How to Play Craps for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Although its roots could be traced to ancient dice games, craps directly evolved from an old English dice game called Hazard, popular among aristocrats during the Middle Ages. When French colonists brought Hazard to New Orleans in the 18th century, it gradually evolved into the modern version of craps we see today.

In this craps guide, you’ll learn the basics of how to play craps, from dice rolls to betting strategies, and discover the best bets, gameplay, and how to avoid common mistakes.

What Is Craps?

Craps is a fun, simple, and engaging dice game, where players bet on the outcome of rolls on a pair of dice. The most common bet is the Pass Line bet. This bet assumes that the shooter will roll a seven or an 11 on the first roll or hit a specific number (the Point).

So how does a craps game work?

At the start of a new round, a player places a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet to be eligible to shoot. The shooter throws the first roll, called the Come-Out roll, and sets the stage. 

• If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win (this is called a natural).
• If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, Pass Line bets lose (this is called craps).
• If they roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point.

Once a point is set (let’s say the shooter rolls a 6), the goal is to roll that number again before rolling a 7. If the shooter rolls a six again, the Pass Line wins. If they roll a seven before that, the Pass Line loses (called a seven-out).

The shooter keeps rolling until one of those two outcomes occurs. After that, a new round begins.

Craps Table Layout

The craps table looks confusing at first. When you dig down, it all makes sense. Here are the basics of craps explained:

• Pass Line / Don’t Pass Line: These are the classic even-money bets.
• Come / Don’t Come: Similar to Pass Line bets but placed after the point.
• Place Bets Section: Where players bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10).
• Proposition Bets (center table): Flashy but risky bets; high house edge and best avoided.
• Stick to the outer areas of the table for safer bets.

How to Play Craps for Beginners

It can feel like being thrown in the deep end as a novice craps bettor, but take a look through our guide and you’ll feel much more comfortable jumping into this game.

You only have to shoot if the dice come to you and you’ve placed a Pass/Don’t Pass bet. If you’d rather not, you can pass the dice along.

Quick Reference: Come-Out Roll Outcomes

Roll	Nickname	Result
7	Natural	Pass Line wins
11	Yo	Pass Line wins
2	Snake Eyes	Pass Line loses (Don’t Pass wins)
3	Ace-Deuce	Pass Line loses (Don’t Pass wins)
12	Boxcars	Pass Line loses (Don’t Pass is a push)

Types of Bets in Craps

Getting to grips with what, when, and how to place bets in craps for beginners is key to enjoying the game and avoiding costly mistakes.

Pass Line Bet

This bet is placed before the come-out roll. It means you’re betting that the shooter will win by rolling a seven or 11 on the come-out or hitting the point before rolling a seven. The payout: 1:1 

• Example: You bet $10 on the Pass Line:
  • The shooter rolls seven or 11. You win $10.
  • The shooter rolls four. That’s now the point.
  • If they roll a four again, before a seven, you win $10.

Don’t Pass Bet (Betting Against the Shooter)

Like the Pass Line, you place the Don’t Pass bet before the come-out roll, which means you’re betting that the shooter will lose by rolling a two, three, or 12. The payout: 1:1

• Example: You bet $10 on Don’t Pass.
  • The shooter rolls two or three. You win $10.
  • The shooter rolls 12; it’s a push (tie).
  • If a point is set, you win if the shooter rolls a seven before the point.

Come Bet (Like a New Pass Line Bet)

Place this after the point is set. It acts like a mini-game for you: your next roll is your personal come-out roll.

• If 7 or 11 is rolled, you win.
• If 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, you lose.

Any other number becomes your Come Point. If that number is rolled again before a 7, you win.

Don’t Come Bet (Like a Don’t Pass Mid-Round)

You place this bet after the point is set. This is the opposite of the Come bet. You are betting against the new roll. You win if the shooter rolls a seven before your Don’t Come point is hit.

Place Bets

Anytime after the come-out roll, make these bets. It means you’re betting that a specific number will be rolled before a 7. Most players place bets on 6 or 8. They hit more often and offer the best odds. For example, you bet $6 on Place Six.

• If the shooter rolls a six before a seven, you win $7.
• If a seven comes first, you lose your $6.

