How to Play Street Craps Without Losing Your Shirt (or Your Friends)

You’ve seen it in the movies. A group of guys huddled in a dimly lit alley or a basement, money flying, dice hitting a brick wall, and someone shouting about "baby needs new shoes." It looks cool. It looks gritty. But if you actually walk up to a game and try to play it like you’re at a $25 minimum table at the Bellagio, you’re going to look like a tourist. Or worse, you’re going to break a rule you didn't know existed and end up in a heated argument over a twenty-dollar bill.

Learning how to play street craps isn't just about knowing the math of a 2-6-10. It’s about the etiquette. This is "ghetto craps," "rolling bones," or "street dice." There’s no mahogany table. There’s no croupier in a vest. It’s just you, the dirt, and the people across from you.

Honestly, the stakes feel higher when there isn't a pit boss watching. In a casino, the house is the enemy. In the street? You’re betting against the person standing next to you. That changes the energy completely.

The Basic Physics: It’s All About the "Backstop"

In a casino, the dice have to hit the back wall of the table. That’s a hard rule to ensure the roll is random. In the street, the rule is the same, but the "wall" might be a curb, a literal brick wall, or even just a piece of plywood someone leaned against a fence.

The shooter (the person throwing) has to hit that wall. If the dice don’t hit the wall, it’s a "short roll." Most people will let it slide once, but do it twice and the game stops. Why? Because if you don't hit the wall, you can "slide" the dice—a technique where you keep one die on a specific number. It’s cheating. Plain and simple.

You need a flat surface. Sidewalks are okay, but asphalt is better because it’s got more grip. If you’re playing on carpet, the dice don’t bounce right. Professional street players—the ones who do this for a living in cities like Philly or Chicago—usually look for the smoothest concrete they can find.

Getting the Game Started: Who’s Betting?

There is no "Pass Line" painted on the floor.

The shooter starts by "setting the stakes." They put down an amount of money—let’s say $20. They say, "I’m shooting 20." Now, the other players have to "fade" that bet. Fading basically means you’re covering the shooter’s bet. If I’m the shooter and I put up 20, and you put up 10, only half my bet is covered. The game doesn't start until the full 20 is "faded" by the other players.

If nobody wants to fade the full amount? The shooter has to take back the portion that wasn't covered.

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The Come-Out Roll

The shooter throws the dice. This is the first roll.

• 7 or 11: The shooter wins instantly. Everyone who "faded" the shooter loses their money.
• 2, 3, or 12: This is "craps." The shooter loses. The faders win.
• Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10): This number becomes "The Point."

This is where the game gets interesting.

The Point: The Meat of the Game

Once a point is established, the goal changes. If the shooter rolled a 9, they now need to roll a 9 again before they roll a 7.

In street craps, the 7 is the enemy once the point is set. If the shooter rolls the point (9), they win. If they roll a 7, they "seven out" and lose everything. Every other number rolled in between doesn't matter. They just keep throwing until they hit that 9 or that 7.

Side Bets and Action

While the shooter is trying to hit their point, the people standing around aren't just watching. They’re making side bets. This is where the real money moves.

You’ll hear people yelling, "I got five on the seven!" or "Ten says he don't hit the six!" These are "center bets" or "side action." Because there is no house, every bet must be a "man-to-man" agreement. If you want to bet $5 that the shooter will lose, you have to find someone willing to bet $5 that the shooter will win.

You hold the money in your hand or put it on the ground in front of you. Once someone "taps" your money or says "bet," it’s locked in. Don't touch that money until the roll is over.

The Math You Actually Need

Listen, you don't need a degree in statistics, but you should know the odds. In a casino, the house takes a cut (the vig). In street craps, people usually bet "even money."

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This is a huge mistake for the shooter.

If the point is a 4 or a 10, the odds of hitting it are much lower than hitting a 7. Statistically, there are only 3 ways to roll a 4, but 6 ways to roll a 7. In a casino, you’d get paid 2-to-1 for that. In the street, if you’re just betting even money on a 4, you’re getting ripped off.

Smart street players will demand "odds." They’ll say, "I want 2-to-1 on that ten." If the other players won't give it to them, the smart shooter might just pass the dice. But honestly? Most street games are played even money because it's simpler and prevents fights. It’s not fair, but it’s fast.

