Read the full guide
The craps table is the loudest and most social space on any casino floor. It's also where many beginners feel most intimidated — the layout is complex and the vocabulary is opaque. Here's the simple guide that gets you playing confidently.
The Only Bet You Need to Know
The Pass Line bet. Place your chips on the Pass Line before the come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12 (craps), you lose. Any other number becomes the 'point' — the shooter must roll that number again before rolling a 7 to win. That's it. One bet, 1.41% house edge, and you're playing craps.
The Free Odds Bet
Once a point is established, you can take 'free odds' — a back bet behind your Pass Line bet that has zero house edge. It pays true odds (2:1 for a 4 or 10, 3:2 for a 5 or 9, 6:5 for a 6 or 8). This is the only bet in the casino with no house edge. Always take maximum odds when allowed.
The Table Vocabulary
- Come-out roll — The first roll before a point is established
- The Point — The number established on the come-out roll that must be repeated to win
- Seven Out — The shooter rolling a 7 after the point is established, ending their turn
- Box numbers — 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 — the possible point numbers
- Stickman — The dealer who controls the dice and calls the action