Street Craps: Understanding the Popular Game

Craps is a popular casino game that you can play both online and at land-based casinos. It’s easy to understand – all you must do is correctly predict the outcome of a roll of two dice. 

But the problem with craps is that it’s structured, and you need a special table to be able to play, plus casino chips to place your bets. In a casino, the craps table shows all of the betting options, and it acts as the surface for the dice to be rolled.

If you want to play more informally, you might prefer street craps. Also known as street dice, this game version is similar to the casino format in that you need to guess the outcome of the shooting dice, but the street version doesn’t require a table; any flat surface will do.

If you’re interested in learning how to play street craps, you can read our complete guide to the rules, terminology, and types of bets you can place. 

What Is Street Craps?

Street craps is an informal dice game – hence the name. No special table or other equipment is needed to play, so it can be played in the street or anywhere in your home, as long as there’s a surface for the dice to land when rolled. 

You can play with as few as two people, and there are two main types of bets: pass and don’t pass. We’ll tell you a bit more about the bet types later, but for now, suffice it to say that you’ll be betting on the outcome of the roll of the pair of dice. The game starts with the come-out roll, which determines what happens next based on the number of rolls. 

The origins of street craps date back as far as the original game, which gained popularity in the 18th century. Later, during World War II, soldiers began to play the game in a more informal setting, without the table, and that’s how the whole game of street craps came into being. 

You might hear street craps referred to as shooting dice or street dice, but don’t worry, these all mean the same thing, and there are no extra rules for you to learn.

How Does the Street Craps Game Work?

Even though this game is meant to be played just for fun, you first need to know how to play street craps before you can get going. Luckily, the bet types are simple, and there aren’t many rules to remember because street dice gameplay is straightforward. 

Street craps is mainly based on luck, because you as a bettor cannot influence the numbers that will land when the dice are rolled, and the dealer can’t affect them either. That means you don’t need any prior gambling knowledge, and you still might be able to win.

Street Craps Terminology

Before you can start playing street craps, there are a few key words and phrases for you to learn so that you can play like a pro.

• Shooter: The person who rolls the dice. You can rotate this roll as you play. 
• Come-out roll: The dice’s initial roll determines whether or not a point is made. 
• Point: When the come-out roll results in 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, this number becomes the point.
• Pass: A bet that the come-out roll will result in a 7 or 11.
• Don’t pass A bet on the roll’s result to be 2, 3, or 12. 
• Crap out When a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled, resulting in an automatic loss for the pass bet. 

Street Craps Betting Types

There are two main types of bets in street craps: pass and don’t pass. 

A pass bet is a prediction that the come-out roll will result in a seven or an 11. If this happens, you’ll be paid out as a winner. You’ll lose immediately if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled.

The other type of bet is a don’t pass bet, and that’s pretty much the opposite of a pass bet. You’re wagering that the come-out roll will result in a 2, 3, or 12. Your bet will lose immediately if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. 

Both types of bets pay out even money if you win and nothing if you lose. For example, if you wager $1 on a pass bet and it wins, you get a total of $2 back: your original stake plus another $1. 

Street Craps Rules

Street craps is very casual, and it can be played anywhere – you don’t need to be in a casino, so it’s a fun option that you can enjoy amongst your friends.

The rules are simple, so you shouldn’t have trouble getting started even with no gambling background. You’ll need at least two people to play street craps: the shooter and the bettor. You can have as many bettors as you like. 

First, the shooter will place a bet (known as the pass bet), and then players can either bet for or against the shooter. The shooter will roll the pair of dice, and the initial roll is called the come-out. I

f the come-out roll results in a seven or an 11, the pass bet wins. The pass bet loses if it’s a 2, 3, or 12. Any other number will establish a point.

Once a point has been established, the shooter will keep rolling the dice. If the point is rolled again, the pass bet will win, but if a seven is rolled before the end, the pass bet loses. 

Although we said that the shooting dice street rules are simple, we understand how it might all seem confusing. But if you learn the basic terminology and play a few rounds, you’ll get the hang of it before you know it. 

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Play Street Craps 

The first step to start playing street craps is to gather your players. As we mentioned, you need at least two people – one will act as the shooter, and the others will be the bettors. 

Next, set your street craps rules. Decide if you will rotate the shooter, the minimum and maximum bet amounts, and any other specific conditions you want to implement. 

Then, it’s time for each player to place a bet. Street craps don’t generally use chips, so you’ll just put your cash down as your bet.

Now, it’s time for the shooter to do the come-out roll. Depending on the outcome, pass or don’t pass bets either lose or win, or a point is established. 

