How to Play Craps: Easy Steps to Get You Rolling

People that learn how to play craps all say the same: it’s a game that’s easy to learn, but hard to master. I’d say that’s precisely what makes it fun: anyone can pick it up within a matter of minutes, but getting good at it? That’s open to anyone who enjoys games with a mix of strategy (and a good thrill).

The core of the game revolves around rolling a pair of dice, while players bet on the outcome of the dice roll. You’ll find all sorts of betting options: bets that appeal to risk-adverse players and high-stakes, high-payout strategies that gamblers love.

How to Play Craps: Win Conditions and Terms

The main goal in Craps is for the shooter to roll a specific number, which is called the “point”, and then roll that same number again before a 7 is rolled. This is the primary focus, but players can place all sorts of bets that predict different dice rolls or outcomes.

Yes, this means that craps are played in “rounds”, and you can bet on the shooter or against the shooter. Keep in mind that Craps is a fast-paced game that fosters camaraderie among players, so it’s not unusual to feel the table’s vibes and atmosphere as they cheer for the shooter. Betting against them adds banter to the table, but some people avoid it altogether to avoid messing with the vibes.

Let me guide you on how to join online poker and actually earn some money.

Anyway, let’s take a look at some of the basic terms you’ll need to know to understand the action at the table.

How to Play Craps: The Come-Out Roll

The come-out roll is the first roll of the dice in a round of Craps. It’s crucial because it determines whether the game continues with a point or ends immediately with a win or loss.

The come-out roll is the first roll of the dice in a round of Craps, and it determines whether the game continues with a point of ends immediately with a win or a loss. If the come-out roll is:

A 7 or 11, players with a pass line bet win
A 2, 3, or 12, pass line bettors lose (this is called “crapping out”)
Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the point

What's the Point?

When the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point (remember that 2,3 or 12 means you crap out).

From that point on, the goal is to roll the point number again before rolling a 7, which would end the round.

If you roll any of the numbers I listed above, you just keep rolling the dice. If you roll the point again before a 7, all pass line bettors win.

However, if you roll a 7 before the point, this is called a seven-out, and all pass line bettors lose.

Ending the Round

A round of craps ends whenever a 7 is rolled before the point, or when the point is rolled again. Once the round ends, the dice move to a new shooter, and a new round begins with another come-out roll. This tends to happen fairly often, so the game itself is perfect for players that love fast-paced action.

Just to recap:

The game starts with a come-out roll. Players bet on whether the shooter will win or lose immediately.
The point is the number the shooter aims to roll again before rolling a 7.
A seven-out means the shooter loses, and the round ends.

Like I mentioned earlier, you can bet on all sorts of outcomes and this add tremendous depth to craps betting in general. Once you learn how to play Craps, you’ll realize just how many different bets you can take before the dices even start flying!

Types of Bets in Craps

Understanding craps bets is an essential part of knowing how to play craps. There are simple bets and increasingly more complex options that can significantly enhance your chances of winning, so let’s go over each of them.

Pass Line Bet and Don’t Pass Bet

The pass line bet is the most common and straightforward bet in Craps, so it’s usually where beginners see most of their action. It’s an excellent bet for those learning how to play craps since it’s placed before the come-out roll. Basically, you wager on whether the shooter will win or not.

Here are the win conditions and other possible outcomes:

Pass Line Bet

You win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll.
You lose if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12.

If you roll any other number is rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the point, and the shooter must roll the point again before rolling a 7.

Don’t Pass Bet

You win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 on the come-out roll.
Rolling a 12 is a push (neither win nor lose).
You lose if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11.

If a point is established, you win if a 7 is rolled before the point.

Come Bet and Don’t Come Bet

These bets are similar to the pass line and don’t pass line bets, but these are placed after the come-out roll. These bets allow players to join the action at any point. Let’s go over how you can or lose with these bets.

Come Bet:

Works like the pass line bet but made after the point is established.

You win if the next roll is a 7 or 11.
You lose if the next roll is a 2, 3, or 12

If another number is rolled, that number becomes the “come point,” and the player wins if that number is rolled again before a 7.

Don’t Come Bet:

This is the opposite of the come bet. Here’s how rolls work here:

You win if the next roll is a 2 or 3.
You lose if the next roll is a 7 or 11.

12 is a push (push are draws, nobody wins)

If another number becomes the come point, the player wins if a 7 is rolled before that number.

