beginner
8 min readCraps Basics
The intimidating game that's actually simple.
BonusBell Team
Craps tables look intimidating with their complex layouts and shouting players. But the core game is simple, and the best bets have some of the lowest house edges in the casino. Once you understand the basics, you'll see why it's a favorite of serious gamblers.
The Come Out Roll
Every craps round starts with a "come out" roll:
- 7 or 11 = Pass Line bets WIN
- 2, 3, or 12 = Pass Line bets LOSE ("craps")
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 = That number becomes the "point"
The Point Round
Once a point is established, the goal changes:
- Roll the point before 7 = Pass Line bets WIN
- Roll a 7 before the point = Pass Line bets LOSE ("seven out")
Good to Know
That's the entire game. Everything else on the table is just variations and side bets.
The Best Bets in Craps
Smart Craps Bets
| Bet | House Edge | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1.41% | Before come out roll |
| Don't Pass | 1.36% | Before come out roll (bet against shooter) |
| Come | 1.41% | After point established |
| Don't Come | 1.36% | After point established |
| Odds Bet | 0% | After point (behind Pass/Come) |
The Odds Bet: The Best Bet in the Casino
The odds bet is the only bet in the casino with zero house edge. After a point is established, you can place an additional bet "behind" your Pass Line bet.
Strategy Insight
Always take full odds. If the table offers 3-4-5x odds, that means you can bet 3x your Pass bet on points 4/10, 4x on 5/9, and 5x on 6/8. This lowers your overall house edge significantly.
Bets to Avoid
Bad Craps Bets
| Bet | House Edge | Why Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Any 7 | 16.67% | Terrible odds |
| Any Craps | 11.11% | Just as bad |
| Hard Ways | 9-11% | Tempting payouts, awful odds |
| Proposition Bets | 10-16% | All center table bets are sucker bets |
| Big 6 / Big 8 | 9.09% | Literally worse than Place bets |
The center of the table is where casinos make money—avoid it
Warning
The center of the craps table is a trap.All those proposition bets with big payouts have terrible odds. Stick to the edges: Pass, Don't Pass, Come, Don't Come, and Odds.
Understanding the Layout
The craps layout looks complex, but here's what matters:
- Pass Line (outer edge) – The main bet, right in front of you
- Don't Pass Bar – Betting against the shooter
- Come / Don't Come – Same as Pass, but placed after point
- Place Bets – Bet on specific numbers (moderate house edge)
- Center Area – Avoid this entirely
Etiquette Tips
- Keep your hands out of the table when dice are rolling
- Place bets during "bets are open" not during the roll
- Don't say "seven" when someone is shooting (it's considered bad luck)
- Tip the dealers occasionally if you're winning
Strategy Insight
Craps is a social game. The energy comes from players rooting together (or against). Don't be afraid to ask the dealers questions—they expect new players.
Key Takeaways
- 1The core game: Make the point before rolling a 7
- 2Pass Line and Don't Pass have among the lowest house edges (~1.4%)
- 3Odds bets have ZERO house edge—always take them
- 4Avoid all center table bets (proposition bets)
- 5The layout looks complex but only the edges matter