How to play craps comes down to one repeating sequence: the shooter rolls two dice, the first roll (the come-out) either wins, loses or sets a point number, and pass line bettors win if the point repeats before a seven. Start with the pass line plus an odds bet, which carry the lowest house edge at the table, and skip proposition bets.
Craps looks chaotic, with chips everywhere and players shouting, but a beginner needs one bet and one sequence of rolls. This guide covers the round, the starter bets ranked by cost, the bets to skip and what to check before you sit down. You must be of legal gambling age where you play, usually 18 or 21 depending on the state and venue.
How a round of craps works
A round of craps starts with a come-out roll and ends when the shooter either repeats the point number or rolls a seven after a point is set. The shooter is the player rolling the dice, and anyone at the table can bet with or against that shooter:
- Come-out roll: the puck sits on "OFF" and the shooter rolls two dice. A total of 7 or 11 wins for pass line bettors. A total of 2, 3 or 12 ("craps") loses for them.
- Point set: any other total (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10) becomes the point. The dealer flips the puck to "ON" and places it on that number.
- Point phase: the shooter keeps rolling. Rolling the point again before a seven wins for pass line bettors.
- Seven-out: a seven before the point ends the round. Pass line bets lose, and the dice move to the next shooter.
Expected outcome: you can tell from the puck and the last roll whether a new round is starting or a point is live.
How does the Pass Line bet work?
Quick answer: The pass line bet wins on a come-out 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3 or 12, and otherwise rides on whether the point repeats before a seven. You place it before the come-out roll, in the area marked "Pass Line" on the felt.
Once a point is set, the pass line bet cannot be taken down at most tables, so you are committed until the round resolves. Don't pass is the mirror image: it wins on 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11, usually pushes on 12, and wins on a seven-out. It is a legitimate low-edge bet, though betting against the shooter can draw glances at a crowded live table.
Starter bets compared: Payout and house edge
Pass line, don't pass, come, don't come and odds bets are the lowest-cost bets in craps, and the odds bet adds no house edge of its own. Exact percentages differ by table rules, so confirm them with the casino's posted rules before you rely on any figure:
| Bet | How it wins | Payout style | House edge (qualitative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass line | Come-out 7 or 11, or point repeats before a seven | Even money | Low |
| Don't pass | Come-out 2 or 3, or seven before the point | Even money | Low |
| Come | Same as pass line, started after a point exists | Even money | Low |
| Odds (behind a line or come bet) | Same as the bet it backs | True odds, varies by point number | None added |
| Field | One-roll bet on a set of totals | Even money on most totals, more on some | Noticeably higher |
| Place bets | Chosen number rolls before a seven | Below true odds | Moderate to high |
| Proposition bets | One-roll bet on specific totals or combinations | Large headline payouts | Highest |
What are the best bets in craps for beginners?
Quick answer: The best beginner bets in craps are the pass line (or don't pass) with an odds bet behind it, because the odds bet pays true odds and adds no house edge. Taking odds is the one way to put more money on the table without paying more per dollar wagered.
Odds limits vary: a table may allow odds of a few times your line bet or considerably more. Check the posted limit, and size your odds bet so a seven-out does not take a large share of your session budget. A come bet works like a fresh pass line bet on the next roll, so add it only once the pass line and odds feel routine.
Bets beginners should avoid
Proposition bets, the field and most place bets cost more per dollar than line bets and odds, so beginners should leave them alone. The big payouts on one-roll prop bets are priced to reflect how rarely they hit:
- Any seven and other center-table props: one-roll bets with the highest house edge on the layout.
- Horn and hop bets: several totals in one bet, still priced well above line bets.
- Field: looks like it covers many totals, but the payouts do not compensate for the totals it misses.
- Place bets on 4, 5, 9 or 10: paid below true odds, so a pass line bet with odds is the cheaper way to back those numbers.
- Dealer-suggested side bets: you can decline politely, and the line bet stays in play.
No betting system changes any of this. Progressions and "hot shooter" streaks do not alter the house edge on a bet, because each roll is independent.
Live vs online craps: What to check before you play
Quick answer: Live craps uses physical dice and a table crew, while online craps uses either a random number generator or a live-dealer stream, and the rules of the bets are the same. Availability for real money online depends on your state, so confirm that a site is licensed where you are before depositing.
At a live table, put cash on the felt rather than handing it to the dealer, and keep your hands off the layout once the dice are in play. Online, check the minimum bet, the odds limit and the posted payouts on the game's rules screen. State regulators such as the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement publish licensing information for their states. Free play or demo modes, where offered, let you practice the sequence without risk.
First-time checklist and bankroll limits
Set a session budget you can afford to lose before you sit down, and treat it as the cost of entertainment, not an investment. Craps swings quickly, so the budget needs to cover many rounds at the table minimum:
- Confirm you meet the legal age and that play is legal in your state.
- Read the posted table minimum and odds limit.
- Decide your session budget and loss stop in advance, and write it down.
- Start with a pass line bet and add odds only if the budget allows.
- Skip proposition bets, the field and side bets.
- Walk away when you hit your loss stop or your time limit, even mid-streak.
If gambling stops being fun, BeGambleAware lists self-exclusion routes and support options.
FAQ
Can a betting system beat the house edge in craps?
No. Progressions and hot shooter streaks do not change the house edge on any bet, because each roll of the dice is independent of the last. The only way to pay less per dollar wagered is to choose lower-cost bets, such as the pass line with an odds bet behind it.
Can you play craps online for real money?
It depends on your state. Online craps runs on a random number generator or a live-dealer stream, and the bets work the same as at a live table. Real-money availability varies by location, so a site needs to be licensed where you live. State regulators publish licensing information, and demo modes, where offered, allow risk-free practice.
What is the house edge in craps?
It depends on the bet. Pass line, don't pass, come and don't come carry a low edge, and the odds bet adds none of its own. The field and place bets cost noticeably more, and proposition bets carry the highest edge. Exact percentages differ by table rules, so posted rules are the reliable source.
