How to Play Craps

The craps table can look daunting to a first time craps player because of the large number of possible bets available to them. The board is filled with bets that players can make but that doesn’t mean they have to (or should) make them. In this guide we will teach you how to play craps and also let you know the bets winning craps players make. Or, if you already know how to play craps then you can check out our craps betting strategies and where to play craps online.

How to Play Craps - Beginners Guide

Basic Guide to Betting on the Pass Line

The basic bet in craps is called the Pass Line bet. To begin, players place chips inside the area labeled “pass line”. After the bets are placed on the table a shooter (player that rolls the dice) rolls and this is referred to as the come out roll.

Come Out Roll – Dice Combinations for Pass Line Bettors

Bet is won: 7 or 11 - “natural” - You will receive double your bet
Bet is lost: 2, 3 or 12 - “craps”
If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,8,9,10) then this number becomes the point number. This is the number that the shooter is rolling for during the rest of the rolls in the series.

Once a Point Number is set:

When the shooter rolls (4,5,6,8,9,10) on the come-out roll the number is marked on the table with a large marker. The shooter then continues to roll until either they roll the point number again and that is a win or they roll a 7 and the pass line bet is lost. To reiterate, after the point number is set players don’t want a 7 to be rolled which is the opposite of the first roll of the series (come out roll) where they want a 7 (This can be confusing to first time players).

If the shooter does roll the point number before a 7 then this is the end of the series. Players are credited for the pass line bet and usually take their winnings off the table and leave the pass line bet for the next series of rolls. The same shooter then starts a new series with a come-out roll and the process is repeated.

At a land based casino the shooter is replaced after they “sevens out”. This means that they rolled a 7 once a point number is set, all the bets are cleared off the table and a new series will be started with the next shooter.

Example Craps Games

Here are two example craps games for players betting on the pass line.

Player Hits the Point
On the come-out roll the shooter rolls a 6. (6 is now the point)
On the next roll the shooter rolls a 5. (nothing happens)
The next roll the shooter rolls a 10. (nothing happens)
The shooter then rolls a 6. (This is a win and the dealers pays players according to their pass line bet)

Player “Sevens Out”
On the come-out roll the shooter rolls a 10 (10 is the point)
The next roll the shooter rolls a 4 (nothing happens)
The shooter then rolls a 7 (This is a loss and the shooter “sevens out” and the dealers take the chips on the table)

How to Win At Craps

- Get True Odds on your bets with Free Odds. Learn this strategy at our Craps Odds section.

For a more detailed analysis of all the bets that can be wagered at the craps table check out our section on craps bets.