The Beginner’s Guide to Craps Rules and How to Play
Craps is a popular casino table game played with dice that can be overwhelming for beginners. From placing multiple bets to its unique jargon and gameplay, you’ll find all the important craps rules and instructions you need to start playing with real money.
Apart from showing you how to play craps online, we’ve included top tips and strategies that you can use to win more often. You’ll also find handy tips throughout that explain important terms and compare craps with other popular casino games.
What is Craps?
Craps is a fast-paced dice game where players bet on the outcome of the roll, or series of rolls, of two dice. It’s traditionally played on a specialised table and can be found in almost every online and land-based casino worldwide.
Understanding basic craps rules is fairly straightforward. The main objective is to predict the numbers rolls and place strategic wagers to maximise payouts. It shouldn’t take long to learn how to play craps for beginners, however, you’ll need plenty of practice to get confident.
Craps Table Rules
To understand how to play craps dice games and what bets win or lose, it makes sense to start from the most basic structure and flow of the game.
1. The Setup
While some top craps casinos feature table variants, the vast majority of games follow the same setup.
- Two dice are used in each game and round.
- Players take turns being the shooter, the person rolling the dice.
- The game is split into two main stages. These are called Come-Out Roll and Point Roll.
Handy Tip: The setup for RNG craps is slightly different since each game is a single-player game. This means that you are always the shooter. In live dealer games at live casinos, a mechanical gadget is throwing the dice and is calibrated for fair and unbiased rolls.
2. The Come-Out Roll
The game’s first stage is the Comeout Roll which refers to the first roll of the two dice. These are the most important rules of craps concerning this stage:
- If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, they win, and the round ends.
- If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, this is referred to as Craps. In this scenario, craps players lose and the round ends.
- Should the roll result in any other number, namely 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the Point.
3. The Point Roll
If a point number is rolled during the Come-Out Roll, craps game rules state that a second roll, known as the Point Roll, should take place.
- The shooter now aims to roll the point number again before rolling a 7.
- Rolling the point wins the bet while rolling a 7 ends the round in a loss.
Handy Tip: Rolling a 7 after a Point is established ends the round and is often referred to as “sevening out”.
How to Play Craps: A Step-by-Step Overview
Craps rules for beginners and the structure of the game can seem complex, but it’s straightforward once you understand the main stages of the game. The following tutorial walks you through the main stages of a typical online game.
Step 1: Place a Bet
You can bet on the Pass Line (betting that the shooter will win) or the Don’t Pass Line (betting that the shooter will lose). Other bets are also available, but it’s best to stick to these two initially.
Step 2: Roll the Dice
Press the dice icon to trigger the Come-Out roll.
Step 3: Look at the Result of the Roll
Depending on the result (7, 11, Craps, or point), either the round ends or a point is established. In this example, we’ve rolled a 12 so the game ends.
Step 4: Play the Point Roll
If a point is set, you continue rolling to roll the Point number again before a 7.
Craps Rules and Bets
It’s important to understand craps game rules and the various bets available to play confidently. Here are some of the primary bets you must become familiar with to play for real. The table layout allocates spots for each bet, similar to roulette, so betting is simple and intuitive.
Pass Line Bet
This is the most straightforward and common bet in craps. To win this bet, the Come-Out Roll must be equal to 7 or 11. You’ll lose the bet if the Come-Out Roll is Craps, or equal to 2, 3, or 12.
Don’t Pass Bet
This is the opposite of the Pass Line Bet, so you’re betting that the Come-Out Roll will have a total of either 2 or 3. Following craps rules, you will also win this bet if a 7 is rolled after a Point is established.
Come and Don’t Come Bets
According to craps table rules, these bets can only be placed once a Point has been established. A Come Bet works like a Pass Line Bet but applies to the next roll. Similarly, a Don’t Come Bet works like a Don’t Pass Bet and applies to the next roll.
