Pass Line

When you bet on the pass line as a right bettor, you are betting that the shooter will win by rolling a 7 or an 11 on the first throw of the dice, or that he will roll a number and repeat that number before a 7 is rolled. To make this bet, you put your bet on the pass line. The pass-line bet is paid at even money. This is a contact bet. Pass-line and come bettors actually have an advantage over the house on the come-out roll. Because there are eight ways to win and only four ways to lose, you have a 2-to-1 odds favor. However, the advantage clearly shifts to the house whenever a point is established. That is why the pass-line and come bets (contract bets) cannot be picked up or changed after a point is established. This is the price the house exacts for being generous during the come-out roll.

Don't Pass

Don't pass is the opposite of a pass line bet. On the come-out roll you win on a 2, 3, or 12 (12 is a tie, or push in some casinos; others use 2 as a tie). You lose if a 7 or an 11 appears on the first throw. You win if the shooter throws a 7 before making the pass-line point. The don't pass area is known as the "back line." When the back line wins the dealer will say, "Pay the back line." This bet is paid at even money.

Come

When you place your wager in the "come" spot, which you can do yourself, you are betting on the very next throw of the dice. You win even money if 7 or 11 comes up, and you lose on 2, 3, or 12. If none of these numbers are thrown, your bet will go on the number that did appear, and you'll win when that number is thrown again. You'll lose if a 7 appears first.

Big 6 and Big 8

This is a bet you can place yourself on the spot marked Big 6 or Big 8. It pays even money when a 6 or 8 is rolled. You lose if the 7 comes up, and nothing happens as long as other number continue to appear. It is an all-day bet, and you can remove the bet at any time. The house edge is 9.09 percent.

Don't Come Bet

This bet is opposite of the come bet. You win if the next throw is a 12 or a 3 (2 is usually a tie; some casinos use 12 as a tie), and you lose if a 7 or an 11 comes up. Otherwise, your wager goes against the number thrown, and you win if the shooter throws a 7 before the come number appears.

Place

Another way you can bet is to "place" a number. When you place a number you select the point yourself instead of making a come bet and waiting for a point to be established by a throw of the dice. This bet can be made at any time. To wager on a number, after the come out roll, you simply tell the dealer at your end of the table that you want to place the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. Do not reach across the come line; just toss your chips towards the dealer so he can reach them. The dealer will take your chips and place the bet in a specific spot on the edge of the number so that he can identify whose bet it is.

Field

This is a one-roll bet that you can make at any time. You are betting that 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, or 12 will appear on the next throw of the dice. You win even money on 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11. Many casinos will pay double on 2 or 12, and some casinos will pay triple on 12. You will lose the field bet if 5, 6, 7 or 8 appears.

Proposition Bets

Proposition bets are in the center of the table, directly in front of the stickman, who is responsible for placing them. These bets are used for a wide variety of both one-time roll and all-day wagers, with large payoffs that you can take at any time. To wager on a specific proposition bet you toss your chips towards the stickman (not one of the dealers) and announce what bet you would like to make (for example, "$5 on a hard 4"). The stickman will place the bet for you. When you win one of these bets, the stickman will instruct the dealer at you end of the table about the correct payout, and the dealer will pay your winnings.