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How to Play Craps

Craps is one of the liveliest games on any casino floor. From a distance, you’ll notice the long, green felt table crowded with players and the sound of dice clattering against the back wall, followed by cheers when the roll goes the right way.

Online versions recreate this same energy, allowing you to play the game in a digital format without losing the tension of the dice roll.

This guide on how to play craps will walk you through everything from the goal of the game to the table layout and the most frequently used bets.

By following this guide, you’ll be prepared to play online craps with a clear grasp of how the game works.

Breaking Down the Game of Craps

At first glance, craps can look pretty complicated. The table’s many sections can look confusing, but once you learn the basics, the game is much simpler than it seems.

Craps revolves around two dice. Participants make predictions on how the dice will land, and the outcome of each roll determines whether those predictions succeed. The energy comes from the shared anticipation, as everyone at the table is focused on the same roll.

Online craps keeps this structure intact. The table is laid out in the same way as a casino version, and every roll of the dice follows the same rules.

Introduction to Craps

As established, the aim of craps is simple: predict the outcome of a dice roll.

One player, called the shooter, rolls two dice while everyone else places their predictions on the table. If the roll matches your chosen outcome, you win that round.

The very first roll in a game is called the come-out roll. When a 7 or 11 appears on the first throw, those who backed this result win immediately. If the dice land on 2, 3, or 12, the result is known as “craps,” which causes those bets to lose.

Rolling any other number establishes what’s called a point. From there, the shooter continues to roll the dice until either the point number reappears, which wins, or a 7 is rolled, which ends the round.

Visualizing the Craps Table

A typical craps table measures approximately 12 feet in length, with interior widths that can vary depending on the casino. The design is divided into two identical wings on either side and a central section that runs through the middle. This structure maintains a balanced layout and ensures that the main betting options are easily accessible.

The wings contain the game’s most recognizable spaces, including Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come. Each wing also has numbered boxes for 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, which are used for number-specific wagers, such as Place or Buy bets.

The wings also feature the Field bet, which covers several numbers on a single roll, along with the Big 6 and Big 8 areas that focus on whether a 6 or 8 appears before a 7.

The central section is reserved for Proposition bets, often shortened to “prop bets.” These cover one-roll wagers on outcomes like any 7, as well as Hard Way bets, which require doubles of certain numbers.

Many layouts display symbols or shorthand for the dice combinations needed to win, making these options easier to follow.

Key Terms to Know Before You Get Playing

Craps comes with its own set of terms that describe the dice rolls and the table layout.

Box Numbers: The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, often used for Place bets
Come-out Roll: The first roll of a new round, which can immediately win, lose, or set a point
Crap Numbers: The rolls of 2, 3, or 12
Inside Numbers: The numbers 5, 6, 8, and 9 when used for Place bets
Marker: A disc used to show whether a point has been established. One side reads “on”, the other “off”
Mark the Point: The act of setting the Marker on the layout to show the point number
Outside Numbers: The numbers 4, 5, 9, and 10, when used for Place bets
Point: The number set by the come-out roll, which the shooter must match again without a 7 appearing in order to win
Right Bettor: Someone who bets with the shooter on the Pass line
Wrong Bettor: An individual who wagers opposite the shooter, usually on Don’t Pass or Don’t Come
Shooter: The individual rolling the dice during the round
Snake Eyes: A roll of 2, with one dot showing on each die

How to Play Craps: Step-by-Step

Craps follows a rhythm that repeats from one round to the next.

Here is how the sequence unfolds:

The shooter starts a new round by preparing for the come-out roll, while others place their bets, most often on the Pass or Don’t Pass lines, before the dice are thrown
The first roll decides whether the round ends quickly or continues. A 7 or 11 is called a natural and wins instantly for Pass bets. A 2, 3, or 12 is craps and loses those same bets. Any other number becomes the point
When a point is set, the dealer marks it on the table. From this stage, the shooter’s goal is to roll that number again without a 7 appearing first. Additional bets can also be placed now, including Come and Don’t Come options
The shooter continues to roll the dice until one of two outcomes occurs. If the point is rolled again, the round concludes in a win for those who backed it. If a 7 appears before the point, the round concludes in what’s known as “seven out”
When a seven is rolled, the dice are passed to another shooter, and a new round begins. If the shooter makes the point, they may keep rolling for the next come-out

Common Bets in the Game

Several options are available on a craps table, but a few stand out as the most common.

