How to Play Craps
Craps is a casino dice game played with two six-sided dice. The game can look confusing at first because the table has many betting areas, but the basic idea is simple: players are betting on what numbers will roll before a seven appears.
The best way to learn craps is to start with the Pass Line, understand the come-out roll, and then learn how the point works. Once those pieces make sense, the rest of the table becomes much easier to understand.
What Is the Come-Out Roll?
A new round begins with the come-out roll. On this roll, a Pass Line bet wins immediately if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. It loses immediately if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12.
If the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point.
How the Point Works
Once a point is established, the shooter keeps rolling. A Pass Line bet wins if the point number rolls again before a 7. It loses if a 7 rolls before the point.
For example, if the point is 6, the shooter must roll another 6 before rolling a 7 for Pass Line players to win.
Pass Line Bet Explained
The Pass Line is the most common beginner craps bet. It has a low house edge of about 1.41%, making it one of the better bets on the table.
- Wins on come-out roll: 7 or 11
- Loses on come-out roll: 2, 3, or 12
- If a point is set, wins if the point repeats before 7
- Pays even money
What Are Odds Bets?
After a point is set, many casinos allow players to place an Odds bet behind the Pass Line. Odds bets are special because they pay true mathematical odds and have a 0% house edge.
This is why experienced craps players often say the best strategy is to play the Pass Line and then take Odds after a point is established.
Come Bets and Place Bets
A Come bet works much like a Pass Line bet, but it is made after a point has already been established. Place bets are different: they let you choose a specific number, such as 6 or 8, and bet that it will roll before a 7.
Place 6 and Place 8 are among the better place bets because they have a relatively low house edge compared with many other table bets.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Betting too much on high-edge proposition bets.
- Ignoring Odds bets after a point is set.
- Trying to cover too many numbers at once.
- Not understanding that 7 is the most common roll.
- Chasing losses instead of managing a bankroll.
Practice Craps Online
The easiest way to learn is to practice without risking real money. Craps Academy lets you roll dice, place bets, see active house edges, and understand what happens after each roll.