The craps casino game looks wild and noisy from a distance—players shouting, dealers moving chips fast, dice flying across the table. But once you understand the basic bets and flow, craps is one of the most exciting and player-friendly games in the casino.
This guide breaks down the rules, bet types, odds, and simple strategies so you can walk up to a craps table (live or online) with confidence instead of confusion.
How the Craps Casino Game Works
Craps is a dice game played with two six-sided dice on a special table layout. Players bet on the outcome of the dice, not against each other.
The Shooter and the Dice
- One player is the shooter and rolls the dice.
- Other players at the table bet on what they think the dice will show.
- In online craps, the “shooter” is simulated, but the rules are the same.
Come-Out Roll vs Point Phase
Every round of craps has two main phases:
- Come-Out Roll
- This is the first roll of a new round.
- Players place Pass Line or Don’t Pass bets before this roll.
- 7 or 11 → Pass Line wins, Don’t Pass loses
- 2, 3, or 12 → Pass Line loses (craps); 2 and 3 win for Don’t Pass, 12 is a push in most casinos
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 → That number becomes the point
- Point Phase
- The shooter continues rolling the dice.
- If the point number appears again before a 7:
- Pass Line wins, Don’t Pass loses
- If a 7 appears before the point:
- Pass Line loses, Don’t Pass wins
- Then the round ends and a new come-out roll begins.
Everything in craps revolves around this cycle of come-out roll → point phase → new round.
Core Bets You Should Actually Use
There are many bets on a craps layout, but only a few are smart for most players. Start with these.
1. Pass Line Bet
- Placed before the come-out roll, on the Pass Line area.
- You’re betting with the shooter:
- Win on 7 or 11 on the come-out
- Lose on 2, 3, 12
- If a point is set, you win if the point repeats before a 7.
House edge: about 1.41%
This is one of the best bets in the entire casino.
2. Don’t Pass Bet
- Also placed before the come-out roll, on Don’t Pass.
- You’re betting against the shooter:
- Lose on 7 or 11
- Win on 2 or 3
- 12 is a push (no win, no loss) in most casinos
- If a point is set, you win if 7 comes before the point
House edge: about 1.36%
Mathematically slightly better than Pass Line, but many players prefer Pass Line for table camaraderie.
3. Odds Bets (Free Odds)
After a point is established, you can place an Odds bet behind your Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet.
- Pass Line Odds: you’re betting the point will hit before 7
- Don’t Pass Odds: you’re betting 7 will hit before the point
Odds bets:
- Pay true odds (no built-in house edge)
- Are one of the only zero-edge bets in the casino
- Usually limited to a multiple of your Pass/Don’t Pass bet (e.g., 2x, 3x, 5x odds, etc.)
Smart play:
Make a small Pass (or Don’t Pass) bet, then back it up with the maximum Odds your bankroll can handle. This keeps the house edge on your total action very low.
4. Come and Don’t Come Bets
These work like Pass/Don’t Pass, but they start after the come-out roll.
- Come Bet: placed after a point is set; the next roll acts like a mini come-out roll for this bet.
- Don’t Come: same idea but betting against the number.
You can also take Odds on Come/Don’t Come bets once they move to their number.
5. Place Bets (on 6 and 8 especially)
You can “Place” a bet directly on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) after the point is set:
- Place 6 and Place 8 usually have the best returns among place bets.
- They win if that number appears before a 7.
- House edge is higher than Pass/Don’t Pass with Odds, but still reasonable.
Avoid placing all numbers randomly; focus on 6 and 8 if you use place bets at all.
Bets to Avoid (or at Least Treat as Side Action Only)
Craps tables are full of flashy bets with worse odds:
- Field bets (one-roll bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- Hardways (e.g., 4-4 for an 8, must hit before an easy 8 or 7)
- Prop bets in the center (any 7, any craps, specific doubles, etc.)
These often have much higher house edges—sometimes 10% or more. They’re fine for the occasional small fun bet, but they should not be the core of your craps strategy.
Simple Strategy for the Craps Casino Game
You don’t need a complicated system to play craps smartly. Stick to a low-edge, structured approach.
Basic Low-House-Edge Setup
- Bet Pass Line for 1 unit on the come-out roll
- When a point is established, take maximum Odds your bankroll allows behind it
- Optionally Place 6 and/or 8 for modest amounts
- Avoid or minimize prop bets (center table one-roll bets)
This gives you:
- Good action
- Low overall house edge
- Straightforward decision-making
Bankroll Example
Let’s say your session bankroll is 100 units:
- Bet 5 units on the Pass Line
- Take 10–15 units Odds behind it when a point is set
- Optionally Place 6 and/or 8 for 5 units each
If your bankroll is smaller, scale everything down but keep the same structure.
Bankroll Management at the Craps Table
Craps is fast and can swing hard in either direction. Proper bankroll management is crucial.
Set a Session Limit
Before you buy in:
- Decide how much you’re willing to lose this session (e.g., 100 units)
- Treat that as already spent on entertainment
If you lose it, walk away—no reloads based on emotion.
Use Win and Loss Targets
- Loss stop: For example, if you lose 50–60% of your bankroll, step away.
- Win goal: Maybe 50–100% profit on your buy-in; when you hit it, lock in at least part of your winnings.
You can drop your bet size once you’re ahead to protect profits while still enjoying the game.
Craps Table Etiquette (So You Don’t Stand Out)
Craps has a few unwritten rules that keep things smooth and friendly.
- Handle the dice with one hand only
- Don’t change dice constantly unless the boxman offers it
- Toss the dice so they hit the far wall (not just drop them)
- Place your bets when the dice are in the middle, not after they’re passed to the shooter
- Learn a few key phrases:
- “Across” – place bets on multiple numbers
- “Press” – increase your bet after a win
- “Same bet” – keep your bet at the same level after a win
Being polite and clear makes dealers more inclined to help you with your bets and explanations.
Online Craps vs Live Table Craps
Online / RNG Craps
- Faster play, low minimum bets
- Good for learning the rules and bet flow
- No social pressure, you can take your time reviewing options
Live Casino Craps
- High energy, cheering, and table camaraderie
- Slightly slower pace but much more atmosphere
- Great if you enjoy social gambling and celebrating wins with others
Many players learn online, then move to live tables once they’re comfortable.
Responsible Gambling
Like any casino game, craps should stay fun, not stressful:
- Never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose
- Don’t chase losses by raising bets out of frustration
- Take regular breaks to keep your decisions sharp
- Set strict time and money limits for each session
If gambling starts to affect your finances, mood, or relationships, step back and seek support.
Conclusion
The craps casino game might look intimidating at first, but once you understand Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Odds, and a few key side bets, it becomes one of the most enjoyable and mathematically fair games in the casino.
You can’t control the dice, but you can control:
- Which bets you use
- How much you stake
- When you walk away
Stick to low-edge bets, manage your bankroll, and respect table etiquette, and you’ll be able to enjoy the full energy of the craps table—without letting the dice roll over your budget.
About the Author
