alarmed or think you’re controlling the dice.

Aside from the numbers you choose to show, the dice should both be positioned so the diagonal lines that the three spots form are aligned in the same direction. This takes some practice to grasp, so trying with yourself at home may be a wise decision.

To shoot, hold the dice between your thumb and forefinger, then swing your arm as a pendulum would move and release. The dice will then be shot in an arc, and the fewer rotations they make, the better. So, try not to add any spin on them.

Both dice should also stay close together as they move in the arc. When they get far from each other, they’ll probably bounce in different directions as they land, which doesn’t exactly say the shooter is an expert.

The dice should hit the back wall, then bounce on the table. That’s why you need a solid surface with a back wall for street craps.

It’s not recommended for the dice to bounce multiple times. Instead, the perfect roll should cause the dice to hit the wall, jump once on the table, and stop.

Step 5: Learn Dice Control

Street craps are a fun way to spend some time with your friends. But you need to practice your rolls, or else you’ll be losing a lot of money. Rolling dice looks easier than it actually is; it’s not an easy job, especially when you’re rolling two dice.

To play street craps, first determine the shooter by rolling dice. The game begins with the shooter's come-out roll, aiming for a 7 or 11 (pass) or avoiding 2, 3, or 12 (crap out). If a point (4-10) is rolled, the shooter continues rolling until they hit the point again for a win or roll a 7 (seven-out), ending the game. Players bet on these outcomes throughout the game.

As long as you know the rules and you practice your rolls, you’ll have lots of fun.

Wrap Up

Is there skill in shooting dice?
Yes, but it is not an easy skill. Unlike having an advantage in Black Jack, dice control is a physical skill rather than a purely mental talent. 

What happens when you roll a 7 in dice?
When you roll a 7 in dice, it's called "Don't Pass The Line." You lose on the "come out" roll if the shooter rolls either a 7 or 11.  

Players can rotate the position, take turns or select someone as a volunteer. The shooter selects the betting amount to wager and chooses between two different options: Pass or Don't Pass. 

How to Shoot Dice: Street Craps 101

How to Shoot Dice: Street Craps 101

Step 1: Learn the Game Basics

Step 2: Learn the Point Value

Step 3: Know Your Vocabulary

Step 4: Start the Game

Step 5: Learn Dice Control

Wrap Up

FAQs

How to Shoot Dice: Street Craps 101

How to Shoot Dice: Street Craps 101

Step 1: Learn the Game Basics

Step 2: Learn the Point Value

Step 3: Know Your Vocabulary

Step 4: Start the Game

Step 5: Learn Dice Control

Wrap Up

FAQs

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