If you walk onto any physical casino floor, the loudest and most energetic area is almost always the Craps table.
The energy is infectious, drawing crowds of spectators eager to watch the "shooter" roll the dice.
However, to an absolute beginner, the Craps table looks incredibly intimidating and hopelessly complicated.
Behind the chaotic layout is a straightforward dice game that offers incredibly player-friendly wagers.
Our beginner's guide will strip away the confusion and focus on the fundamental bets you need to know.
The Basics: The Come-Out Roll and The Point
Every round of Craps begins with what is called the "Come-Out" roll, performed by the designated "shooter."
This first roll dictates the direction of the game, either resulting in an instant win/loss or establishing a target number.
When a Point is set, the game enters its second phase, and the objective of the shooter completely changes.
The goal is now to hit the established target number before rolling a 7.
Rolling a 7 ends the round immediately, sweeping away the bets on the table, and the dice pass to the next player.
Where to Place Your First Chips
The Pass Line is the fundamental bet of Craps and offers an incredibly low house edge of just 1.41%.
If the Come-Out roll is a 2, 3, or 12 (called "Crapping out"), your Pass Line bet loses instantly.
If the 7 hits before the Point, your Pass Line bet loses. It is that simple.
While mathematically slightly better (1.36% edge), betting the Don't Pass means you are actively rooting against the rest of the table.
Betting the Pass Line means you are playing with the crowd, cheering for the shooter to succeed.
The Best Bet in the Entire Casino
Once a Point is established, Craps offers a hidden bet that is mathematically the best wager in any casino.
The Odds bet is unique because the casino pays out at exactly true mathematical odds, meaning there is zero house edge.
For example, if the Point is 4, the true odds of rolling a 4 before a 7 are 2 to 1.
Most casinos allow you to place Odds bets equal to 3x, 4x, or even 5x your original Pass Line wager.
If you are unsure how much you can bet, simply ask the dealer, "What are the max odds?" and they will gladly assist you.
Essential Craps Lingo
- Shooter: The player currently throwing the dice.
- Come-Out Roll: The very first roll of a new round, used to establish the Point.
- The Point: The target number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) the shooter is trying to roll again.
- Seven Out: Rolling a 7 after the Point is established. The round ends and everyone loses.
- Taking Odds: Placing a secondary bet behind the Pass Line with zero house edge.
Which Side of the Dice Are You On?
| Line Bet | Wins on First Roll | Loses on First Roll |
|---|---|---|
| Playing with Shooter | Rolling a 7 or 11 | Rolling Craps (2,3,12) |
| Don't Pass | 2 or 3 (12 is a Push) | 7 or 11 |
| Casino Margin | Very Low (1.41%) | Lowest (1.36%) |
Craps is only intimidating until you realize that you do not need to understand the entire board to play effectively.
Once you understand how the Pass Line and Odds bets work, you are ready to join a live game.
The dealers are there to help; they will gladly guide you on when to place your bets and how much you can wager.
May the dice be kind, and may you hit your Point before the 7 appears!
