How to Play Craps for Beginners at a Casino
One of the most recognizable games in a casino is also one of the most energetic.
Craps is a fun game to take part in, but its many nuances can intimidate first-time players.
Before you place a bet at the craps table, we’ll run you through basics like the rules, how the table is laid out, how to bet, and the best craps strategy for beginners to come out on top.
What is Craps?
On the surface, craps can seem like a complicated game, but it’s based on one simple factor – the roll of the dice. The person who rolls the dice is called the “shooter,” and bets can only be placed before the “shooter” rolls. In craps, players are placing their bets on what number the dice will land on with varying odds.
The Craps Table Layout Explained
The layout of the craps table can be confusing at first glance, but understanding the table is a matter of understanding what you’re betting on. The craps table layout is divided into sections by different types of bets, with the two most popular being the pass line and the don’t pass line. Other sections on the table show numbers, odds, and “come” and “don’t come,” each of which we will explain in the sections below.
The layout of the craps table can be confusing at first glance, but understanding the table is a matter of understanding what you’re betting on. The craps table layout is divided into sections by different types of bets, with the two most popular being the pass line and the don’t pass line. Other sections on the table show numbers, odds, and “come” and “don’t come,” each of which we will explain in the sections below.
Don't Pass Bet
The don’t pass bet is fundamentally identical to the pass line bet, except you’re betting on the opposite outcome. Instead of betting that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11, you’re betting that the shooter will roll a 2, 3 or 12.
Don’t Pass: Playing the Opposite Game
Placing a don’t pass bet is like choosing the other team: sometimes you win when the roller doesn’t. The thrill of the don’t pass bet lies in rooting for the opposite outcome as the rest of the players, which can feel like choosing the underdog and offers a larger payout (and lower house odds) should you win. Remember, some players consider a don’t pass bet taboo, so be discreet when playing don’t pass, especially if you win!
The don’t pass bet is fundamentally identical to the pass line bet, except you’re betting on the opposite outcome. Instead of betting that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11, you’re betting that the shooter will roll a 2, 3 or 12.
Don’t Pass: Playing the Opposite Game
Placing a don’t pass bet is like choosing the other team: sometimes you win when the roller doesn’t. The thrill of the don’t pass bet lies in rooting for the opposite outcome as the rest of the players, which can feel like choosing the underdog and offers a larger payout (and lower house odds) should you win. Remember, some players consider a don’t pass bet taboo, so be discreet when playing don’t pass, especially if you win!
Pass bets are only the beginning of the game. Following the “come out roll,” if the roll lands on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, players are given time to place their bets on different areas of the table. Each section is betting on a different outcome of the game, and bets can be placed after every roll that furthers the game.
Picking Your Spot on the Table
- Field Bets: These bets are placed on the numbers in the middle of the table. Players win if the dice land on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. This bet is a quick way to win money, like a mini-game within the game.
- Come Bets: Placing a come bet is like a second chance at the excitement of the pass line. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win, but if they roll a 2, 3 or 12, you lose. If the shooter rolls any other number, your bet is automatically placed as a “come point” on that number.
- Place Bets: The big numbers at the top end of the table are place bets. Players put money on whether the shooter will roll a certain number, with varying odds and payout.
- Proposition Bets: The big guess – like trying to hit a bullseye! These bets are placed on specific combinations of numbers, making them both the least likely to occur. However, they also have the most significant payout.
- Odds Bets: Most new players don’t know about odds bets because they aren’t marked on the table. If the come-out roll is placed, you can bet the “true odds” by placing a bet behind your pass bet. You’re betting on the shooter rolling a place number, with zero house edge.
Pass bets are only the beginning of the game. Following the “come out roll,” if the roll lands on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, players are given time to place their bets on different areas of the table. Each section is betting on a different outcome of the game, and bets can be placed after every roll that furthers the game.
