This is a video walkthrough on how the game of craps is played. In the video I go over what you will see on a normal craps table, the odds, and basic termino. A puck in craps is a circular disc that has the word ON printed on one side, and OFF on the other side. At the beginning of the game, the dealers place a PUCK with the OFF side facing up, they then flip it to ON and place it on a point box, once the shooter rolls a POINT. A POINT is a dice roll whose outcome has a sum of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Best Beginner Craps Bets If you are just starting out learning how to play craps, it's best to first stick to bets that are easy to understand and make when you play. These are some of the best bets for beginners: Pass/Don't Pass – An easy, low risk bet with good odds that is the starting point for all craps players. Join me on a Journey through the World of Craps. Enjoy learning the game and becoming a Better & Smarter Player. My Videos will take you from the very Basics.
Did you know that Craps has been around since the 12th century? Back then, it was a game you played on the streets. Because it involves only a pair of dice or pig knuckles, it's easy to play anywhere.
Then, people called it Hazard. It later became Craps, from the French word 'crapaud' for 'toad.' This refers to how people sat when they played the game on the streets.
The modern Craps we know of today though was a version developed by John H. Winn in the 1900s. In this article, we'll teach you how to play Craps that evolved from Winn's version.
If you want to know how to play Craps for dummies, keep reading. We'll dissect this game to show you how Craps for beginners works.
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Craps: The Basics
Some people think the rules of Craps are complex, but it's only about the results of a pair of dice the players roll. If you think about it that way, the game becomes less complicated. It's simple enough for people to keep playing, and the fact that it's one of the highest paying games in casinos helps too.
Before we go into the basics of how to play Craps though, let's talk about the table first. Make sure to remember the terms we introduce for later.
The table has several sections, including the pass line, don't pass bar, come, and don't come. Holdem chart. There are also sections numbered 4 to 10 for the place bets and the field for field bets. You may also notice the numbers 6 and 8 on a different section.
Then, let's talk about the people on the table. There's the boxman, who's responsible for overseeing the game and handling the money. In many casinos, there's one boxman for one pair of tables.
There's also a stickman, who uses a stick to move around the dice on the table. The dealers beside the stickman announce the results of the throw and manage the bets, collect chips, or pay out players based on the results.
The game can look complicated and intimidating because of this set-up. But we'll explain in detail what all these terms mean.
How to Play Craps and Place Bets
The thing that complicates Craps is the numerous ways to place bets and the different payouts. All of them, though, rely on the results of the throw to determine whether you've won or not.
If you know all the ways to place bets, then you're an expert on Craps. However, even if you only know one or two, you can still play, which is why it's one of the most popular games in Australian casinos.
1. Pass Line and Don't Pass Bets
The most common bet is the pass line, in which you place the bets before the initial come-out roll, which we'll explain later. The general rule is that if you see the sign 'OFF' on the table, that means you can place your bet.
The pass line bets are pretty straightforward; the payout is 1:1, and winning requires you to roll either a 7 or 11. You lose, however, if the sum of the pair of dice is equal to 2, 3, or 12.
If the results are anything else, that's a point and your bets stay on the Pass Line.
When there's a point, you win if the throw results in that number again. If it rolls a 7, though, the wager loses.
Note that if the roll establishes a point, your pass line or don't pass bets stay on the table.
You can come out with winnings, no matter how small they may be, by only knowing this one rule. Nonetheless, you have to know other ways to place bets. You'll have to know them all if you plan on going pro.
The don't pass bets are the exact opposite; you're betting on a 2 or 3 to pop up. You then lose if the results are 7 or 11. A 12 is a push, which means you neither win nor lose.
In the event of a point, you lose if the shooter manages to roll the point again and you win if it's a 7.
These bets are the most recommended bets for your strategy that'll let you walk away with profits.
2. Come and Don't Come Bets
After the come-out roll and after the table establishes a point, that's the time you can place come and don't come bets. This means people can join the game even after the round has started, but they place these bets instead of the pass and don't pass bets.
