High-fves and plenty of noise – the craps table just seems to be the place to be when visiting a casino and the game can be just as fun when playing online.
However, this can be a complex casino game and can be confusing to new players. There are just so many wagers that a player can make and the table may appear overwhelming. This guide offers a look at craps explained for “dummies," focusing on more of the favorable wagers players can make.
Craps Rules for Dummies
When glancing at the craps table, players will find that there are numerous bets available, but the basics of craps are pretty simple. The game features a player (the shooter) rolling a pair of dice with bettors wagering on the outcome of those rolls.
Players have the option to bet with or against the shooter. It’s generally advised to look for wagers that have the best house edges and here’s quick look at various bets.
The Come-Out Roll & the Pass Line
To get the action started, the shooter will roll what is called the “come-out” roll. Any craps rules for dummies guide would certainly want to include the Pass Line, one of the most popular bets because of the low house edge and because many enjoy betting with the shooter.
Simply place some chips on the Pass Line area in front of you before the come-out roll to make this bet. You’ll then win even money if the shooter rolls 7 or 11 and lose on 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll.
If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, the dealer places a puck on that number at the top of the table to signify this as the “point number.” The goal is to see the shooter then roll that number before rolling a 7.
For example, if the point number is 8 and that number is rolled again before the shooter rolls a 7, then you win even money on the Pass Line bet. The house edge on the Pass Line is just 1.41%. Once the number is rolled, the shooter will commence with another come-out roll.
Pass Line Free Odds Bets
That house edge gets even smaller when you back up your bets with “free odds” bets. These bets pay out at the true odds of rolling those numbers – meaning there is no house edge. That’s one of the best wagers in a casino.
Casinos often allow players to bet double, triple, or even more on the free odds bet. Here’s a look at how these pay out for each point number.
| Point Number | True Odds & Payout |
|---|---|
| 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 |
| 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 |
| 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 |
Taking advantage of odds bets can thin the overall house edge and should be part of any craps strategy. Here’s a look at Pass Line house edges.
- Pass Line – 1.41%
- Pass Line + 1x odds – 0.85%
- Pass Line + 2x odds – 0.61%
- Pass Line + 3x odds – 0.47%
- Pass Line + 10x odds – 0.10%
Come Bets
Another nice option is found on the Come Bar, located in the center of either end of the table. This area functions like a Pass Line wager, but these bets can be made at any time – not just before a come-out roll.
For example, a player may put $10 on the come bar. If a 7 or 11 is rolled, you win even money, while 2, 3, or 12 means you lose that bet. If 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, then your chips will be placed above that corresponding number. You can also drop the dealer some chips for free odds on that bet also.
Don’t Pass & Don’t Come
While most players prefer betting with the shooter, you also have the option to go the other route – betting against the shooter (sometimes referred to as the “dark side). This bet also has a low house edge of 1.36%.
With Don’t Pass or Don’t Come, bettors lose on the come-out roll with 7 or 11, win on 2 or 3, and push on 12. Don’t Pass bettors also win if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point number. Players also can take odds (known as “laying the odds”) and here is a look at how those pay out:
- 4 or 10 – 1 to 2
- 5 or 9 – 2 to 3
- 6 or 8 – 5 to 6
*** If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like blackjack strategy and roulette strategy. ***
Place Bets
This is another great betting option that is simple to make. After a point number is made, players simply ask to place these bets for them. You place the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 and earn some solid payouts as the shooter rolls that number before sevening out.
| Point | Payouts | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| 4 and 10 | 9 to 5 | 6.67% |
| 5 and 9 | 7 to 5 | 4% |
| 6 and 8 | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
Notice that the 4 and 10 have much higher edges. Sticking with placing the 6 and 8 might be best, but some players also enjoy placing the 5 and 9 at times as well.
Craps Rules for Dummies – Other Bets
There are numerous other bets available to players, but those listed above are the most advantageous. That means they are easy to make but also carry lower house edges. There are some other bets available and here is a look at a couple of those.
Field Bets
Between the Come Bar and the Pass Line, players will find the Field. These are single-roll wagers on some numbers that are rolled less frequently because there are fewer dice combinations to make them.
The Field bet includes 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. These bets pay even money when the shooter rolls one of those on the very next roll and can be made at any time. As a bonus, the 2 and 12 often pay double (and sometimes triple on either of them), depending on the casino’s rules. The house edge varies depending on the payouts and here’s a look at the house edges.
- Double on 2 and 12 – 5.56%
- Double on 2 and triple on 12 – 2.78%
- Triple on 2 and double on 12 – 2.78%
Many players love the Field, but other craps bets offer better odds.
Proposition bets
These are generally the worst bets on the craps table and are located in the very center of the table. The stickman handles these bets, but it’s better to keep your chips away from the prop bets. Some of these are multi-roll bets and some are single roll bets and include wagers like the hardways, doubles like 4-4 (hard 8) and 3-3 (hard six).
Many payers like these bets because they offer premium payouts. But the prop bets generally come with high house advantages as 15% or more. Making too many of these bets can really give the casino a major advantage and sap your bankroll.
Craps for Dummies – Conclusion
There are some really great bets for new players to keep an eye on without giving the casino too much of an edge. Some of those include Pass Line, Come Bar, Don’t Pass, Don’t Come, and Place bets.
Additionally, adding or laying odds on Pass/Don’t Pass and Come/Don’t Come can greatly reduce the house edge. Craps “dummies” will find these bets easy to make and should not be intimidated with these solid bets.
Whether playing in a live casino or online, making these bets outlined above and avoiding the Field and prop bets is a great strategy. Seeing those dice roll your way can mean winning some money as well.
