Understanding Craps: From Basics to Betting

Updated: May 24, 2024

Roll the Dice with Confidence: Your Guide on How to Play Craps

Craps is an exciting dice game played at casinos. If you've ever walked by a craps table, you've probably noticed the high energy, with people cheering and clapping.

Craps can seem confusing at first if you don't know the rules. But once you understand how to play, it's a really fun and lively game to take part in. Whether you're brand new to craps or just want to learn more about it, getting familiar with the basics is the first step

Equipment and Personnel

To play craps, you need a special table with betting areas marked out. The most important equipment is the two dice that get rolled. Each dice is a cube with dots numbered 1 through 6 on the sides.

There are several casino employees involved in running a craps game. The stickman announces the results of each dice roll and retrieves the dice using a long stick. Two dealers manage the bets that players make by moving around their chips. The boxman is the supervisor who watches over everything to make sure the rules are followed correctly.

The Flow of the Game

Craps is a lively and dynamic casino game that centers on the outcomes of rolling two dice. Here is a detailed breakdown of the flow of the game:

1. The Come-Out Roll

The game starts with what’s known as the "come-out roll." This is the initial roll of the dice that begins a new round of craps. The shooter, the person who rolls the dice, needs to make this roll. The other players at the table place their bets based on this roll. Two primary bets that are usually made during this phase are the "Pass Line" and "Don't Pass" bets.

Pass Line Bet: When you place a Pass Line bet, you are betting in favor of the shooter. Winning this bet depends on the come-out roll:

• If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, this is called a "natural," and the Pass Line bets win.
• If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, known as "craps," the Pass Line bets lose.
• Any other numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) rolled are established as the "point."

Don't Pass Bet: This bet is essentially the opposite of the Pass Line bet, where you wager against the shooter:

• If the come-out roll is a 2 or 3, Don't Pass bets win.
• A roll of 12 results in a "push," meaning the Don’t Pass bets neither win nor lose (though some casinos treat this as a loss).
• A 7 or 11 will cause Don't Pass bets to lose.
• Like the Pass Line, any other number becomes the point.

2. Establishing the Point

That number becomes the point if the come-out roll results in a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. The dealer places a marker on that number on the craps table to help players remember the point. The objective for the shooter now changes; they must try to roll the point number again before rolling a 7.

Now, as the shooter, your task changes. Initially, you were hoping to roll a 7 or 11 to win instantly with a Pass Line bet. However, now that the point is established at 6, you must aim to roll this number again to win. Rolling a 6 again will mean a win for Pass Line bets, but rolling a seven before hitting the point will end the round, and Pass Line bets will lose.

Conversely, if you've placed a bet on the Don't Pass line, the objective is somewhat opposite. You're betting against the shooter repeating the point number. Therefore:

• If the shooter rolls a seven before hitting the established point number (6), Don't Pass bets win.
• If the point number is rolled before a 7, Don't Pass bets lose.

3. Rolling the Dice Again

The game continues, and you roll the dice several more times. Let’s imagine that on your subsequent rolls, you roll the following numbers in sequence: 8, 5, 3, 6.

• Your first three rolls after setting the point do not affect the outcome of your Pass Line bets.
• On your fourth roll, however, you roll a 6 again. This matches the established point.

The dealer calls out, "Winner on the Pass Line!" and the players who bet on the Pass Line collect their winnings. The dealer then turns off the puck to indicate that a new round is about to start, and a new come-out roll will commence. With this roll, Don't Pass Line bets lose, as the point number was hit before a 7, concluding the round for those betting against the shooter.

Conclusion of the Round

With the point successfully hit again before a seven was rolled, you have won for yourself and any other players who bet on the Pass Line. The round ends and you or the next player in line will start a new come-out roll for the next round.

Throughout the game, players can make various other types of bets depending on the progression of the game and the rules of the specific craps table. These include "odds bets," "come bets," "place bets," and others, each with their own rules and payouts.

