The game of craps is a casino table game of chance that doesn’t require any particular skill or strategy. When learning how to play craps, you must correctly predict the outcome of a roll of two dice with players placing bets on what combination will appear on the dice each time they are rolled.
The playing area on the craps table may look intimidating for new players, but the game itself is pretty simple. Craps is the fastest game in any online casino and can sometimes be the most exciting place to be if the table is busy. It can also be confusing for first-timers, but all they need to know is here in the craps guide for you to check before starting playing.
How to Play Craps: Rules and Betting Types for Every Player
Every player at the craps table eventually gets a turn to roll the dice, but it is not required. The dice are passed clockwise around the table, and when it’s the player’s turn to roll, they take the two dice and roll them toward the opposite end of the table.
This first roll for any player is called the “come-out” roll. A roll of 7 or 11 is called a “natural” and is an automatic winner. This also entitles the player to another role. Any roll of 2, 3, or 12 is called “craps” and is a loser, but the player still gets another roll of the dice.
The other possible numbers a player can roll are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. If one of these numbers is rolled, that number becomes the player’s “point” and the dealer will place a small white puck on that number to let the table know which number is the point.
The player must now roll the “point” number before rolling another seven. The player will continue to roll until the point number or a seven comes up. If a seven is rolled before the point number, the shooter will “seven out,” and the dice are given to the next shooter at the table. If the player’s point number comes up before a seven, the player has made a “pass,” which means they win the bet and can roll the dice again.
Beginners Guide on How to Play Craps: Types of Bets
In the world of craps, understanding craps rules and how to place bets is crucial. You can do a lot of learning on almost any casino game if you follow their online casino game reviews.
Two of the most common bets you’ll encounter on the craps table are “Pass” and “Don’t Pass.” When learning how to play craps, players wagering on the Pass Line are betting that the shooter will win. To make a Pass bet, simply place your chips on the designated area marked “Pass Line” on the table. These bets pay even money (1:1), with the house edge being a low 1.41%.
On the other hand, wagering on the Don’t Pass line is essentially betting that the shooter will lose. To make this bet, place your chips in the designated “Don’t Pass” area. Don’t Pass bets also pay even money but with a slight difference on the house edge of 1.40%.
It’s important to note that because the Don’t Pass bettor has a slight edge statistically, the casino has introduced a rule where any roll of 12 is a “push” for that bet. This means neither the house nor the bettor wins in this scenario. This rule helps the casino maintain its edge on this bet at 1.40%.
Pass Line Bet
This is one of the best bets players will find in the craps games, but it can be made even better once the shooter establishes a point. At this time, players can place another “Single Odds” bet that will be paid at the true odds if it’s a winner. The Single Odds bet will lower the house edge on both bets to 0.85%.
This bet is placed by putting the chips on the table just behind the player’s first pass-line bet. Because the casino doesn’t have an advantage, there is a limit on how much can be bet on a Single Odds bet, most commonly 2x the original bet, with many casinos offering 5x.
Don’t Pass Line Bet
This is the opposite of a Pass Line Bet. A Don’t Pass bet will win on the come-out roll if the shooter rolls a two or a three, and a tie if the shooter rolls a 12. This bet will also lose if the shooter rolls a seven or 11. Once the shooter has a point number, the player must roll a seven before any other number for the bet to win. If the shooter rolls their point number before rolling a seven, the bet loses.
Don’t Pass bettors are also permitted to make Free Odds bets to back up their bets on the Don’t Pass line. Because the odds are in their favor, they must lay odds instead of taking odds. For example, if the point is four or ten, the Don’t Pass bettor must give the house 2 to 1 odds, making the bettor put down $2 to win $1. Just as players are paid true odds for betting the Pass Line, betting the Don’t Pass is the opposite, and they must pay those same true odds when betting.
Laying odds isn’t popular with craps players, as most would rather bet with the shooter and take the odds rather than pay them. It makes no difference whether players take odds or lay odds at the craps table, as both bets have no advantage to the house.
