The shooter must first make either a "Pass" or "Don't Pass" bet (explained below). He then throws the dice. This initial throw is known as the come out throw.

If he throws a total of 7 or 11 this is known as a natural and any player who made a Pass bet immediately wins.

If he throws a total of 2, 3 or 12. this is known as craps and any player who made a Pass bet immediately loses.

Any other total thrown is known as the player's point and he continues to throw the dice until he either throws his point again or he throws a 7.

If he throws his point first this is known as making the points and any player who made a Pass bet, wins.  If he throws a 7 first this is known as a seven out and any player who made a Pass bet, loses.

If the shooter throws a winning combination for a Pass bet, the dice are said to pass.  If the shooter throws a losing combination, the dice are said to miss.

So if you place your chips on the Pass Line betting space before the come out roll, you win with a 7 or 11 on the come out throw or if the shooter makes his point.  Winning players who make a Pass bet receive their wager back with an equal amount from the casino (odds of 1 to 1 or evens). The House edge against you on this bet is 1.414%.  Not bad odds in a casino.

The Pass bet is the most commonly used bet on the table and is played by just about everybody.  You could play this bet frequently and blend in with the play.

You don't have to bet with the shooter, you could bet against the dice passing.  The Don't Pass betting space allows for this and you will have a House edge of 1.402%. Players who make a Don't Pass bet are also paid at odds of 1 to 1 or evens.

Note, on the layout that the Don't Pass bet bars 6-6. This is because betting against the shooter would give a player the edge. Remember, the odds of winning are slightly against the shooter. Bar 6-6 means that should the shooter throw a 6-6 the Don't Pass bet is undecided. It neither wins or loses and the player who made the bet may withdraw it or leave it to be decided by subsequent throws. Some tables bar 1-1 instead. There are greedy casinos who will bar a 1-2 . There are two ways to make this (1-2 and 2-1) and this doesn't double the percentage, it more than triples the house edge. Barring gives the casino or House the edge on Don't Pass/Don't Come bets. The casino's edge on a table that bars 1-2 is 4.40%.

Once a natural, craps, a seven, or the point is thrown, a new round is played, as before, beginning with a new come out throw.

If the shooter sevens out, the dice pass to the next player, who becomes the new shooter.