Craps is one of the most exciting and social games on the casino floor. Fast-paced and full of energy, it’s a dice game where luck takes the wheel—no advanced skills or strategy needed. The goal is simple: bet on the outcome of two dice being rolled.
Rolling the Dice: Who Gets to Shoot?
To throw the dice (known as being the “shooter”), you need to place a bet on either the Pass Line or the Don’t Pass Line. The shooter selects two dice and must toss them together in a way that makes them hit the far wall of the table. This keeps things fair and fun.
Step-by-Step: How Craps Works
- Place Your Bets
Before the dice roll, players place their bets on what they think will happen. You can bet with the shooter (Pass Line) or against them (Don’t Pass Line). - The Come-Out Roll
The first roll in any round is called the Come-Out Roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win. If the result is 2, 3, or 12 (called “craps”), Pass Line bets lose. - Establishing the Point
If the roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the “Point.” The dealer places a puck on that number to mark it, and the game continues. - Keep Rolling!
Now the goal is to hit the Point number again before rolling a 7. If the shooter rolls the Point, Pass Line bets win. If they roll a 7 first, it’s called a “seven-out,” and Pass Line bets lose. The dice then pass to the next player.
Popular Bets in Craps
Here are some of the main bets you can place at a craps table:
- Pass Line Bet
You’re betting the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 on the Come-Out, or hit the Point before a 7. - Don’t Pass Line Bet
You’re betting against the shooter. Win if they roll 2 or 3 on the Come-Out. A 12 is a push, and you lose on 7 or 11. After the Point is set, you win if a 7 comes before the Point is rolled again. - Come Bet
Works like a Pass Line bet but can be placed after the Point is set. Your bet travels to the next number rolled, and now that’s your mini-Point. - Don’t Come Bet
Similar to the Don’t Pass, but placed after the Point. Your bet moves behind the next number rolled. You want a 7 to appear before that number comes back. - Field Bet
A quick, one-roll wager. Win if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Lose on 5, 6, 7, or 8. Simple and popular. - Place Bets
Bet that specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7. These are flexible and can be turned on or off by the player. - Proposition Bets
High-risk, high-reward one-roll bets placed in the center of the table. Examples include betting the next roll will be a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12.
Payout Odds Cheat Sheet
Here’s a handy look at what some bets pay out:
| Bet Type | Winning Outcome | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Pass / Come | Pass Line or Come bet wins | 1 to 1 |
| Don’t Pass / Don’t Come | Don’t Pass or Don’t Come wins | 1 to 1 |
| Any Craps | 2, 3, or 12 | 8 to 1 |
| 2 Craps | Exactly 2 | 30 to 1 |
| 3 Craps | Exactly 3 | 15 to 1 |
| 12 Craps | Exactly 12 | 30 to 1 |
| 11 (Yo) | Exactly 11 | 15 to 1 |
| Any 7 | Exactly 7 | 4 to 1 |
| C & E if 2, 3, or 12 | C\&E combo hits 2, 3, or 12 | 3 to 1 |
| C & E if 11 | C\&E combo hits 11 | 7 to 1 |
Odds After the Point Is Set
Pass Line Odds
| Point Number | Payout |
|---|---|
| 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 |
| 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 |
| 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 |
Don’t Pass Odds
| Point Number | Payout |
|---|---|
| 6 or 8 | 5 to 6 |
| 5 or 9 | 2 to 3 |
| 4 or 10 | 1 to 2 |
Other Common Bets
| Bet Type | Winning Outcome | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Hardway 4 or 10 | Double 2s or double 5s | 8 to 1 |
| Hardway 6 or 8 | Double 3s or double 4s | 10 to 1 |
| Field Bet | 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 | 1 to 1 |
| Field Bet | 2 or 12 | 2 to 1 |
Place Bets
| Place Number | Payout |
|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 9 to 5 |
| 5 or 9 | 7 to 5 |
| 6 or 8 | 7 to 6 |
Final Tip
Craps may look intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s one of the most fun and high-energy games in any casino. Start with simple bets like the Pass Line or Field, and build from there.
Ready to roll the dice?