Place Bets

Place bets allow you to bet on the shooter rolling the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 before a 7. You can make these bets at any time, meaning they’re not restricted to the pass or don’t pass sequence.

Field Bets and Proposition Bets

These are riskier bets with larger payouts, and they’re also a bit more complex bet. Typically, not recommended for beginners that want to learn how to play Craps.

Field bets are also one-roll bet where you win if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled. Most of these pay even money, but a 2 and 12 often pay double or triple, so you can already tell why they’re popular. It’s an easy bet with low risk, but it only covers one roll.

Proposition bets are one-roll bets that sit in the middle of the table. You can bet on things like “any craps” (2, 3, or 12), a specific number (like betting a hard 6 or hard 8), or “any 7.” Naturally, the odds aren’t as great, but the payouts more than make up for that. It’s your typical high-risk, high-reward casino bet.

You can bet on a specific number being rolled (e.g., 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12). Naturally the odds aren’t as great, but the payouts more than make up for that. Think of Field Bets as safer, simpler bets with lower payouts, and Proposition Bets as high-risk, high-reward bets that can yield big paydays.

What are Hardways?

A hardway bet is when you predict that the dice will land on a pair of identical numbers. For example, a 4-4 would be a “hard 8”, and a 3-3 would be a “hard 6”. It’s called “hard” because it’s harder to roll doubles than any other combination that adds up to that total, so an “easy 8” would be something like a 5-3 or 6-2.

Hardways have big payouts, but they’re risky. The odds aren’t in your favor, so it’s more of a fun side bet rather than something to rely on for steady winnings. I wouldn’t recommend this for beginners, unless you’re just having fun or it’s part of a bigger strategy.

How to Play Craps: Table Layout

The Craps table is big and can feel intimidating at first, but once you break it down, it’s not so bad. I’ll walk you through it like we’re just hanging out at a table.

The Pass Line

This is where players place their most common bets. It runs along the outer edge, and when you bet here, you’re betting that the shooter (the person rolling the dice) will win by rolling a 7 or 11 on their first roll. You can also win when the shooter makes the point, which is rolling a specific number twice before hitting a 7.

The Don’t Pass Line

This is the opposite of the pass line, and it’s right next to it. Here, you can bet that the shooter will lose by rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll or that they won’t hit the point. That’s right, you can bet for or against the shooter!

The Come and Don’t Come Section

This section is located in the middle of the layout and they let you start a “new game” mid-round. These spots are similar to the pass and don’t pass bets, but you can place these after the point is set.

Odds Area

Once the point is set, you can place an odds bet behind your pass line or come bets. Here, you can take advantage of those juicy zero-house-edge bets that you always hear about!

Place Bets Area

Here you can bet on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 to appear before a 7.

Field Bets Area

It’s the section with the huge “Field” on the layout, so you can’t miss it. Here, you can predict on a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 being rolled on the next toss.

Big 6 and Big 8 Area

These are marked as big numbers in the corners. Here, you can bet that a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7. You can place the same bet in a better way elsewhere so I don’t see this used often.

Proposition Bets

Here you can bet on a specific number, like 2 (Snake Eyes) or 12 (Boxcars) and boy do they pay big if you hit. The odds aren’t exactly in your favor though, so you should avoid this section as a beginner.

Horn Bets

This is a bet on the 2, 3, 11, or 12 all at once. You’ll see it grouped with the proposition bets. Another risky area that isn’t beginner-friendly.

The best bets for beginners are on the outer edges (pass line, don’t pass, come, don’t come). You can make your way to the middle once you’re more experienced at craps, but be ready for the house edge to creep up on you.

How to Play Craps: Strategies and Tips

This is where you’ll find the real depth behind the game, and where min-maxers thrive. I’ve written a whole article dedicated to the best strategy for craps, covering beginner-friendly strategies that allow you to extend your bankroll, as well as some high-octane strategies that risk takers will love to try!

For now, I’ll stick to some of the more beginner-friendly strategies and useful starters tips I wish I’d gotten when I first started playing. I’ll also include a couple of intermediate-level strategies for craps, but I’d highly recommend checking out our other piece for more in-depth stuff!

Try the “Play it Safe” Craps Strategy

If you’re new to the game, I highly recommend that you stick to bets with the lowest house edge. Pass Line and Come Bets are notorious for their odds (House Edge is around 1.41%) and they’re also fairly straightforward to play.