The Unspoken Rules (The Etiquette)

This is where most people mess up when learning how to play street craps. If you break these, you won't get invited back.

1. Don't touch the shooter's hand. When the shooter is about to roll, keep your hands back. If the dice hit your hand, the roll is void. People will get very angry, especially if it was a winning number.
2. The "Check" Rule. Before you roll, make sure everyone is set. Don't just chuck the dice while people are still counting out their fade money.
3. No "Late Bets." Once the dice are in the air, the betting is closed. Trying to drop a five-dollar bill after the dice have left the shooter’s hand is a quick way to get slapped.
4. Call your bets clearly. "I'm betting against" or "I'm betting with." Don't be vague.

"Right" vs. "Wrong" Betting

In the world of craps, a "Right Bettor" is someone who bets with the shooter (betting they will win). A "Wrong Bettor" bets against the shooter. In a casino, nobody cares. In the street, betting against the shooter can sometimes be seen as a "hater" move. It’s perfectly legal, but it changes the vibe. If you’re the only one betting against the shooter and they’re on a hot streak, expect some side-eye.

How It Differs From Casino Craps

It's tempting to think they're the same. They aren't.

In a casino, you have the "Big 6," the "Big 8," "Hardways," and "Field Bets." Most of that is gone in the street. Street craps is a stripped-down, raw version of the game.

• No Dealers: You are the dealer. You have to keep track of your own money.
• The Surface: Tables are bouncy. The street is dead. The dice don't roll as much, which is why the "wall" rule is so strictly enforced.
• The Vibe: Casino craps is a party. Street craps is a business meeting with high adrenaline.

Stanford Wong, a legendary gambling author, often noted that the lack of a house edge in informal games makes them technically "better" for the player, but only if the player understands the true odds. Without the house taking 1.41% on the pass line, it’s a pure 50/50 game on the come-out roll.

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What to Look Out For (The Red Flags)

If you're looking for a game, be smart.

Watch for "Loaded Dice." If the same person is shooting and they’ve hit their point five times in a row on a 4 or a 10, something is wrong. Weighted dice are a real thing. Sometimes, people will use "trips"—dice that have been shaved on one side so they are more likely to land on a certain number.

The "Fast Move." This is when someone reaches in to grab the money before the roll is even officially called. Always keep your eyes on the cash.

The "Banker" who isn't a banker. In some street games, one guy will act as the "house" and take all bets. If you don't know this guy, don't play. If he decides to run, he’s got everyone’s money. Stick to man-to-man bets where you can see the person you’re betting against.

Practical Steps to Start Playing

If you're serious about trying this out, don't start with $100 bills.

Find a low-stakes game. Maybe some friends in a garage. Get used to the flow.

1. Get your own dice. Not to use in the game (most games have a set they use), but to practice at home. Practice hitting a wall and seeing how they bounce.
2. Learn the "Pass" and "Don't Pass" jargon. Even if you don't use it, people will expect you to know what it means.
3. Carry small bills. Nothing kills a street game faster than someone winning a $10 bet and needing change for a $100. It’s annoying. Have fives, tens, and twenties ready.
4. Observe first. Stand on the outside of the circle for 10 minutes. See who's winning, who's losing, and more importantly, who's getting aggressive. If the vibe feels off, walk away.

Street craps is about confidence. If you look like you know what you’re doing, people will treat you with respect. If you’re fumbling with your money and asking "Wait, what's the point again?", you’re a target.

Keep your back to a wall if you can. Keep your money in your front pocket. And for the love of everything, make sure those dice hit the curb.

The game is fast. It’s brutal. It’s the purest form of gambling there is. No lights, no free drinks, just the sound of plastic hitting concrete and the hope that a 7 stays far, far away.

Actionable Next Steps:

• Memorize the "Point" odds: Specifically, remember that 4/10 are the hardest to hit, 5/9 are medium, and 6/8 are the easiest (besides 7).
• Practice your "Wall Shot": Use a brick or a heavy book at home. Get a feel for a roll that is firm enough to bounce but not so hard the dice fly across the room.
• Find a "Fade" partner: If you're going to a new game, bring a friend. One of you shoots, the other watches the money. It’s safer and more fun.