Street Craps & Rules

Craps is one of the most popular games in live and online casinos. Maybe you have also played street craps. If so, you will know that the rules of street craps are very different from those of casino craps. Here is a closer look at this colorful version of the world’s favorite fast-paced dice game.

What is Street Craps?

The proper definition of street craps is any version of craps that is played outside of a casino. Street craps is an unsanctioned, and often ungoverned, craps game that is usually contested among a small group of individuals. (Also see crapless craps)

In street craps the players are all playing against one another. There is no house involved. The history of the game is very hard to pin down. It has probably been around for longer than casino craps. The name comes from the fact that these dice games were often held in back alleys and on the street. Participants had to be very careful not to attract the attention of policemen.

Street craps is a type of gambling that is frowned upon in most areas. As a type of gambling, it is most often illegal. Playing in these type of games can also be dangerous. More than one man has lost his life due to the outcome of an illicit craps game.

Still, if you want to play then that is your choice. You should know the basics of the street craps rules if you intend to shoot craps in a street game. There will be little forgiveness if you break a rule and then claim ignorance. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Street Craps Rules

So, how to play street craps? The official street craps rules are less than official. There is really no written rule book for the game. In fact, you may find that the rules change from game to game, especially when there are beginners or new players present. Those players will rarely be allowed to leave with the money they brought to the game.

At best, street craps rules are these. The shooter makes a bet to begin the action. Other players can bet against the shooter. The shooter must cover all bets against them if the game is lost. Players can also side bet among themselves on whether the shooter will succeed or fail. Once the bets have been made, the dice are rolled.

If the first roll is a 7 or an 11, the shooter wins. If the first roll is a 2 or a 12, the shooter looses. Any other number rolled becomes the point and must be rolled again before a 7 appears. The shooter wins by rolling the point, and loses by throwing a 7 for craps. After a loss the dice pass to the next shooter.

House rules are in effect when it comes to street craps. In some cases, rolling a 2, 3 or 12 on the first roll is a loss but the player keeps shooting. In other house rules the player must pass the dice after any losing roll.

Just like in a live casino, street craps is a fast-paced game. It is often played faster than the casino game. This is done so that unsuspecting marks can be shilled out of their money without knowing what is happening.

Street Craps Being Offered in Live Casinos!

In Las Vegas or Atlantic City you can always count on casinos to try and make money off of any gambling game. It is only natural that they would create a game of street craps that is actually played on the street!

Street dice made its debut at the Downtown Grand Las Vegas casino in 2014. The game was actually conducted in a three-sided wooden box placed outside and painted to look like an alley. There was one dealer who had the job of overseeing the game and paying wins.

The rules were much the same as the street craps rules that we mentioned. The only difference was that only three tries were allowed for the player to make the point. If the point was not rolled, the casino won. A 7 on the first roll was also considered to be a tie.

As you might imagine, this game was a novelty at first. It did not last. Within a few months both players and casinos had tired of this variation of the game.

Street Craps in Pop Culture

The game of street craps has long been referenced in pop culture. You may be familiar with the Hip Hop group the Wu Tang Clan. The group was responsible for immortalizing “Cee-lo” in its music and videos. Cee-lo itself is a variation of street craps that has modified rules.

In the song “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” by country singer Jerry Reed street craps is the primary theme. A group of men are arrested after being discovered playing craps in an alleyway. One of them is thrown into jail while the others are set free.

The song “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price and many other artists references what is thought to be a dice game held “in the dark” by two men. A fight breaks out and one man does not fare so well.

A Safer Way to Gamble with Dice – Online Craps

We applaud your courage if you are willing to play street craps in a back alley or with your friends. Just be careful that you do not end up like old Stagger Lee! We suggest a safer type of craps. Play craps online at one of our recommended casinos!

You don’t have to leave home when you play craps online. You can stay safe and play the game with your computer, phone, or table for real money. You can even get a casino bonus on your first deposit when you sign up for an account today or check out our free craps game.