How to Play Craps: Rules, Bets and Best Odds

Craps is the loudest table in any casino – a dice game where everyone cheers for the same roll. The table looks complicated, but the core game is simple, and the best craps bets have some of the lowest house edges in gambling. Here is how it works.

Craps is played with two dice. One player, the shooter, rolls for the table, and everyone bets on the outcome. The game is built around two phases: the come-out roll and the point.

The come-out roll

• 7 or 11 – Pass Line bets win.
• 2, 3 or 12 (“craps”) – Pass Line bets lose.
• 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 – that number becomes the point.

The point

The shooter keeps rolling. If the point comes up again before a 7, Pass Line bets win. If a 7 comes first (“seven out”), Pass Line bets lose and the dice pass to the next shooter.

• Pass Line – bet with the shooter. Pays 1 to 1.
• Don’t Pass – bet against the shooter. Wins on 2 or 3 on the come-out, loses on 7 or 11; 12 is a push. After a point, wins if 7 comes first.
• Come and Don’t Come – like Pass and Don’t Pass, but placed after a point is set. The next roll acts as a new come-out for that bet.
• Odds bet – an extra bet behind your Pass or Come bet once a point is set. It pays true odds (2:1 on 4 or 10, 3:2 on 5 or 9, 6:5 on 6 or 8) and has no house edge.
• Place bets – bet that a specific number rolls before a 7. Place 6 and 8 pay 7 to 6.
• Field – a one-roll bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12.
• Proposition bets – one-roll bets in the middle of the table, such as Any Seven or Hardways. Big payouts, big house edges.

1. Bet the Pass Line (or Don’t Pass if you prefer betting against the shooter).
2. Once a point is set, add the maximum Odds bet you can afford – it lowers the overall house edge.
3. If you want more action, add Place bets on 6 and 8.
4. Avoid proposition bets in the middle of the table.
5. Set a budget per session; craps is fast and bets multiply quickly.

Online craps is usually an RNG game, with live dealer versions at some casinos. As with other table games, craps rarely counts much towards bonus wagering. Compare it with other low-edge games in our casino tips.