How to Play:
Place your bets and roll the dice.
A little more to it than that. Read on for more details.
If you are wanting to learn to play and don't want to get into a crowded game and be overwhelmed, try practicing late at night or early morning hours when the casinos are not as crowded. Or practice online at NON money exchange sites such as iwon.com.
There are 4 casino pit personnel actively running each crap game table.
The Boxman, who sits behind the middle of the table, is the Boss of the game. His job is to keep constant watch of the game. There are 2 dealers, one on each side of the table. Each dealer is responsible for the players on his side. These dealers pay off the winners and "rake" in the loser's chip bets. The Stickman stands on the player's side of the table he controls the action of the dice and sets the pace of the game. After all bets are down, the stickman will push dice to the shooter.

BETTING
All bets must be made before the roll of the dice. The different kind of bets are as follows:

Betting the Pass Line:
The "shooter" rolls the dice down the table hitting the wall at the opposite end, a 7 or 11 on the first throw (The Come-out roll) it is referred to as a "natural" and an automatic win. On the other hand, if 2, 3 or 12 rolls, it is called, "craps" and you lose your Pass Line bet. The dealer picks up your pass line bet.
Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes your "Point." You win if the "Point" repeats before 7 rolls, and you lose if 7 show before your "Point" is made. In other words, the shooter does not give up the dice. He keeps rolling until he "sevens out". That is rolling a 7 before he makes his point. Place these bets in the area marked "Pass Line" on the layout.

Betting the Don't Pass Line:
This is the reverse of betting the "Pass Line." You lose on a "natural" 7 or 11, and win if a 2 or 3 rolls (12 is a "standoff," no one wins). If the dice roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 it becomes your "Point" and you win if 7 rolls before your "Point" is repeated.
You lose if your "Point" is made before 7 rolls. Place these bets in the area marked "Don't Pass Line" on the layout.

Come Bets:
This bet is made anytime after the first roll when the shooter has a point made.
The simplest explanation of "Come" bets is that you're betting with the dice, exactly as on the "Pass Line," except that "Come" bets are made any time after the "Come-out" roll.
You win on "naturals" 7 or 11, and you lose on "craps" 2, 3 or 12. Any other number becomes your "come-point" and you win if your "come-point" is made before 7 rolls. You make these bets in the area marked "Come" on the layout.

Don't Come Bets:
The opposite of betting the "Come", except that a first roll of 2 or 3 wins, You lose on a 7 or 11. If the roll is a 12, it is a "stand-off" or "tie". Here you win if 7 rolls before your "come-point" is repeated, and lose if the "come-point" is made before a 7 is rolled.
Place these bets in the area marked "Don't Come" on the layout.
Okay, now those are the basics. Play the line and the Come, either Pass or Don't Pass. These are the two best possible odds to the player.
More ways to Bet in Craps

Proposition Bets:
You can make a proposition bet at any time. These are all one-roll bets that are decided on each roll of the dice. Here are the payoffs:
Any Seven: 4 to 1
Any Craps (2, 3 and 12): 7 to 1
Eleven (YO): 15 to 1
Hi-Lo (2 and 12): 30 to 1
Horn Bet (2, 3, 11 and 12): 7 to 1 (2 or 12) 3 to 1 (3 or 11)

Hardways:
There are four "Hardway" bets: 4, 6, 8 and 10. "Hardway" bets pay as follows:
Hard 4 & 10: 7 to 1 per dollar bet.
Hard 6 & 8: 9 to 1 per dollar bet.
To win on a Hardway bet, the dice must show a pair before the number "7" is rolled or any other combination of the "Hardway" number is rolled.
For example, if you have a hard 6, the number must be rolled as 3 & 3, before any combination of a 6 (4/2; 5/1; 2/4; 1/5) is rolled. Note: Hardways are off when the puck (point indicator) is off, unless requested to be "on".

Placed Bets:
You may make a "Place Bet" any time on any or all of the following numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. If the number you have "placed" rolls before a 7 you win and are paid as follows:
Point: 4 or 10: 9 Chips for each five wagered.
Point: 5 or 9: 7 Chips for each five wagered.
Point: 6 or 8: 7 Chips for each six wagered.
A Place Bet may be removed anytime before the next roll. Note: Place bets are off when the puck (point indicator) is off, unless requested to be "on".

Field Bets:
Field Bets can be made anytime. This is a one-roll bet that may be made on any roll. If 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 rolls, you win even money (1 to 1). If 2 or 12 is rolled, you will win at a ratio of 2 to 1 (some casinos will pay 3 to 1 on the number 12).
If any other number rolls you lose. This bet is placed in the area marked "Field" on the layout.

Now, This information was to just get you started and cover the basics. Have fun! Casinos vary so check before you play. A little advice. Play the line and the Come, either Pass or Don't Pass. These are the two best areas to bet. Best odds for you, the player. When betting the Pass line, always take your full odds in back of your pass line bet. Only increase your bets if you are winning, never when you are losing. Remember this is for entertainment and enjoy it.