Odds Bets

Odds bets are a type of wager that you can make in addition to your initial Pass Line or Don't Pass bet after a point has been established. This bet is placed behind your original Pass Line or Don't Pass bet on the table, literally backing your initial bet.

Odds bets can be placed only after the come-out roll, and once a point has been set. These bets are considered "off" on the come-out roll for the next new game.

Payouts

The Odds bet pays at true odds, meaning there is no house edge on this part of your bet. The payouts vary depending on the point:

• If the point is 4 or 10, the payout is 2:1.
• If the point is 5 or 9, the payout is 3:2.
• If the point is 6 or 8, the payout is 6:5.

Advantages: This is one of the best bets in the casino with no house edge.

Why There's No House Edge

The Odds bet pays at the true probabilities of the dice outcomes, unlike most casino games, which include a house edge that gives the casino a statistical advantage. The payouts for Odds bets are proportional to the likelihood of the point number being rolled before a 7, reflecting the true mathematical odds.

Examples of Placing an Odds Bet

Let’s say you’re playing craps, and you place a $10 Pass Line bet. The shooter rolls the dice, and the come-out roll is a 4. This sets the point at 4. Now, you decide to take odds on your Pass Line bet. You place an additional $20 behind your Pass Line bet on the Odds. This is your Odds bet.

Scenario 1: The shooter rolls a four again before a 7. You win both your Pass Line bet and your Odds bet. The Pass Line bet pays at even money, so you get $10 plus your original $10 back. The Odds bet pays at 2:1 because the point was 4, so you get $40 plus your original $20 back.

You can keep rolling the dice as many times as needed to try to hit the point again. There is no limit to the number of rolls you can make. Each roll is independent, and as long as you do not roll a 7, you remain in the game, trying to hit the 4.

Scenario 2: The shooter rolls a seven before a 4. Both your Pass Line bet and your Odds bet lose, and you lose the total $30 you wagered.

The Odds bet is attractive because it's paid at true odds and thus carries no house edge. In terms of expected value for the player, it's one of the best bets available in the casino.

Come Bets

Come bets in craps are an engaging option for players, functioning similarly to Pass Line bets but with the flexibility to be made at almost any time during the game. Here’s how they work:

Placement and Timing

You can place a Come bet on any roll that is not a come-out roll, i.e., any time after the point has been established. After placing a Come bet, the shooter's very next roll acts like a come-out roll specifically for the Come bet; it does not affect the established point or the Pass Line bet.

Determining the Outcome

• If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 after you place your Come bet, you win instantly.
• If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 (commonly known as "craps"), your Come bet loses right away.

When a Come bet is active, and the shooter rolls a number such as 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number is designated as the "come the point" for that particular Come bet. The dealer then moves your chips to the corresponding number on the table to indicate this.

For example, If you place a Come bet and the dice roll results in a 6, which is already the established point for the Pass Line, both bets will involve the number 6, but they are managed separately. In this case, the dealer will place your Come bet chips on the number 6 on the craps table but in a specific area designated for Come bets.

This placement ensures that it's clear which chips belong to which bet, maintaining clarity even when the same number is involved in multiple bets. 

After the Come Bet Roll Results in a Point Number

Once you've made a Come Bet and a point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) gets rolled, that establishes your personal "Come Point" for that bet. Your chips then get moved to that number on the craps table.

From that point on, you are hoping to get your Come Point rolled again before a seven is rolled.

The Two Possible Outcomes:

• If your Come Point number gets rolled again before a 7, you win your Come Bet.
• If a seven gets rolled before your Come Point number, you lose your Come Bet.

It's that simple! Just like the main Pass Line bet, you win if your Point gets rolled again before a 7. If, after establishing both the Pass Line and Come bets on the number 6, the shooter rolls numbers such as 4, 9, and then 6 before rolling a 7, both bets win.

Getting Paid for Winning Come

Bets pay out even money (1 to 1) when you win, just like Pass Line bets. So if you bet $5, you get paid $5 in addition to getting your original $5 back.

