Master the Game of Craps

Craps: The Most Social Casino Game

Craps is unique. It’s the only casino game where:

• Everyone roots for each other — Other players win when you win
• Energy is high — Cheering, celebrating, community
• Odds can be favorable — Some bets have near-zero house edge
• Simple in concept — Just roll dice
• Deep in strategy — Betting options are vast

But craps intimidates beginners. The table seems chaotic. The terminology is confusing. “Pass line? Come bet? Field? Proposition?”

This guide demystifies craps completely.

Basic Craps Rules

The Goal

Roll dice and win money based on outcomes.

Simplified: Some rolls win, some lose, some continue the game.

The Come-Out Roll

The game starts with a “come-out roll.”

If you roll:

• 2, 3, or 12: “Craps” - Pass line bets lose immediately
• 7 or 11: “Natural” - Pass line bets win immediately
• 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10: That number becomes “the point”

Key insight: If you roll a point number, the game continues.

Making the Point

Once a point is set (say, 6):

If you roll:

• 6: Point is made! Pass line bets win. New come-out roll starts.
• 7: “Seven out.” Pass line bets lose. New come-out roll starts.
• Any other number: Roll again. No decision yet.

The race: You’re racing to roll your point number (6) before rolling a 7.

Essential Craps Bets

1. Pass Line (The Foundation)

How it works:

• Bet on the come-out roll
• If natural (7 or 11): You win immediately
• If craps (2, 3, or 12): You lose immediately
• If point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10): Bet stays active
  • If point rolls again: You win
  • If 7 rolls: You lose

Payout: 1:1 (even money)

House edge: 1.41%

Best for: Beginners. Simple and social.

2. Don’t Pass (Opposite of Pass)

How it works:

• You’re betting AGAINST the shooter
• If craps (2, 3): You win immediately
• If natural (7, 11): You lose immediately
• If 12: You push (tie, get your money back)
• If point is set: You want a 7 to roll

Payout: 1:1 (even money)

House edge: 1.36%

Best for: Experienced players. Slightly better odds than pass line.

Social note: Don’t pass bets are sometimes frowned upon (you’re rooting against the shooter). But they’re perfectly legal.

3. Come Bet (Like Pass Line, But Later)

How it works:

• Placed AFTER point is established
• Works exactly like pass line from that moment on
• Creates a “secondary point” just for your bet

Example:

• Point is 6
• You place come bet
• If next roll is 7 or 11: Come bet wins
• If next roll is 2, 3, or 12: Come bet loses
• If next roll is 8: 8 becomes your “come point”
  • If 8 rolls again: You win
  • If 7 rolls: You lose

Payout: 1:1

House edge: 1.41%

4. Don’t Come (Opposite of Come)

Like don’t pass but for come bets

House edge: 1.36%

5. Odds Bets (Zero House Edge!)

This is crucial: Odds bets have NO house edge. Zero. This is the best bet in craps.

How it works: Once a point is set, you can place an “odds” bet:

• Bet that the point will roll before a 7
• Payout varies by point number
• House edge: 0%

Payouts:

• 4 or 10: 2:1
• 5 or 9: 3:2
• 6 or 8: 6:5

Wise strategy: Always take maximum odds (if allowed). You’re getting true odds with zero house edge.

6. Field Bet

How it works:

• One-roll bet on specific numbers
• Covers: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12
• Misses: 5, 6, 7, 8

Payout: Varies (2:1 on 2 and 12, 1:1 others)

House edge: 5.56%

Verdict: Skip this bet. House edge is too high.

Advanced Craps Betting

Place Bets

How it works:

• Bet that a specific number rolls before a 7
• Can bet on: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
• Stays active until 7 or your number rolls

Payouts:

• 4 or 10: 9:5 (1.67% house edge)
• 5 or 9: 7:5 (4% house edge)
• 6 or 8: 7:6 (1.52% house edge)

Best place bets: 6 and 8 (lowest house edge)

Buy Bets

How it works:

• Bet that a number rolls before a 7
• Get true odds (2:1, 3:2, 6:5) but pay 5% commission

House edge: 4.76%

Verdict: Worse than odds bets. Skip buy bets.

