What is the point in craps?

The point is craps' second act. Once it's set, the round becomes a pure race between two numbers - your point and the 7 - and everything on the table is priced off that race.

Quick answer: The point is the number set when the come-out roll lands on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. The puck flips to ON, and the shooter tries to roll that number again before a 7 - make it and the pass line wins, seven-out and it loses.

How a point gets set

If the come-out roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 - the box numbers - that total becomes the point. The dealer flips the puck to ON and parks it on the number. From here, only two totals matter to the pass line: the point (win) and the 7 (lose). Everything else is just another roll, which is why point chases can run long.

Not all points are equal

The 6 and 8 can each be made 5 ways against the 7's 6 ways, so they're the easiest points. The 5 and 9 have 4 ways each, and the 4 and 10 just 3. True odds against making them are 6:5 on the 6/8, 3:2 on the 5/9 and 2:1 on the 4/10 - which is exactly what the odds bet pays. Setting a 4 as your point isn't doom; it's just a 1-in-3 shot.

What to do while the point is on

The point phase is when the table opens up. You can back your pass bet with free odds, put come bets on new numbers, or place the 6 and 8 directly. Make the point and the puck flips OFF, you collect, and a fresh come-out begins - the cycle that has run since New Orleans, 1805.

Chase a point

Related questions

What is the come-out roll?

The come-out roll is the first roll of a new craps round. For pass line bettors, a 7 or 11 wins instantly, a 2, 3 or 12 (craps) loses, and any other total - 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 - becomes the point that the shooter then tries to repeat before rolling a 7.

What are odds bets?

Odds bets are extra chips placed behind your pass, come or don't bet after a point is set. They pay true odds - 2:1 on the 4 and 10, 3:2 on the 5 and 9, 6:5 on the 6 and 8 - so the house edge on them is exactly zero. It's the only bet like it in the casino.

What is a seven-out?

A seven-out is when the shooter rolls a 7 while trying to make a point. It loses the pass line, wins don't pass, sweeps most working bets off the table and passes the dice to the next shooter. It's the single most consequential roll in craps.