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Craps: A Guide for Complete Beginners
Craps is a thrilling and fast-paced dice game found in casinos worldwide. It is famous for its high energy and the loud, communal cheering you often hear from its tables. If you’ve ever tried to muddle through the rules, you’ve probably found yourself overwhelmed with jargon and specific names that get mixed together. In this guide, we’ll show you the true basics of the game to create the perfect foundation to learn the game in-depth.
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What is Craps?
Craps is a classic casino game with a history stretching back centuries, evolving into the fast-paced version we know today. Unlike more solitary games like slots or blackjack, craps is a social event. Players bet on the same outcome, often winning and losing together, which creates a unique and energetic atmosphere. While one player (the “shooter”) rolls the dice, everyone at the table can bet on the result.
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How to Play: The Basic Flow
This section must be prefaced by a disclaimer. Craps is notoriously difficult to explain despite being a deceptively simple game. This is the most basic explanation you’re going to find, but if you have trouble following along, you can check out Greg’s comprehensive video all about how to play and have fun with craps here.
Placing Bets
Like most table games, craps starts with making bets. You can make a variety of bets down the line, but at the beginning, you either make a ‘Pass Line Bet,’ where you bet with the shooter, or a ‘Don’t Pass Line Bet,’ where you bet against them.
The “Come Out” Roll
Every round begins with a “come out” roll. This is the very first roll of the round and will determine the course of the rest of the game. There are three outcomes:
- If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 (a “Natural”) — The shooter wins, all “Pass Line” bets win instantly, and the round is over.
- If they roll a 2, 3, or 12 (“Craps”) — The shooter loses, “Pass Line” bets lose instantly, and the round is over.
- If any other number is rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the “Point.” This number is then marked on the table before the next stage begins.
All of these numbers and outcomes are clearly labelled on the craps table, so when you’re playing, there are plenty of visual aids.
Rolling for the Point
Once a Point is established, the game’s objective changes. The shooter continues to roll the dice with a new goal. Now, the shooter wants to roll the point again before rolling a 7. So now there are two main outcomes before the end of the round:
The Point number is rolled again before a 7 — the shooter wins, “Pass Line” bets pay out, and a new round begins.
If a 7 is rolled before the Point (a “Seven Out”) — the shooter loses, “Pass Line” bets lose, and the round ends.
From here, the cycle continues. Traditionally, the shooter will only change to the next player once the current shooter rolls a ‘seven out.’
Understanding Basic Bets
The craps table is covered in dozens of betting options, each with fancy names. But 90% of the action focuses on a few key bets. For beginners, mastering just two is enough to enjoy the full experience.
| Bet Name | How You Win | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | Win on a come-out roll of 7 or 11. If a Point is set, win if the Point is rolled again before a 7. | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass Line | Win on a come-out roll of 2 or 3 (12 is a Push). If a Point is set, win if a 7 is rolled before the Point. | 1.36% |
The Pass Line Bet
This is the most common bet and the heart of the game. You’re betting with the shooter. You win if the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, and lose if it’s a 2, 3, or 12. If a Point is established, you then win if the Point is rolled again before a 7.
The Don’t Pass Line Bet
This bet is the opposite of the Pass Line; you’re betting against the shooter. If the shooter loses, you will win.
So, you win if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3. You lose if it’s a 7 or 11. If a Point is established, you win if a 7 is rolled before the Point.
The shooter also loses on a 12; however, on a 12, the Don’t Pass Line bet is a push, and you just get your stake back.
Other Bets
Craps is notorious for having a wide range of different bets you can choose from. Just a few examples are:
- Don’t Come Bet
- Free Odds Bet
- Place Bets
- Big 6/Big 8 Bets
- Any 7 Bet
And many more.
These detailed bets can get pretty confusing, which is why we aren’t diving deeper into them in this fundamentals guide. But you can visit Greg and check out our videos at Casino Matchmaker on YouTube for plenty of in-depth info about craps betting.
Simple Craps Strategy & Tips
Craps is a game of chance, but making smart bets drastically improves your odds and extends your playtime. Remember that these are general tips for beginners, and you can start playing other, more advanced bets once you’re comfortable with the game.
Taking the Odds — The Best Bet in the Casino
After a Point is established, if you made a Pass Line bet, you have the chance to make an ‘odds bet.’ This is an additional side bet on whether the shooter will win. It then pays out as long as the shooter doesn’t ‘seven out.’
The reason this bet is so popular is that it’s the only bet in the casino with a house edge of 0%. This means the casino doesn’t make any profit on it. As such, it’s common advice to always back up a Pass Line bet with an odds bet when it’s available.
Avoid Proposition Bets
The centre of the craps table is filled with “Proposition Bets”—single-roll bets with flashy, high payouts (like “Any 7”). An experienced player with bottomless pockets might have fun trying their luck, but the house edge on these bets is never worth it for regular players.
These are tempting bets with huge payouts, but they win so infrequently that it’s the fastest way to lose your money at the craps table.
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Play Craps Responsibly
Once you get into the swing of things, craps is a fast-paced, exciting game, which makes it that much easier to go overboard and lose control of your bankroll. Always keep these points in mind when playing craps to gamble responsibly.
Set Your Limits
Always decide on a budget before you approach the table and stick to it. Never bet money you aren’t prepared to lose. Like all gambling, craps is a game of chance, more so than some, like poker or blackjack. So always be prepared to cut yourself off. You could even bring a friend to help hold you accountable.
Enjoy the Energy, Not the Chase
The fun of craps comes from the social energy and the thrill of the dice roll. Play to enjoy that experience, not to make a profit. As long as you play to have fun and maintain a healthy mindset, you’ll always have clean fun when playing craps.
Use the Tools Available
All of our recommended sites have great responsible gambling tools available to help you control everything we’ve discussed and more. From deposit limits and time outs to fully-fledged self-exclusion, the gambling sites are on your side.
If you need expert, confidential advice, you can contact any of the UK national gambling awareness links and helplines:
National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/
BeGambleAware: https://www.gambleaware.org/