Odds Bets
This is an additional bet you can place behind a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet once a point has been established. Odds Bets have no house edge, making them one of the best bets in craps. In contrast, other bets have house edges of 1.36% and 1.41%, making them comparable to casino baccarat.
Craps Rules and Payouts
Like most casino table games, craps rules outline fixed payouts and house edges for each bet. The following tables outline standard conditions, which may vary slightly from one game to another.
These are the primary bets in craps. If you’re learning how to play craps, you should focus on placing these before expanding into proposition bets.
| Bet Name | Description | Payout | House Edge |
| Pass Line | A Pass Line bet wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled on the come-out roll, or if the point number is hit during the point roll. However, Pass Line bets lose if a 2, 3, or 12 comes up on the come-out roll, or if a 7 is rolled before the point number during the point roll. | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass | A Don’t Pass Bar bet wins if a 2 or 3 is rolled on the come-out roll, or if a 7 is rolled before the point number once the point has been set. Don’t Pass Bar bets lose if a 7 or 11 is rolled on the come-out roll, or if the point number is rolled before a 7. If a 12 is rolled on the come-out roll, the Don’t Pass Bar bet results in a push, and the player’s bet is returned. | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Come | Come bets win if a 7 or 11 is rolled immediately after the bet is placed. If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled instead, the bet moves to the number rolled, which becomes the “Come Point.” The Come Point bet then wins if that number is rolled again before a 7. | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Come | Don’t Come Bar bets win if a 2 or 3 is rolled immediately after the bet is placed. If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, the bet moves to the number rolled, which becomes the “Don’t Come Point.” The Don’t Come Point bet wins if a 7 is rolled before the Don’t Come Point number. | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Field | Field bets are single-roll bets. They win if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled. | 2 or 12: 2:1
3, 4, 9, 10, or 11: 1:1 |
5.56% |
Advanced Craps Bets and Payouts
Once you have confidence placing basic craps bets, you may want to include one or more of the following multi-roll or proposition bets.
| Any 7 | An Any Seven bet is a single-roll wager. It wins if a 7 is rolled. | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Any Craps | An Any Craps bet is a one-roll wager. It wins if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled. | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Hardway 4-6-8-10 | Hardway bets are wagers placed on a specific pair of dice showing the same value, such as 2+2 for 4, 3+3 for 6, 4+4 for 8, or 5+5 for 10. | 4 or 10: 7:1
6 or 8 9:1 |
11.11%
9.09% |
| Craps 2-3-11-12 | Craps bets are single-roll wagers. They are placed on the outcome of a 2, 3, 11, or 12 being rolled. | 3 or 11: 15:1
2 or 12: 30:1 |
16.67% |
| Horn | Horn bets are single-roll wagers. These bets are placed on a combination of four numbers: 2, 3, 11, and 12, with the bet amount evenly divided between them. The payouts are based on the outcome, with each number paying according to its specific odds. | 3 or 11: 15:1
2 or 12: 30:1 |
Varies |
| Place 4-5-6-8-9-10 | Place bets are wagers made on a specific number being rolled before a 7. If the chosen number is rolled before a 7, the bet wins. However, if a 7 is rolled first, the bet loses. | 6 or 8: 7:6
5 or 9: 7:5 4 or 10: 9:5 |
1.52%
4.00% 6.67% |
| Place to Lose 4-5-6-8-9-10 | Place to Lose bets are wagers made on a specific number, with the goal of a 7 being rolled before that number. If a 7 is rolled before the chosen number, the bet wins. However, if the number is rolled first, the bet loses. | 6 or 8: 4:5
5 or 9: 5:8 4 or 10: 5:11 |
1.82%
2.50% 3.03% |
| Buy 4-5-6-8-9-10 | Buy bets are wagers placed on a specific number, and they win if that number is rolled before a 7. A 5% commission, known as a vigorish (vig.), is charged when making the Buy bet. If the bet is removed or lost, the vig. is returned to the player. | 6 or 8: 6:5
5 or 9: 3:2 4 or 10: 2:1 |
4.76% |
| Lay 4-5-6-8-9-10 | Lay bets are wagers placed on a specific number, and they win if a 7 is rolled before that number. A 5% commission, known as a vigorish (vig.), is charged when making the Lay bet. If the bet is removed or lost, the vig. is returned to the player. | 6 or 8: 5:6
5 or 9: 2:3 4 or 10: 1:2 |
4.00%
3.23% 2.44% |
| Big 6-8 | Big 6/8 bets are wagers placed on the “Big 6” or “Big 8” sections of the table. These bets win if the chosen number (either 6 or 8) is rolled before a 7. | 1:1 | 9.09% |
Handy Tip: One of the biggest difficulties many players learning how to play craps at casinos face is memorising each bet. If you’re just starting, it’s best to stick to Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come bets. Experiment with others slowly once you’re confident with the basics.
