Shooting in craps: your turn with the dice
In craps, the dice pass clockwise around the table. The shooter must bet the pass or don’t pass line, pick two dice from the stickman, and throw them with one hand so both hit the back wall.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Line bet | Bet pass or don’t pass to shoot |
| One hand | Pick up and throw with one hand |
| Back wall | Both dice must hit the far wall |
| Stay in view | Keep the dice over the table |
| Seven-out | Your turn ends; dice move left |
Key numbers
Shooting in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- You can pass the dice if you do not want to shoot.
- Both dice must hit the back wall for a fair roll.
- A die that leaves the table ends that roll; the shooter may ask for the same die.
- Shooters lose the dice only on a seven-out, not on a craps roll on the come-out.
Cheat sheet
A shooter’s turn
Glance the pips — compare in one second.
1Come-out: 6
Point is 6
2Roll: 9
No decision on the line
3Roll: 6
Point made — shooter keeps the dice
4New come-out: 3
Craps; line loses but shooter keeps going
5Later: seven-out
Turn ends
When the shooter keeps or loses the dice
| Roll | On come-out | After a point |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Win, keep dice | Seven-out, lose dice |
| 11 | Win, keep dice | No line decision |
| 2, 3, 12 | Line loses, keep dice | No line decision |
| Point number | Sets the point | Point made, keep dice |
Only a seven after a point ends the turn.
Picking the dice
The stickman pushes five or six dice to you. Choose two with one hand and return the rest. Keep the same hand on the dice for the whole turn.
Do not hide the dice under your hand or move them off the table.
No-roll and call situations
| Situation | Usual call |
|---|---|
| Die leaves the table | No roll; new or same die |
| Die lands on a chip stack | Read as it lands, or re-roll |
| Throw does not hit the wall | Warning, then may be voided |
| Stickman calls no roll first | Roll does not count |
The boxman has the final word.
Throwing well
A soft throw that hits the wall and settles is ideal. Hard throws risk dice flying off the table and slowing the game.
Aim past the chips and away from players’ hands.
Sequence
Taking your turn
Step 01
Wait for the dice
They come to you clockwise.
Step 02
Place a line bet
Pass or don’t pass.
Step 03
Pick two dice
With one hand.
Step 04
Throw to the back wall
Both dice.
Step 05
Keep rolling
Until a seven-out.
Passing the dice
If you do not want to shoot, say "pass" or wave off the dice. You can still bet on every roll.
Many tables are happy to let new players watch a few shooters first.
Floor rules
Shooter terms
Know before you sit
- Shooter
- The player throwing the dice.
- Seven-out
- A 7 after a point; the turn ends.
- No roll
- A roll that does not count.
- Stickman
- The dealer who handles the dice.
Online and electronic craps
Online and bubble craps use random results, so there is no shooter. Live dealer craps studios use a mechanical shaker or a dealer who throws for the table.
Hot rolls
Long rolls of 20 or more throws happen, but they are rare and random. The record at a casino table is 154 rolls, set in Atlantic City in 2009.
Common mistakes
- Throwing with two hands
- Use one hand only.
- Short throws
- Hit the back wall.
- Taking dice off the table
- Keep them over the felt.
- Shooting without a line bet
- It is required.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.
Open a casino page
Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Basics
Do I have to shoot in craps?
No. You can pass the dice and keep betting. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
What bet do I need to shoot?
A pass line or don’t pass bet at the table minimum. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
How long is a shooter’s turn?
Until a seven-out. On average, that is about eight rolls. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
02Throwing
Do the dice have to hit the back wall?
Yes. Both should hit it for a fair roll. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Can I use both hands?
No. Pick up and throw with one hand. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
What if a die goes off the table?
The roll is void. You can ask for the same die back. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
03Etiquette
Can I shoot with a don’t pass bet?
Yes, though some players dislike it. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Should I tip as the shooter?
Many shooters place a small bet for the dealers. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Can I change hands mid-turn?
Keep the same hand for the whole turn. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds — Craps Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules
- Nevada Gaming Control Board — Approved games · accessed Oct 14, 2026Game rules
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER