Walking up to a craps table for the first time is intimidating. It’s the loudest game in the casino, covered in strange markings, and surrounded by people shouting numbers and slang that sounds like a different language. If you’ve ever hesitated to throw dice because you didn’t want to look like a rookie, you aren't alone. The reality is that despite the complex table layout, the core game is actually one of the simplest and best bets in the house.
Craps is purely a game of chance, but understanding the mechanics helps you avoid the sucker bets that pad the house edge. Let’s break down exactly how the action works, from the first roll to the payout.
The Basic Mechanics: The Come-Out Roll
Every round of craps has two phases: the “Come-Out” and the “Point.” The game revolves around the shooter—the person rolling the dice. If you are playing online at sites like DraftKings Casino or BetMGM, the system acts as the shooter, or you tap to roll yourself. In a live casino, the dice move clockwise around the table.
The first roll of a new round is the Come-Out roll. This is where the Pass Line bet comes into play. It’s the most fundamental wager in the game.
If you bet on the Pass Line, you are betting with the shooter. On that first roll, three things can happen:
You win instantly: If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. This pays 1:1. The round ends, and a new one begins.
You lose instantly: If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 (often called “Craps”). The round ends.
A Point is established: If the shooter rolls any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes “The Point.” The dealer will place a puck on that number to mark it. Now the game changes.
Playing the Point Phase
Once a point is set, the objective flips. The shooter keeps rolling the dice until one of two outcomes occurs:
The Point is rolled again: If the shooter hits the established number (e.g., rolling an 8 if the point is 8), Pass Line bets win. The bet pays even money.
A 7 is rolled: If the shooter rolls a 7 before hitting the point number, Pass Line bets lose. This is known as “sevening out.” The dice then pass to the next player.
This back-and-forth creates the tension that makes craps so exciting. A shooter can roll for five minutes straight, hitting numbers and earning payouts, before finally crapping out with a 7.
The Don’t Pass Line: Betting Against the Table
While most players bet on the Pass Line, rooting for the shooter to win, there is an alternative called the Don’t Pass Line. This is effectively betting that the shooter will lose.
On the Come-Out roll, Don’t Pass wins on 2 or 3, pushes on 12, and loses on 7 or 11. Once a point is established, you want a 7 to hit before the point number repeats. It has a slightly lower house edge (about 1.36%) compared to the Pass Line (1.41%), but beware: in a live casino, betting “Don’t” often earns you glares from superstitious players who think you are ruining the table’s luck.
Maximizing Odds: The Best Bet in the Casino
Once a point is established, you have the option to place an additional bet behind your Pass Line bet. This is called “Taking Odds.” This is the only bet in the casino that has a 0% house edge. It pays out at the true mathematical probability of the number being rolled.
Because there is no house edge on this portion of the bet, casinos limit how much you can wager here. You will see signs on the table stating limits like “2x Odds,” “3x-4x-5x Odds,” or higher at venues like the Borgata in Atlantic City or in high-limit rooms at Caesars Palace Online.
Payouts for Odds bets depend on the difficulty of hitting the point:
- Point of 4 or 10: Pays 2:1
- Point of 5 or 9: Pays 3:2
- Point of 6 or 8: Pays 6:5
Always take as much odds as your bankroll allows. It dilutes the overall house edge on your total action significantly.
Essential Betting Options Beyond the Pass Line
The craps table layout is crowded with betting squares, but most of them are traps. However, a few are worth knowing:
Come Bet: This is effectively a “new” Pass Line bet made after the point is established. It wins on 7 or 11 on the next roll, loses on 2, 3, or 12, and otherwise establishes its own point number separate from the shooter’s main point.
Place Bets: You can bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to be rolled before a 7. These bets work like Odds bets but pay slightly less than true odds, giving the house an edge. Placing the 6 or 8 is a solid bet with a house edge of just 1.52%.
Field Bet: A one-roll bet that wins if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. It seems appealing because many numbers win, but the 5, 6, 7, and 8 are losers. The house edge is typically around 5.5%, making it a poor long-term play.
Proposition Bets: The Sucker Trap
Located in the center of the table, these are high-payout, high-house-edge bets on specific outcomes like rolling a specific double (Hardways) or a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 on the next roll. The payouts look flashy—30:1 on a 2 or 12—but the house edge is often over 10% to 16%. These are best avoided if you are trying to play strategically.
Craps Strategy for Beginners
Success in craps isn't about predicting the dice; it's about managing the house edge. A solid approach for US players involves sticking to the basics:
1. Start with a Pass Line bet. The low house edge makes it a safe anchor.
2. Maximize your Odds bet. If the table allows 3x-4x-5x odds, bet the maximum behind your Pass Line. This lowers the combined house edge to under 0.4%.
3. Use Place Bets on 6 and 8. If you want more action, these are the most frequently rolled numbers after 7.
4. Avoid the middle of the table. Those proposition bets drain your bankroll fast.
Playing Online Craps vs. Live Tables
For players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, or other legal iGaming states, online craps offers a different experience. Platforms like FanDuel Casino and BetRivers offer digital versions where you can take your time learning the rules without an audience. The payouts are automated, so you don't need to worry about hand movements or tipping dealers.
Live dealer craps is also becoming popular at sites like BetMGM and Caesars Palace Online. This streams a real dealer and table to your device, bridging the gap between the anonymity of digital play and the atmosphere of a land-based casino.
FAQ
What is the best bet for a beginner in craps?
The Pass Line bet combined with taking maximum Odds is mathematically the best strategy. It has the lowest house edge. Placing a bet on the 6 or 8 is also a beginner-friendly option that hits frequently.
Why do players yell at craps tables?
Players yell out numbers (like “Yo-eleven!”) or cheer because the game is communal. Since most players bet on the Pass Line, they all win or lose together on the same rolls. This creates a group camaraderie unlike any other casino game.
Is craps a game of skill or luck?
Craps is strictly a game of luck. The dice rolls are random. While “dice control” or “dice setting” is a debated technique where players try to throw dice in a specific way to influence the outcome, it is widely considered unreliable compared to standard random probability.
What does a 7 mean in craps?
A 7 is the most critical number. On the Come-Out roll, it is a winner for Pass Line bets. However, once a point is established, a 7 ends the round and causes all Pass Line bets to lose.