These bets form the core of the game and are the easiest to learn before exploring advanced strategies.

The Come Bet

A Come bet works much like the Pass Line bet but can only be placed after a point has been established. If the very next roll is a 7 or 11, the bet wins at even money. If the roll is a 2, 3, or 12, the bet loses immediately.

Any other number creates a personal point, which is separate from the main point of the round. The shooter then continues rolling until either that personal point is rolled again, which wins, or a 7 appears, which results in a loss.

For beginners, this option often feels natural, as it follows the same rhythm as the overall game while providing the flexibility to join in after the round has started.

Place Bet

A Place bet lets you choose one of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. The wager wins if your number is rolled before a 7 and loses if a 7 appears first. These bets can be placed or removed at any point in the game, and they don’t depend on the come-out roll, which makes them flexible.

While simple to understand, Place bets are less favourable than Pass Line bets because the house edge varies by number.

The Field Bet

This is a single-roll option that covers the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. If any of these appear on the next throw, the bet wins. Despite covering several outcomes, the chance of losing remains relatively high since 5, 6, 7, and 8 are not included.

The bet is simple to follow, though its returns are generally less favourable than options like the Pass or Come bets. Rolls of 2 or 12 usually offer a higher return than the other winning numbers.

Proposition Bets

These bets, often called “prop” bets, cover a range of specific outcomes. Some are single-roll wagers, for example, betting that the next throw will be a 7. The Hard Way bets also sit in this group, requiring numbers like 4, 6, 8, or 10 to be rolled as exact pairs, for example, 2-2 for 4 or 5-5 for 10.

While these options can draw attention, they come with a higher house edge than the mainline bets. For beginners, it’s usually better to focus on Pass, Come, or Place bets before exploring props.

Playing Craps Online

Learning how to play craps online is straightforward because the rules remain the same as in a land-based casino. The come-out roll, point system, betting options, and table layout all follow the traditional structure you’ve already seen.

What changes is the way the game is presented.

The table layout is displayed digitally, with every section clearly marked. You select your wager by clicking on the betting area, and the system automatically moves your chips into place. Once the dice are rolled, results appear instantly, and winning bets are settled without the need for dealer handling.

Digital versions of online craps use a random number generator (RNG) to determine outcomes, matching the odds of physical dice. Live dealer games take a different approach, with a real dealer rolling dice on camera to recreate the feel of a traditional table. Both formats maintain the rules, providing a seamless transition from the casino floor to a digital setting.

Do’s and Don’ts for Craps

Craps has a fast pace, and while the rules themselves are straightforward, new players can sometimes make avoidable mistakes. If you’ve been learning how to play the craps dice game, keeping a few guiding principles in mind makes it easier to stay in control.

Do: Set a Clear Budget

Decide how much you’re comfortable spending before you start and stick to that limit. Online play makes it easy to keep track of your balance, so use that to your advantage. A set budget prevents overextending and ensures that your session ends on your terms.

Don’t: Chase Losses

Every roll of the dice is independent of the last. Trying to win back what you’ve already lost by placing larger or riskier wagers often leads to bigger losses. Accepting that some rounds will not go your way is part of the game.

Do: Learn the Bets Before Playing

Take a little time to understand the different wagers and what they mean. While some options are straightforward, others can be more complex or carry a higher house edge.

Knowing the difference keeps you from placing bets without understanding their outcomes.

Don’t: Bet Randomly

Placing chips without a plan may feel harmless at first, but it often leads to confusion once the dice are rolled. Focus on a few bets you understand well instead of scattering your wagers across the table.

Do: Take Advantage of Online Features

Many online platforms include helpful tools, like displaying your active bets clearly or showing a history of recent rolls. Using these features can make it easier to keep track of where you stand in each round.

Don’t: Forget About Pace

Craps can move quickly, and online play can sometimes speed things up even further. Take your time to place wagers carefully rather than rushing to keep up with the action.

Learn about other casino games in our guide:

Craps Strategy Guide

In this guide, we’ll cover some of the most popular strategies that players swear by. You’ll learn about the Pass Line Bet, a classic choice for its favourable odds, the Iron Cross Strategy, which is perfect for covering more winning outcomes, and the 3-Point Molly Strategy.