Craps Rules Explained
May 26th, 2025
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Craps may look chaotic to beginners, but once you understand the rules of craps, the game transforms into one of the most thrilling experiences in any online casino. Welcome to the exciting world of craps! This game might seem complex with its bustling table and unique lingo, but understanding the craps rules is simpler than you think. This guide will break down everything from the table layout to advanced betting, ensuring you know what are the rules of craps. Get ready to learn the essentials and feel confident at any craps game, whether you're a complete novice or looking to refine your strategy. Let's dive in! 🎲
The Craps Table Layout
Before you roll the dice, you need to know where to stand and where to place your chips. The craps table can look intimidating at first glance. It's a long, felt-covered basin with high walls where players stand. The surface is a mirror image on both ends, allowing more players to join. Understanding the craps table rules starts with recognizing its key sections, each dedicated to different types of bets.
Main Betting Areas (Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Field, etc.)
The layout is marked with various betting zones. The most prominent is the Pass Line, a wide strip running along the edge closest to the players. Directly above it is the Don’t Pass Bar.
In the center, you'll find Proposition Bets, often pictured with dice combinations.
Large areas are designated for Come and Don’t Come bets. Numbered boxes for 4, 5, Six, 8, Nine, and 10 are for Place Bets and Buy Bets. The Field is a large area for one-roll bets on a range of numbers. Understanding these areas is fundamental to the rules of craps.
Here are the primary areas you’ll find on a standard casino craps table:
Bet Area | What It’s For |
🎯 Pass Line | The most common bet. Wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, 12. Moves to point otherwise. |
🚫 Don’t Pass | The opposite of Pass Line. Wins on 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11. |
🔄 Come | Functions like a new Pass Line bet after the point is set. |
🟥 Field | One-roll bet. Wins if 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled. |
🔢 Place Bets | Bets on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) to be rolled before a 7. |
💥 Proposition | Center-table bets like Yo (11), Horn, or Any Craps (2, 3, 12). |
Each area serves different strategies and risk levels. If you’re new, start with Pass Line or Come bets for simplicity.
Where and How to Place Your Bets
🟡 Chips are placed directly on the appropriate section of the layout. For some bets (like Pass Line), you place your own chips. For others (like Buy Bets or Proposition bets), you hand them to the dealer and call your wager aloud.
Quick tips for betting:
- Place chips flat on the layout — don't toss them.
- Use $5 minimums unless stated otherwise.
- Keep hands off the table once the dice are out.
Table Personnel (Boxman, Stickman, Dealers)
Every craps table is run by a skilled team:
- 🎩 Boxman: Sits at the center and supervises chips and dealer behavior.
- 🥢 Stickman: Controls the dice using a long stick and announces the results.
- 🧍♂️ Dealers: Two dealers manage player bets on either side of the table.
Knowing who's who helps you interact properly — especially when asking questions or making complex bets.
Basic Rules of Craps
The heart of the game lies in the 🎲 roll of two dice. The shooter (the player rolling the dice) drives the action, and players bet on the outcomes. These basic craps rules break the game into two major phases: the Come-Out Roll and the Point Phase. Understanding each phase is crucial for both beginners and experienced players.
Come-Out Roll Explained
The game starts with the Come-Out Roll — the first roll of a new round. This roll determines whether the round ends instantly or moves into the Point Phase.
Here's how the dice outcome affects the game:
Come-Out Result | What Happens | Impact on Bets |
🎉 7 or 11 | "Natural" win | Pass Line bet wins 💸 |
💀 2, 3, or 12 | "Craps" | Pass Line bets lose ❌ (Don’t Pass wins on 2/3) |
🎯 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 | Point is established | Game enters Point Phase, and action continues ➡️ |
This simple outcome logic is what makes the craps rules simple for newcomers.
Point Phase
Once a Point is established, the objective for the shooter changes. The rules to craps for this phase are straightforward. Once a Point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is established:
- The shooter continues to roll the dice. This action persists until one of two outcomes: the Point number is rolled again, or a 7 is rolled.:
- Hit the Point again — 🎉 Pass Line bet wins.
- Roll a 7 — 💥 Pass Line bets lose.
During this phase, players can make new bets, including Come, Place, and Odds Bets (we’ll break those down later).
The suspense builds as everyone watches for that point to hit — or fears the 7!