After your Come Point is set, you can also choose to make an optional "Odds Bet" to go along with your Come Bet. This lets you increase your payout if you win.

The Odds Bet pays out at true odds with no house edge:

• For Points of 4 or 10, it pays 2 to 1
• For Points of 5 or 9, it pays 3 to 2
• For Points of 6 or 8, it pays 6 to 5

So Come Bets gives you a fresh new bet to root for every crap round, adding more excitement. Players like having multiple bets working at the same time.

Place Bets

Place Bets are a type of wager in craps where you bet on whether a specific point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will get rolled before a 7.

How to Make a Place Bet

You can make a Place Bet at any time during a craps round, even before the shooter has established their point number. Simply tell the dealer which of the six-point numbers you want to bet on - 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. The dealer will then move your chips to the box on the table for that number.

Winning a Place Bet

Once your Place Bet is made on a number, you win if that number gets rolled again before a 7. So, if you placed your bet on the 6, and the next roll is a 6 before a seven comes up, you win!

The payout you receive for a winning Place Bet depends on which number you bet on:

• Betting on 4 or 10 pays 9 to 5 (e.g., $9 profit for every $5 bet)
• Betting on 5 or 9 pays 7 to 5
• Betting on 6 or 8 pays 7 to 6

One advantage of Place Bets is flexibility. You can make them at any point, and you can also remove or reduce your Place Bet as you wish during the round. This gives you more control compared to bets that must stay working until resolved.

So, in simple terms, Place Bets allows you to back one of six-point numbers to roll before a seven comes up. They offer potentially bigger payouts than even-money bets like Pass/Don't Pass.

Other Bets

In addition to the main bets like Pass/Don't Pass and Come Bets, craps offer several other specialized wager options. While more complex, these can add extra excitement and potential payouts. Here are some of the most common:

Field Bets

A Field Bet is a wager made on a single roll, betting that the next toss of the dice will land on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. You win if any of those numbers come up on the very next roll. If a 5, 6, 7, or 8 is rolled instead, you lose the Field Bet. The payouts vary a bit, but most casinos pay even money (1:1) on 3, 4, 9, 10, 11. Rolling a 2 or 12 typically pays 2:1 or even 3:1.

Proposition Bets

These are one-roll bets with high risk but the potential for a big payout if you win. Common examples include betting on rolling a specific combination like:

• Two 1s (Snake Eyes) - Typically pays 30:1
• Two 6s (Boxcars) - Typically pays 30:1
• Any other specific combination like 3&2, 5&6, etc.

Hardways Bets

A Hardways Bet is a wager that a specific number will be rolled as a "hard" way before either a seven or the "easy" way of rolling that number. For example, betting on "Hard 8" means you are paid if two 4s are rolled before a seven or a 6&2, 5&3, etc. Hardway's payouts are high if you win - typically:

• Hard 4 or Hard 10 pays 7:1
• Hard 6 or Hard 8 pays 9:1

These "one-roll" bets have higher risk since you only get one chance, but can really pay off if you get lucky. They add an extra level of potential excitement beyond standard bets like Pass/Don't Pass.

Craps Tactics: From Conservative to Aggressive

Craps offers different styles of betting that range from very conservative low-risk approaches all the way up to aggressive, high-risk/high-reward strategies. The betting tactics you choose can significantly impact your chances of winning or losing. Here are some of the main strategy types:

The Safe "Small Gambler" Approach

This ultra-conservative style focuses entirely on making the bets with the lowest house edges to maximize your chances over the long run. The safest bets are:

• Pass Line or Don't Pass bets (house edge around 1.4%)
• Backing those up with free Odds bets behind them (no house edge)

Sticking only to these low-house edge bets gives you the best mathematical chances of walking away a winner, albeit with smaller payouts. It's a "grinding" style aimed at simply having fun while losing money slowly.