So, you can start with a “Pass Line” bet, and add 0-2x odds until you’re comfortable. Stick to easy bets like place bets and try Field bets or hardways for a bit of fun and to get accustomed to the rest of the bets.

Also, you could bet the minimum on the “Pass Line.” Once a point is set, place an equal amount as “odds” behind your original bet. If the point isn’t 6 or 8, place individual bets on 6 and 8 as well. Then, relax, watch, and learn.

Right now, you’ll want to learn the ropes and keep your investment and risks to a minimum. You’ll still have fun, don’t worry!

The Art of Deception Online

While you can’t see physical tells online, you can still pick up patterns in players’ actions. Notice the speed of their decisions, their betting sizes, and any deviations from their normal play. Use this info to your advantage when bluffing, ensuring your own actions remain unpredictable.

Personally, I like to keep a mental check on these things during the first 2-3 games to keep my mind active. But, use a notepad or a spreadsheet if it helps. Don’t worry, nobody is watching you nerd out.

The TAG Approach

Adopting a Tight Aggressive (TAG) strategy is a proven path to success, endorsed by professionals like Daniel Negreanu. This approach is not just about the hands you play, but how you play them.

Incorporate these fundamentals early on, and you’ll see the odds turn in your favor over time.

Selective Play: Being choosy about the hands you enter pots with reduces your risk and focuses your resources on situations where you have a clear advantage.
Position Awareness: Combine your selective hand choice with positional awareness to maximize your leverage in each hand you play.
Aggressive Post-Flop Play: Once you’re in a hand, assert dominance by betting and raising aggressively. This puts pressure on your opponents and can lead to them folding hands that might have beaten you.

Mental Fortitude

Poker is as much a mental game as it is strategic, and you’ll often find yourself weathering the storm. Prepare yourself for inevitable downswings by maintaining a strong mental attitude. The ability to stay calm and focused during tough times can distinguish you from less disciplined players.

Coming back from a potentially crippling loss, or getting outplayed by your opponent is tough. Some people feel 50% less than they were before they lost half their chips, and it imposes a massive emotional toll on them. You need to distance yourself from this train of thought.

Your success hinges on sticking to your game plan, especially when the going gets tough. This requires a deep understanding of your strategy and the discipline to follow it, no matter the short-term outcomes.

The Slow Roller Craps Strategy

Imagine that your friends invite you to play some craps and you’re worried of being the first person to run out of money. As a beginner, this is a valid concern, since you’re not precisely an expert at bankroll management and playing safe bets. If you can relate, then The Slow Roller strategy is perfect for you!

Basically, this strategy aims to extend your stay at the table for as long as possible, for a modest investment of course. Your payouts will come through Hardway bets, since you’re constantly re-upping Hardway bets and placing moderate bets on 6 and 8. We’re looking to:

Build up winnings incrementally through easy wins (common rolls of 6/8).
Capitalize on rare hard numbers, which have higher payouts.
Stretch your bankroll to last longer in the game while building comp points.

Let’s do a step-by-step:

Step 1:

Make a $14 investment per shooter:

$6 on the Place bet for 6 or 8.
$1 on the Hardway 6 and $1 on the Hardway 8.

Step 2:

When an easy 6 or 8 hits, collect the $7 payout and re-up the $1 Hardway bet.

Step 3:

If a hard 6 or 8 hits, parlay both the Place and Hardway bets:

Increase Place bet to $12.
Increase Hardway bet to $10.

Step 4:

If the next roll is an easy 6, collect $14. Re-up the Hardway bet to $10. Keep the remaining $4.

Step 5:

If the next roll is a hard 6, it pays $100:

Increase Hardway bet to $50.
Increase Place bet to $48.

Step 6:

If an easy 6 hits after that, collect $56. Re-up the Hardway bet to $50 and pocket the extra $6.

Step 7:

If another hard 6 hits, it pays $500. At this point:

Take all bets down, securing a $600 profit.
Or continue by re-betting and hoping for another Hardway win.

The Vahn’s 4/10 Strategy for Craps

The Vahn’s 4/10 Strategy for craps starts with low-risk, high-reward outside bets on 4 and 10, and then quickly switches to inside numbers once you’ve recovered your initial investment. You can make back your $10 with just one hit on the 4 or 10, giving you more flexibility to cover the inside numbers for free.

This strategy capitalizes on the fact that 4 and 10 are more likely to hit than multiple hits on 6 and 8. It’s an underrated fact you’d do well to pick up early on your craps gaming career. Once you’re inside and free-rolling, the power press strategy allows you to gradually increase your bets on inside numbers to maximize winnings at lower risks.