Place Bet Number	House Edge	Payout
6 or 8	~1.52%	7:6
5 or 9	~4.00%	7:5
4 or 10	~6.67%	9:5

Sucker Bets to Avoid

These are bets with high house edges. They are designed to tempt, but usually just drain your bankroll.

Bet	Why to Avoid	House Edge
Hardways	Requires doubles to hit specific totals	9-11%
Any 7	One-roll bet that seven will come up	16.9%
Horn Bets	Flashy high-risk bets on 2, 3, 11, or 12	12.5%+
Proposition Bets	Centre-table one-roll bets with poor odds	Varies but bad

💡Top Tip: If it’s in the center of the table and sounds exciting, it’s probably a sucker bet. When learning, stick to Pass Line, Come, and Place 6/8.

Craps Betting Strategies

Craps is a fast-moving game. Stick to simple, low-risk bets to maximize your bankroll, build your confidence, and enjoy some time at the table. Here are three options:

Pass line + odds strategy

Place a Pass Line bet before the come-out roll. Once a point is set, take full odds behind your Pass Line bet. Why? Odds bets have no house edge. They pay true odds.

Example: Bet $10 on the Pass Line. Point is six. You place $10 in odds. If six is rolled again, you win $10 (Pass Line) + $12 (odds at 6:5).

✔️ Great way to build confidence
✔️ Low complexity
✔️ Low house edge

Place 6 & 8 strategy

Wait until a point is established. Then place bets on six and eight (they’re rolled the most after 7). Bet in units of $6 to get proper payouts (7:6).

Example: Place $6 on six and $6 on 8. If six or eight is rolled before a 7, you win $7. You can press (increase) or collect winnings.

✔️ Slower loss rate
✔️ Easy to follow
✔️ Frequent wins

Don’t pass with lay odds

Place a Don’t Pass bet before the come-out roll. After the point is set, place lay odds behind your bet (betting a seven comes before the point is hit). This is for players who don’t mind going against the table vibe.

Example: You bet $10 on Don’t Pass, and the point is ten. You lay $20 in odds (pays 1:2). If seven comes before ten, you win $10 + $10.

✔️ Less risky long-term
✔️ Still low house edge
✔️ Wins come more frequently.

How to Play Craps Online

So, how do you play craps online? There are two main types of online craps play, which can also be played internationally.

• Live dealer craps: Streamed from real tables: social and immersive.
• RNG craps: Fast and controlled by a random number generator.

You need to look for low house edge games, user-friendly interfaces, and demo or free-play modes. 

How to Play Craps at a Casino

Look for tables with low minimums. Peak times are more exciting but can be intimidating. Try early afternoons or weekdays to learn the ropes.

Be polite and respectful to dealers and fellow players. They can help you out. Tip periodically if you’re winning or enjoying good service.

Casino Craps Checklist:

• ✅ Bring ID and cash
• ✅ Know basic etiquette
• ✅ Stick to beginner bets
• ✅ Practice patience

Craps Table Etiquette for Beginners

At this point, we can agree that playing craps is exciting, but a few simple etiquette craps rules can make it even more fun for everyone:

• Wait your turn, and don’t jump in mid-roll. Let the shooter finish before placing bets.

• Always handle your chips properly. Only touch your own chips and place them clearly on your chosen bet.

• If you’re new, use clear signals to point or ask the dealer for help instead of guessing.

• Always respect the shooter. Avoid distractions or negative comments while they roll the dice.

• It’s very polite to tip the dealer when you win, especially if the dealer helps guide your bets.

Conclusion

There is no question that, at first glance, craps can appear to be one of the most confusing games in the casino; it’s intimidating, brash, and noisy. Often crowded with players who know precisely what they are doing.

However, like many of the best things in life, it’s worth exploring. Dig into this game, try understanding craps game rules, and there is fun to be found, and one of the casino’s only actual odds bets.

With some knowledge and a few practice rounds, you’ll be rolling high. Start with the Pass Line bet, add Odds when you’re ready, and avoid the tempting sucker bets. Enjoy the ride responsibly and roll with the best.

FAQs

References

World’s Oldest 6-Sided Dice (YouTube)