Master the Craps Rules
Fully grasping the rules of craps means you can confidently approach the table, place your bets and enjoy the dice game, whether playing at an online casino or in person.
The Objective
The aim of the game in craps is to wager on the outcomes when a pair of dice are rolled. The shooter that’s rolling the dice ‘wins’ if they land a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll (the first throw).
It’s a loss if they throw a 2, 3, or 12, known as craps. Any other number rolled becomes the point, which is the new target number.
The Craps Table
The game is all about the craps table. There’s space for the dice to be rolled and also several specially designated areas for placing your chips to make specific bets. The casino personnel runs the table, making sure that the game flows smoothly.
The Dice
There are two six-sided craps dice. The shooter rolls, and the two numbers shown on the dice are the outcome that determines wins or losses.
The Puck
The puck is a round disk displayed on the table. The black side reads ‘off’, indicating the next roll is a come-out. When the white side that reads ‘on’ faces up, a pass sequence has already begun.
The Stick
The stick moves the dice around the table and passes them to the shooter at the start of the round.
The Shooter
The shooter is the person rolling the dice in a land-based casino environment. Often players around the table take turns when a round ends. However, some shooters stay on for several rounds.
The Boxperson
The Boxperson is one of the casino personnel. They are responsible for exchanging chips, overseeing the game, and supervising the dealers.
The Stickperson
The stickperson is in charge of the dice; they use the stick to collect them and move them to the shooter. They call out the outcome of a roll.
The Dealers
A dealer has three jobs. They can place a bet for a player, collect losing bets, and pay out winnings on successful bets.
10 Best Craps Bets
A major part of playing is knowing the best craps bets. We’ve outlined the top 10 options, what they mean, and when you can place them.
1. Pass Line
A pass-line wager can be made on a come-out roll. You win if 7 or 11 is rolled and lose if the result is 2, 3, or 12. If another number is rolled, it becomes the point, and it needs to be rolled again before a 7 to get a win.
2. Don’t Pass
This wager is also for the come-out roll but is the opposite of the pass-line bet. You win if 2, 3, or 12 is rolled and lose on 7 or 11. If a point is established, you win if it isn’t rolled again before a 7.
3. Come Bet
After the first roll, you can place a come bet if the shooter has a point. Like pass line wagers, 7 or 11 leads to a win, and 2, 3, or 12 equals a loss. If any of the other numbers are rolled, that becomes the come point, and you get a win if it’s repeated before a 7 is rolled.
4. Don’t Come Bet
The opposite of a come bet and similar to a don’t pass bet, it’s made once the shooter has a point. Your bet wins when 2 or 3 is rolled, a 12 is a tie, and a 7 or 11 is a loss. When any other number is rolled, it becomes the come point, and if a 7 is rolled before it’s repeated, you win.
5. Field Bets
The field bet is a one-roll wager. It covers several numbers with different payouts. You win on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. If 5, 6, 7, or 8 is rolled, it’s a loss.
6. Place Bets
Once a shooter has a point, you can make a place bet on any of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. It pays out at different rates depending on the number if it’s rolled before 7. You can pull a place bet before the next roll.
7. Hardways
This bet covers multiple rolls. You win if the shooter rolls a pair but lose if the dice lands on 7 or if the number is formed the easy way instead of the hard. A ‘hard 6’ is 3 and 3; an ‘easy 6’ is 5 and 1 or 4 and 2.
8. One Roll Bets
Most of the bets above stay on the table for multiple rolls until concluded. However, there are several bets that only depend on the outcome of a single roll.
Any Seven
You’re betting that the next roll will be 7. You’ll find it with the other one roll or proposition bets in the middle of the table.
Any Craps
This bet covers the three crap numbers: 2, 3, or 12.
2 or 12 Bets
A wager that predicts that the next roll is a 2 or a 12.
3 or 11 Bets
This wager predicts that a 3 or an 11 will be rolled next.
Horn Bets
A horn bet combines the above two bets, meaning you’re predicting that 2, 3, 11, or 12 will be rolled.
Big 6, Big 8
In craps, 7 is the most frequently rolled number. The next two are 6 and 8. Place your chips on the big 6 or big 8 spaces to predict that the next roll will be 6 or 8.
9. Free Odds/Laying the Odds Bets
A free odds bet is possible after you make a pass or come bet. Once a point is established, you can back your original pass or come bet with free odds, meaning it pays out at the true odds of the bet. If you placed a don’t pass or don’t come bet, you can lay the odds.
10. Buy Bets
You can get true odds for the place bets by turning them into buy bets. It means you pay the casino a commission for the improved house edge.
Craps Odds and Payouts
The craps odds can be understood by knowing that two six-sided dice are used, meaning there are 36 possible combinations, with six ways to make 7, five ways to make 6 and 8, four for 5 and 9, and three for 4 and 10.
These are the true odds, but the casino adds a house edge, which means there are different craps payouts for each result and bet type.
| Bet | Pays | True Odds | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1 to 1 | 251 to 244 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass | 1 to 1 | 976 to 949 | 1.36% |
| Come | 1 to 1 | 251 to 244 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Come | 1 to 1 | 976 to 949 | 1.36% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7 to 6 | 6 to 5 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7 to 5 | 3 to 2 | 4% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9 to 5 | 2 to 1 | 6.67% |
| Any 7 | 4 to 1 | 5 to 1 | 16.67% |
| Any craps | 7 to 1 | 8 to 1 | 11.11% |
| 2 or 12 | 30 to 1 | 35 to 1 | 13.89% |
| 3 or 11 | 15 to 1 | 17 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Big 6 or 8 | 1 to 1 | 6 to 5 | 9% |
| Field bet (3, 4, 9, 10, or 11) | 1 to 1 | 5 to 4 | 5.56% |
| Field bet (2 or 12) | 3 to 1 | 5 to 4 | 2.78% |
| Hardaways 6 or 8 | 9 to 1 | 10 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Hardaways 4 or 10 | 7 to 1 | 8 to 1 | 1.11% |
Craps House Edge
The craps house edge varies quite a lot between the different bets. It means it’s worth paying attention to the percentages to aim for bets that deliver the best value over time.
How To Play Craps – Breakdown of a Round
Now you know all about the bets and craps rules, it’s time to get a better idea of how to play craps. We’ll talk you through what a round looks like so you know exactly what to expect.
- Comeout roll
The round begins with the shooter’s first roll or comeout roll. All bets need to be in before the roll. During this roll, the shooter might establish a point, and the puck is switched to on.
- The game is on
While the puck is set to on, players can place all kinds of in-game bets, with multiple roll bets continuing for the different rolls. The shooter keeps going until a 7 is rolled, known as ‘sevening out’.
- Prepare for the next round
The puck is switched to off, and players can remove their bets from the table or continue. The next shooter will begin the process again.
Place Your Bets!
There’s a long list of craps bets, which include multiple numbers, single numbers, multiple rolls, and single rolls. Not all of them can be placed during every stage of the game, so it’s essential to grasp the craps rules.
The house edge is one of the most important considerations for choosing your bet. Understanding the odds and payout to make the most of the game is essential. Go to your favorite online craps casino and start playing! Before you play, make sure to study your craps strategy.
Frequently asked questions
