Craps tables are loud, crowded, and covered with a betting layout that looks like hieroglyphics. No wonder beginners walk past. But here's the secret: craps is one of the best games in the casino, with some of the lowest house edges available. This guide breaks down everything you need to know.
Why Play Craps?
Low house edge: The pass line bet has just a 1.41% house edge—better than roulette, slots, and many other games.
Social atmosphere: Craps is a team sport. Most players win or lose together, creating camaraderie you won't find at other tables.
Exciting action: The cheers when someone gets on a hot roll are unmatched in casino gaming.
Fast-paced: Lots of decisions, lots of action. Time flies at the craps table.
The Basics: How Craps Works
The Shooter
One player (the "shooter") rolls the dice. The role rotates clockwise around the table. You can decline to shoot if you prefer.
The Two Phases
Come-out roll: The first roll of a new round. The shooter establishes a "point" or the round ends immediately.
Point phase: Once a point is set, the shooter keeps rolling until they either hit the point (players win) or roll a 7 (players lose).
What the Numbers Mean
Come-out roll outcomes:
- Roll 7 or 11: Immediate win for pass line bets
- Roll 2, 3, or 12: Immediate loss for pass line bets ("craps")
- Roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: That number becomes the "point"
Point phase outcomes:
- Roll the point number: Pass line wins
- Roll 7: Pass line loses ("seven out")
- Roll anything else: Nothing happens, keep rolling
The Essential Bets
You only need to know a few bets to play craps well. Ignore the rest of the layout for now.
Pass Line Bet
Where: The large area marked "PASS LINE" along the edge
When to bet: Before the come-out roll
How it works:
- Come-out: Win on 7/11, lose on 2/3/12, point set on anything else
- Point phase: Win if point hits before 7, lose if 7 comes first
House edge: 1.41%
This is the fundamental craps bet. Start here.
Don't Pass Bet
Where: The bar marked "DON'T PASS"
How it works: The opposite of pass line. Win when pass line loses (mostly).
- Come-out: Win on 2/3, push on 12, lose on 7/11
- Point phase: Win if 7 comes before point
House edge: 1.36%
Slightly better odds, but you're betting against other players. This can feel awkward—winning while everyone else loses.
Come Bet
Where: The large "COME" area
When to bet: After a point is established
How it works: Same as pass line, but starts fresh. Your next roll is your "come-out" for this bet.
House edge: 1.41%
Think of it as a new pass line bet that starts mid-round.
Don't Come Bet
Where: Near the don't pass bar
How it works: Opposite of come bet, just like don't pass is opposite of pass.
House edge: 1.36%
Odds Bets (The Best Bet in the Casino)
Where: Behind your pass/don't pass/come bet
What makes it special: ZERO house edge. The only bet in the casino with true odds.
How it works:
- After a point is established, place additional chips behind your original bet
- Paid at true odds when you win
Odds payouts:
| Point | Pass Odds Pay | Don't Pass Odds Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 1:2 |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 2:3 |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 5:6 |
Maximizing odds:
- Casinos offer 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x, or even 100x odds
- Higher odds = lower combined house edge
- With 10x odds, combined house edge drops to about 0.18%
Place Bets on 6 and 8
Where: The numbered boxes at top of layout
How it works: You're betting that 6 (or 8) will be rolled before 7.
House edge: 1.52%
Why 6 and 8? They're rolled more often than other point numbers (five ways each vs six ways for 7). The house edge is reasonable.
Payout: 7:6, so bet in multiples of $6.
Bets to Avoid
The craps layout is covered in high house-edge traps. Avoid these:
| Bet | House Edge | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Any 7 | 16.67% | Terrible |
| Any Craps | 11.11% | Very bad |
| Hard Ways | 9-11% | Bad |
| Field Bet | 2.78-5.56% | Mediocre |
| Big 6/8 | 9.09% | Awful (place 6/8 instead) |
| Proposition bets | 10-16% | Avoid |
The general rule: bets in the middle of the table have the worst odds. Stick to the outside.
How to Join a Craps Table
Step 1: Find an Open Spot
Look for an empty space at the rail. You need room for your chips and to reach the layout.
