How to Play Craps: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Learn the basics of how to play craps, from dice rolls to betting strategies, and discover the best bets, gameplay, and how to avoid common mistakes. Enjoy our user-friendly guide on how to play craps for beginners.

What Is Craps: A Brief History

The origins of craps go back centuries. As long as cavemen have been rolling knucklebones, events and outcomes have been determined by the roll of a die. The earliest recorded six-sided die was found in northern Iraq, dating back to 3,000 BC.

Although its roots are ancient, craps directly evolved from an old English dice game called Hazard, popular among aristocrats during the Middle Ages. When French colonists brought Hazard to New Orleans in the 18th century, it gradually evolved into the modern version of craps we see today.

How to Play Craps: The Fundamentals

It can feel like being thrown in the deep end as a novice craps bettor, but take a look through our guide on how to play craps, and you’ll feel much more comfortable jumping into this game.

The Basic Concept of Craps

The objective of craps is to bet on the outcome of the roll of two dice. The most common bet is the Pass Line bet. This bet assumes that the shooter will roll a seven or an 11 on the first roll or hit a specific number (the Point). 

If the shooter hits the Point before rolling a 7, it’s also a pass-line bet win for everyone.

The Shooter is the player who rolls the dice. At the start of a new round, a player places a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet to be eligible to shoot. The role rotates clockwise when a shooter ‘sevens out’ (rolls a seven after the Point is set). If you don’t want to be the Shooter, you can pass the dice to the next person.

 The Come-Out roll is the first roll in a round and sets the stage for what happens next:

• If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win (this is called a natural).
• If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, Pass Line bets lose (this is called craps).
• If they roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point.

Once a point is set (let’s say the shooter rolls a 6), the goal is to roll that number again before rolling a 7.

This changes the flow of the game; if the shooter rolls a six again, the Pass Line wins. If they roll a seven before that, the Pass Line loses (called a seven-out). The shooter keeps rolling until one of those two outcomes occurs. After all that, a new round begins. 

Craps Table Layout

The craps table looks confusing at first. When you dig down, it all makes sense. Here are the basics:

• Pass Line / Don’t Pass Line: These are the classic even-money bets.
• Come / Don’t Come: Similar to Pass Line bets but placed after the point.
• Place Bets Section: Where players bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10).
• Proposition Bets (center table): Flashy but risky bets; high house edge and best avoided.
• Stick to the outer areas of the table for safer bets.

Craps is a high-maintenance game. You need at least three casino employees to run the game and maintain craps table rules:

• Boxman: Oversaw the table and handled chip issues.
• Stickman: Controls the dice with a stick and announces rolls.
• Dealers: Exchange chips and handle bets for players.

Friendly Advice: Don’t be shy. Dealers are used to helping new players. Let them know you’re learning, and they will guide you through the game and show you how to play casino craps.

Craps Gameplay: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we’ve broken down the basics of craps, let’s take a look at a step-by-step guide on the gameplay itself. 

The First Roll: Setting Up

First things first: buy some chips. You must never hand money directly to the dealer; instead, wait for the dice to be in the center of the table. Place your cash on the felt in front of you. The dealer will exchange your cash for chips and stack them in your betting area.

Next, nominate a shooter. This is usually the first player to make a Pass Line bet when the table is empty or a game is just starting.

You also need to practice handling the dice. You want to look like a hustler, not a hopeless case. Remember always to use only one hand to pick up and roll the dice. Keep the dice above the table – never drop them below the rail. Throw the dice so they bounce off the table’s back wall. Don’t let them slip or drop. They must bounce.

Join a game but don’t rush to bet. You can make Place and Field bets at any point. You cannot make a Pass Line bet until a new come-out roll. Avoid betting during someone else’s turn. Let the dealers help you out.

Let’s Shoot

Ready to roll? Here’s a step-by-step guide through a typical round of craps.

1. Place a Pass Line or Don’t Pass Bet: Before the shooter rolls, you must place your bet on the Pass Line (betting with the shooter) or Don’t Pass (betting against).

