Craps Guide for Beginners
Craps has the widest range of house edges of any casino game, from excellent to terrible. Learn which bets to make, which to avoid, and how the game actually works.
Craps Basics
Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of rolls. It looks complicated but the core game is simple once you understand the Pass Line.
The Pass Line Bet (Start Here)
The most fundamental bet in craps:
Come Out Roll
- 7 or 11: You win immediately
- 2, 3, or 12: You lose immediately (craps)
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: This number becomes "the point"
Point Phase
Once a point is established:
- Roll the point again: You win
- Roll a 7: You lose (seven out)
- Any other number: Keep rolling
House edge: 1.41% - One of the best bets in the casino.
Don't Pass (The "Wrong" Bet)
The opposite of Pass Line. You're betting against the shooter:
- Win on come out 2 or 3
- Lose on 7 or 11
- Push on 12
- After point: Win if 7 before point, lose if point before 7
House edge: 1.36% - Slightly better than Pass Line.
Odds Bets (The Best Bet in the Casino)
After a point is established, you can make an additional "odds" bet behind your Pass Line bet. This bet pays true odds with zero house edge.
| Point | True Odds | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 6:5 |
Take maximum odds whenever possible. Casinos limit how much you can bet (1x, 2x, 3x, 10x, or even 100x odds).
Bets to Avoid
Most other craps bets have terrible house edges:
- Any 7: 16.67% house edge
- Any Craps: 11.11% house edge
- Hardways: 9-11% house edge
- Big 6/Big 8: 9.09% house edge
- Field (2 or 12 pay 2:1): 5.56% house edge
Optimal Craps Strategy
- Bet Pass Line or Don't Pass
- Take maximum odds behind your bet
- Ignore all other bets on the table
Combined house edge with 3-4-5x odds: approximately 0.37%
Craps Etiquette
- Handle dice with one hand only
- Don't say "seven" (considered bad luck)
- Make bets before the shooter has the dice
- Don't throw cash on the table during a roll
Understanding the Come-Out Roll
The come-out roll is the first roll of a new round. On the come-out, Pass Line bets win immediately on 7 or 11 (called a "natural") and lose on 2, 3, or 12 (called "craps"). Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the "point."
Once a point is established, the shooter keeps rolling until they either roll the point again (Pass Line wins) or roll a 7 (Pass Line loses, called "sevening out"). All other numbers during this phase are irrelevant to Pass Line bets.
Don't Pass and Don't Come Bets
Don't Pass is the opposite of Pass Line with a 1.36% house edge, slightly better than Pass Line's 1.41%. On the come-out, Don't Pass wins on 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11, and pushes on 12. After a point is established, Don't Pass wins if 7 comes before the point.
Don't Come works similarly but can be placed after the point is established. These "wrong way" bets are mathematically superior but socially unpopular since you're betting against the shooter and most other players.
Laying odds behind Don't Pass or Don't Come also has zero house edge but requires risking more to win less (the opposite of taking odds on Pass Line).
Come and Place Bets
Come bets work exactly like Pass Line bets but can be placed after a point is established. Each Come bet establishes its own point and operates independently. This lets you have multiple numbers working simultaneously.
Place bets let you bet directly on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). The house edge varies: 6 and 8 have 1.52% edge, 5 and 9 have 4% edge, and 4 and 10 have 6.67% edge. Place 6 and 8 are reasonable bets; the others should be avoided.
Buy bets pay true odds but charge a 5% commission. For 4 and 10, buying is better than placing if the commission is paid only on wins. Most casinos have moved to this player-favorable rule.
Proposition Bets Explained
The center of the craps table contains proposition bets with enticing payouts but terrible odds. These one-roll bets resolve immediately and carry house edges ranging from 5.56% to 16.67%.
Any Seven pays 4:1 but should pay 5:1 for true odds, giving the house 16.67% edge, among the worst bets in any casino. Any Craps (2, 3, or 12) pays 7:1 against true odds of 8:1, yielding 11.11% house edge.
Hardway bets (two identical dice showing 4, 6, 8, or 10) pay well but carry 9-11% house edges. Horn bets combining 2, 3, 11, and 12 average about 12.5% house edge. All proposition bets should be avoided by mathematically-minded players.
Dice Probability Fundamentals
Two dice create 36 possible combinations. The number 7 appears most frequently with 6 combinations (1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1). This is why 7 is the pivot point in craps. It's the most likely outcome.
The numbers 6 and 8 each have 5 ways to appear. The 5 and 9 have 4 ways each. The 4 and 10 have 3 ways each. The 3 and 11 have 2 ways each. The 2 and 12 have only 1 way each.
Understanding these probabilities explains the payout structure. Points that are harder to make (4 and 10) pay better odds than easier points (6 and 8). True odds payouts exactly reflect these probabilities.