Types of Craps Games Available
Learning how to play craps in Vegas is different from playing online or on the streets. Here are the top three types of craps games.
- Bank Craps – This is the most common form of craps, played in most casinos worldwide. All bets are placed against the house.
- Street Craps – A more informal version of the game, often played without a traditional craps table. The Street Craps game relies on the same craps dice game rules but is usually played among friends.
- Online Craps – If you’re wondering how to play craps at home, online craps offer the same excitement as the land-based casino version. Many top casino sites simulate real-life craps, with digital dice rolls and virtual tables.
Craps Strategy: How to Play Craps and Win
While craps is a game of chance, there are some strategies and tips that can help you win more often.
The 3-Point Molly
This is a conservative betting system designed to reduce risk and increase your chances of winning over time. It involves placing a bet on the Pass Line, taking odds on that bet, and then making Come Bets with odds on each subsequent roll. This strategy allows you to always have multiple numbers working in your favour while minimising the house edge. It’s an excellent system for players who prefer steady, less volatile wins.Don’t Pass Strategy
The Don’t Pass strategy involves betting against the shooter. It works by placing bets on the Don’t Pass Line and Don’t Come bets, which statistically favour the player slightly due to the way the game is structured. This approach is more conservative than betting on the Pass Line, and it often appeals to players who prefer going against the crowd and leveraging the house’s slight advantage in these bets.Keep Bets Simple
If you’re just starting out learning how to play craps dice games, it’s wise to focus on basic bets like the Pass Line and Come bets. These bets offer a low house edge and are easy to follow. They also allow players to stay engaged in the game without getting overwhelmed by more complicated betting options. As you become more comfortable with the game, you can gradually explore other bets, but keeping things simple at first is key to learning the flow of the game and managing your bankroll effectively.
Top Tips for Playing Craps
Always keep these tips in mind when playing craps online or at land-based casinos:
- Avoid Proposition Bets – These are tempting one-roll bets that offer high payouts but come with a significantly higher house edge. As a beginner, it’s easy to get lured in by the big wins, but these bets can quickly drain your funds. Stick with safer bets until you’re more experienced.
- Start with Small Bets – When learning how to play craps for beginners, it’s best to start with low-risk bets like the Pass Line. This allows you to get a feel for the game without risking too much too quickly, and it helps you manage your bankroll over longer sessions.
- Watch a Few Rounds – Observing a few rounds before you place your own bets can give you a sense of how the game moves and how experienced players manage their bets. You’ll also become familiar with the terms, the rhythm of the game, and common strategies used by others. If you’re playing online, you can watch live games without participating or try virtual games for free.
- Game Responsibly – No amount of strategy can ensure that you learn how to play craps and win so you should practice safer gambling and never wager more than you afford to lose. Manage your bankroll by splitting your bets across multiple rounds to have enough time to enjoy the game. Never chase your losses and set limits on bets or session times to help you manage your activity.
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