How to Shoot Dice: Street Craps 101

Master the art of street craps with this comprehensive guide. Learn dice control, vocabulary, betting rules, and pro tips to dominate the game.

In short

Master the art of street craps with this comprehensive guide. Learn dice control, vocabulary, betting rules, and pro tips to dominate the game.

📑 Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• ✓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

How to Shoot Dice: Street Craps 101

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!

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🎲 Step 1: Learn the Game Basics

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.

Outcome	Roll Numbers
✅ Pass	7 or 11
❌ Crap Out	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.

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🎯 Step 2: Learn the Point Value

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:

• Pass bets → Betting the shooter will roll the point value again before rolling a 7
• Don't Pass bets → Betting the shooter will roll a 7 before the point value

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

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📚 Step 3: Know Your Vocabulary

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.

Essential Street Craps Terms

Term	Definition
Come-out	The first roll in the game
Crap out	Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 in the come-out
Pass	Rolling a 7 or 11 in the come-out
Seven-out	Rolling a seven before rolling the point value
The Point	Rolling any number between 4 and 10 in the come-out

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🚀 Step 4: Start the Game

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

Game Flow

1. Roll for shooter — Everyone who anted up will roll, and whoever rolls the highest number becomes the shooter
2. Shooter bets — The shooter will bet either pass or crap
3. Match bets — Other players must match the shooter's bet, then start placing side bets
4. Come-out roll — The shooter rolls the dice

What Happens Next?

• ✅ If the come-out is a pass or crap-out → Game ends, bets are distributed
• 🎯 If it's a point → All crap-out bets become bets on whether the shooter will seven-out, and all pass bets turn into point bets

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🎮 Step 5: Learn Dice Control

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.

Setting Up Your Dice

It's common among dice controllers to start with three on top of both dice. While it's unnecessary, shooters like to begin with their dice showing the same number — it's a common principle that won't raise any eyebrows.

Key positioning tip: The diagonal lines that the three spots form should be aligned in the same direction on both dice.

The Perfect Roll Technique

1. 🤏 Grip — Hold the dice between your thumb and forefinger
2. 🔄 Swing — Move your arm as a pendulum would move
3. 🎯 Release — Let go and watch the arc

Pro Tips for Dice Control

□ Keep both dice close together as they move through the arc

□ Minimize spin — the fewer rotations, the better

□ Aim for the back wall — dice should hit it, then bounce once on the table

□ Avoid multiple bounces — the perfect roll hits the wall, jumps once, and stops

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🏆 Wrap Up

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.

Quick Summary: 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.

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

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❓ FAQs

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. It takes practice, precision, and patience to master.

What happens when you roll a 7 in dice?

When you roll a 7 in dice during the come-out roll, it's a pass (you win). However, if you roll a 7 after a point has been established, it's called a seven-out and you lose.

What are the rules for shooting dice?

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

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