Craps might seem intimidating, but don’t worry. In this beginner’s guide, we break down the rules and explanations step by step, making the game as easy as tossing a pair of dice. We’ll walk you through the table layout, explain how the bets work, and cover what happens with each roll of the dice. Give this a quick read, and you’ll grasp the basics, ready to tackle this casino classic with confidence.
The Steps of a Craps Round
1. Making Bets
Before rolling the dice, most people place a basic bet on either “pass” or “don’t pass.” This is the heard of craps so read on to understand what these bets mean.
2. The Come-Out Roll
When you place your bet, a craps round starts with a roll of the dice. The “shooter” (which is someone who places bets) has two dice and tosses them against the wall of the table. This is called the “come-out” roll. The goal is to establish a “point” (i.e. a number that will form the basis of the round).
3. Establishing the Point
- If the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, this number becomes the “point.”
- If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, it’s a “natural.” The pass bettors win.
- If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, it’s “craps.” The pass bettors lose.
4. The Point Phase
When the shooter establishes a point, it’s game on – time for some fun. The shooter aims to roll the point number again before hitting a 7. If successful, pass bettors win, and the shooter usually keeps rolling for the next round. But if a 7 comes up first, pass bettors lose—this is called “sevening out.” The round ends, and the dice usually pass to the next shooter.
Craps Bets Explanation
A beginner’s guide to online craps rules step by step needs a quick breakdown of the bets available.
- Pass / Don’t Pass. This bet sits at the core of craps. If you bet “pass,” you win immediately with a natural or if the shooter rolls the point number again before sevening out. If you bet “don’t pass,” you win right away if the come-out roll is craps or if the shooter sevens out before hitting the point number again. These bets pay even money, or 1:1.
- Come / Don’t Come. This bet mirrors pass / don’t pass. The difference is it can be made after the come-out roll has happened. The payout odds depend on what number the come bet is tracking.
“Pass” and “Come” bets are known as contract bets. They carry over for multiple rolls and must be left in place until they win or lose. Let’s talk about some “one-roll” bets.
- Field. A bet on the field pays out if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled next. 2s and 12s get you paid double.
- Seven. This bet pays out (usually 4:1) if a seven is rolled.
- Hardways. These proposition bets pay out if specific double dice combos come up, like threes or fours.
- Other one roll bets. Players can bet on a six and a five coming up, or “snake eyes” (two ones). The rarest rolls can pay 30:1.
- Any craps. This bet pays seven to one if any craps number is rolled.
- Big 6 or 8. This is a bet that wins if a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7. The house edge is around 9% (quite high) and it typically only pays even money. This is not a bet many strategy guides will recommend that players make.
Craps Table Layout – Wings vs. Center
A craps table features identical “wings” on each side, filled with self-service bets like pass/don’t pass, come/don’t come, and field bets. In a live casino, you can place these bets yourself.
The center has proposition bets (betting on a seven, various doubles, or craps) that you generally need the stickman’s help to make. There will also be a dealer opposite the stickman to assist with chips and other matters.
Craps Terms and Vocabulary
- Boxman. A game supervisor who works a craps table with the stickman and dealer.
- Come. A bet that the player will roll the point before s
- out.
- Come-Out. The first roll in a round of craps.
- Field. A one-roll bet that one of the numbers in the field (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12) will be rolled next.
- Hardways. Bets that certain sets of doubles (e.g., 2-2, 3-3) will be rolled.
- Natural. A come-out roll of 7 or 11. Pass line bets win instantly.
- Pass. A wager placed before the come-out roll, betting that the shooter will roll the point before sevening out.
- Place. A bet on a specific number to be rolled before a 7 is rolled.
- Point. The number established by the come-out roll (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). The shooter is trying to roll it again before rolling a 7.
- Proposition Bets. One-roll bets on specific outcomes of the next roll.
- Shooter. The player rolling dice.
- Stickman. The casino employee holding a long L-shaped stick and moves dice and chips around the table.
- Wrong betting. Betting don’t pass or don’t come.
The Come Out – Getting Started as a Beginner
Craps is a great game to observe for a while if you’re new. Don’t dive in with both feet just yet. If you want to start with some other casino games for beginners that’s not a bad place to start. Then, when you’re ready to get in on the action, try pass betting for a while to get a feel for the flow of the game; how the rounds and points work. Then eventually you can branch out with other bets.
