Craps Basics for Beginners

Understanding Craps Basics & Rules

The key to winning any game is to first master the basics. Here’s everything you need to know about how to play craps and the different bets you can make:

Basic Craps Rules

Craps revolves around two dice rolls. The first or “come-out roll” sets the tone for the rest of the game, depending on what you roll:

Rolling a 7 or 11 is a “natural,” which ends the round.
Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 is “craps,” which also stops the round immediately.
Roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 becomes the “point.”

Once a point is set, the next rolls continue until either that same number appears again or a 7 is thrown. Each roll from here affects any active proposition bets. When you finally roll either the point or a 7, the round officially ends, and all remaining wagers are settled based on that outcome.

Understanding Craps Wagers

Online craps has quite a lineup of bets. Let’s review the core mainline wagers and what each one means for you at the table.

Pass Line Bet: You’re betting the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll or hit the point number before rolling a 7.
Don’t Pass Bet: Opposite of Pass Line, you’re hoping for a 2 or 3 on the come-out roll or a 7 after a point is set.
Come Bet: Similar to the Pass Line, but you place it after a point is set, and you’re betting the next roll acts as a new come-out for you.
Don’t Come Bet: Like the Don’t Pass, but after a point is set. You want a 2, 3, or 7 before your new “point” hits.

More Advanced Craps Wagers

As you get more comfortable playing craps online, there are other side bets you can place to add more variety:

Odds Bet: An extra bet you add to your Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet, giving you true odds and a higher payout.
Place Bet: You bet on a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to roll before a 7; this doesn’t depend on the point.
Place to Lose Bet: Reverse of the Place Bet, so you’re hoping for a 7 to roll before the number you picked.
Big 6 and Big 8: Betting that a 6 or 8 will show up before a 7.
Hardways: You’re putting money on a specific pair like double 2s (4) or double 5s (10), hoping that exact combo rolls before a 7 or an “easy” version of the number.

Craps Proposition Bets

Proposition bets in craps are high-risk, one-roll wagers where you’re betting on specific outcomes to hit on the next toss of the dice.

Field Bet: Betting that the next sum of dice will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12; each has specific payouts.
Any 7: A quick wager that the next roll will be a 7.
Any Craps: Here, you’re banking on the next roll being a 2, 3, or 12.
Horn Bet: A bet split across four numbers (2, 3, 11, and 12), and you’re hoping for one of these hits.
C & E Bet: Like the Horn, but you’re betting on craps (2, 3, or 12) or an 11.

How You Win in Craps

You win in craps by correctly predicting what the dice will show, either on a single roll or across multiple throws. Winning with mainline bets means matching broader outcomes, like hitting the point before a 7. Most proposition and side bets have higher payouts yet involve wagering on exact numbers or combinations within specific rolls.

What is the House Edge in Craps?

Craps has some of the lowest house edges you’ll find in online casinos, with certain wagers that can even drop to 0%. Of course, the specific version you’re playing might tweak these numbers a bit. But ultimately, it’s the type of bet you place that shapes the house’s advantage.

Mainline bets like Pass Line and Don’t Pass have some of the lowest house edges in craps, typically around 1.4%. Adding an Odds Bet to these brings the edge on the odds portion to zero, so you’re paid at true odds based on actual probabilities.

On the flip side, while they offer higher payouts, proposition bets like Any 7 or hardways give the casino a bigger advantage over time.

Understanding Craps Bets Odds

Now that you’ve got a good feel for the basic craps rules and bet options, take a look at the table below for payout and house edge info:

Wager	Payout	House Edge
Pass Line Bet	1:1	1.41%
Don’t Pass Line Bet	1:1	1.36%
Come Bet	1:1	1.41%
Don’t Come Bet	1:1	1.36%
Odds Bets
Odds on Pass/Come (4 or 10)	2:1	None
Odds on Pass/Come (5 or 9)	3:2	None
Odds on Pass/Come (6 or 8)	6:5	None
Odds on Don’t Pass/Don’t Come (4 or 10)	1:2	None
Odds on Don’t Pass/Don’t Come (5 or 9)	2:3	None
Odds on Don’t Pass/Don’t Come (6 or 8)	5:6	None
Place Bets
Place Bet on 6 or 8	7:6	1.52%
Place Bet on 5 or 9	7:5	4.00%
Place Bet on 4 or 10	9:5	6.67%
Big 6 / Big 8
Big 6 or Big 8	1:1	9.09%
Hardways
Hardway 6 or 8	9:1	9.09%
Hardway 4 or 10	7:1	11.11%

Here are the single-roll proposition bets—payouts are higher, but so is the house edge.

