How to Play Craps: Full Beginner Guide

What Is Craps and Why It’s Popular in Casinos

Craps is a fast and noisy dice game. You play it with two dice and a lot of quick decisions. If you’re new, this guide will show you how to play craps at a casino. The same rules apply at live tables or digital machines.

It’s easy to get caught up in the action. Craps feels exciting and moves fast. That’s why it’s important to set a budget before you start. Know how much you’re fine losing and stick to it.

Understanding the Table and Dice

A craps table looks busy at first. It’s long and covered in green felt with many betting spots — Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Field, and others. Dealers handle the chips and dice. Players place bets in marked areas before each roll.

Watch others play for a bit. See where they put their chips and how they behave at the table. It helps you learn the flow.

Before rolling, casino staff check the dice. The shooter takes two dice and throws them against the back wall. The first roll is the “come-out roll.”

• If the shooter rolls 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win.
• If it’s 2, 3, or 12, those bets lose.
• If it’s 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the “point.”

The dealer marks the point with an “ON” puck. The shooter keeps rolling until they hit the point again or roll a 7.

How a Round Works

Each game starts with a come-out roll. Players take turns being the shooter. Once a point is set, the goal is simple — roll that number again before a 7.

If a 7 shows first, that’s a “seven-out.” The round ends and dice move to the next player.

Here’s how often each total appears:

Total	Probability
7	16.67%
6 / 8	13.89%
5 / 9	11.11%
4 / 10	8.33%
3 / 11	5.56%
2 / 12	2.78%

All statistics based on A Mathematical Analysis of a Game of Craps by Bridgewater State University.

Basic Bets

Pass Line and Don’t Pass

The Pass Line is the most common bet. Place your chip before the come-out roll.

• 7 or 11 wins.
• 2, 3, or 12 loses.
• Any other number becomes the point.

If that point shows again before a 7, Pass Line wins. Don’t Pass is the opposite — you win when a 7 appears before the point.

House edge:

• Pass Line – 1.41%
• Don’t Pass – 1.36%

Point	Payout
4, 10	2:1
5, 9	3:2
6, 8	6:5

Come and Don’t Come

Come bets are like Pass Line bets but made after the point is set. You place your chip in the “Come” area.

• 7 or 11 wins.
• 2, 3, or 12 loses.
• Any other number becomes your “come point.”

If your number shows again before a 7, you win. Don’t Come works in reverse.

Adding “odds” behind these bets gives true odds with no house edge. Always take them when you can.

Advanced Bets

Odds Bets

Odds bets back up your main bet after a point is made. They pay true odds — no house edge.

Point	Payout
4 or 10	2:1
5 or 9	3:2
6 or 8	6:5

Example: You bet €10 on the Pass Line and the point is 5. You add €20 in Odds. If 5 rolls again, you win €10 on Pass and €30 on Odds.

Odds bets are great value but can grow fast. Bet within your budget.

Field and Proposition Bets

Field bets cover 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12 — one roll only. Most pay even money, but 2 and 12 usually pay double.
House edge: around 5.56%.

Proposition bets are in the center of the table — Any 7, Any Craps, Hardways, and Horn bets. They look fun but come with big house edges (up to 16%). Use them for fun, not for strategy.

Playing Craps Online

Online craps uses Random Number Generators (RNGs) to simulate dice. Gameplay is fast and private. You can start small or play in demo mode before using real money.

Feature	Online	Live Casino
Pace	Fast	Slower
Limits	Lower	Higher
Etiquette	None	Important
Mechanic	RNG	Real dice

Online games move quicker, so be careful with your bankroll. Set limits and stick to them. Licensed casinos test their RNGs to ensure fair play.

Tips for Beginners

• Set a budget before playing.
• Bet small — 1–2% of your bankroll per roll.
• Focus on low house-edge bets: Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come.
• Always take free odds when allowed.
• Avoid high-edge bets like Any 7 or Hardways until you know the game well.
• Throw dice with one hand and hit the back wall.
• Don’t say “seven” once a point is on. It’s bad luck at the table.