How to Play Craps – A Quick Guide to Rules, Bets, and Strategy

Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of rolls, and the goal is to predict whether certain numbers will appear before a 7.

While it may look complicated at first, the basic rules are simple once you understand how a round works. Many players consider craps one of the best casino games because some bets offer a very low house edge when played correctly.

How to Play Craps (Quick Answer)

1. A player rolls two dice (the shooter)
2. The first roll is called the come-out roll
3. If the shooter rolls:
   • 7 or 11 → you win
   • 2, 3, or 12 → you lose (craps)
   • 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 → a point is set
4. The shooter keeps rolling
5. If the point number is rolled again → you win
6. If a 7 is rolled first → you lose

Craps Rules Explained

The Come-Out Roll

This is the first roll of a new round. It determines whether the game ends immediately or continues.

• 7 or 11 → win
• 2, 3, 12 → lose
• Any other number → becomes the point

The Point Phase

Once a point is set (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the goal is simple:

• Roll the point again before rolling a 7 → win
• Roll a 7 before the point → lose

Most Common Craps Bets

Pass Line Bet (Best for Beginners)

• Wins on 7 or 11 (come-out roll)
• Loses on 2, 3, 12
• Wins if point is hit before 7

Don’t Pass Bet

• Opposite of Pass Line
• Wins on 2 or 3
• Loses on 7 or 11
• 12 is a push (sometimes 2 is the push number)

Odds Bet (Important)

After a point is set, you can place an odds bet behind your Pass Line bet. This bet has 0% house edge.

Craps Strategy for Beginners

• Stick to Pass Line + Odds bets
• Avoid high house edge bets like “Any 7” and “Hardways”
• Take maximum odds whenever possible
• Keep your betting simple

Best and Worst Craps Bets

• Best Bets:
  • Pass Line (~1.41% house edge)
  • Don’t Pass (~1.36% house edge)
  • Odds Bet (0% house edge)
• Worst Bets:
  • Any 7 (~16.67% house edge)
  • Hardways (~9%–11% house edge)
  • Proposition, one-roll, bets (~10%+ house edge)

  Craps Hardways and Proposition Bets Explained

  In craps, some bets offer much higher payouts—but they also come with a much higher house edge. Two of the most common types are Hardways bets and Proposition (Prop) bets.

  What Are Hardways Bets?

  Hardways bets are wagers that a specific number will be rolled as a pair before it is rolled in any other way or before a 7 appears. The four hardway numbers are:

  • Hard 4: 2 + 2
  • Hard 6: 3 + 3
  • Hard 8: 4 + 4
  • Hard 10: 5 + 5

  For example, a Hard 8 bet wins only if the shooter rolls 4 + 4 before rolling:

  • Any other combination totaling 8 (like 5 + 3)
  • A 7

  If either of those happens first, the bet loses.

  Typical payouts:

  • Hard 4 and Hard 10 → 7 to 1
  • Hard 6 and Hard 8 → 9 to 1

  House edge:

  • Hard 6 / 8 → about 9.1%
  • Hard 4 / 10 → about 11.1%

  Because of this high house edge, hardways are generally considered fun but risky bets.

  What Are Proposition (Prop) Bets?

  Proposition bets (also called “center bets”) are one-roll bets placed in the middle of the craps table. These bets are resolved on the very next roll. Common prop bets include:

  • Any 7: Wins if a 7 is rolled
  • Any Craps: Wins on 2, 3, or 12
  • Yo (11): Wins if 11 is rolled
  • 2 or 12: Specific number bets

  Example: An “Any 7” bet wins if the next roll is a 7 and loses on any other number.

  Typical house edges:

  • Any 7 → about 16.67%
  • Any Craps → about 11.1%
  • Yo (11) → about 11.1%

  These bets offer high payouts but come with some of the worst odds in the casino.

  Are Hardways and Prop Bets Worth Playing?

  Most experienced players avoid these bets because of their high house edge. While they can be exciting and offer big payouts, they are not ideal for long-term play.

  For the best odds, players typically stick to:

  • Pass Line bets
  • Don’t Pass bets
  • Odds bets (which have 0% house edge)

  Bottom line: Hardways and proposition bets are entertaining, but they favor the casino much more than basic craps bet.

Craps House Edge and Odds Comparison

Craps can offer some of the best odds in the casino when you stick to the right bets.

• Blackjack (basic strategy): ~0.5%
• Craps (Pass Line): ~1.41%
• Baccarat (Banker): ~1.06%
• Pai Gow Poker: ~2.5%
• Roulette (American): ~5.26%
• Slots: Often 5%–14%+

The key difference is that craps gives players access to the Odds Bet, which has no house edge. This is one of the best bets in any casino.

Why Players Like Craps

• Fast-paced and exciting
• Low house edge on key bets
• Social, energetic table environment
• Simple core strategy

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Common Beginner Mistakes

• Betting on high house edge proposition bets
• Ignoring odds bets
• Trying too many different bets at once
• Not understanding the flow of the game

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Craps Table Layout Explained

A craps table may look complex, but most beginner-friendly bets are located in just a few areas:

• Pass Line (front edge of table)
• Don’t Pass Line
• Odds area behind Pass Line

You can safely ignore most of the center bets when starting out.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is craps hard to learn?

No. The basic game is simple once you understand the come-out roll and point system.

What is the best bet in craps?

The Pass Line bet combined with Odds is one of the best bets in the casino.

What is the house edge in craps?

Pass Line bets have about a 1.41% house edge, while odds bets have 0% house edge.

Why is craps so popular?

Craps is popular because it combines low house edge bets with a fast-paced and social atmosphere.