Learn to Play Casino Craps: The Field Bet and Any 7 Bet

Be smart, play smart, learn how to play casino craps the right way!

The Field bet is a one-roll bet that wins if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 shows on the next roll. It loses if a 5, 6, 7, or 8 shows. Some casinos switch the 5 and 9, making the 5 a winner and the 9 a loser. Since, the 5 and 9 have the same numbers of ways to make them (i.e., four ways), the odds for the Field bet don't change if the casino switches the 5 and 9. The Field is a self-service bet, which means you put down and pick up your chips in the Field box without the dealer's help. The box is located between the Don't Pass and Come areas, and is clearly labeled "Field." If you can't remember which numbers win and lose, don't worry, they're also labeled in the Field box in big, bold font. The Field pays even money (1:1) if a 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 shows. It pays double (2:1) or triple (3:1) if a 2 or 12 shows, depending on the casino. Some casinos pay double on both the 2 and 12. Some pay double on one number and triple on the other. And a rare few pay triple on both the 2 and 12. It's easy to know the casino's payoffs because the 2 and 12 are circled on the table layout and have either "Pays Double" or "Pays Triple" written above the number.

Any Seven (sometimes called "Big Red") is a one-roll bet that wins if a 7 shows and loses if any other number shows. The minimum bet amount is the value of the lowest-denomination chip in play at the table, usually $1. The payoff is 4:1, so you can bet any amount to get the full payoff odds. The Any Seven box is located in the center of the table and typically controlled by the stickman, so keep your hands off and don't try to put down or pick up this bet yourself. When you have the stickman's attention, gently toss your chip to an open area near the center of the table and say, "Any Seven, please." Aim for an empty spot so when your chip lands on the table, it doesn't knock other people's chips all over the place.

Now you know! Remember, learn how to play casino craps the right way.

W. Enslen is a reliability engineer who routinely works with statistics. Having played and analyzed casino craps for 30 years, he has compiled his winning secrets in a new Ebook, which you can sample at Learn to Play Casino Craps. Be smart, play smart, and learn to play casino craps in reality instead of a Fantasyland of false hope.