Lay Bets

How it works:

• Opposite of buy bets
• You’re betting a 7 rolls before a specific number
• Pay 5% commission

House edge: 2.44%

Proposition Bets (Center Table)

One-roll bets with high payouts but terrible odds:

Examples:

• “Snake eyes” (rolling 2): Pays 30:1 but house edge is 13.89%
• “Boxcars” (rolling 12): Pays 30:1 but house edge is 13.89%
• “Seven” (rolling 7): Pays 4:1 but house edge is 16.67%

Verdict: AVOID these bets entirely. House edge is brutal.

Craps Strategy: How to Win More

Strategy 1: Pass Line + Odds (Best for Most)

The play:

1. Bet pass line on come-out roll
2. If point is set, place maximum odds bet
3. Collect if point hits
4. Lose if 7 rolls

House edge: ~0.8% (with odds, very favorable)

Why it works:

• Pass line gives you 1.41% edge
• Odds bet has 0% edge
• Combined is favorable
• Simple to execute

Strategy 2: Come + Odds (For Active Players)

The play:

1. Bet pass line with odds
2. Once point is set, place come bets
3. Add odds to come bets
4. Manage multiple active bets

House edge: ~0.8%

Best for: Experienced players who enjoy action

Strategy 3: Conservative 6 & 8

The play:

1. Bet pass line (skip odds if desired)
2. Place money on 6 and 8
3. Collect on 6 or 8 rolls
4. Remove bets if 7 rolls

House edge: ~1.5%

Best for: Players who want steady wins

Strategy 4: Don’t Pass + Lay Odds (For Sophisticated Players)

The play:

1. Bet don’t pass
2. If point is set, lay odds
3. Collect when 7 rolls

House edge: ~0.8% (slightly better than pass line)

Warning: Other players won’t like you (you’re rooting against them). Use sparingly.

Craps Odds & Probability

Probability of Each Number Rolling

Key insight: 7 is the most common roll (16.67%). This is why:

• You lose pass line when 7 rolls
• You win don’t pass when 7 rolls
• Proposition bets paying on 7 have terrible odds

Making Points

Probability of making a point (hitting before 7):

Hardest points: 4 and 10 (only 40% chance)

Easiest points: 6 and 8 (45% chance)

Bankroll Management for Craps

Session Planning

Before you play:

1. Session Budget ($50? $100? $200?)
2. Unit Size (Your standard bet, e.g., $5)
3. Win Goal (When to leave winning)
4. Loss Limit (When to stop losing)
5. Max Active Bets (How many come bets at once)

Unit System

Conservative: 1/20 of bankroll per bet

• $100 bankroll = $5 unit
• Can sustain 20 bets

Moderate: 1/10 of bankroll per bet

• $100 bankroll = $10 unit
• Can sustain 10 bets

Aggressive: 1/5 of bankroll per bet

• $100 bankroll = $20 unit
• Higher risk

Managing Multiple Bets

Craps can have multiple active bets:

• Pass line
• Come bets (2-4 active)
• Odds bets
• Place bets

Rule: Don’t exceed your total bankroll in active bets.

Example: $100 bankroll

• Pass line: $10
• 2 come bets: $10 each
• Odds bets: $15 total
• Max active: $45
• This is comfortable exposure

Common Craps Mistakes

Mistake 1: Not Taking Odds

Why it’s a mistake: Odds bets have 0% house edge. They’re the best bets in craps.

Solution: Always take maximum odds allowed.

Mistake 2: Betting Proposition Bets

Why it’s a mistake: House edge is 13-17%. Terrible odds.

Solution: Skip center table entirely. Stick to pass/come/odds.

Mistake 3: Betting the Field

Why it’s a mistake: 5.56% house edge. Above average.

Solution: Place 6 and 8 instead (1.52% edge) if you want frequent wins.

Mistake 4: Removing Odds Bets

Why it’s a mistake: You’re giving up 0% edge bets. Illogical.

Solution: Leave odds bets active. They’re your best friends.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Bankroll Limits

Why it’s a mistake: Craps is exciting. You get caught up. Overbetting happens.

Solution: Set limits before play. Write them down. Stick to them religiously.

What Smart Players Do

✓ Bet pass/come with maximum odds
✓ Avoid proposition bets
✓ Keep unit size consistent
✓ Manage total active bets
✓ Enjoy the social experience
✓ Respect other players