When a New Shooter Steps In
A new shooter takes over when:
- The current shooter “sevens out” (rolls a 7 during the Point Phase and loses).
- The dice move clockwise to the next eligible player.
♻️ A new Come-Out Roll begins, and the table resets to the first phase.
You don’t have to shoot the dice to play — many prefer to just bet and watch. But shooting adds a whole new layer of excitement!
Main Types of Bets and Their Rules
There are dozens of bets in craps, but not all are created equal. Some are simple, others risky. Some have a low house edge, while others are pure long shots. Below are the most important craps betting rules to understand before you lay down your chips.
Pass Line Bet
🎯 The Pass Line Bets is the most popular and one of the simplest bets in craps.
- Placed on the Come-Out Roll
- Wins instantly if the shooter rolls 7 or 11
- Loses on 2, 3, or 12
- If a point is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), the bet stays active
- Wins if the shooter hits the point again
- Loses if they roll a 7
✅ This bet has a low house edge (1.41%) and is ideal for beginners.
Don’t Pass Bet
🚫 The opposite of the Pass Line — you’re betting against the shooter.
- Wins on 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11
- 12 is a push (tie)
- If a point is set, you win if the shooter rolls a 7 before repeating the point
🧠 It’s a strategic bet for more cautious players — slightly lower house edge than Pass Line (1.36%).
Come and Don’t Come Bets
These bets work like Pass/Don’t Pass but can be placed anytime after the point is set.
Bet Type | Wins On | Loses On | When Point Is Set |
🎯 Come | 7 or 11 | 2, 3, 12 | Bet moves to that number; wins if hit again |
🚫 Don’t Come | 2 or 3 | 7 or 11 | Bet wins if a 7 is rolled before that number |
They give you more flexibility mid-round and follow the same structure as Pass/Don’t Pass.
Odds Bets (Free Odds Behind Line Bets)
Odds Bets are a game-changer in craps because they have zero house edge. 💰 These are supplemental bets made in addition to an existing Pass Line, Don't Pass, Come, or Don't Come bet, but only after a point (Pass Line Point or Come Point) has been established.
📌 They pay true odds with no house edge:
Point | Pass Line Odds Payout | Don’t Pass Odds Payout |
4 or 10 | 2:1 | 1:2 |
5 or 9 | 3:2 | 2:3 |
6 or 8 | 6:5 | 5:6 |
You must place a base bet first before you can add odds behind it. The bigger your odds bet, the better your payout potential.
Place Bets and Buy Bets
These bets let you wager directly on specific point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10).
- Place Bet: Pays fixed odds; the casino takes a built-in edge.
- Buy Bet: Pays true odds, but you pay a 5% commission.
🧮 Example: Place 6 pays 7:6; Buy 6 pays 6:5 minus commission.
📌 Best used when you're betting on numbers you think will roll before a 7.
Field, Big 6/8, and Proposition Bets
Bet Type | Description | Risk Level |
🌾 Field | One-roll bet. Wins if 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. | Low |
🔴 Big 6/8 | Bet that 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7 | Medium |
🎲 Proposition Bets | Center-table, high-payout bets like Any Craps, Yo, Snake Eyes | High ⚠️ |
💡 Proposition Bets are flashy but dangerous — with very high house edge (over 10% in some cases). Use them for fun, not strategy.
Payouts and Odds
Understanding payouts and house edge is key to making smart bets in craps. Let’s break down what each bet pays, how much risk it carries, and which bets offer the best value. 🎰
What Each Bet Pays
Below is a comprehensive payout table for the most common craps bets:
Bet Type | Winning Roll(s) | Payout |
🎯 Pass Line | 7 or 11 (Come-Out) | 1:1 |
🚫 Don’t Pass | 2 or 3 (Come-Out) | 1:1 |
🔁 Come | 7 or 11 (first roll) | 1:1 |
❌ Don’t Come | 2 or 3 (first roll) | 1:1 |
🎯 Odds on 4/10 | After point is set | 2:1 |
🎯 Odds on 5/9 | After point is set | 3:2 |
🎯 Odds on 6/8 | After point is set | 6:5 |
➕ Place 4 or 10 | Until 7 is rolled | 9:5 |
➕ Place 5 or 9 | Until 7 is rolled | 7:5 |
➕ Place 6 or 8 | Until 7 is rolled | 7:6 |
🌾 Field | 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 = 1:1 2 or 12 = 2:1 | Varies |
❗ Any Craps | 2, 3, or 12 | 7:1 |
🎯 Yo (11) | 11 | 15:1 |
🐍 Snake Eyes (2) | 2 | 30:1 |
💡 Keep in mind: Proposition bets may look tempting, but their odds are designed to favor the house.
