| Updated: September 25, 2025Craps is an exciting casino game in which players roll a pair of dice and bet on the outcome. It is a game of pure chance, yet playing it does involve skill and knowledge. When played correctly, it offers one of the lowest house edges in casino gambling history. Craps wasn’t created overnight – craps has existed for centuries in one form or another, and its rules have gradually evolved into the sophisticated game we know today.
Fast-paced and offering numerous wagering options, craps is one of the most popular games of chance alongside roulette and is featured in the largest casinos around the globe. This dice game comes with seemingly complex rules and extremely rapid gameplay that may easily overwhelm some casino enthusiasts. In reality, craps is much simpler than it looks, and players can quickly learn the basics once they start with the fundamental bets.
In the following sections, beginners will find the most important information about craps – its rules, types of bets, and even some strategies developed by professional craps players. We have also tried to explain the mathematics behind craps in the simplest way possible, as well as the differences among the variations of the game. As with many other casino games, craps can also be played online. Therefore, we have included a quick introduction to several software developers who have excelled at designing high-quality, user-friendly versions of craps.
Craps Table Layout and Etiquette
Because bets are placed rapidly, craps is often difficult for bystanders to understand. To learn the game, they should first examine the craps table and familiarize themselves with the fundamentals.
Sections of the Craps Table
Casino Staff EtiquetteSections of the Craps Table
Craps is played on a rectangular table with U-shaped ends and high edges. The shooter throws the dice onto the table’s green felt. Players place their bets by putting chips into different cells, each corresponding to a particular type of wager. This intricate diagram of cells is called a layout, and it is essentially the same in all casinos, whether land-based or online. In the center of the table, players will find the layouts for the so-called Hardways and One-Roll bets, while the ends feature sections for basic bets such as Pass Line, Come, Field, Place bets, and others.
Casino Staff
The next thing players should pay attention to at the craps table is the staff – typically, there are up to four employees who stand behind the two long sides of the table. On one side is the boxman, who supervises the dealers and stands behind the bank. Two dealers stand on either side of the boxman and pay winnings to the players or collect chips from their respective halves of the table. The stickman stands across the table and is responsible for announcing the outcome of each roll, passing the dice to the next player, and managing the proposition bets in the center of the table.
Etiquette
Craps players must follow strict etiquette required by the fast pace and complex nature of the game. In fact, craps etiquette is so elaborate that it deserves a separate guide; however, there are several basic tips for every first-time player: players should announce their bets to the dealers, who will then place the chips accordingly; players should never take their winnings but instead wait for the staff to pay them out; and players should keep their hands away from the table once the shooter is about to roll the dice. Overall, players are expected to behave respectfully at the table and never mention the number 7, as it is believed to bring bad luck.
Fundamental Bets in Craps
The shooter in the new round must place one of the two basic bets in craps – either the Pass Line bet or the Don’t Pass bet, both of which will be explained in detail below. For the other players at the table, these bets are optional. Sometimes betting on the Pass and Don’t Pass is referred to as “win” and “don’t win” or “right” and “wrong” betting. “Don’t win” or “wrong” bettors are considered to be playing with the casino and against the other players.
Pass Line Don’t Pass Pass Odds Don’t Pass Odds Come Bet Don’t Come BetPass Line
This is the most fundamental bet in craps, and it wins when the dice land on 7 or 11 in the come-out roll. When making this wager, players are said to bet with the dice and not against them. The payout is even (1:1), and if the shooter tosses 7 or 11, everyone who has placed this bet wins. If the come-out roll is 2, 3, or 12, the bet loses, but if any other number appears, a point is established.
This means that the bet will not be settled immediately, and the shooter must continue tossing the dice. Once the point has been established, the Pass Line wins only if the point number is rolled before a 7. If the shooter rolls a 7 before the point number, the round ends, and those who have wagered on the Pass Line lose.
Don’t Pass
The Don’t Pass line bet is essentially the opposite of the Pass Line; with this wager, players bet that the shooter will lose. Therefore, those who have bet the Don’t Pass win if the dice fall on 2 or 3 and receive an even payout. They lose if the come-out roll is 7 or 11, and if the dice land on 12, the result is a push. If the come-out roll is any other number, that number becomes the point for subsequent rolls.
Those who have placed their chips on the Don’t Pass bet win if the shooter tosses a 7 before the point, and they lose if the point is rolled first.
Pass Odds
If a point is established on the come-out roll, players can place a bet that is a multiple of their Pass Line wager, with most casinos allowing multiples from 1x up to 100x. This wager wins if the point number appears before a 7 and loses if a 7 comes up first. The best part of this bet is its higher payout compared with a standard Pass Line bet, and the exact amount varies depending on the point.
Don’t Pass Odds
Those who bet on the Don’t Pass can also lay odds on their wager, and they will win if a 7 rolls before the point. Similar to Pass Odds, this bet is simply a multiple (1x-100x) of the original wager and pays better, which is why many players prefer it.
Come Bet
The Come bet is very similar to the Pass Line because it wins and loses on the same outcomes and offers the same payout. What makes it different, however, is the timing – the Come bet can be placed only after a point has been established. With this wager, players set their own “come-out” roll and their own point – they are separate from the main come-out roll and the point established initially by the shooter. On its own come-out roll, this bet wins with 7 or 11 and loses with 2, 3, or 12, but it wins if the point number is rolled again after it has been established.