Picking Your Spot on the Table
- Field Bets: These bets are placed on the numbers in the middle of the table. Players win if the dice land on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. This bet is a quick way to win money, like a mini-game within the game.
- Come Bets: Placing a come bet is like a second chance at the excitement of the pass line. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win, but if they roll a 2, 3 or 12, you lose. If the shooter rolls any other number, your bet is automatically placed as a “come point” on that number.
- Place Bets: The big numbers at the top end of the table are place bets. Players put money on whether the shooter will roll a certain number, with varying odds and payout.
- Proposition Bets: The big guess – like trying to hit a bullseye! These bets are placed on specific combinations of numbers, making them both the least likely to occur. However, they also have the most significant payout.
- Odds Bets: Most new players don’t know about odds bets because they aren’t marked on the table. If the come-out roll is placed, you can bet the “true odds” by placing a bet behind your pass bet. You’re betting on the shooter rolling a place number, with zero house edge.
Best Craps Strategy for Beginners
Though a game of craps is based on chance, there is some betting strategy involved. Some methods are more involved than others, but regardless of skill or experience level, the best craps betting strategy is one which increases your odds of winning.
Easy Craps Bets with the Best Odds for Starters
The pass and don’t pass lines are the most fundamental bet to place on a game of craps. Both bets have the best odds of winning in the game of craps, with both having a 1:1 payout. After the come-out roll, you can place a come bet, which is like doubling down on the pass line after a place roll, but the odds of winning aren’t as high.
Top Craps Tips and Tricks for First-Time Players
The best craps strategy for beginners is to place bets with the lowest house edge and highest odds. Though putting money on a potentially big payout is tempting, playing a basic bet like the pass or don’t pass line, come bet, or odds bet is much more practical. Consider the most common combinations on a dice roll as well – a seven is the most common, while 2 and 12 are the least common. Even rolling a seven is twice as likely as rolling a 4 or 10.
How to place an odds bet
Once you feel like you’re getting the hang of the more basic bets in the game of craps, it might be time to “take the odds.” When you place an odds bet behind the pass line, you’re taking the “true odds” that the shooter rolls a place number – or numbers – of your choosing. Here’s the odds for each number:
Though a game of craps is based on chance, there is some betting strategy involved. Some methods are more involved than others, but regardless of skill or experience level, the best craps betting strategy is one which increases your odds of winning.
Easy Craps Bets with the Best Odds for Starters
The pass and don’t pass lines are the most fundamental bet to place on a game of craps. Both bets have the best odds of winning in the game of craps, with both having a 1:1 payout. After the come-out roll, you can place a come bet, which is like doubling down on the pass line after a place roll, but the odds of winning aren’t as high.
Top Craps Tips and Tricks for First-Time Players
The best craps strategy for beginners is to place bets with the lowest house edge and highest odds. Though putting money on a potentially big payout is tempting, playing a basic bet like the pass or don’t pass line, come bet, or odds bet is much more practical. Consider the most common combinations on a dice roll as well – a seven is the most common, while 2 and 12 are the least common. Even rolling a seven is twice as likely as rolling a 4 or 10.
How to place an odds bet
Once you feel like you’re getting the hang of the more basic bets in the game of craps, it might be time to “take the odds.” When you place an odds bet behind the pass line, you’re taking the “true odds” that the shooter rolls a place number – or numbers – of your choosing. Here’s the odds for each number:
3:2 Payout
3:2 payout on points of 5 and 9
3:2 Payout
3:2 payout on points of 5 and 9
Frequently Asked Questions for Craps Beginners
Though we’ve covered the basics of playing craps at a casino, there’s always more to uncover when it comes to figuring out a new game. Before you get started, here are a few of the most common questions we get from people learning how to play craps at a casino.
Though we’ve covered the basics of playing craps at a casino, there’s always more to uncover when it comes to figuring out a new game. Before you get started, here are a few of the most common questions we get from people learning how to play craps at a casino.