House Edge per Bet Type
Here’s how much the casino earns on average from each type of bet — the lower the percentage, the better for the player:
Bet Type | House Edge |
✅ Pass Line | 1.41% |
✅ Don’t Pass | 1.36% |
✅ Come / Don’t Come | 1.41% / 1.36% |
✅ Free Odds (all) | 0.00% |
⚠️ Place 6 / 8 | 1.52% |
⚠️ Place 5 / 9 | 4.00% |
⚠️ Place 4 / 10 | 6.67% |
⚠️ Field | 2.78% – 5.56% |
❗ Big 6 / 8 | 9.09% |
❗ Proposition Bets | 10% – 16.67% |
📌 Bets like Free Odds are the best deals, while Big 6/8 and Propositions are some of the worst.
Best and Worst Value Bets
Let’s summarize the top-performing bets vs. the riskiest options:
👍 Best Value Bets
Bet Type | Description |
Pass Line / Come | Bet that the shooter will win by rolling a 7 or 11 on the Come-Out roll, or by making the point. |
Don’t Pass / Don’t Come | Bet against the shooter, winning if 2 or 3 is rolled on Come-Out, losing on 7 or 11, and pushing on 12. During point phase, wins if 7 rolls before point. |
Odds Bets (behind line) | Additional bets placed behind Pass or Don’t Pass bets with no house edge; payout at true odds. |
Place 6 / 8 | Bets placed directly on numbers 6 or 8; pays even money with a low house edge. |
👎 Worst Value Bets
Bet Type | Description |
Big 6 / Big 8 | Bets placed on the 6 or 8 to roll before a 7; pays even money (1:1). |
Proposition Bets (Yo, Any 7, Horn, etc.) | One-roll or multi-roll bets with high payouts but a large house edge; include bets like Yo (11), Any 7, Horn (2,3,11,12). |
Hardways (especially 4 and 10) | Bets that a hard 4 (double 2s) or hard 10 (double 5s) will be rolled before an easy 4, easy 10, or 7. |
💡 Pro Tip: Stick with the basic craps rules explained and low-edge bets to maximize your time and minimize losses.
Game Flow Summary
Even with the rules for craps explained, the game can feel fast-paced. This section shows you exactly how a round flows step-by-step. Whether you're watching or shooting, this roadmap will keep you in control. 🚀
Step-by-Step Example Round
Here’s what a standard round of casino craps looks like:
- New Shooter is selected. They place a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet.
- The shooter makes the Come-Out Roll:
- 🎯 Rolls a 7 or 11 → Pass Line wins.
- 💀 Rolls a 2, 3, or 12 → Pass Line loses (Don’t Pass wins on 2 or 3).
- 🎯 Oher number becomes the Point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10).
- The game enters the Point Phase:
- Shooter keeps rolling until they:
- Hit the Point again → Pass Line wins!
- Roll a 7 → Seven-out, round ends.
- Shooter keeps rolling until they:
- Bets are settled, and either:
- The shooter rolls again (if they won).
- A new shooter steps up (if they lost).
✅ Example: Shooter rolls a 6 → Point is set. If they roll a 6 again before a 7, Pass Line wins
What Happens After Each Roll
After every roll, here’s what goes down at the craps table:
- Dealers collect and pay bets.
- Players can place new bets like Come, Field, or Propositions.
- Odds bets may be added behind existing Line Bets.
- Stickman returns the dice to the shooter.
📌 Timing matters. You can place most bets between rolls, but Line Bets must be made before the Come-Out roll.
How the Game Resets
A round ends when the shooter:
- Hits their point (win) or
- Rolls a 7 before hitting the point (lose)
Then:
- If they won, they continue shooting.
- If they lost, the dice pass to the next player clockwise.
The table is then reset, and it starts over with a new Come-Out Roll. Players re-place their bets, and the action continues. 🔄
Special Rules and Variations
While the basic craps rules for dummies stay mostly the same, some variations and settings can significantly impact the gameplay. Whether you're playing online or at a physical casino, it pays to understand the subtle differences 🧠.