2. The Come-Out Roll: The shooter rolls the dice for the first time in the round. Possible outcomes:

7 or 11	A natural	Pass Line bet wins
2, 3, or 12	Craps	Pass Line loses (Don’t Pass wins on 2 or 3; 12 is a push)
4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10	The point is set	The game advances to the next phase

3. The shooter keeps rolling: Let’s assume the shooter has rolled a six. The Point is now a six. Now, the goal is to roll another six before rolling a seven. It’s that simple. If the shooter rolls a six, all pass line bets pay. If the shooter rolls a seven, all pass line bets lose, and the round is over. If the shooter rolls any other number, the shooter rolls again. Now you can face two different endings:

• If the Point is hit, Pass Line bets win, and a new come-out roll begins with the same shooter.
• If the shooter rolls a seven before the point, it’s a seven-out. All bets lose, and the dice pass to the next shooter.

4. All change when it’s time to switch shooters: The dice move on when:

• If a shooter rolls a seven after the point is set (seven-out), their turn is over.
• The dealer passes the dice to the next player clockwise.
•  If the shooter makes the point, they can continue shooting into the next round.
• You’re only required to shoot if the dice come to you and you’ve placed a bet on the Pass or Don’t Pass Line.
• Don’t panic. If you’re shy, shooting is not compulsory (but it is fun!).

These are the five key combinations on the Come-Out roll:

Roll 7	‘Natural’	Pass Line win
Roll 11	‘Yo’	Pass Line wins
Roll 2	‘Snake Eyes’	Pass Line loses (Don’t Pass wins)
Roll 3	‘Ace-Deuce’	Pass Line loses (Don’t Pass wins)
Roll 12	‘Boxcars’	Pass Line loses (Push for Don’t Pass)

Betting Craps

Getting to grips with betting craps is key to enjoying the game and avoiding costly mistakes.

Pass Line Bet

Place it before the come-out roll. It means you’re betting that the shooter will win by rolling a seven or 11 on the come-out or hitting the point before rolling a seven. The payout: 1:1 

• Example: You bet $10 on the Pass Line:
  • The shooter rolls seven or 11. You win $10.
  • The shooter rolls four. That’s now the point.
  • If they roll a four again, before a seven, you win $10.

Don’t Pass Bet (Betting Against the Shooter)

You place it before the come-out roll, which means you’re betting that the shooter will lose by rolling a two, three, or 12. The payout: 1:1

• Example: You bet $10 on Don’t Pass.
  • The shooter rolls two or three. You win $10.
  • The shooter rolls 12; it’s a push (tie).
  • If a point is set, you win if the shooter rolls a seven before the point.

Come Bet (Like a New Pass Line Bet)

Place this after the point is set. It acts like a mini-game for you: your next roll is your personal come-out roll.

• If 7 or 11 is rolled, you win.
• If 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, you lose.

Any other number becomes your Come Point. If that number is rolled again before a 7, you win.

Don’t Come Bet (Like a Don’t Pass Mid-Round)

You place this bet after the point is set. This is the opposite of the Come bet. You are betting against the new roll. You win if the shooter rolls a seven before your Don’t Come point is hit.

Place Bets

Anytime after the come-out role, make these bets. It means you’re betting that a specific number will be rolled before a 7. Most players place bets on 6 or 8. They hit more often and offer the best odds. For example, you bet $6 on Place Six.

• If the shooter rolls a six before a seven, you win $7.
• If a seven comes first, you lose your $6.

Place Bet Number	House Edge	Payout
6 or 8	~1.52%	7:6
5 or 9	~4.00%	7:5
4 or 10	~6.67%	9:5

Sucker Bets to Avoid

These are bets with high house edges. They are designed to tempt, but usually just drain your bankroll.

Bet	Why to Avoid	House Edge
Hardways	Requires doubles to hit specific totals	9-11%
Any 7	One-roll bet that seven will come up	16.9%
Horn Bets	Flashy high-risk bets on 2, 3, 11, or 12	12.5%+
Proposition Bets	Centre-table one-roll bets with poor odds	Varies but bad

Craps Betting Strategies

Craps is a fast-moving game. Stick to simple, low-risk bets to maximize your bankroll, build your confidence, and enjoy some time at the table. Here are three options:

Pass line + odds strategy

Place a Pass Line bet before the come-out roll. Once a point is set, take full odds behind your Pass Line bet. Why? Odds bets have no house edge. They pay true odds.