Come Bet
The area to make a Come bet is located and marked towards the center of the table. This is the same as the Pass Line bet but is a bet on the first roll of the dice after the shooter rolls their first number. The bet is won if the shooter’s next roll is 7 or 11.
Don’t Come Bet
Like the Don’t Pass bet, this wagers that the shooter will lose after the initial “come-out” roll establishes a point. Place your chips in the designated area marked “Don’t Come.” This bet also pays even money (1:1) but might be placed at any time during the craps casino game, not just on the come-out roll.
Place Bet
Place bets are only handled by the dealer, with players able to bet on either 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. The minimum is usually $6 on six and eight and $5 on the remaining numbers. Place Bets can be made and taken down at any time. The payout is at the true odds of rolling the number.
Field Bet
A simple bet on a specific outcome of the next roll, not requiring a point to be established. Place your chips in the section marked “Field.” Winning outcomes are 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Depending on the specific number rolled, payouts vary (e.g., 2 & 12 pay double your bet, while others pay even money).
Big 6 and Big 8
These are bets on whether a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7. Place your chips on the designated sections marked “Big 6” or “Big 8.” They both pay even money (1:1) but have a higher house edge than Pass or Don’t Pass bets.
Hardways
A wager on a specific dice combination winning (e.g., doubles like 2-2 or 3-3). Place your chips in the designated section for the desired combination. Hardway bets pay a higher payout (usually 6:1 or 3:1) but are less likely to win compared to single-number bets.
Hop Bets
These are bets on a specific two-dice combination winning on the next roll. There are four hop bets: 2 & 3 (paying 12:1), 3 & 4 (paying 11:1), 4 & 5 (paying 8:1), and 5 & 6 (paying 7:1). Place your chips on the intersection of the two desired numbers on the layout. Hop bets offer high payouts but are very unlikely to win.
Proposition Bet
Payouts for proposition bets are the highest in the game and have the lowest odds of winning. The bets are only for the next roll of the dice.
The three choices for Proposition bets are Hard Way bets, Horn Bets, and Any Craps bets. The illustrations on the craps table show precisely what needs to be rolled for the bet to win. Proposition bets pay from 5-to-1 odds up to 30-to-1 odds.
Odds Bet
This bet can increase your payout on a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet. Once a point is established, you can place additional chips behind your original bet at much better odds (usually true odds) than the base bet itself. The casino allows this because it doesn’t affect the house edge on the original bet.
Types of Craps Games to Play
There aren’t different “types” of the craps dice game per sé, but there are variations of the game you might find at casinos where the craps game rules vary and where the game type that can alter the house edge or rules slightly. Here’s a breakdown:
Standard Craps (American Craps):
This is the most common version you’ll encounter. It uses two dice, a craps table layout, and the standard set of bets we discussed earlier (Pass Line, Don’t Pass, etc.).
Crapless Craps
This variation eliminates the possibility of rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the first roll (the Come-Out roll). This can appeal to beginners as it removes some ways to lose quickly. However, it also reduces the number of winning outcomes and increases the house edge for the casino.
Low Limit Craps
This is simply standard craps with lower minimum bet amounts. This can be a good option for new players who want to learn the ropes without risking a lot of money.
High Limit Craps
Conversely, this is standard craps with higher minimum bet amounts. This caters to high rollers who want to wager larger sums and don’t need the game of craps explained or already know by heart how to play craps.
New York Craps
A minor variation on standard craps with slightly different rules around “Big 6” and “Big 8” bets. These bets pay slightly less than in standard craps (usually even money instead of 6:5).
Diceless Craps (Electronic Craps)
This version uses a random number generator instead of dice. It can be found at some casinos and online casinos. The core gameplay remains similar, but the experience might feel less traditional.
Simplified Craps
This is a rare variation that aims to be even easier to learn than standard craps. It might have a reduced number of betting options or a simplified layout.
The Craps Table Explained
The first time attempting to understand how to play craps can seem complex at first glance because of the table layout, but it’s essentially a felt layout divided into sections that represent different betting options. More can be found in multiple casino guides Here’s a breakdown of the key areas:
- Pass Line and Don’t Pass: These are the two main bets in craps, located on either side of the center of the table. Players betting on the Pass Line win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll (first roll), and win again if they roll the established point number before a 7. Don’t Pass bets win under the opposite conditions.
- Come and Don’t Come: Similar to Pass/Don’t Pass bets, but can be placed at any time during the game, not just on the come-out roll.
- Odds Bet: Placed behind a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet to increase the payout at much better odds after a point.
- Field Bet: A single-roll bet on specific numbers (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12) coming up on the next roll. Payouts vary depending on the number rolled.
- Big 6 and Big 8: Bets on whether a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7.
- Hardways: Bets on a specific dice combination winning (e.g., doubles like 2-2 or 3-3).
- Hop Bets: Bets on a specific two-dice combination winning on the next roll (e.g., 2 & 3).
- Number Boxes: Areas to place bets on individual numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10).
- Center Area: Contains various proposition bets on specific dice combinations.
- On/Off Puck: This marks the “point number” (if any) established during the game. The puck is turned “on” when a point is established and “off” after the point is rolled or a 7 is rolled.
Craps FAQs
Is craps a game of skill?
No, craps is primarily a game of chance. While understanding the rules and different bets can help you make informed decisions, the outcome of each roll of the dice is determined by random luck. There’s no skill-based strategy that can consistently guarantee wins.
Is the craps game easy to learn?
The basic rules of craps are relatively easy to understand when learning how to play craps. However, the variety of bets and table layouts can be overwhelming for beginners. It’s advisable to start with the core bets (Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come) and gradually explore other options as you gain confidence.
What is the goal of craps?
The primary goal in craps is to predict the outcome of the dice rolls. Players bet on whether the shooter (the person rolling the dice) will win or lose. The specific goal depends on the type of bet placed. For example, in a Pass Line bet, the goal is for the shooter to establish a point number and roll that number again before rolling a 7.
What is the safest bet in craps?
The Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets are generally considered the safest bets in craps due to their lower house edge. Placing odds behind these bets after a point is established further reduces the house edge. However, it’s important to remember that no bet in craps is completely risk-free.
What’s the best craps strategy?
While there’s no guaranteed winning strategy for craps, here are some general tips:
- Understand the rules and bets: Knowledge is power when learning how to play craps of any other casino game. Focus on low-house-edge bets: Stick to Pass Line, Don’t Pass, and odds bets.
- Manage your bankroll: Set a budget and stick to it. Avoid complex bets: Many proposition bets have high house edges.
- Have fun: Craps is a social game, so enjoy the experience. Ultimately, the best craps strategy is to play responsibly and within your means.
Can you explain the come-out roll?
The come-out roll is the first roll of the dice in a craps game. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, it’s a natural win for Pass Line bettors and a loss for Don’t Pass bettors. If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, it’s a loss for Pass Line bettors and a win for Don’t Pass bettors (except for a push on 12 for Don’t Pass). Any other number becomes the “point” for subsequent rolls.
What is a point number in craps?
A point number is the number rolled on the come-out roll that is neither a natural win nor a loss. The shooter then continues to roll the dice until either the point number is rolled again (a win for Pass Line bettors) or a 7 is rolled (a loss for Pass Line bettors).
What are the odds of winning at craps?
The odds of winning at craps depend on the specific bet you make. The house edge varies for different bets. Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets are among the lowest house edges in the casino. However, it’s important to remember that craps is a game of chance, and there’s no guaranteed way to win consistently.
Can I play craps online?
Yes, many online casinos offer craps games. These games are typically played with a random number generator (RNG) to simulate the dice roll. However, the core rules and betting options remain in a brick-and-mortar casino.
Is there a specific etiquette for playing craps?
While there’s no strict etiquette, it’s considered polite to avoid touching the dice or interfering with the shooter’s roll. Additionally, it’s customary to congratulate winners and avoid excessive celebrations after wins.
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