Beginner’s Guide to Street Craps – How to Play, Helpful Tips, and More

“Shake ’em up, shake ’em up, shake ’em up, shake ’em!”

Ten points if you can match the lyrics to the song by a legendary rapper with the, erm, coolest of names.

Of course, this is not a quiz. But I’m sure you might have questions about street craps rules, how to play the game and other relatable stuff that can help. So, in that regard, you can imagine yourself as the quizmaster.

As you might have guessed, people love to play this game because it can be done from pretty much anywhere. As long as you have learned how to play street dice, you can do it at home, in the parking lot, or… wherever you want.

Just don’t get busted.

I’ll be answering some of those questions for you today. Before you throw your money down, make sure to read on for some of the best street dice tips you’ll find online.

Oh, and if you’re interested in playing craps but want to do so online, use the following casinos to get started.

The ancient Greek tragedian Sophocles believed Palamedes while biting his nails during the siege of Troy, invented what we now know as dice.

I’m not sure Palamedes can be referred to as the “Godfather of street craps,” but he could be. But if you’re hoping to learn how to play street craps from the man himself, you’re out of luck. He was stoned to death a long time ago.

So, I guess I’ll need to step in and do the honors. Here are some simple steps to follow if you are learning how to play street dice.

• Get Your Materials Ready: Two dice, cash, and more than 3+ humans will usually do the trick.
• Pick the Shooter: This can be random or according to rules agreed by players.
• Lay Your Bets: The shooter chooses their bet will players following suit, typically from left to right. Betting is open until the shooter’s bet is matched or faded with an equal amount in the pot.
• Make Your Predictions: The first roll is what you’re betting on. This is known as the “come-out” bet.
• Do Your Math: If it turns out to be a 7 or 11, the shooter and those who bet with them will win. However, if it’s a 2, 3, or 12, the shooter and the bettors on their side will lose.

One major thing to note about playing street craps is the point.

A Point occurs when one of the numbers not listed above is made. When that happens, the dice roll again, with the shooter looking to match the point while avoiding a 7.

Any rolled 7 before hitting the point ends in a loss. If the player rolls the point, the shooter and their advocates win. Come on; you should know this by watching the craps scene in “A Bronx Tale!”

You see, street craps rules aren’t that different from what you’d get at the casino. But it’s a much better experience when you’re playing at the tables, as the green felt allows for a more sophisticated game.

You can place side bets in street dice, and I’ll explain these to you a little later. But it’s a much better idea to learn how craps bets work before we get to those.

The following guide explains it all in great detail.

Street craps are not legal in many US states. Not to mention most other regions across the globe.

However, there is some very opaque legalese involved in whether your state would view a few rolls of the dice with friends or family as an offense.

Now, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little hesitant about sharing these street dice rules and strategy tips with you on that basis. Do not play this game if you are not comfortable with US gambling laws, as these will be what you could be challenged on if the state you live in looks down on dice.

Better yet, I would hope that any legal advice you are looking for is obtained from a professional. I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. However, rolling dice for money falls into the category of gambling. And unregulated gambling is something that many states will come down hard on.

Then again, some US states allow for social gambling. This can cover things like card games between friends or raffles for charitable purposes. 

With state regulations sometimes having very different interpretations of what social gambling entails, the best thing to do is this: read your state’s law on street dice.

If that sounds like a nightmare, this article on social gambling has some helpful pointers.

There is no real way to win a game based almost exclusively on chance.

However, as street craps are unregulated, choosing whom you play with could save you from being taken advantage of. That’s a win in itself.

In other words, if some sketchy-looking dudes you’ve never met before invite you down a dark lane, the best approach is to decline politely. I’d advise the same approach for anyone dressed in blue with flashing lights on top of their cars.

You know how to play street craps. Here are a few tips to help you win.

• Set a Bankroll and Stick to It – Don’t go betting all you have in the world on a game or three of craps. Set your budget as you would before playing any casino game, and stick to it.
• Only Play with People You Trust – Before hunting for places where to play street craps, ensure you’re only playing with those you know and trust. This is an unregulated game, which means any complaints you have will fall on deaf ears. At best.
• Make Sure You Understand the Rules – There might be no sure-fire way of learning how to win at street craps. But you are guaranteed to get fleeced if you don’t know the rules!

If you decide that street dice is unworthy of your time, that’s your call. However, if you’re still interested in learning more, I’d gobble up as much information as I can.

The following “ten craps commandments” will help you, no matter which way you choose to roll.

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Compared to street dice rules, regular craps — also known as casino craps or “bank craps” to some — are more comprehensive.

First, you must be of legal age (according to your jurisdiction) to play the game. Then comes the fact that there is a big table with all kinds of different bets on it. These include a plethora of side bets and props you won’t find in any old street craps square-off.

Many of these wagers come with higher payouts and are typically appealing to those who don’t understand street craps rules. Or should I say casino craps rules? Or any craps rules, for that matter!

Here are some examples of the highest-paying craps props.

Naturally, these aren’t odds you’re going to come across on the street too often.

But most craps players know that there is a reason for the big prices. After all, the house will do all it can to ensure it always wins. If this comes down to lure you in with big odds, that will happen.

On that note, which game is better to play? Should we shirk the casinos and simply stick to street dice? Or is there another way?

All right, Nostradamus. You can wipe that smug look from your face now.

Perhaps you already knew that I would say that playing real money online craps at internet casinos, or even land-based ones, beat street craps. But maybe it’s logic rather than clairvoyance that has led you to our common conclusion.

First, I’m unlikely to get busted playing craps online from the comfort of my own home.

Second, the chances of receiving my winnings on time and on point are higher. Furthermore, I can play to my heart’s content on a series of different tables and variants.

Saying that I’m sure whatever way you choose to go will be the right one for you. As you go along, you’ll probably find people blowing on the dice in craps. Whether that’s on the street or at the MGM, it’s a ritual some truly believe in.

Rituals aside, there’s money to be made in playing craps. Your best route is at an online casino, however. For some more advice, check out this craps guide.