Craps can look complicated to the beginner, with its many betting options and two dice being thrown around. However, it’s one of the most social and exciting casino games you can play. This guide will teach you craps basics so you can join the fun.
We’ll cover things like:
- Understanding the craps table layout
- Rules for basic bets like the Pass Line
- What all those slang phrases mean
- Beginner strategy to improve odds
- Where to find top online craps casinos
Once you learn the fundamentals, you’ll see why fans say craps is the most entertaining game in PlanGames casino!
Overview of How to Play Craps
Craps revolves around rolling a pair of six-sided dice to produce random outcomes. Players can bet on what numbers will be rolled in various ways. Payouts are made when certain numbers hit.
It’s played on a special elongated table with high sides all around. This allows the dice to be thrown hard enough to bounce off the end wall for random rolls. Up to 20 players or more can stand around the table together.
One player is the “shooter” who controls the dice. They take turns rolling or “shooting” the dice to the far end. The shooter keeps rolling until they “seven out” (roll a 7). Then, the dice move clockwise to the next shooter.
As the shooter rolls, other players place chips on different sections of the layout to bet on each roll’s outcome. There are lots of betting options with various payouts. Below we’ll break down all you need to know step-by-step to start playing online craps like a pro.
Craps Table Layout 101
Standard craps tables have a layout with all the sections for the possible bets. Here’s an overview so you know where everything goes when you play online or live:
- Pass Line – This is where you bet on the shooter rolling a 7 or 11 on the first roll called the “come out roll.” If they “seven out” by rolling a 7 on later rolls, you lose.
- Don’t Pass – You win if the shooter rolls crabs (2, 3, or 12) on the come out. Seven outs after the point is established make you win.
- Come/Don’t Come – The same as the Pass Line but for additional bets after the point number is set.
- Odds – You can place extra odds behind your original Pass/Come bets. Odds pay 2:1 or higher in real money play.
- Place Bets – These allow you to bet on specific point numbers of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 being rolled before a 7.
- Proposition Bets – These cover one-roll results like a certain combination of dice or totals. Big payouts but poor odds.
The edges have more areas like the Big 6/8, Hard Ways hop bets and more. We’ll detail them later on. Now let’s get into specifics on how to play starting with the all-important come out roll.
Rolling on the Come Out
Each round starts with a come-out roll. The shooter tosses the two dice to the far end of the table. There are just three potential outcomes on comeouts:
- 7 or 11 (Natural) – Pass Line bets win. A new round starts again.
- 2, 3, or 12 (Crabs) – Don’t Pass bets win. New shooter and round.
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 – The rolled number becomes the “point”.
If a point number is set, the shooter keeps rolling until that point repeats, or a 7 is thrown. The 7 ends the round because it makes Pass Line bets lose. Any other rolls don’t pass or lose – they just keep the round going until the point or a 7 hits.
Pass Line and Don’t Pass Bets
These wagers drive the action. Most players bet one or the other each round.
- Pass Line – You win immediately if a natural 7 or 11 rolls on the come out. If a point is set instead, you win if it repeats before a 7. Payout is even money on both (1:1).
- Don’t Pass – You want crabs (2, 3, 12) right away to win here. If a point gets set, you collect if a 7 comes first instead.
These basics pay even money, too. You can also “lay odds” for added risk/reward by https://slotspeak.net/big-bamboo-demo/ up to 5X your original stake behind these. That’s covered more later under craps strategy.
Come/Don’t Come Bets
You can make bets similar to the Pass Line after the point number is established. These work the same way:
- Come – A 7 or 11 wins immediately after you bet. Any other number becomes your own private “come the point.” Your come bet wins if your number hits again before a 7.
- Don’t Come – Here, you want a 2, 3, or 12 for an instant win when shooting after the point is on. If it sets, you don’t come to the point; instead, you want a 7 before that number repeats.
Come/Don’t Come also pay 1:1 on both immediate wins and when your points hit. You can also place free odds on these once there are points established.
Place Bets
You can skip Pass/Come and just directly bet on the point numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 being rolled before a 7. The house edge goes up, but so do the payouts:
- 4 or 10 pays 9:5
- 5 or 9 pays 7:5
- 6 or 8 pays 7:6
When you play craps online or live, you place these chips directly on the number’s box on the table. Hardway bets are just a specialized type of place bet, too, and work the same.
Proposition Bets
Propositions cover one-roll results other than point numbers or naturals. For example:
- 2 or 12 pays 30:1
- 3 or 11 pays 15:1
- Any craps (2,3,12) pays 7:1
“The Field” bets on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 rolling next. Big 6/8 bets on those totals hitting before a 7.
These single-roll wagers come with tempting payouts up to 30:1! However, they also have some of the highest house edges around 16-17%. For beginners, sticking with line bets and places is advised for better RTP.
Hard Ways and Hops
You may also hear shooters calling out Hard Ways! Like betting a Hard 8. This means they want doubles with 4-4 or Hard 6 with 3-3 before a 7 or “easy” 8/6. Hard numbers pay 9:1 when hit. On the Easy version before (like 5-3 makes an 8), you lose the bet. Hops are combo Hard bets on specific dice pairs, like Hopping the 2 -1 on snake eyes (1-1). Most online craps games have a special section for these.
Understand Craps Calls and Commands
Here’s what all the excited shouts mean from players and dealers:
Roller says:
- Hard ways – They want to bet on double number combinations like Hard 6 (two 3’s)
- Jimmy Hicks/Jimmie Hicks – Betting on 11
- Ace Deuce or Ace Caught a Deuce – Bet on 3
- Come out rollin’ / New roller comin’ out – Shooter is starting a new round
The dealer calls out:
- Line Away or Don’t Pass Line Away – Making Don’t Pass bets
- Put your Place bets up – Reminding players to get Place bets set
- Coming out! – Table is ready for a new come-out roll
- Winner 7! Pass Line bets win – Natural 7/11 rolled for Pass Line win
- Craps 2! Don’t Pass bets win – 2,3 or 12 came up for Don’t Pass
Learning all the calls and slang makes playing live craps more fun. Online, you just click chips onto the table layout.
Beginner Craps Strategy Tips
Like any casino game, craps has optimal plays for better odds. Here are some tips to get started:
- Stick to best bets – Pass/Come and Place 6/8 give the house just a 1.5% edge or less. Have those as your base wagers.
- Take max odds – Get 5X free odds when available after points are made to lower the casino margin. Odds bets win if the points hit.
- Put bets in multiples – Bet in units of 5, like $5, $15, or $25, to make hopping bets easier.
- Manage your bankroll – Have $200+ to properly spread come/don’t come and place bets. Quit if you lose 50% of your original buy-in.
