How to Play Craps
Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of two dice. It looks chaotic, but the core game is simple: bet the Pass Line, roll the dice, and chase a "point." Below is everything you need to play confidently: the rules, every bet's house edge, and which bets are actually worth making.
A round begins with the come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win. If they roll 2, 3, or 12 ("craps"), Pass Line bets lose. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the point. The shooter then keeps rolling until they either hit the point again (Pass Line wins) or roll a 7 first (Pass Line loses).
Craps Bets and House Edge
Not all craps bets are created equal. The difference between the best and worst bet on the table is over 15 percentage points of house edge. Here is how every major bet compares:
| Bet | Pays | House Edge | Verdict |
|---|
| Pass Line / Come | 1:1 | 1.41% | Best starting bet |
| Don't Pass / Don't Come | 1:1 | 1.36% | Slightly better edge |
| Odds (behind the line) | true odds | 0% | The only fair bet in the casino |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 1.52% | Solid |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4.00% | Mediocre |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 6.67% | Weak |
| Put 6 or 8 | 1:1 | 9.09% | Odds help, but the flat bet is expensive |
| Hop bets | 15:1 or 30:1 | 11.11-13.89% | One-roll specialist bet |
| All Small / Tall / All | 34:1 / 34:1 / 175:1 | 7.76% / 7.76% / 7.46% | High variance bonus bet |
| Field | 1:1 (2:1 on 2, 3:1 on 12) | 2.78% | Weak |
| Hard 6 or 8 | 9:1 | 9.09% | Avoid |
| Hard 4 or 10 | 7:1 | 11.11% | Avoid |
| Any Craps | 7:1 | 11.11% | Avoid |
| Any Seven | 4:1 | 16.67% | Worst bet on the table |
Best Craps Strategy for Beginners
The optimal beginner strategy is the simplest one:
- Bet the Pass Line (1.41% edge) on the come-out roll.
- Take maximum Odds once a point is set. Odds bets carry a 0% house edge: they pay true odds, so they dilute the casino's advantage on your overall wager.
- Add Come bets with odds to get more numbers working for you at the same low edge.
- Skip the proposition bets in the center of the table (Any Seven, Hardways, Horn). They look exciting but carry 9–17% edges that drain a bankroll fast.
Using only Pass Line + Odds keeps your effective house edge well under 1%, the best you can do at a craps table.
Practice the Bets Most Simulators Skip
Craps Lab includes standalone Lay bets, Put bets with odds, all 21 unordered Hop combinations, and Bonus Craps. The details matter. Lay bets are always working, Put odds turn off on the come-out, and Bonus Craps tracks unique totals until a 7 ends the cycle.
The Bonus Craps calculator uses the approved target sets and common 34/34/175 or 30/30/150 paytables. Its edge comes from exact dice-state probabilities, not a simulation. The rules are cross-checked against the Nevada Gaming Control Board rules of play.
The strategy backtester is different: it intentionally simulates variance. Set a seed, combine the bets, and compare the actual path with the exact conditional expected value before every roll. A system can reshape the ride. It cannot change the destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest bet in craps?
The Don't Pass bet has the lowest house edge at 1.36%, narrowly beating the Pass Line at 1.41%. But the true best value is the Odds bet, which has a 0% house edge. Combining a Pass or Don't Pass bet with maximum odds gives you the lowest possible overall edge.
What does "the point" mean in craps?
The point is the number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) established on the come-out roll. Once a point is set, the shooter must roll that number again before rolling a 7 for Pass Line bets to win.
Why are odds bets so good?
Odds bets are the only wager in the entire casino paid at true mathematical odds, giving the house a 0% edge. Casinos only allow them as a backup to a Pass or Don't Pass bet, and they cap how much you can wager (typically 3x–5x).
What is the worst bet in craps?
Any Seven (also called "Big Red") has a house edge of 16.67% - the worst bet on the table. The proposition bets in the center of the layout all carry edges of 9% or higher and should be avoided.
Can I practice craps for free?
Yes. Felt Trainer is a free craps simulator with a built-in coach that explains every roll, bet, and payout in real time, no signup or download required.
New to Craps?
Start with the basics, then the etiquette so you're not lost at a real table:
Craps Bets Explained
Want the full breakdown of any bet? Each guide covers the rules, payout, house edge, and a worked example:
Practice the Other Casino Games