These are similar to pass and don't pass bets in that winning or losing depends on whether the roll is a 7, 11, 2, 3, or 12. The table may also establish a point if the result is otherwise.
Note that the point after the come-out roll doesn't affect your bets because they only apply to those who have pass line and don't pass bets. If the shooter rolls the point again, you don't win; rather, those who placed the pass bets win.
Likewise, if there's a point and the first roll after you join is a 7, you win and the pass or don't pass wagers lose.
If the first roll after you join the game is anything but a 7, 11, 2, 3, or 12, that's your point. It only applies to come bets, so you win if it's rolled again and lose if a 7 comes out.
In the same vein, don't come bets are like don't pass bets. You win if the result of the first throw is 2 or 3, but you lose if the result is a 7 or 11. If there's a point, you win if the shooter rolls a 7 and lose if he/she rolls the point again.
3. Odds Bets
Odds bets are for the advanced players; you place them after the shooter establishes a point.
They complement your bets on the pass line, don't pass, come, and don't come, which means there are four types of odds bets. It's called 'taking the odds' if you place a bet on the point and 'laying the odds' if you place a bet against it.
The way to win on an odd bet is to win your original bet, whether it's a pass line, don't pass, come, or don't come.
The payouts vary depending on the point established. For pass line odds bets, the payout is 2:1 if the point is a 4 or 10. If it's a 5 or 9, the payout is 3:2, and if the point is a 6 or 8, you get 6:5.
For don't pass odds bets, the payouts are in reverse; they're paid out 1:2 for 4 or 10, 2:3 for 5 or 9, and 5:6 for 6 or 8.
The come and don't come odds bets operate in the same principles as the pass and don't pass odds bets.
The advantage of odds bets is that there's no house edge, so you get paid at true odds. This also means there's a limit to the amount you can stake on your wager. In some casinos, you can only stake up to three times, but others may allow more.
4. Place to Win or Lose Bets
Place bets allow you to bet on a number between 4 and 10, which we call the place numbers. In essence, it's like betting on a point, but you establish your own point. You're betting that the shooter will roll the number you chose first before a 7.
The payouts also vary depending on the number you bet on. If you win with a 6 or 8, it has a payout of 7:6; these bets pay 7:5 on the number 5 or 9 and 9:5 on the number 4 or 10.
Another type of place bets, called place to lose bets, is the exact opposite. Like the don't pass or don't come bets, you win if the shooter rolls a 7 before your chosen number.
Again, the payouts vary; a 6 or 8 pays 4:5, a 5 or 9 pays 5:8, and 4 or 10 pays 5:11.
5. Buy and Lay Bets
Buy bets are like place bets; you bet on a specific number to roll before a 7. The only difference, however, is that you have to pay a 5% commission, which you pay when you place the stake or when you win.
They're also like odds bets in terms of payouts, which means the payout is 6:5 if the shooter rolls a 6 or 8, 3:2 for 5 or 9, and 2:1 for 4 or 10.
Lay bets are like the place to lose bets with payouts like the payouts on the don't pass odds bets. A 6 or 8 pays 5:6, 5 or 9 pays 2:3, and 4 or 10 pays 1:2.
6. Field Bets
Field bets are also popular because they're always settled on the next roll; you place the bet before that.
If you look at the table, the field contains the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12; if the result of the next throw is any of these numbers, you win. But you lose if the roll is 5, 6, 7, and 8.
The payout is 1:1 on all of these numbers except 2 and 12, which have higher payouts. Some casinos pay 2:1 on both, while others pay 3:1 on one and then 2:1 on the other.
Don't forget to collect any winnings because if you don't, it means you're letting it ride, which means putting your initial wager plus your winnings on the line.
7. Other Bets
The big 6 or 8 bets are pretty straightforward; you're betting that a 6 or 8 comes out before a 7. Payout is 1:1; it's simple enough to attract a lot of people but it has a house edge of 9.09%, so you may not want to play this all the time and for an extended period.