Wager	Payout	House Edge
Field Bet (3, 4, 9, 10, 11)	1:1	5.56%
Field Bet (2 or 12)	2:1	5.56%
Any 7	4:1	16.67%
Any Craps	7:1	11.11%
Yo (Craps 11)	15:1	11.11%
Ace-Deuce (Craps 3)	15:1	11.11%
Boxcars (Craps 12)	30:1	13.89%
Snake Eyes (Craps 2)	30:1	13.89%

Disclaimer: Odds are based on Betsoft’s craps and may vary by software provider, game variations, or side bets. Try it for free at Bovada.

Online Craps Table Etiquette

Playing craps in person has a certain flow to it, with a few unspoken rules that help keep things smooth and respectful for everyone.

For instance, you’d join when a new round is about to start, place chips down carefully, and avoid reaching over the table while the dice are in play. Understanding basic signals, like when the dealer announces “dice are out,” and tipping (when allowed) also go a long way.

These rules don’t really apply if you’re playing RNG casino games, as everything is automated, and there’s no interaction with others. But if you feel confident enough to try live dealer craps, bringing the same respect for timing and chat interactions makes everything run more naturally.

Online Craps Tips and Strategy

Need a few tips to build your craps strategy? Here are three to get you started:

Play Craps for Free Online

If you’re still getting the hang of the game, online craps casinos like BetUS and Las Atlantis let you practice for free in demo mode. They give you a “fun” budget, so you can practice the basic craps strategy at your own pace—no real money on the line.

Set a Realistic Budget and Manage It

The most important basic rule of craps betting is proper bankroll management. Play with a bankroll that you’re okay with losing. Split it up: around 70% on mainline bets to keep it steady, 20% on odds bets, and a small 10% for props if you’re feeling lucky.

If you’re up, stash a portion to secure some profit, and never raise your bets just to recover losses. Stick to the plan and walk if you hit your budget.

Take Advantage of Promotions

Look for online casino bonuses suited to table games like craps. The best options usually come as deposit matches, reload bonuses, cashback offers, or free play credits.

Check the terms and confirm the contribution rates. If craps only counts 10% or 20%, don’t feel discouraged. That’s fairly standard because it has a lower house edge compared to other games like online slots.

Stick to the basic craps strategy, and you’ll have a solid chance of keeping your balance steady as you work through the playthrough.

Best Online Casino for Real Money Craps

Once you’ve got the basic rules of craps down and feel ready for real-money play, there are several top online casinos worth checking out.

Las Atlantis has two versions with stakes from $1 to $100, combining that classic gambling feel with modern and sharp visuals. If you’re into casinos with great crypto options, then Wild Casino is a solid pick with two craps games and even a rare bonus on one of them.

Bovada and BetUS are also strong choices, with user-friendly setups and multiple craps betting options so that you can settle in easily.

Gamble on Craps Responsibly

Craps can be a lot of fun—as long as you stay in control. Like with any online casino game, if you can learn to manage your bankroll and use the tools casinos offer, things should go pretty smoothly.

For more tips, check out our responsible gambling page. If you ever feel you’re losing your grip, don’t hesitate to contact support groups like GambleAware.

Roll the Dice and Win Big with Online Craps

Getting the craps basics down is a big step toward understanding the game. It’s not all that complicated. Two dice drive the action, and your main goal is to bet on certain numbers showing up before or after a 7. Then there are a few high-payout proposition bets, with odds up to 30:1, though they have a higher house edge.

If you’re new, take some time to sample the game in demo mode at casinos like BetUS and Las Atlantis before going for real money. Gambling apps like Bovada and Fun Casino are also solid choices, especially the latter if you enjoy live dealer games.

Charlon

Muscat

Content Specialist

Articles

All the way from the renowned iGaming hub of Malta, Charlon has been contributing to the gambling industry since 2019. He began his career at Paddy Power™, but the onset of the pandemic led him to swap his nine-to-five for a life of full-time travel. Throughout his journey, Charlon developed a successful freelance career, leveraging his prior industry knowledge and focusing on analyzing online casinos, sportsbooks, slots, payment methods, and current trends and strategies through the lens of an actual player.

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