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DE Craps Numbers
In standard casino craps, ‘craps numbers’ are the dice totals of 2, 3, and 12. These three totals are important because one roll that shows them can settle several bets at once, mainly on the first roll of a new round.
How It Works
Craps games uses two six-sided dice, and their spots are added to get a total from 2 to 12. Craps Numbers are simply the totals of 2, 3, and 12, and in standard rules, they are losing totals for the shooter on the first roll.
On the first roll of a new round, called the come-out roll, Craps Numbers are treated differently from other totals. To see what they do, it is enough to look at three basic bets:
- Pass Line – a bet that the shooter will win the round.
- Don’t Pass – a bet that the shooter will lose the round.
- Any Craps – a one-roll bet that wins only on a Craps Number.
When the come-out roll shows 2, 3, or 12, most casino rules can be summed up like this:
- Pass Line bets lose right away, and the round ends with no point set.
- Don’t Pass bets win on 2 or 3, while 12 is usually a tie, so the chips stay on the layout.
- Any Craps bets win on 2, 3, or 12, and then are removed because they are one-roll wagers.
After a point has been set, Craps Numbers do not change Pass Line or Don’t Pass bets anymore. They still matter for Any Craps and other one-roll bets that list 2, 3, or 12, but for the main round, only the point and 7 change the outcome.
Example in a Casino
At a land-based table, a player places a chip on the Pass Line, the shooter rolls a 3, the dealer calls “craps three”, and all Pass Line bets are taken away because a Craps Number has appeared. In an online game, a player taps Any Craps, the roll lands on 12, the game pays the win because 12 is a Craps Number, and the wager is cleared from the screen.
Why It Matters
Craps Numbers show up often enough to meaningfully affect how the first roll works. For a player who likes the Pass Line, these totals are the main danger on the come-out roll because they cause an instant loss and stop the round before it really starts.
For a player betting against the shooter (e.g., Don’t Pass on 2 or 3) or using Any Craps, Craps Numbers can be key winning totals. A single 2, 3, or 12 can bring in a quick payout on those wagers, although the house edge on one-roll bets is usually higher than on the basic line bets.
FAQ
Are Craps Numbers always 2, 3, and 12?
Yes. In standard casino craps, Craps Numbers are always the totals of 2, 3, and 12, and other totals have different names and roles.
Do Craps Numbers still matter after the point is set?
They matter mainly for one-roll bets that list 2, 3, or 12. For Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets, only the point and 7 change the result once the point is on.
Are Craps Numbers different in crapless craps?
Yes. In the variant called crapless craps, 2, 3, and 12 are treated as possible point numbers instead of losing Craps Numbers on the come-out roll, so players should always check which version they are playing.