You may also bet on double numbers, which amounts to a hard number like 4, 6, 8, or 10. If your throw gives you either of the 2 + 2, 3 + 3, 4 + 4, and 5 + 5 dice combinations, this means you rolled it the 'hard way.'
The payout depends on which hard number you bet on; a hard 6 or 8 pays 9:1 and a hard 4 and 10 pays 7:1.
Try Craps the Next Time You're in the Casino
Our Craps for dummies guide should get you ready for the game next time you visit the casino. It's pretty simple once you get the hang of it.
You should be aware of the superstitions of Craps players, though. Be respectful, don't yell the word 'seven,' don't mind the lady throwing a penny under the table, and so on.
After learning how to play Craps, be sure to check out our casino etiquette guide next.
Craps is my favorite game in the casino, and if you learn how to play, it will be one of your favorites, too. I've written multiple posts explaining how to play.
In this post, I want to do something a little different.
I want to offer you the best tips for playing craps WELL.
If you want to do well at the craps table, these are the only 11 tips you'll ever need.
1 – Stick With the Pass, Come, and Free Odds Bets
The pass line bet is the basic bet when playing craps for real money. It's a bet that the shooter will roll a 7 or an 11 on his come-out roll, or that the shooter will roll a point number and subsequently hit that point number again before rolling a 7. The pass line bet loses if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll.
The come bet is just like the pass bet, but it treats a roll after the come-out roll as if it were a new come-out roll.
And the free odds bet is only available if you've made a pass or come bet, and the shooter has set a point. The odds bet pays off at the true odds of rolling the point again before rolling a 7.
If you stick with those bets, you'll be playing the most exciting game in the casino and facing terrific odds. These bets make craps almost as attractive a game as blackjack.
2 – Most of the Bets at the Craps Table Offer Lousy Odds
One of the great things about craps is that it's easy to learn how to make the best bets and avoid the lousy ones. That's because the only good bets at the table are these:
- Pass
- Don't pass
- Come
- Don't come
- Free odds
- Place 6
- Place 8
You literally have dozens of bets to choose from at the craps table, but the house edge on the bets listed above are all less than 1.5%.
3 – Here's What You Should Do If You're a Beginner
If you're a beginner craps player, stick with the pass line bet. Don't start making a lot of come bets until you're comfortable with what's happening with the pass line bet.
It might be a good idea to take one of the free casino game classes where they'll teach you how to play.
Once you're comfortable with the pass line bet, expand your repertoire by making occasional come bets, too.
Try not to have more than two or three numbers working at one time. Any more than that, and you might be devastated by a big loss you're not expecting.
4 – Understand the House Edge in Craps
The house edge represents the difference between the odds of winning and the payout odds for the game. Craps, like every other casino game, pays out less than the odds of winning. The difference is where the casino makes its profit.
The house edge is expressed as a percentage, and it's an estimate of how much you should expect to lose in the long run on a game.
In the case of craps, the house edge for the pass and come bets is the same – 1.41%.
The house edge for the don't pass and don't come bets is 1.36%.
The great thing is the house edge for the free odds bet. It's called 'free' odds because it carries no house edge. The payout for this bet is the same as the odds of winning it.
By taking or laying odds on top of your pass, don't pass, come, or don't come bets, you're effectively reducing the house edge for the game even further.
5 – Pick Your Wins Up From the Table
It's your responsibility to pick up any money you win from the table. If you just leave those chips on the table, they're considered new bets, and they stay in action.
If you're on a winning streak, that's cool. You'll just win that much more money. In fact, win three or four times in a row by letting your winnings ride can net you a lot of cash fast.
But if you're a more conservative player, pick the chips you've won up off the table after you win.
6 – Ignore Dealers at the Craps Table That Recommend a Bet
One of the dealers at the craps table is comparable to the ringmaster in a circus. He's the stickman, and part of his job is to sell you on the idea of making bets in the middle of the table.
The house edge on those bets is terrible, and when I say terrible, I mean over 9%.
How Do You Play Craps
Would you rather lose an average of 9% on each bet or an average of 1.5% on each bet?
