How to Play Craps - Complete Tutorial & Rules

1

The Basics

Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of a roll, or a series of rolls, of two six-sided dice. It's fast-paced, social, and offers some of the best odds in the casino.

Essential Terms

Shooter:: The player rolling the dice
Come Out Roll:: The first roll of a new round
Point:: A target number established on the come out roll (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10)
Seven Out:: When a 7 is rolled after a point is established, ending the round
Natural:: Rolling a 7 or 11 on the come out roll (instant win for Pass Line)
Craps:: Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll (instant loss for Pass Line)

The game has two main phases: the Come Out Roll and the Point Phase. Understanding these phases is the foundation of playing craps.

2

How a Round Works

Phase 1: Come Out Roll

The shooter makes the first roll of a new round:

Natural Win

7 or 11

Pass line wins immediately. Don't Pass loses.

Craps

2, 3, or 12

Pass line loses. Don't Pass wins (12 is a push).

Point Established

4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10

This becomes the "point" - move to phase 2.

Phase 2: Point Phase

After a point is established, the shooter continues rolling:

WIN

If the point number is rolled again, Pass line wins and the round ends.

LOSE

If a 7 is rolled, Pass line loses ("sevening out") and the round ends.

ROLL

Any other number: keep rolling until the point or 7 appears.

Pro Tip: During the come out roll, 7 is your friend. After a point is set, 7 becomes the enemy!

3

Pass Line Bet (Start Here!)

The Pass Line is the most fundamental bet in craps. This is where beginners should start.

How It Works

• Place your bet on the "Pass Line" before the come out roll
• You're betting with the shooter
• House edge: 1.41% (one of the best in the casino!)
• Pays 1:1 (even money)

You Win If:

✓ Come out roll is 7 or 11
✓ Point is established and rolled again before a 7

You Lose If:

✗ Come out roll is 2, 3, or 12
✗ Point is established and 7 is rolled before the point

👍 Recommended for beginners: Pass Line is simple, social, and has great odds!

4

Odds Bets (The Best Bet!)

After a point is established, you can place an Odds bet behind your Pass Line bet. This is the only bet in the casino with NO house edge!

Why Odds Bets Are Amazing

✓ 0% house edge - pays true odds
✓ Can be added or removed anytime
✓ Lowers overall house edge on your total action
✓ Usually can bet 2x-10x your Pass Line bet

Odds Payouts (True Odds)

Points 4 or 10

2:1

Bet $10, win $20

Points 5 or 9

3:2

Bet $10, win $15

Points 6 or 8

6:5

Bet $10, win $12

⭐ Expert Tip: Always take maximum odds when you can afford it - it's mathematically the smartest bet!

5

Place Bets

Place bets let you bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to be rolled before a 7.

Place Bet Payouts & House Edge

Place 6 or 8

7:6

House edge: 1.52%

Place 5 or 9

7:5

House edge: 4.00%

Place 4 or 10

9:5

House edge: 6.67%

💡 Best Place Bets: The 6 and 8 have the lowest house edge and are popular with experienced players.

6

Field Bets

A one-roll bet covering the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Field Bet Pays

2 or 12 2:1

Some casinos pay 3:1 on one of these (usually 12), which lowers the house edge to 2.78% → 1.85%

3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 1:1

5, 6, 7, or 8 Lose

Standard Field (2:1 on both)

House edge: 2.78%

Better Field (3:1 on 2 or 12)

House edge: 1.85%

💡 Casino Shopping: Look for tables with 3:1 payouts on the 2 or 12 - it makes the Field bet much more attractive!

Field bets are settled on every roll, making them exciting. With the 3:1 payout on 2 or 12, the house edge becomes comparable to Place bets.

7

Proposition Bets (Center Table)

High-risk, high-reward one-roll bets placed in the center of the table.

⚠️ Caution: High House Edge

These bets have house edges ranging from 9% to 16.67%. They're exciting but should be avoided by serious players.

Any 7

Pays 4:1

House edge: 16.67%

Any Craps (2, 3, 12)

Pays 7:1

House edge: 11.11%

Hard 4 or 10