Understanding the Two Stages of Craps

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ByLucas Portela

Learn the two main stages of a craps game. Understand the Comeout roll and Intermediate rolls to make the right bets at the right time.

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The secret to understanding craps is knowing it plays out in two repeating stages. Keeping track of which stage you are currently in helps you make the right bets at the right time and stops you from making common beginner mistakes.

For the full picture of every bet you can make at each stage, see the complete Craps Hub.

Key Takeaways: Game Stages

  • Stage 1 – The Comeout Roll: The start of a completely fresh round. The puck is ‘OFF’ and the shooter throws the dice to establish a Point.
  • The Point Numbers: A target Point is officially set only if the dice land on a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
  • Stage 2 – Intermediate Rolls: The puck is flipped to ‘ON’. The shooter must roll the exact Point number again before accidentally rolling a 7.

Stage 1: The Comeout Roll

This is the start of a completely new round. You will always know it is happening because the dealer will flip the puck to the black ‘OFF’ side.

Close-up of a maroon craps table layout with the black plastic puck showing the OFF side before a point is established.
The craps table layout during the Comeout Roll, indicated by the black puck flipped to the OFF position.

During this first roll, the person throwing the dice—the shooter—is simply trying to establish a target number for the table. This target is called the ‘Point’. If they roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the Point, and the game moves smoothly into the next phase.

Stage 2: The Intermediate Rolls

Once the Point is successfully set, the dealer flips the puck to the white ‘ON’ side and places it directly on that specific number on the layout.

Close-up of a maroon craps table layout with the white plastic puck showing the ON side placed directly over the number 4.
The craps table layout during the Intermediate Rolls, with the white puck switched to ON to mark the point number.

The game is now in the Intermediate stage. The shooter’s only job is to keep rolling the dice until they hit that exact Point number again, all whilst trying to avoid rolling a 7. If they roll the Point, the table celebrates and wins. If a 7 lands first, the round immediately ends, the bets are cleared, and the dice pass to the next player.

Before you step up to place your first chips, make sure you know the unwritten rules of Craps Table Etiquette.

❓ Craps Game Stages FAQ

How do you know when a new round of craps is starting?

You can easily tell when a fresh round is beginning by looking at the plastic puck on the table. During this initial phase, called the Comeout Roll, the dealer will ensure the puck is flipped to the black ‘OFF’ side.

Which numbers can become the Point?

During the Comeout Roll, the shooter throws the dice to establish a target for the rest of the game. That target becomes the official Point if the dice land on a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or the number 10.

What is the shooter trying to do during the Intermediate Rolls?

Once the puck is flipped to ‘ON’ and placed on a number, the shooter enters the second stage of the game. Their main goal is to keep throwing the dice and hit that exact Point number again before they accidentally roll a 7.

Author:

Lucas Portela

Lucas Portela

Owner, BoldGambler • Avanhandava/SP

Oddsmaker, affiliate and content creator in the iGaming industry.

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