It's the difference between losing $15/hour and losing $90/hour.
7 – Don't Use Betting Systems at the Craps Table
Any game with bets that offer even money payouts is ripe for betting system players. Craps is no exception. In fact, you'll have no trouble finding a Martingale or Paroli system player at the craps table.
These two systems work in precisely the opposite way, but both systems also don't do anything to help you win the game. A negative expectation bet is a negative expectation, no matter what.
The Martingale System and the Paroli System are examples of positive and negative progression systems. You raise and lower the size of your bets based on whether you won or lose previous bets.
Here's an example of the Martingale in action at the craps table:
You bet $5 on the pass line, and you lose when the shooter 7s out. Now you bet $10 on the pass line, and if you win, you've won back your $5 loss along with a $5 profit.
But if you lose, you have to bet $20 on your next bet, and so on.
Eventually, you'll run into a losing streak that's so long that it will be impossible to place the next bet in your progression.
With the Paroli System, you'll let your winnings ride until you've had a specific, arbitrary number of wins in a row.
For example, you might set a goal of winning 3 times in a row. You bet $5 on pass, win, and bet $10 on the 2nd round, and win again. Now you bet $20. If you win all 3 bets, you've won $35 over 3 rounds of the game.
But this approach doesn't work, either, in the long run.
8 – Don't Try to Become a Craps Professional
Contrary to what you might read and what some people might tell you, it's not possible to get an edge at craps in the long run. Without being able to get a mathematical edge, you can't possibly play craps for a living.
Even the odds bets, which have no house edge, can only be made when you've made an initial bet with a negative expectation.
On top of the negative expectation, you have a highly volatile game. Just because the house edge on the odds bets is 0% doesn't mean those bets pay off often. They still lose most of the time.
It's just that, theoretically, in the long run, you'll win as much money as you lose on such bets.
Full flush poker mobile app. If you want to be a professional gambler, learn to count cards in blackjack, or handicap sports with a high degree of accuracy, or play poker at a pro-level.
But stay away from craps if you want to gamble professionally.
9 – Skip Don't Pass and Don't Come Bets If You're New
You might think that don't pass and don't come are the best bets at the craps table. And since the house edge for these bets is 1.36% instead of 1.41%, that's true.
But that doesn't mean you should place these bets.
In fact, if you're new, I suggest avoiding them.
Here's why:
Most of the other players are betting with the shooter. It's fun to root for a shooter to win, and it's fun to have a sense of teamwork and camaraderie at the craps table.
If you're betting against everyone at the table, you'll probably have less fun.
Unless you just have one of those personalities.
10 – Take as Big an Odds Bet as Possible While Still Being Comfortable
Let's say you're at a craps table where the minimum bet is $5 and the maximum bet is $500. And the maximum amount of odds this casino will let you take is 2X your bet.
Learn To Play Craps
Don't bet $15 on the pass line and ignore the odds bet.
And don't bet $15 on the pass line and then put $30 on the odds bet.
In one case, you're letting the house have a more significant edge than you need to.
In the other case, you're putting more money into action on a single roll of the dice than you're comfortable with.
Neither of these situations is good.
11 – Free Casino Classes Are Great – Except for the Strategy Advice
Craps, more than most casino games, is a good one to learn via the free casino classes that most gambling halls offer during their slow periods. You can get an excellent feel for how the game plays and how the betting works. Most real money online casinos will also allow you to play for free and practice before you're ready for the real thing.
Just ignore any strategy advice that live casino dealers offer. Sometimes the dealers don't know anything about the math behind the game and give what they think is good advice. Other times, the dealers are just rooting for you to lose.
Conclusion
With a basic understanding of how to play craps, you can have more fun in the casino than most. And you'll stand a good chance of having some big winning sessions.
How To Play Craps In Las Vegas Tutorial For Beginners
It's just as important to play smart at the craps table as it is at any other casino game.
How To Play Craps For Beginners Youtube
Thinking about these 11 craps tips will keep you on the side of the gambling angels.
