Craps rules made simple: Your beginner’s guide to the classic dice game

Craps is a classic casino game found in most gambling venues. You can play it online, too, at Bitcasino from a variety of software providers. The table may look complex, but Craps rules are easy to learn. You just need to know your betting options and how the game progresses. 

Curious about how to play craps? This guide walks you through topics like how the board looks, what to expect, and more. 

What is craps? 

Craps (sometimes known as ‘Seven-Eleven’) is a classic casino dice game that has earned its place among the most iconic games along with poker, live roulette, and baccarat. The main difference is its use of two six-sided dice instead of cards or a wheel. It is played on a large table with multiple sections, making up the craps gambling experience. 

The land-based version of craps is traditionally played at a large table with multiple players, sometimes up to 20, where one player at a time takes the role of the shooter, the person rolling the dice. Most software providers for online casinos have simplified craps as a game between the player and the house, which omits the ‘shooter’ role entirely. The game still follows the standard betting options, but without the social aspect of the original. 

Craps features

Craps stands out for its fast-paced action, energetic environment, and wide variety of betting options. In land-based casino versions, craps builds its excitement around the communal experience where the players root for the shooter’s roll. This builds a team-like atmosphere that makes every round exciting in ways other games don’t.

The diverse betting system in craps also offers depth, where strategy matters. Players can stick to simple bets like the Craps Pass Line or explore more advanced wagers like propositions for higher risks and reward. Its flexibility can rival roulette’s outside betting options, but the outcome of two six-sided dice is easier to predict than a 37-numbered wheel. 

Exploring the craps table

The craps table may look intimidating at first, but it will be easier to follow once you understand its layout. It is divided into marked sections, and where you put your chips determines your bet on the next roll. 

Most land-based versions of craps look bigger, but it’s just the same sections mirrored to accommodate a big party of players. Online casinos only need one side of that table. 

Here are the marked sections of the craps casino game and what they mean:

Pass Line and Don’t Pass Bar

The Pass Line or Don’t Pass Bar is found on the edge of the betting table in craps, usually at the bottom-most part. The Pass Line is often located on the outer edge, while the Don’t Pass Bar is positioned above it, towards the inside of the table. 

Come and Don’t Come 

The Come betting area is a big bar in the middle of the table, above the Don’t Pass Bar. Don’t Come is often right next to it, but which side varies depending on the game provider. It can be on the left, the right, or above. 

The point numbers

The numbered sections above the table, opposite to the Pass Line, are the point numbers. If a point is established, a puck is placed to mark the rolled number as an indicator. It is usually directly above the Come betting area. In some iterations, the Point Numbers are also above the Hardway bets and Come betting area, while the Don’t Come bet is next to it. 

Field bet

You can usually find this just under the Come area. Some versions will make it as big as the Come betting area, while other versions make it the larger of the two. 

Proposition bets

All of the bets above are mirrored on a wide table to accommodate other players. The proposition bets, however, take up the centre, consisting of the Hardway and Single-Roll bets. If the table isn’t mirrored, then this section is typically located on one side.

The wall

Every craps table has high walls to prevent the dice from rolling off. According to casino craps rules, the shooter needs to roll the dice hard enough to hit the wall. Otherwise, their roll is invalid and they should try again.

The Role of players (shooters and bettors)

There are two main roles in craps casino, namely the shooter and the bettor. The shooter is the person rolling the dice in a turn, while the other players on the table are bettors. Both sides can play the game with all the same bets available to them, but there are some mutually exclusive features to these two roles. 

To become a shooter, the player must place a bet on either Pass Line or Don’t Pass Bar before the come-out roll. The other bets are also available to them, but they have to make a Pass or Don’t Pass bet to be eligible for the role. If the come-out roll sets a point, the shooter keeps rolling until they roll either the point again or a 7. The shooter can pass the dice to give someone else the turn for the role. 

The bettor doesn’t have a requirement to meet. They can place any kind of bet without needing to make a Pass or Don’t Pass bet, unlike the shooter. Bettors can also leave the table at any time they wish, similar to other table games like roulette or blackjack. 

Here’s a summary of the roles in casino craps rules:

Prohibited actions for shooters

If you become a shooter in craps, you will be given the following restrictions until you pass the dice to someone else:

• You must use both dice.
• A throw must be done with one hand.
• The dice should hit the wall of the table, and have them bounce back. 
• Throwing the dice off the table is not allowed.
• Sliding the dice instead of tossing them is prohibited.
• Attempting to control the throw is not permitted. 

These prohibitions are put in place to preserve fairness and the fun nature of the game. Any throw that will cause the dice to roll and bounce off the wall is allowed, as long as it is not against the rules above. You can be creative to further enhance the fun factor in craps. 

It’s important to note that online casino craps don’t have these rules. Most of the time, these games are in digital format that uses random number generators (RNG) to simulate rolls, so there’s no need to observe proper tossing techniques. Live table games, like Bitcasino craps, have auto-tossing mechanisms so all players are bettors, not shooters.

How to play craps?

Understanding the basic flow of the game is the first step to enjoying it, and you’ll need a quick look at craps’ basic flow to get started. The game is played in rounds and follows a predictable rhythm, starting with the come-out roll and possibly moving into the point round. Most action in craps centres around the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Bar, which shape the course of each round. 