Craps Betting Strategies
Conservative Strategy
Bet Pass Line with maximum odds. This yields approximately 0.37% combined house edge with 3-4-5x odds (the most common offering). This approach minimizes losses over time while still participating fully in the game.
Aggressive Strategy
After establishing a Pass Line point, make Come bets with odds to cover multiple numbers. This increases action and variance but doesn't change the house edge per bet. More numbers working means more frequent decisions.
Iron Cross Strategy
Some players bet Field plus Place 5, 6, and 8, covering everything except 7. This wins on most rolls but has negative expected value overall: the 7 appears often enough to overcome the frequent small wins.
Online Craps vs. Live Craps
Online craps uses random number generators to determine outcomes. The mathematics are identical to physical dice, but the social experience differs dramatically. Live craps is communal; online craps is solitary.
Live dealer online craps bridges this gap with real dice rolled on camera. The pace is slower than RNG craps but faster than crowded casino tables. Odds bets may be limited compared to physical casinos.
One advantage of online craps: no etiquette concerns. You can take your time, reference strategy guides, and avoid the intimidation factor of busy casino tables.
Bankroll Management for Craps
Craps can be volatile, especially with multiple numbers working. A reasonable session bankroll is 30-50 times your base bet. This provides enough cushion to weather normal variance without going broke on a cold streak.
Set win and loss limits before playing. When you reach either limit, stop. The house edge grinds down every bankroll given enough time, predetermined limits enforce discipline.
The Truth About Dice Control
Some claim skilled shooters can influence dice outcomes through controlled throws. While theoretically possible, no scientific study has demonstrated consistent dice control under casino conditions. The randomizing effect of table felt and back wall makes meaningful control extremely difficult.
Even if slight influence were possible, casinos watch for suspicious throwing patterns and can ask shooters to modify their technique. Practically speaking, treat dice outcomes as random regardless of who's shooting.
Craps Summary
Craps offers some of the best odds in the casino, Pass/Don't Pass with maximum odds approaches 0.4% house edge. It also offers some of the worst odds via proposition bets. Smart play means sticking to the good bets and ignoring the flashy center-table options.
The game's intimidating appearance masks straightforward optimal strategy: Pass Line (or Don't Pass) with maximum odds. Everything else either matches or increases the house edge. Master these fundamentals and you'll play craps as effectively as possible.
Learning Craps as a Beginner
The complexity of craps is overstated. The core game, Pass Line with odds, is simple. Ignore everything else when starting. Watch a few hands to understand the rhythm, then join with a Pass Line bet when the puck is "off."
Dealers are typically helpful to newcomers. Ask questions during slower moments. Most experienced players appreciate new blood at the table and will offer guidance, though their advice isn't always mathematically sound.
Craps Betting Systems
Martingale
Double bets after losses on even-money bets. The theory: eventually you'll win and recover everything. The reality: table limits and bankroll constraints make this dangerous. One extended losing streak can be catastrophic.
The 5-Count
A method claiming to identify "qualified shooters" worth betting on. Wait until a shooter establishes a point and then throws five more times before betting. While this reduces action per hour, it doesn't change the mathematical edge on any bet you make.
The Reality
No betting system overcomes the house edge. Systems change how you experience variance, perhaps more small wins and rare big losses, or vice versa, but expected value remains constant. Play for entertainment, not systems.
Craps Variations
Crapless Craps
Eliminates natural craps numbers (2, 3, 12) as immediate losers. Sounds player-friendly but significantly increases house edge because you can no longer win immediately on 7 or 11. The math is worse despite the appealing name.
Simplified Craps
Single-roll game where 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12 win; 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 lose. Higher house edge than standard craps but faster action with instant resolution.
Advanced Odds Considerations
Different casinos offer different maximum odds: 2x, 3x, 3-4-5x, 5x, 10x, or even 100x. Higher available odds mean lower combined house edge when fully utilized.
At 100x odds, the combined house edge approaches 0.02%, essentially break-even. However, the variance is enormous. Most players can't comfortably bet 100x their Pass Line bet, so theoretical minimums don't reflect practical play.
Why Craps Endures
Craps offers unmatched casino excitement. The communal experience of rooting for the same outcome, the rhythmic pace of rolls, and the mathematical edge approaching zero make it unique. No other table game combines these elements.
For players seeking low house edge with social atmosphere, craps remains the best option. Learn the fundamentals, ignore the sucker bets, and enjoy one of gambling's most engaging experiences.
Final Tips
Stick to Pass Line or Don't Pass with maximum odds. Avoid proposition bets entirely. Set loss limits and respect them. Enjoy the social atmosphere while maintaining discipline with your bankroll.
Craps intimidates newcomers but rewards those who learn its straightforward optimal strategy. The best odds in the casino await players who understand what bets to make and what to avoid. Take time to learn the fundamentals and you'll enjoy craps for years to come. Start with Pass Line bets and gradually add odds as your comfort increases.