How to Play Craps

🎲 Craps Overview

Craps is the most energetic and social game on any casino floor. Players gather around a long table with elevated sides, and the action centres on a pair of dice. Unlike most casino games where you play against the dealer or the house alone, craps involves a group of players betting on the outcome of each dice roll. The game can seem intimidating to newcomers because of the crowded table, the shouting, and the wide array of betting options, but the core mechanics are surprisingly simple.

Every round of craps begins with a come-out roll and revolves around what is known as the point. Understanding these two concepts — and knowing which bets offer the best odds — is the key to enjoying craps and playing smart.

See our full craps guide for strategy insights, bankroll management tips, and recommended casinos.

🎯 The Come-Out Roll and Establishing the Point

Each round in craps starts with the come-out roll — the first roll of the dice by the shooter (the player currently throwing the dice). The outcome of this roll determines what happens next:

If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11 (a natural) — Pass Line bets win immediately. Don't Pass bets lose.

If the come-out roll is a 2, 3, or 12 (craps) — Pass Line bets lose. Don't Pass bets win (except on 12, which is a push at most tables).

If the come-out roll is any other number — 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 — that number becomes the point. The dealer places a large puck marked "ON" on the point number to show it has been established. The game then enters the point phase.

Once the point is established, the shooter continues rolling until one of two things happens: they roll the point number again (Pass Line wins, Don't Pass loses) or they roll a 7 (Don't Pass wins, Pass Line loses). Rolling a 7 after the point is established is called sevening out, and it ends the shooter's turn. If the shooter rolls the point, a new come-out roll begins and the same shooter keeps rolling.

✅ Pass Line Bet (House Edge: 1.41%)

The Pass Line is the most fundamental bet in craps and the best place for beginners to start. You place this bet before the come-out roll. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, you win even money. If it is 2, 3, or 12, you lose. If a point is established, your bet stays on the Pass Line and wins if the shooter rolls the point before a 7.

The Pass Line bet has a house edge of just 1.41%, making it one of the best bets in the entire casino. The true odds of winning on the Pass Line are 251 to 244, which translates to a 49.29% chance of winning on any given round. Over the long term, you lose only $1.41 for every $100 wagered.

❌ Don't Pass Bet (House Edge: 1.36%)

The Don't Pass bet is essentially the reverse of the Pass Line. You are betting against the shooter — that the come-out roll will be 2 or 3 (12 is a push), or that the shooter will seven out before rolling the point. It pays even money just like the Pass Line.

With a house edge of 1.36%, the Don't Pass is technically the best single bet in craps. It wins slightly more often than the Pass Line because a come-out 12 results in a push rather than a loss. Many players avoid this bet because it means rooting against the shooter, which can feel counter to the table's social energy. But from a pure odds perspective, it is a mathematically superior bet.

🔄 Come and Don't Come Bets

Come bets work exactly like Pass Line bets but can be placed after the point has been established. When you place a Come bet, the next roll becomes a mini come-out roll for that bet: 7 or 11 wins, 2, 3, or 12 loses, and any other number establishes a new point for that specific Come bet. The same 1.41% house edge applies.

Don't Come bets are the reverse of Come bets, mirroring the Don't Pass bet with the same 1.36% house edge. They allow you to bet against the shooter on individual rolls after the point is established.

Come and Don't Come bets are popular because they let you have multiple active bets at different stages, keeping the action going regardless of what happens on each roll.

⭐ Free Odds Bet (House Edge: 0% — The Best Bet in the Casino!)

After a point is established, players who have a Pass Line or Come bet can take odds — placing an additional bet behind their original wager. This is called the Free Odds bet, and it has a house edge of 0%. That is right — zero. It pays true mathematical odds with no casino markup whatsoever.

The odds payout depends on the point number:

Point 4 or 10 — Pays 2:1 (true odds). There are three ways to roll a 4 or 10 and six ways to roll a 7, so the odds are 2:1 against you — and the bet pays exactly that.

Point 5 or 9 — Pays 3:2 (true odds). Four ways to roll a 5 or 9 versus six ways to roll a 7.

Point 6 or 8 — Pays 6:5 (true odds). Five ways to roll a 6 or 8 versus six ways to roll a 7.

Many casinos offer "3x-4x-5x odds," meaning you can bet up to three times your Pass Line bet on a 4 or 10 point, four times on a 5 or 9, and five times on a 6 or 8. This allows a consistent maximum odds payout of six times your original bet regardless of the point. Some casinos offer even higher odds multiples (10x, 20x, or even 100x). Since the Free Odds bet carries no house edge, you should always max out your odds if your bankroll allows it.

📊 Place Bets

Place bets allow you to bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) at any time, regardless of the point. Unlike Pass Line bets, Place bets can be taken down at any time. The payouts and house edges vary by number:

Place 6 or 8 — Pays 7:6. House edge: 1.52%. These are the best Place bets because the numbers 6 and 8 are the most frequently rolled point numbers (after 7).

Place 5 or 9 — Pays 7:5. House edge: 4.00%.

Place 4 or 10 — Pays 9:5. House edge: 6.67%.

If you want to make Place bets, stick to the 6 and 8 for the lowest house edge. Avoid placing the 4 and 10, as the 6.67% edge eats into your bankroll significantly over time. A better strategy is to use the Free Odds bet on a Pass Line or Come bet instead.

🚫 Proposition Bets to Avoid

The centre of the craps table is covered in one-roll proposition bets with flashy names and big payout promises. These are the worst bets in craps — and among the worst in the entire casino. The dealer handles these bets, and the house edge is brutal on every single one:

Any 7 — Pays 4:1. True odds: 5:1. House edge: 16.67%. You lose nearly $17 for every $100 wagered.

Any Craps (2, 3, or 12) — Pays 7:1. True odds: 8:1. House edge: 11.11%.

Yo (11) — Pays 15:1. True odds: 17:1. House edge: 11.11%.

Snake Eyes (2) or Boxcars (12) — Pays 30:1. True odds: 35:1. House edge: 13.89%.

Horn Bet — A four-way bet on 2, 3, 11, and 12. House edge: approximately 12.5%.

Hardways (4, 6, 8, 10 rolled as pairs) — Pays vary. House edge ranges from 9.09% to 11.11%.

The proposition bets are designed to be seductive — the potential payouts make them look exciting, and the minimum bets are usually small. But over time, they will drain your bankroll fast. The simplest way to be a winning craps player is to never touch proposition bets. Stick to the Pass Line (or Don't Pass) with maximum Free Odds, and you are playing the game with the lowest possible house advantage.

📖 Next Steps

Now that you understand the basic rules and which bets offer the best value, explore our complete craps guide for advanced strategies, table etiquette, and tips for managing your bankroll. When you are ready to play for real money, check out our carefully selected list of top-rated online casinos that offer craps with generous welcome bonuses.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions