CRAPS

dice game, most popular in American gambling houses. Any number may play. Each person in turn may, as the shooter, cast two matched dice in attempting to roll a winning combination. Before his first throw the shooter puts up a stake, and the other players fade it, i.e., bet against the shooter up to the amount of the stake. The shooter must withdraw any part of his stake that is not faded. If he wins, he may continue to shoot and bet again, as much or as little as he wants; or he may give up the dice. If the shooter loses, the other players take away double the amount they faded. The other players also may bet among themselves as to whether the shooter will win or lose in the next series of throws or whether certain numbers or combinations will appear. In some games, such as bank craps (q.v.), players may bet only against the house. If the shooter throws a 7 or 11 (natural) on his first roll, he wins; if he rolls 2, 3, or 12 (craps) on the first roll, he loses. Bets are settled; the shooter keeps the dice and puts up the next bet or, if he declines to shoot again, passes the dice to the player on his left, and the game continues. If the shooter's first throw is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number is his point, and he continues to throw until he rolls the same number again (makes his point) and wins or throws 7 (misses out, or craps out) and loses both his bet and the dice. Side bets may be laid with or against the shooter, either before he has a point (coming out) or after (will or won't make his point). See also hazard.