Don’t Come Bet
As you have probably guessed, the Don’t Come bet is the opposite of the Come bet. It is also available once the point has been established. This wager wins on 2 or 3 and loses on 7 or 11. Once a point number has been established, it wins if a 7 appears before the point and loses if the point is rolled first.
- Craps History: How Craps Evolved from Ancient Times to 21st Century
- Craps Table and Etiquette
- How to Play Craps: Basic Rules
- Dice Combinations and Probabilities in Craps
- Understanding the Game of Craps: Odds and House Edge
- The Line Bets: The Basic Wagers in Craps
- Multi-Roll Bets in Craps
- Craps Proposition Bets
- Basic Craps Strategy
- Craps Variations
- Craps Side Bets
- Advantage Play and Cheating in Craps
- Online Craps: Top Software Providers
- Betting Patterns and Tactics to Win in Craps
- Progressive Betting Systems for Craps
- Bankroll Management Tips for Craps Players
Craps Variations
Over the past few centuries, the game of craps has evolved significantly, and different versions of it have appeared around the world. Today, however, there are few variations, and most casinos offer the same rules and payouts, which are considered standard.
Bank Craps Crapless Craps New York Craps Simplified CrapsBank Craps
This is the most common variation of craps, and it can be found under the names “casino craps” or simply “craps.” Bank craps is the version you can play online, and much of this guide refers to it. Its origins can be traced back to the first gambling houses in Las Vegas, and from there it became popular worldwide. The house edge varies by bet, but overall it averages around 1.40%.
Crapless Craps
Crapless craps is perhaps one of the most unusual variations of this game. It does not include the Don’t Pass bet, and the rules for the Pass Line bet are significantly different. This variation has a higher house edge of 5.38%, which is why it is not particularly popular among players.
New York Craps
New York craps can be found in many casinos around the world, but it does not allow Come and Don’t Come bets. In addition, it uses a different table layout. Here, the overall house edge is 5.00%.
Simplified Craps
Simplified craps is a very rare variant of the game in which all standard bet types have been removed. Instead, players may wager on 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12 – numbers that have only a few possible dice combinations. These numbers are also the least likely to appear. The house edge in this version is 2.80%.
Major Developers of Online Craps
Most major casino software development companies have released their own versions of online craps. Typically, these games follow the standard rules of Bank Craps and are almost identical in terms of gameplay and payouts. However, some content providers have developed craps versions with exceptional graphics, smooth gameplay, and a user-friendly design.
Microgaming Playtech RealTime Gaming NetEntMicrogaming
Players who choose to play Microgaming’s Craps can enjoy smooth gameplay and easy-to-understand rules and payouts. This is hardly surprising, considering that the company launched the first online casino back in 1994 and possesses the knowledge and experience to develop intriguing and aesthetically pleasing virtual casino games. The Isle of Man-based company is also known for its hundreds of classic and video slots.
Playtech
Founded in 1999, Playtech is a leader in the design, creation, and supply of gambling software. In addition to offering craps to thousands of online players, it provides gaming and betting sites with high-quality casino platforms, online poker rooms, sports betting solutions, live dealer games, bingo, and much more.
RealTime Gaming
RealTime Gaming, or RTG, started in 1998 as an online casino company that provided operators with a download-based gaming platform. Today, the studio develops colorful slots and realistic table games that can be played in the browser or as part of its downloadable casino software package.
NetEnt
NetEnt, formerly known as Net Entertainment, is one of the pioneers in the development of online casino games and comprehensive gambling software solutions. The studio was founded in 1996 in Sweden, and today its impressive gaming portfolio includes hundreds of online slots, live dealer games, and fantastic virtual table and card games such as roulette, blackjack, craps, and poker.
Craps Strategy
It is a common misconception that, because craps is a game of chance, winning or losing depends solely on luck. Those who rely exclusively on “luck,” without understanding the rules and probabilities of the game, usually leave the craps table bankrupt. This outcome can be avoided by applying a few simple strategies when playing craps.
Basic Strategy for Craps Betting Patterns Betting SystemsBasic Strategy for Craps
The best way to optimize the time spent at the craps table is simply to place bets with the lowest house edge. These are the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets backed with odds – the higher the odds, the better. Laying the maximum odds (100x) reduces the house edge to nearly 0%. Knowing the rules and etiquette at the craps table is also recommended, while more experienced players may use combinations of bets that provide a good balance between coverage and bet size.
Betting Patterns
Combining bets is a successful tactic known as a betting pattern. As some casinos do not allow odds on the Don’t Pass bet, players can combine this wager with one or two Don’t Come bets. Another effective pattern involves placing a Don’t Pass bet along with two Don’t Come bets, a Field bet, and Lay bets on 4 and 10.
Betting Systems
Betting systems, or betting progressions, are quite popular among gamblers, especially in games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. They do not involve complex strategy; rather, they offer a method for increasing or reducing the bet size depending on whether you win or lose. Positive progressions require players to increase the bet size after a win, while negative progressions call for raising the stakes following a loss. Popular progressive systems include the Martingale, Paroli, Labouchere, and D’Alembert.