Free Guide to Understanding Craps Game Rules

What Is Craps and How the Basic Game Works

Craps is a dice game played in casinos where players bet on the outcomes of rolls made with two six-sided dice. The game involves a designated shooter who throws the dice, and other players place wagers on various results. Unlike many casino games, craps allows multiple people to participate simultaneously, creating a social and interactive gambling experience.

The fundamental structure of craps revolves around two main phases: the come-out roll and the point phase. During the come-out roll, the shooter throws the dice for the first time in a new round. The sum of the two dice determines what happens next. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, this is called a "natural," and pass line bets win immediately. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, this is called "craps," and pass line bets lose immediately. Any other number—4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10—becomes the "point," and the game enters the point phase.

Once a point is established, the shooter continues rolling the dice. The objective becomes rolling the point number again before rolling a 7. If the shooter rolls the point number, pass line bets win and the round ends. If the shooter rolls a 7 before the point, this is called a "seven-out," and pass line bets lose. The round then ends, and a new shooter begins a fresh come-out roll.

The craps table layout is divided into two identical halves, mirroring each other down the center. This design allows players to stand on either side of the table. The stickman, boxman, and dealers are casino employees who manage the game, handle bets, and pay out winnings. The come-out roll is marked with a puck that sits off the table when no point is established, indicating the game is ready for a new round.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding the come-out roll and point phase forms the foundation of craps. The game essentially has two distinct moments: the initial roll that either ends the round quickly or establishes a target number, and then the subsequent rolls where players hope for either the point or a seven to conclude the action.

Understanding Pass Line and Don't Pass Line Bets

The pass line bet is the most basic and popular wager in craps. When a player places a pass line bet, they are betting that the shooter will win the round. This bet can be made before the come-out roll. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, the pass line bet wins immediately at 1-to-1 odds, meaning a $10 bet wins $10. If the come-out roll is 2, 3, or 12, the pass line bet loses immediately. If any other number appears, that number becomes the point, and the pass line bet remains active, waiting for that point to be rolled again.

The don't pass line bet is the opposite of the pass line bet. Players making a don't pass line bet are betting against the shooter. On the come-out roll, if a 2 or 3 appears, the don't pass bet wins at 1-to-1 odds. A roll of 12 is typically a "push" or tie, meaning the bet is neither won nor lost—it simply returns the original wager. If a 7 or 11 is rolled, the don't pass bet loses. Once a point is established, the don't pass player is hoping for a 7 to roll before the point is rolled again. This reverses the normal winning condition: a seven-out wins the don't pass bet.

Both pass and don't pass bets are considered "line bets" and are among the lowest house edge wagers in the casino, with the house maintaining only about a 1.4% advantage. This makes them mathematically superior to many other casino bets. The odds of various outcomes are measurable and based purely on probability. For example, there are six ways to roll a 7 with two dice but only five ways to roll a 6 or 8, which is why certain outcomes are more likely than others.

Players cannot remove pass line or don't pass bets once they are made and the come-out roll has occurred. However, these bets can be turned "off" by the player, meaning they remain on the table but are not in action during a specific roll. This flexibility allows players to adjust their betting strategy as circumstances change. Understanding when to leave bets active and when to turn them off is part of developing a personal craps strategy.

Practical Takeaway: Pass and don't pass bets are the foundation of craps wagering. Choose one approach—betting with the shooter or against the shooter—and understand that once a point is established, you are waiting for either that point to be repeated or a 7 to end the round. These bets offer reasonable odds compared to other casino games.

Come Bets, Don't Come Bets, and Advanced Betting Options

Beyond pass and don't pass bets, craps offers come and don't come bets, which function identically to their pass line counterparts but can be made after the come-out roll. A come bet allows a player to establish a personal point after the initial round point is already set. When a come bet is placed, the next roll becomes a come-out roll specifically for that bet. If the next roll is 7 or 11, the come bet wins. If it is 2, 3, or 12, it loses. Any other number becomes the come point.

Players can make multiple come bets throughout a round, essentially wagering on several different point numbers simultaneously. For instance, if the main point is 6, a player could place a come bet, and if the next roll is 8, that player now has come bets working on both 6 and 8. This allows experienced players to maintain multiple active wagers and increase their potential returns during a hot streak when the shooter is rolling many numbers without seven-ing out.

Don't come bets work the opposite way. A player betting don't come hopes that a 2 or 3 rolls next and wins immediately, or that a 7 rolls before the don't come point is made. The 12 result is again a push. These bets also offer a house edge around 1.4%, making them reasonable wagers from a probability standpoint. Both come and don't come bets provide flexibility and allow players to adjust their wagering as the game progresses.

Additional betting options include "odds bets," which are bets placed after a point is established. These bets support either a pass or don't pass bet by wagering additional money at true odds, meaning the house has no edge on these specific wagers. The payout varies based on the point number. For a point of 4 or 10, odds pay 2-to-1. For a point of 5 or 9, odds pay 3-to-2. For a point of 6 or 8, odds pay 6-to-5. These odds bets are considered among the best wagers available in any casino.

Practical Takeaway: Come and don't come bets provide ways to maintain active wagers on multiple point numbers without waiting for a new shooter. Odds bets are mathematically favored compared to most casino games and should be considered as part of a craps strategy when conditions are favorable.

Field Bets, Proposition Bets, and Understanding House Advantage

The field bet is a single-roll wager covering multiple numbers on the craps table. When a player places a field bet, they are wagering that the next roll will result in one of the numbers displayed in the field area: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The field typically covers seven different numbers, leaving only 5, 6, 7, and 8 not covered. If any of the covered numbers appears, the field bet wins. However, the payout varies. Most field bets pay 1-to-1 for most numbers but pay 2-to-1 for 2 and 12.

The field bet has a higher house edge than pass line or come bets, typically around 5.5%, because more ways to roll exist for the numbers not covered. However, field bets are popular because they offer quick resolution—the bet is settled on the very next roll. This appeals to players who prefer rapid action and do not want their money tied up on point