Craps Guide: How to Play

The game of craps is a casino table game of chance that doesn’t require any particular skill or strategy. The object is to 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 are here in the craps guide for you to check before starting playing. 

Basic Rules

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 will 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 only other possible numbers a player can roll are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. If one of these numbers is the result, 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 object now becomes for the player to roll the “point” number before rolling another seven. The player will continue to roll until either 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 Craps Guide: Types of Bets

Two of the most common bets made on the craps table are “Pass” and “Don’t Pass” according to the craps guide. When betting on the pass line, players are betting that the shooter will win. To make a pass bet, just place the chips on the area of the table marked “Pass Line.” Bets on the Pass line pay even money, with the house edge being 1.41%. 

Betting on the Don’t Pass line is a bet that the shooter will lose. Place the chips in the “Don’t Pass” area to make this bet. Don’t Pass bets also pay even money, with the edge for the house being 1.40%. 

Because the Don’t Pass bettor has a slight edge, the house has compensated for that by making any roll of 12 a “push” for that bet. This means neither the house nor the bettor wins. This gives the casino an edge on this bet of 1.40%.

Pass Line Bet

This is one of the best bets players will find in craps, but it can be made even better once the shooter establishes a point. At this time, players are permitted to 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 for 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 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 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. 

Craps Guide for Strategy: Come Bet

The area to make a Come bet is located towards the center of the table and is clearly marked. 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. 

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 at any time and be taken down at any time. The payout is at the true odds of rolling the number. 

Field Bet

This type of bet is on whether or not the chosen number will come up on the very next roll of the dice. The numbers available for a Field Bet are 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. A win with this bet pays even money except for two or 12, which pay double the amount wagered.  Remember, if you want to know more about Slots Paradise, check our social media and join our community.

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.