The reason rules for Craps appear complicated is mainly due to the same bet being called a different type of bet.  And then each different type of bet having its' own  pay off scales.  Don't worry if you only grasp the basics bets you will still be able to play.

To start Craps is a game played in rounds, with dice.(Or should that be Die?)  The first roll in a round is known as the come out roll.  If  2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 appear on the come out roll the round ends immediately. If any other total is rolled it becomes a point, in which case a white puck will be placed by the dealer, on an area of the table corresponding to the point. If a point was rolled the dice will be rolled repeatedly until either the same point is rolled again or a seven is rolled.  Seven being a losing roll.

The pass line is the most common bet in craps and is an even money bet. The pass line bet is usually placed only on the come out roll.   Seven or eleven on the come out roll wins.  Totals of  2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll lose.  Should any other point be rolled the dice will be rolled until either that same point is rolled again (in which case your win) or a 7 is rolled.  If 7 is rolled you lose.

It is also allowed to place a bet on losing points being rolled on the pass line roll, this is known as a  'Don't Pass' bet.    In which case 2 and 3 become winning points, 7 or ll respectively become losing points and a roll of 12 will be carried forward.  The dice will then be  rolled repeatedly until either the point or a 7 is rolled. If the 7 is rolled, before the point is rolled again, you win.

While playing craps you are allowed to place additional bets on the odds of any point, other than 7, being rolled.  This is known as buying the odds.  To buy the odds a pass line bet must already have been placed.  Any additional bet placed must be a multiple of your original pass line bet.  The degree to which the bet may be multiplied being in accordance with the point you wish to bet on i.e. bets on points 8 and 6 are usually two and a half times your original pass line bet .  The pay out and odds on points being in accordance with the pay off data provided by the casino.

You may also bet on the odds of the seven being rolled before the point  this is known as laying the odds.  Winnings correspond to the amount that may be won on your don't pass bet and the casino's pay off data.

Whilst waiting for your point to be rolled you can place a bet on the next point to be rolled, in essence the equivalent of placing a bet on the come out roll again, only after the initial come out roll, this is known as a come bet,  (this type of bet allows for bets to be made on the odds too).   Because this bet is secondary to the come out bet if there are still come out bets in play on the table the odds bet (on the roll) on the points will not be counted unless you have specified that your bet be left on, prior to the roll being made.   Bets may also be placed on losing points in the same way, after the initial come out roll, the theory is the same but in reverse i.e. you are betting on losing points being scored. and this type of bet is known as a don't come.

Place number bets may be made in craps on some or all of the place numbers after a pass line bet has been placed.  Numbers 4,5,6,8,9, and 10 are the place numbers.  To win the specified number should be rolled before the seven is rolled.   Pay outs are in accordance with the bet you specified and the casino's pay off data and the outcome of the come out roll.   This type of bet is echoed in a place bet, to win, bet the difference being there is no obligation to already have placed a pass line bet. You can also make the contra of a place bet - known as a place bet to lose i.e. betting that the 7 will be rolled before the number chosen.

When a place bets or place bet to lose wins, your winnings are returned but your stake usually is left on the table, thus forming a new place bet.  If you don't want to continue in this way take back the stake too, this can be a permanent cessation or just a temporary break.

It is also possible to place a bet (once only) that the next roll will be a 2,3,4,9,10,11, or 12. This type of bet is known as a field bet.  Check the pay out data for the Casino before placing your bet, generally numbers other than 2 and 12 pay out even money.

A buy bet on 6,  big 6 or place bet on 6 are the same bet but the pay out will be different for each one.  It is best therefore to check the pay out first.  Basically you are betting that a 6 will be rolled before a 7 is rolled.

A buy bet on 8,  big 8 or place bet on 8 are the same bet but the pay out will be different for each one.  It is best therefore to check the pay out first.  Basically you are betting that a 8 will be rolled before a 7 is rolled.

A buy bet or place bet may be made on 4, 5, 9 and 10 also, once again you are betting that the required point will be rolled before a 7 is rolled.

 As a rule buy bets carry  a stake of $20 or increments thereof due to the Casino's commission usually being 5%.  Check the  pay out per point per type of bet as well as whether commissions are rounded down before placing your bet.

A lay bet or place bet may be made on 4, 5, 6, 8. 9 and 10 also, but this time you are betting that  seven will be rolled before the number you have bet on.

 As a rule lay bets carry a stake of a set amount and increments thereof, due to the Casino's commission usually being 5%.  Usual stakes are  $40 for numbers 4 and 10,  $30 for  numbers 5 and 9 and  lastly $24 for numbers 6 and 8.    Check the  pay out per point per type of bet as well as whether commissions are rounded down before placing your bet.

Another anomaly is the put bet.  This is betting on the odds after a point has been made.  Put Bets are made on numbers 2, 3, 7, 11 and 12 in much the same way that you would place a come or pass line bet.  Not all casinos offer this facility.

So called hard way bets i.e. betting that a pair will be rolled before the seven is rolled, are also accommodated for in craps.  This type of bet is known as a hard way bet because it is more difficult to roll a pair than two individual numbers. Standard points bet on being 4, 6, 8 and 10.

 Equally hard to attain are the proposition bets.  Betting that the next number rolled will be 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12 or betting on an any craps roll i.e. 2, 3 or 12 being the next number rolled.  A bet placed on numbers 2, 3 ,11 or 12 specifically  being the next number rolled is referred to as a horn bet.  A stake of $4.00 and increments thereof, is standard for this type of bet.

The most random bet you can make at craps (usually only catered for on request) is the hop bet.  Basically you bet on a specific numbers (i.e. the precise combination e.g. 2 and 5) to be rolled next. But this is usually a special request bet and not always on offer.