Dice, be nice! Baby needs a new pair of shoes! Give me a square pair! Have you ever walked into a casino and seen (and heard) the action at the craps tables? It's the most exciting game in the casino, and no wonder: It boasts better odds if you know the bets to avoid, and since it's a hands-on game, it's just naturally more fun -- if you know how to play.

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Along with all that excitement comes a lot of confusing rules and lingo that isn't in the least intuitive. You can't just pick a color or pull a lever. You have to understand how it works. There are many types of bets you can place in craps: Some you win (or lose) on a single roll, some after a series of rolls. Many people never venture near the more complex bets, preferring to stick with the basic Pass Line play.

In this article, we'll walk you through the basic rules of craps and tell you about all of the different types of bets you can place. We'll tell you about some of the strategies the experts use, and we'll give you a rundown on etiquette so you won't make a fool of yourself your first time at the table. When you've finished this article, you'll be ready for the craps tables in Vegas.