Example: Bet $10 on the Pass Line. Point is six. You place $10 in odds. If six is rolled again, you win $10 (Pass Line) + $12 (odds at 6:5).

✔️ Great way to build confidence
✔️ Low complexity
✔️ Low house edge

Place 6 & 8 strategy

Wait until a point is established. Then place bets on six and eight (they’re rolled the most after 7). Bet in units of $6 to get proper payouts (7:6).

Example: Place $6 on six and $6 on 8. If six or eight is rolled before a 7, you win $7. You can press (increase) or collect winnings.

✔️ Slower loss rate
✔️ Easy to follow
✔️ Frequent wins

Don’t pass with lay odds

Place a Don’t Pass bet before the come-out roll. After the point is set, place lay odds behind your bet (betting a seven comes before the point is hit). This is for players who don’t mind going against the table vibe.

Example: You bet $10 on Don’t Pass, and the point is ten. You lay $20 in odds (pays 1:2). If seven comes before ten, you win $10 + $10.

✔️ Less risky long-term
✔️ Still low house edge
✔️ Wins come more frequently.

Why Odds Bets Are the Best Value in the Casino

Odds bets are the best value in the casino because they pay true mathematical odds (no built-in house advantage). You can add them only after a point is set on a Pass, Come, Don’t Pass, or Don’t Come bet. The more odds you take (if the casino allows 2x, 3x, 5x), the lower the house edge on your bet.

And as a helpful tip, always back your Pass/Don’t Pass with odds if your bankroll allows; even small amounts help.

Bankroll Management Tips

Even the best strategy can fall apart without solid bankroll discipline. Here’s how to protect yourself:

Set a session limit

💡Bring an amount you’re comfortable losing
💡Never dip into extra cash or take a trip to the ATM

Use the bet units

💡For a $5 table, use $5 to $10 base bets
💡Limit Place bets to just six and/or eight at first

Avoid chasing losses

💡Craps is streaky. Don’t double your bets trying to recover
💡Walk away ahead, or when you’ve hit your loss limit

Take breaks

💡Step back every 20 to 30 minutes
💡Stay sharp and keep it fun

Playing Craps in Different Environments

The rules of craps remain the same in different environments, but it’s worth noting that your overall experience can be different. Below, we’ll cover the key differences between playing craps at a casino and playing craps online. 

How to Play Craps at a Casino

Look for tables with low minimums. Peak times are more exciting but can be intimidating. Try early afternoons or weekdays to learn the ropes.

Be polite and respectful to dealers and fellow players. They can help you out. Tip periodically if you’re winning or enjoying good service.

Casino Craps Checklist:

• Bring ID and cash
• Know basic etiquette
• Stick to beginner bets
• Practice patience

How to Play Craps Online

There are two main types of online play, which can also be played internationally at offshore casinos.

• Live dealer craps: Streamed from real tables: social and immersive.
• RNG craps: Fast and controlled by a random number generator.

You need to look for low house edge games, user-friendly interfaces, and demo or free-play modes. 

How to Play Craps at Home

Want to bring the action to your living room? You’ll need the following equipment:

• Dice (two six-sided)
• A layout or mat (optional)
• Chips or counters
• A basic understanding of craps table rules

For casual games, it’s best to use simplified rules like Skip Come/Don’t Come bets. Rotate the shooter after each round and always keep the game light-hearted and fun.

Conclusion

There is no question that, at first glance, craps can appear to be one of the most confusing games in the casino; it’s intimidating, brash, and noisy. Often crowded with players who know precisely what they are doing.

However, like many of the best things in life, it’s worth exploring. Dig into this game, and there is fun to be found, and one of the casino’s only actual odds bets.

With some knowledge and a few practice rounds, you’ll be rolling high. Start with the Pass Line bet, add Odds when you’re ready, and avoid the tempting sucker bets. Enjoy the ride and roll with the best.

FAQs

References

• https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gl6xyOcqdYY (YouTube)