Let’s do a quick step-by-step:

Step 1: Place $5 on Both 4 and 10 (Total $10)

Start by placing $5 each on the 4 and 10 for a total bet of $10 per shooter.
There is no Pass Line bet in this strategy, keeping your focus purely on the outside numbers (4 and 10).

Step 2: Wait for the First Hit

If 4 or 10 hits, you’ll win $9 (since a $5 bet pays $9 on these numbers).
After this first hit, you’ve nearly covered your initial $10 investment, so you’re effectively gambling with very little risk from this point.

Step 3: Move Bets to 5 and 9

After collecting the $9, move your $5 bets from 4 and 10 to 5 and 9.
You now have $5 on 5 and $5 on 9.

Step 4: Hit 5 or 9, Then Place 6 or 8

Once 5 or 9 hits, you’ll collect $7.
Use $6 from that win to place either 6 or 8 for $6, and collect the remaining $1.
At this point, you’ve fully recovered your original $10 investment.

Step 5: Place the Other of 6 or 8

After the next hit on 5, 6, 8, or 9, place the remaining number (either 6 or 8) for $6, and collect $1 again.
You are now fully invested $22 inside with all inside numbers (5, 6, 8, 9) covered, and you’ve made a $1 profit.

Step 6: Proceed with Pressing or Collecting

Now that you’re inside with a small profit, you can choose how to proceed. Vahn’s go-to pressing strategy is:
Collect on first hit of each number.
Power press on second hit by adding $5 to the payout to increase the bet to $18.
Repeat this collect/power press pattern to gradually increase your bets to green levels ($25 each).

Step 7: Regress or Pull Down to Lock Profits

At any time, if you feel the table is turning cold or you want to lock in your profits, you can regress your bets back to $22 inside or pull down your bets entirely.

Bonus Beginner Tip 1: Play it Safe, Learn the Ropes

Bonus Beginner Tip 2: Bet on Pass!

Alright, hear me out: yes, the odds are slightly better on “don’t pass” bets, but you don’t want to be the table’s killjoy for slightly better odds! People that bet on “don’t” are sometimes seen as the “enemy” and they might even accuse you of cursing the table!

If you bet on “Pass” with the rest, though, you get to be part of the fun and celebration when a win hits! This is a deeply atmospheric kind of game, it’s a unique casino experience (especially when you compare it to Poker) because you’re all in it together to win. As a beginner, you want to be a part of this, and a tiny bump in the odds is just not worth it.

Once you’re a veteran, you can judge shooters and bet against them if you’d like, but no need to potentially have a negative experience when you’re still a newbie.

Bonus Beginner Tip 3: Learn Bankroll Fundamentals

This is absolutely essential for any type of gambling on casino games or even sports betting. If you’re good at setting clear limits, then you’re setting yourself up for long-term success.

Divide your Bankroll into Betting Units

Betting units are typically around 1-2% of your whole bankroll, and you can commit only a few units at a time on any bet. This works for most forms of gambling, so get used to thinking of your money into these small units.

Learn a Win and Stop Loss

Learning when to walk away while you’re ahead, and knowing when it’s time to call it a night before you chase losses is absolutely critical.

Beginner Tip 4: Try new Craps Strategies

We got a whole guide on beginner, intermediate and advanced Craps Strategies that you can use the next time you grab a couple of dices. We did a step-by-step breakdown of these strategies so you can see how they’d work on a real (or digital) table, and whether they’re a good fit for you and your bankroll.

You’ll also learn new bets while you’re incorporating these strategies into your toolkit, so it’s a win/win situation. Grab a cup of coffee and be sure to check them out after this!

How to Play Craps FAQ

What is the Safest Bet in Craps?

The safest bet in Craps is the pass line bet. This bet has one of the lowest house edges, sitting at around 1.41%, making it a good choice for beginners and experienced players alike.

Can You Make a Living Playing Craps?

While it’s possible to win money playing Craps, making a consistent living from it is extremely difficult due to the house edge. Gambling should be seen as a form of entertainment rather than a reliable income source.

What Does ‘Seven-Out’ Mean in Craps?

A seven-out occurs when the shooter rolls a 7 after the point has been established. This means the shooter loses control of the dice, and the round ends. All pass line bets lose, and the next player becomes the shooter.

How Do I Get Better at Craps?