Step 2: Buy In
Wait for a break in the action (between rolls). Place cash on the table and say "Change, please." The dealer will give you chips.
Don't hand money directly to the dealer—put it on the table.
Step 3: Wait for the Right Moment
If a game is in progress (point is set):
- Wait for the current round to end
- Or make a come bet (which starts fresh)
If it's a come-out roll:
- Perfect timing—make your pass line bet
Step 4: Place Your Bet
Put chips in the pass line area in front of you. That's it—you're in the game.
Table Etiquette
The Stick
Only one person handles the dice: the shooter. Never grab the dice unless you're the shooter.
Dice Handling
- Pick up dice with one hand only
- Don't bring dice below the table or out of the dealers' sight
- Throw so dice hit the back wall
Don't Say "Seven"
Superstition runs deep at craps. Saying "seven" during the point phase is considered bad luck. Call it "the devil" or "it" if you must reference it.
Make Bets Between Rolls
Wait for the dice to stop before placing or adjusting bets. Never throw chips while dice are in the air.
Hands Off When Dice Are Thrown
Keep hands out of the table area when dice are rolling. If dice hit your hands, some players will blame you for the outcome.
Tipping
Tip dealers by making a bet for them. Say "Two-way hard 8" to bet $1 for you and $1 for the dealers on hard 8. Or put a chip on the pass line and say "For the dealers."
Craps Strategy for Beginners
The Simplest Approach
- Bet pass line
- When point is set, take maximum odds you're comfortable with
- Wait for resolution
- Repeat
Combined house edge with odds: Under 1%.
Slightly More Action
- Pass line with odds
- One or two come bets with odds
- Place 6 and/or 8 if not already your point
This gives you multiple numbers working, increasing action without significantly increasing house edge.
Bankroll Considerations
Craps can swing quickly. A reasonable session bankroll:
- Minimum: 10x your average bet
- Comfortable: 20-30x your average bet
- Conservative: 50x your average bet
Example: At a $10 minimum table with 2x odds, plan for at least $300-500 for a session.
Understanding the Numbers
How Often Each Number Rolls
| Number | Ways to Roll | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 (1-1) | 2.78% |
| 3 | 2 (1-2, 2-1) | 5.56% |
| 4 | 3 (1-3, 2-2, 3-1) | 8.33% |
| 5 | 4 | 11.11% |
| 6 | 5 | 13.89% |
| 7 | 6 | 16.67% |
| 8 | 5 | 13.89% |
| 9 | 4 | 11.11% |
| 10 | 3 | 8.33% |
| 11 | 2 | 5.56% |
| 12 | 1 | 2.78% |
Key insight: 7 is the most common roll. That's why it ends the round—it will come eventually.
Expected Length of a Shooter's Turn
Average rolls before sevening out: About 8-9 rolls This varies wildly. Some shooters seven out immediately; others roll for 30+ minutes.
Common Craps Myths
"Hot" and "Cold" Dice
Each roll is independent. Dice have no memory. A shooter on a "hot streak" has the same odds as one who just picked up the dice.
Setting the Dice
Some players carefully arrange dice before throwing ("dice setting"). There's no evidence this affects outcomes—casino dice are designed to be random regardless of how they're thrown.
Betting Systems
No betting system changes the house edge. Martingale, Paroli, or any other system—the math doesn't change. Each bet has the same house edge regardless of previous results.
Online vs. Live Craps
Live craps advantages:
- Social atmosphere
- Physical dice rolling
- Better energy
Online craps advantages:
- No intimidation factor
- Lower minimums often available
- Play at your own pace
- Practice for free
Consider practicing online before hitting a live table if you're nervous.
The Bottom Line
Craps is one of the best-value games in the casino—if you stick to the right bets. Pass line with odds, come bets with odds, and maybe place 6/8. That's all you need.
Ignore the proposition bets in the center. Ignore the hardways. Ignore anyone telling you about their "system."
The table looks intimidating, but the core game is simple: bet pass, take odds, cheer when the point hits. Once you try it, you'll understand why craps players rarely play anything else.