Rolling the Bones: How to Play Casino Craps
If you walk onto a casino floor, it is usually incredibly easy to locate the Craps pit; just follow the noise.
The Craps layout is an absolute mess of confusing numbers, bizarre terminology (like "Horn Bets" and "Hardways"), and fast-moving chips.
Furthermore, you do not need to understand 90% of the confusing bets on the table to play the game perfectly.
In this article, we are going to completely demystify the game of Craps for the absolute beginner.
Understanding the Core of Craps: The Pass Line
To play Craps flawlessly, you only need to understand one single bet: The Pass Line.
On this initial Come-Out Roll, there are only three possible outcomes that immediately affect your Pass Line bet.
Outcome 1 (The Instant Win): If the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11, the entire table erupts in cheers.
If the shooter rolls any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number officially becomes "The Point."
This is where the true drama of Craps begins.
Phase Two: Hitting the Point vs. Sevening Out
The entire goal of the table is for the shooter to roll the Point number (an 8) again BEFORE they roll a 7.
If the shooter rolls a 4, 9, 10, or 2, absolutely nothing happens to your Pass Line bet; the game just continues, and the shooter rolls again.
If the shooter rolls a 7 before they roll the Point (an 8), it is called "Sevening Out."
The dealer sweeps all the chips off the table, the shooter passes the dice to the next player in line, and the game resets.
The House Edge on the Pass Line bet is an incredibly low 1.41%, making it one of the absolute best bets in the entire casino.
The Best Bet in the Casino: The Free Odds Bet
Once a Point is established, the casino allows you to place an additional wager directly behind your original Pass Line bet (outside the printed line).
It is mathematically perfect; the casino pays you out exactly according to the true statistical probability of the dice rolling the Point before a 7.
If the Point is 6 or 8 (the easiest points to hit), the true odds are 6 to 5. The Odds bet pays exactly 6 to 5.
Then, once the Point is established, they place the absolute maximum allowable amount of money on the "Odds" bet directly behind it.
Ignore the yelling, ignore the complex center bets, and just focus on hitting the point.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Craps Table
- The Instant Win/Loss: On the Come-Out, 7/11 Wins. 2/3/12 Loses. Any other number becomes "The Point."
- The Point Phase: The puck flips to "ON" and is placed on a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10).
- The Payouts: The Odds bet pays true mathematical odds (2:1 for 4/10, 3:2 for 5/9, 6:5 for 6/8).
- The Sucker Bets: Ignore the center of the table completely. These bets carry massive house edges (often 10% to 16%).
Understanding the Probabilities in Craps
| Result of the Throw | How Many Ways to Make It | Statistical Likelihood |
|---|
| 4 or 10 | Only 3 ways each | Hard points to hit, which is why the Odds bet pays a lucrative 2:1. |
| 6 or 8 | 5 ways each | The easiest points to hit, but still harder than a 7. The Odds bet pays 6:5. |
| The True Odds | The payouts are based perfectly on these specific combinations. | Understanding this table reveals the absolute genius behind the design of the Craps layout. |
Do not let the complex layout and the shouting dealers intimidate you from experiencing the best game in the building.
If you stick rigidly to this simple strategy, you will be playing with better odds than 95% of the other people in the casino.
Welcome to the most exciting, chaotic, and profitable fraternity in the casino world.