Here’s a beginner-friendly breakdown of how to play craps:

Decide the shooter

One player becomes the shooter at the beginning of every round. To qualify, they must make a Pass or Don’t Pass bet. If no one volunteered or if everyone wants a turn, the dice are offered clockwise around the table. For online casino craps, the shooter role is automatically assigned to an automated mechanic.

Make the come-out roll

The shooter rolls the dice for the first time that round, and this is called the ‘come-out roll’. Pass Line bets win if the outcome is 7 or 11, while Don’t Pass Bar bets win if it’s 2 or 3. Both bets lose if the come-out roll is 12. If the outcome is any other number, that is established as the ‘Point’ and the shooter proceeds to the point round. 

Continue rolling

Bets on Pass Line or Don’t Pass Bar continue in the point rounds until the shooter rolls a 7 or the point. The Pass Line bet wins if the shooter rolls the point again but loses if it lands on 7. This is preceded by the end of the last round, called ‘sevening out’, and a new one begins, starting with deciding on who is the new shooter. 

How to bet on craps: Betting options

Craps Pass and Craps Don’t Pass are considered the ‘default’ bets in the game, but there are more options to choose from. Each play by different aspects of the game, still revolving around the results of the dice. 

Explore all your betting options right here

Pass Line - 1:1

The Pass Line is found at the bottom- or side-most part of a craps table and it pays 1:1. Placing chips here will have you betting on the come-out roll which wins if the result is 7 or 11 and loses if it’s 2, 3, or 12 (results in any of these are the titular ‘craps’). Any other result becomes a point, and the Pass Line wins if that number is rolled again. 

Don’t Pass Bar - 1:1

The Craps Don’t Pass bet is the opposite of the Pass Line on paper, but it’s always right next to it, albeit further inside the table. Bets here win and pay 1:1 if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3 and a push if it’s 12. Don’t Pass bets lose on any outcome that isn’t a winning or push result.

Come and Don’t Come - 1:1

Come is a large bar inside the table, and Don’t Come is often a smaller rectangle on the left. These are opposite bets but with similar odds to win. Bets on Come win if the next point roll is a 7 or 11 and lose if it’s 2 or 3. Don’t Come bets win if the next point roll is 2 or 3 and lose if it’s 7 or 11. Both bets end in a push if the roll is 12. You can only bet on Come or Don’t Come after the come-out roll. Wins on either bet pays 1:1. 

Field - 1:1 except for 2 or 12

The Field is a one-roll bet, usually found between Come and Don’t Come. It’s a bet that wins if the next roll is either 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. It pays 1:1 except for 2 and 12, which usually pays double (2:1). 

Place Bets

Putting a chip on the Point Numbers at the top-most part of the craps table lets you make a Place Bet. You have to place your chips on specific cells to bet on that particular number and win if it appears during the point round. The payout depends on the result you backed. 

Here’s a table of your options and their payout:

Hardway Bets 

The Hardway Bets is on the right-hand side or a separated section in the middle, while the rest of the table is mirrored. This contains sections of bets with higher risk and reward than the other bets mentioned thus far. 

In this section, you are betting on the outcome combination of both dice, not the number shown in the roll. Some craps tables call these ‘Hardway’, referencing that it needs to be that specific combination to count a winning bet. Here are the betting options in this section and their payout:

When betting on Hardways, you can win if the outcome happens before the point roll ends or until an easy way happens. 

For example: 

• You bet on a Hardway 4, that means you win if the shooter rolls a pair of 2s. However, you lose the bet if they rolled a 7 or an outcome of 4 in a combination of a 3 & 1. 

Single-Roll 

Single-Roll (One Roll or Proposition) is found near the Hardway bets, usually below them. Unlike most betting types in craps, these are bets on the next roll, and you lose if it is not the desired outcome. However, the win conditions are flexible compared to Hardway bets, and the payout is significantly higher. 

Your Single-Roll betting options are as follows:

Play craps now at Bitcasino! 

Now that you understand the basics of craps, it’s the perfect time to put your knowledge to the test. Bitcasino offers a wide selection of craps games, from digital RNG to engaging live dealer experiences, designed to deliver the thrill of the classic casino game. 

Enjoy lightning-fast transactions for easy top-ups and withdrawals. Bitcasino supports crypto like Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT) as well as fiat options like Canadian dollars (CAD), Chinese yuan (CNY), or the Japanese yen (JPY). Check out Bitcasino bonuses, too, so you can play with free cash or cashbacks. 

As always, remember to gamble responsibly and contact customer support if you need help. Roll the dice and see where your luck takes you at Bitcasino. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Craps:

Is craps a game of chance or skill?

Craps is a game of chance, but you can use betting methods to statistically improve your chances to win in the long run. 

How many dice are used in craps? 

Two six-sided dice are used in every game of craps. 

Is it possible to make multiple bets at once in craps?

Yes, players can place several bets during the same round. 

What happens if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11?

On the come-out roll, Pass Line bets win if the dice reveals a 7 or 11. 

How to win at craps? 

Win by correctly betting on the outcome of the dice rolls during the round. 

What are the odds of winning at craps?

Every betting type in craps has unique odds to win and house edge, which affects their winning payout. Pass, Don’t  Pass, Come, and Don’t Come have the highest payout odds at 1:1.