Loud cheers, fast action, and flying dice—few games are as exciting as the craps casino game. At first glance the table looks complicated, but once you understand the basic bets, craps becomes one of the most entertaining and social games in any casino, with some of the lowest house edges available.
This guide explains how craps works, the key bets you should know, and simple strategies to help you play smarter and protect your bankroll.
What Is the Craps Casino Game?
Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of rolls of two six-sided dice.
Key points:
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One player is the shooter, who rolls the dice.
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Everyone at the table can bet on what they think will happen.
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The most important bet is the Pass Line bet, which follows the shooter.
Although the layout shows many options, you only need a few core bets to play efficiently.
Step-by-Step: How a Craps Round Works
A full craps game is built around the Pass Line sequence: the come-out roll and, if needed, the point.
1. Place Your Pass Line or Don’t Pass Bet
Before the shooter’s first roll in a new round (the come-out roll):
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You can bet on the Pass Line (betting with the shooter), or
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On Don’t Pass (betting against the shooter).
Most beginners start with the Pass Line because it’s simple and has a low house edge.
2. Come-Out Roll Results
On the come-out roll:
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7 or 11 → Pass Line wins immediately (called a “natural”).
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2, 3, or 12 → Pass Line loses (these are called “craps” numbers).
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4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 → That number becomes the point.
If a point is established, the shooter keeps rolling.
3. Point Phase
Once there is a point:
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The shooter rolls again and again.
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If the point number appears before a 7, Pass Line wins.
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If 7 appears first (called “seven-out”), Pass Line loses and the round ends.
After a seven-out, a new shooter starts a fresh round with a new come-out roll.
Core Craps Bets You Should Know
The table is full of options, but you only need a handful of bets to play the craps casino game effectively.
1. Pass Line Bet
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Placed before the come-out roll.
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Wins on 7 or 11; loses on 2, 3, 12.
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If a point is set, wins if the point is rolled before 7.
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House edge is low, making it one of the best bets in the casino.
2. Don’t Pass Bet
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The opposite of Pass Line.
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Wins on 2 or 3, pushes on 12 (in most casinos), loses on 7 or 11.
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After a point is set, wins if 7 comes before the point.
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Slightly lower house edge than Pass, but you are “betting against” the table, which some players don’t enjoy socially.
3. Come and Don’t Come Bets
Once a point already exists, you can place:
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Come bet – Works like a Pass Line bet but for future rolls.
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Don’t Come bet – Works like Don’t Pass for future rolls.
These create individual points for you that are independent of the main table point.
4. Odds Bets (Free Odds)
The best part of craps is the Odds bet:
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After a point is established (for Pass/Come or Don’t Pass/Don’t Come), you can place an extra bet called Odds behind your original chip.
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Odds bets pay at true odds with no house edge.
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Payouts depend on the point:
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4 or 10: 2 to 1
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5 or 9: 3 to 2
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6 or 8: 6 to 5
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Casinos limit how many times your original bet you can place as Odds (for example, 2x, 3x, or more).
5. Place Bets
You can bet directly that specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) will roll before a 7:
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These are called Place bets.
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House edge is higher than Pass + Odds, but still reasonable on 6 and 8.
6. Proposition Bets (One-Roll & Center Bets)
The middle of the table shows hardways, any seven, any craps, and other one-roll bets:
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These usually have a high house edge.
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They are fun for occasional action but not ideal for consistent play.
Simple Craps Strategy for Beginners
You don’t need complicated systems; a basic, low-edge approach is enough.
1. Focus on Pass Line (or Don’t Pass) + Odds
A strong simple strategy:
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Bet on Pass Line for the come-out roll.
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When a point is set, take maximum Odds behind your Pass Line bet that your bankroll allows.
Benefits:
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Very low overall house edge.
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Simple, repeatable pattern that doesn’t require memorizing the whole layout.
If you prefer betting against the shooter, the same idea works with Don’t Pass + Odds.
2. Use Place Bets on 6 and 8
If you want more action:
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Add Place bets on 6 and/or 8.
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These numbers roll more often and have comparatively lower house edge than many other bets.
Avoid placing every number on the table; that spreads your bankroll too thin.
3. Avoid the Center Proposition Bets
Bets in the middle of the table (hardways, “yo 11,” “any craps,” etc.):
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Look exciting and pay big when they hit.
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But carry much higher house edges.
If you must play them, use very small amounts and treat them as side entertainment, not your main strategy.
4. Manage Your Bankroll
Because craps is fast:
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Decide your session budget before you start.
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Make your base Pass Line bet small enough to allow:
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Multiple rounds
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Odds bets behind it
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Set a loss limit and a profit goal:
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Walk away if you hit either one.
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Sticking to this keeps the game fun instead of stressful.
5. Don’t Chase Streaks
It’s easy to get caught up in hot or cold shooter stories:
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Long winning streaks and long losing streaks happen, but are random.
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Past rolls do not influence future results.
Base your bets on your strategy and bankroll, not on superstition.
Online vs Live Craps
You can enjoy the craps casino game in different formats.
Online RNG Craps
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Computer-generated dice rolls using an RNG.
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Great for learning the rules at your own pace.
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Often lower minimum bets than in land-based casinos.
Live Dealer Craps
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Real table, dice, and dealer streamed from a studio.
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Offers the atmosphere of a physical casino.
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Slower pace than RNG versions but more social.
Pick the format that matches your comfort level and budget.
Responsible Gambling
Even with low-edge bets, craps is still gambling:
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Never wager money needed for bills or essentials.
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Take breaks, especially in long sessions.
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Stop if you feel emotional or tempted to chase losses.
When you play responsibly, the craps casino game becomes an exciting, social highlight of your casino experience.