The Aggressive "Go Big or Go Broke" Style

On the total opposite end, aggressive craps players love the thrill of potentially huge payouts, even though it means higher risks. Tactics include:

• Frequently making high-risk one-roll proposition bets like Hardways
• "Pressing" your bets by doubling up after a win
• "Parlaying" by rolling all winnings into an even bigger bet

This reckless approach can lead to massive swings of winning or losing tons of money in short periods. It adds maximum excitement but greatly increases your chances of going broke.

Balanced Strategies

Many players opt for a middle-ground approach that balances some relatively safe bets along with a sprinkling of high-risk wagers. For example:

• Start with a Pass Line bet and take full odds behind it
• Also, put smaller bets down on Place bets on 6 or 8 for higher payouts
• Occasionally sprinkle in a Hardways bet just for fun

This style gives you a mix of steadier bets while allowing chances at bigger wins through the more volatile proposition wager types.

The "Lock In Profit" Regression Method

This betting pattern aims to actually lock in profits after hitting an early win streak. For example:

1. Make a large bet on a Place 6 or Place 8
2. If it hits, take most of those winnings away while leaving just a small bet size behind
3. Continue playing this reduced "profits left" amount aggressively

It secures your profits while letting you stay in action with little remaining risk.

Online Craps: Playing from Anywhere

Thanks to online casinos, you can now play the exciting game of craps without having to physically be at a casino. Playing craps online allows you to experience the game from anywhere - your living room, vacation hotel, or even on your mobile device. While the online version can't quite replicate the high-energy atmosphere of a packed craps table, it does provide all the fundamental gameplay and betting options you'd find in a real casino.

Getting Started Playing Online Craps

To play online craps for real money, you'll first need to sign up at an online casino site that offers the game. Many of the top, reputable casino sites will have craps as part of their game lineup. Creating an account is quick and easy. Most online craps games will let you play for free in a practice "demo mode" first, so you can get accustomed to the setup and rules before risking any actual cash. This is a great way for crap beginners to learn the ropes.

Once you're ready to play for real, you can make a deposit (often for as little as $10 or so to start), and the game plays just like a normal craps table. You'll select your digital chips, click to make bets on the virtual table layout, and then use buttons or your mouse to "roll" the animated dice.

Advantages of Online Craps

Besides the convenience of playing your favorite casino game on your own schedule, online craps has some nice benefits:

• You can typically find better odds/payouts online than in physical casinos

• No intimidation factor from crowds - just you playing solo

• Easy to try new craps games like simplified, strapless, or high-point variations

• Ability to play for very low or high stake levels

While it may not fully match the electric atmosphere of the craps pit, playing online does provide an accessible way to get in on the craps action from anywhere. As online casinos keep evolving, digital craps will only get more immersive and realistic.

Craps Etiquette and Tips for Beginners

Playing craps has certain rules of behavior that make the game more enjoyable for everyone. For new players, following craps etiquette is just as important as learning the game rules. Here are the etiquette guidelines and tips for craps beginners.

Proper Craps Behavior

There are traditions for how to handle the dice when shooting in craps properly. Use only one hand to pick up and roll the dice. Keep the dice visible on the table at all times - don't throw them off the table.

When betting, place your bets clearly at the right times, when the dice are not being rolled, and the dealer is ready. Speak clearly to state what type of bet you want to avoid mistakes. Be respectful to the casino staff and other players. Follow any instructions from the dealer. Congratulate winners, and avoid bragging or negativity if you lose. Tipping the dealers a portion of your winnings is good etiquette and appreciated.

Craps Tips for Beginners

1. Practice for free online first to get experience before betting real money.

2. Stick to simple bets like the Pass Line or Don't Pass Line bet to start. These bets are easy to understand and have decent odds.

3. Set a clear budget of how much money you are willing to spend, and stop playing once you have spent that amount. Don't chase losses by getting more money out.

4. Keep your bets small, avoid complicated wagers, and have fun engaging with other players at the table. Craps is as much about the experience as any winnings.