Rules Differences in Online Craps
Online craps games usually follow the same structure as traditional casino versions, but they’re run by RNG software (Random Number Generator). That changes the pace and feel:
🎯 Key differences:
- No physical shooter — dice rolls are animated and automatic.
- Bets must be placed using digital chips and interface buttons.
- Some RNG craps versions may not allow all side bets or may simplify options.
📌 Still, the core rules to craps remain intact — so your strategy doesn’t need to change drastically.
Live Dealer Craps vs. RNG Craps
These two formats offer different experiences:
Feature | Live Dealer Craps 🎥 | RNG Craps 💻 |
Dealer Interaction | Real-time with a human dealer | None (software-based) |
Dice Rolling | Physical dice | Simulated with RNG |
Game Pace | Slower, more immersive | Fast, instant results |
Social Element | Yes (chat and viewing others) | No interaction |
Best For | Players who like realism | Quick, solo sessions |
🤖 RNG craps is great for practicing casino craps rules for beginners, while live dealer casino games mimic the excitement of Vegas.
Table Limits and Side Bets
Casinos often apply specific table rules, including:
- Minimum & Maximum Bets: Usually posted at the table. Online craps can have much lower limits.
- Crapless Craps: A variation where 2, 3, and 12 are not losing numbers on the Come-Out Roll. Increases volatility.
- Bubble Craps: Electronic terminals with a large transparent dome dice shaker. Great for fast-paced solo play.
- Side Bets: Some tables offer bets like Fire Bet or All Tall Small, which pay huge if multiple points are hit.
💡 Be sure to check the craps table rules before betting — especially if you're playing a variant.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mastering the craps game rules is essential, but many players lose due to simple, avoidable mistakes. Here’s how to keep your gameplay sharp and profitable 💡.
Betting Without Understanding the Phases
One of the biggest errors is placing bets without knowing the game phases — the Come-Out Roll and Point Phase have different betting rules for playing craps and outcomes.
- Placing Pass Line bets only make sense before the Come-Out Roll.
- Some bets, like Come bets, can only be placed during the Point Phase.
- Not knowing this leads to lost bets or missed opportunities.
🎯 Tip: Learn which bets belong to each phase for smarter wagering.
Ignoring the House Edge
Every bet carries a different house edge — the casino’s built-in advantage.
- Many players focus on big payouts but ignore how much the house stands to gain.
- Bets like Pass Line and Odds Bets have lower house edges.
- Proposition bets often have the highest house edge and should be approached cautiously.
📊 See the Payouts and Odds section above for details.
Getting Caught in High-Risk Bets Too Early
It’s tempting to chase big wins with high-risk bets, but beginners often lose fast by:
- Betting heavily on proposition bets (e.g., hardways, horn bets).
- Overextending on place bets without understanding odds.
- Forgetting bankroll management.
💡 Start with basic craps rules casino and low-risk bets, then experiment once you’re comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Craps Rules
What is the difference between Pass and Don’t Pass?
The Pass Line bets wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the Come-Out roll, and loses on 2, 3, or 12. After the point is set, it wins if the shooter hits the point before rolling a 7.
The Don’t Pass bet is essentially the opposite. It wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 on the Come-Out roll and loses on 7 or 11. A roll of 12 is a push (tie). During the point phase, Don’t Pass wins if a 7 is rolled before the point.
Can I join a game mid-round?
Yes! You can join a craps table games at any time by placing bets on the table. However, some bets like the Pass Line must be made before the Come-Out roll. Mid-round, you can place Come bets, Place bets, and other side bets.
What’s the safest bet in craps?
The safest bets are those with the lowest house edge, such as the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets combined with Odds bets. These give you the best chance to win over time.
Is craps a game of skill or pure chance?
Craps is primarily a game of chance since dice rolls are random. However, skill comes in managing bets, understanding craps betting rules, and bankroll management to reduce losses and maximize winning chances.
What are the basic rules of craps?
At its core, craps gambling rules simple are:
- Players bet on the outcome of dice rolls.
- The shooter makes a Come-Out roll to establish the point.
- If the shooter rolls 7 or 11 on Come-Out, Pass Line bet wins.
- Rolling 2, 3, or 12 means Pass Line loses.
- If the point is set, shooter tries to roll that number again before a 7.
- Bets are settled accordingly after each roll.
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