Winnings are paid out if a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 is rolled. Otherwise, the shooter rolls until a seven or the point lands, when bets are settled. 

Street Craps vs Casino Craps

There are a few main differences between street craps and casino craps. Firstly, the street version is a lot more straightforward. There are only two main bet types, while casino craps have a full table of betting options so that things can get a lot more complex. 

In casino craps, you can bet on individual numbers coming up (called “place bets”), or you can wager on come or don’t come bets, which are similar to pass and don’t pass, but they take place after a point has been established. 

Of course, with different bet types come different ways to win, but as street craps isn’t played on a table, lots of side bets or betting on multiple outcomes aren’t possible.

Just like when you’re playing casino craps, there are some street craps etiquette rules that you should follow. For example, always be very clear about the bets you’re placing so there’s no argument later on, and always ensure that you are honest and treat your fellow players with respect. 

There’s an onus on the actual players to take the bets, roll the dice, and pay out the winners, so you have more responsibility than you would in a casino. 

Street Craps Strategies and Tips

The first thing you need to do if you want to win while playing street craps is to understand the rules and bet types fully. Once you’ve read this guide, you should be well on your way. 

As there are only two main types of bets when you’re playing street craps, you won’t have to spend a long time memorising rules or complex street craps strategies. 

You should also ensure that you manage your bankroll successfully and responsibly. To get familiar with the game, keep your bets low at the start (1% or 2% of your bankroll) before placing larger bets. 

If you’re playing informally with friends, you might also want to do a few fun rounds before playing for money so that everyone gets used to the gameplay. 

It’s also important to consider what your aim is. If you want to guarantee a profit somewhere along the line, you might want to consider advanced strategies like the Martingale, where you double your bet every time you lose. 

This means that when you eventually win, you should make up for any losses along the way. You’ll need quite a big bankroll for this, and it won’t necessarily suit inexperienced, casual players.

The most important strategy is to only ever play with people you trust, like your friends. The last thing you want is to get involved in a game with seedy people who might take your money and run. 

Where to Play Street Craps Online

The beauty of street craps is that you don’t need a table to play, so it’s generally found in more informal environments rather than land-based or online casinos. Online casino craps games tend to have more betting options and use a complete table layout, whether you’re playing a virtual version with a computerised dealer or a live casino version. 

Even though the gameplay is a little more complex, you can apply a lot of our online street dice tips even when you’re playing standard craps. 

There are a couple of apps out there where you can practise street craps (search in the App Store or Play Store for “free craps”), plus if you want to hone your skills, you should be able to play demo versions of regular craps games at your preferred online casino. 

So, in summary, while you can’t play street craps online, there are plenty of online versions of the game at top Aussie online casinos. 

Final Thoughts

Street craps is a straightforward game to master, and it’s a whole lot of fun. The best part is that you don’t need fancy equipment like a table or complex setups – only a pair of dice is required. 

You can play street craps with your friends, wherever and whenever you feel like it, and you might even get lucky and win a payout. 

Plus, street craps is the ideal way to get some practice for when you decide to play online craps for real money. 

There are plenty of great Australian casino sites that offer craps, both in virtual formats and with a real live dealer, so that you can enjoy an authentic casino experience. Remember, you should only ever sign up at trustworthy and like the ones we recommend at Betsquare. 

FAQs

Is a Street Craps game fair?

As street craps is usually played informally amongst groups of friends, it’s up to everyone to help maintain the fairness of the game. There should be no tampering with the dice or board; a standard set of dice should always be used. 

It’s vital that all players can see what the shooter is doing and the results of the roll themselves, and all players should agree on any specific rules before beginning. If you set your expectations and you’re playing with a trustworthy group, street craps is fair. 

Can you play Street Craps with multiple shooters?

It’s possible to play street craps with multiple shooters; you need to set the rules at the beginning of the game. You can rotate the shooter after every round so all the players can roll the dice. 

Usually, when the current shooter gets “7 out” (by rolling a seven after the point has been established), the shooter will rotate to the next person in the sequence. Remember to define an order so everyone knows when it’s their turn to be the shooter.

What are some common bets in Street Craps?

Unlike casino craps which has a whole lot of different options, there are only two main types of bets in street craps. They’re called the pass bet and the don’t pass bet, and both pay out even money if you win. 

The pass bet predicts that the come-out roll will result in a 7 or 11, while a don’t pass bet wins if the come-out roll results in a 2, 3, or 12. Any other outcome will establish a “point” – if that happens, the game will continue until the point is rolled again or a seven is rolled.