How to Play Craps: Rules

Craps looks intimidating at first — lots of chips, loud players, and a table covered in weird markings — but the game itself is simple once you learn the flow and a handful of bets. This guide gives a quick, practical walk-through: the round flow, the key bets you should know, how the table is laid out, and what to do at your first session.

The Basic Flow

Craps rounds have only two distinct phases, so you don't need to memorize much:

• Come-out roll — the shooter rolls the dice to start a new round. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win immediately. If it’s 2, 3, or 12, Pass Line loses (that’s called craps). Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes the point.

• Point phase — once a point is set, the shooter keeps rolling. If the point number rolls again before a 7, the Pass Line wins. If a 7 appears first (a seven-out), Pass Line loses and the round ends, and the next come-out begins.

In general, knowing this two-step structure is everything: some bets are only valid on the come-out, others after the point is set.

Table Anatomy

Now, let's quickly analyze the playing field, because it can often scare off newcomers. A craps table looks busy, but it’s organized:

• Pass / Don’t Pass area — front and center. These are the core bets.

• Come / Don’t Come — similar to Pass/Don’t Pass, but used after a point is active.

• Place bets (numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) are to the side — you bet a specific number will hit before a 7.

• Field and one-roll proposition bets (2, 3, 11, 1,2, and other flashy bets) are in the middle or across the table — these are high variance.

• Odds spots — behind Pass/Come, where you lay extra odds after a point is set.

Let's also think of roles:

1. The shooter rolls the dice.

2. The stickperson announces the results and passes the dice.

3. Dealers — accept/pay chips.

4. The boxman — supervises the table. 

You don’t need to worry about the staff — they’ll handle payouts and chips.

How a Round Actually Plays Out

Now let's analyze the game process itself. Of course, it will be clearer for you if you watch a real game on YouTube, preferably with comments and a special note in the video title “For Beginners”.

Shooter selection

A player at the table becomes the shooter and rolls the dice. The shooter keeps rolling until a seven-out occurs (a 7 on a non-come-out roll), then the dice pass to the next player.

Place bets before the come-out roll

Before the new round’s first roll (the come-out), place your bets on Pass Line, Don’t Pass, or other options. Once the dealer says “no more bets” and the shooter has the dice, the come-out roll happens.

Come-out roll outcomes

• 7 or 11 on the come-out → Pass Line wins, Don’t Pass loses.

• 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out → called “craps”: Pass Line loses (12 is usually a push on Don’t Pass).

• 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 → that number becomes the point, and the game moves to the point phase.

Point phase — new betting options

While the point is active, you can:

• Place Odds behind your Pass/Come or Lay Odds behind Don’t bets (these pay true odds).

• Make Come bets (they behave like a new personal come-out).

• Place bets on numbers (4,5,6,8,9,10) and other side bets.

You can add or remove some bets between rolls, but you can’t change a bet once the shooter has the dice and starts the roll.

Rolling until point or 7

The shooter keeps rolling:

• If the point rolls again before a 7 → Pass/Come bets that back that point win; Don’t bets lose.

• If a 7 rolls before the point → seven-out: Pass/Come lose, Don’t bets win, the round ends, and the dice go to the next shooter.

Payouts and reset

Dealers pay winners and collect losing bets. After a seven-out, the table resets and a new come-out roll begins with the next shooter.

Short etiquette and practical tips

• Place your bets before the come-out; don’t touch the dice once the shooter has them.

• Don’t move your chips while the dice are in the shooter’s hands.

• If unsure, quietly ask a dealer — they’ll help and place bets for you.

• When you win, tipping the dealers (a chip pushed into the dealer’s rack or a little share of winnings) is common but optional.

Quick example: you put $10 on the Pass Line. The shooter’s come-out roll is 4, so the point = 4. You add $20 odds behind your Pass. The shooter keeps rolling — if a 4 appears before a 7, you win your $10 (1:1) plus the $20 odds at true odds, if a 7 appears first, you lose both bets.

Follow this sequence and the table’s tempo will quickly make sense — you’ll be able to bet confidently and enjoy the action.

Core Bets You Must Know

These are the bets that give you long play and the best value.

Pass Line (best beginner bet)

• When: placed before the come-out roll.

• Wins on: 7 or 11 on come-out, wins if the point is later made before a 7.

• Pays: 1:1.

• Why: simple and low-edge; great for new players.

Don’t Pass (the “house against you” bet)

• Opposite of Pass Line: wins on 2 or 3 on come-out (12 usually pushes), loses on 7/11.

• When a point exists: wins if a 7 appears before the point.

• Pays: 1:1.

• Note: slightly better mathematical expectation, but players dislike it because you’re betting against the table.

Come/Don’t Come

• These work like Pass/Don’t Pass, but are placed after a point is established. The next roll becomes the “come-out” for your Come bet.

Odds (the single most important add-on)

• An extra bet you place behind your Pass/Come (or Don’t Pass/Don’t Come) once a point exists.

• Odds bets pay true odds and carry no house edge — they are the best value in the casino.

• Always take the maximum odds you can afford/that the table allows.

How To Play At The Table 

Start

When you first sit down at a craps table, a little preparation will make your experience much easier, and following this guide will make you feel much more confident (I know from experience that lack of confidence is perhaps the biggest enemy in these games). 

Start by checking the limits at the table and buy chips from the dealer or cashier — do not accept chips from other players. If the minimum limit is $10, a buy-in of $50 to $100 will give you enough play to learn without risking too much. While you're learning, use smaller denominations and place them clearly on the board in the correct betting area (pass line bets go on the pass line). Don't move other players' stacks and wait for the dealer to pay you, rather than grabbing chips yourself.

The Gameplay Itself

It's important to time it right: place your bets on the pass line before the outcomes, as soon as the dealer says “no more bets” and the player rolls the dice, you're already too late. Come bets are placed after the point is determined and act as a personal exit. Make and buy bets are added during the point phase — if you are not sure when you can change your bet, ask the dealer to do it for you. Dealers are used to helping beginners and usually show you where to place your chips, so get rid of the nervousness, just relax, and put your mind at ease.

If you're a player, roll both dice together and aim for the far wall — soft bumps or slides are not welcome. Don't touch the dice while the other player has them. After rolling a seven, the dice go to the next player in turn. The movements should be calm so that the dealer can announce wins and losses without interruption.

Etiquette

Craps is social, but polite (you've probably already picked up on some etiquette): don't shout out tips, don't interfere during payouts, and ask questions calmly if you need help. It is customary to tip when you win: push a small chip into the dealer's rack or ask the dealer to “give the dealers a piece.” Chips worth between $1 and $5 are a normal sign for modest wins, give more at your discretion to get bigger payouts.

Finally, protect your bankroll. Decide in advance how much you are willing to risk in this session and keep extra money out of reach to prevent impulsive reloads. Stick to simple bets (pass/no pass, come with odds) until you feel comfortable with the rhythm of the table. If you are playing at an online table with a live dealer, follow the same rules: place your bets before the hand, follow the dealer's prompts, and politely contact the chat room for quick questions. By following these rules, you will look confident, avoid common mistakes, and enjoy the game.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes are usually good, but in Сraps and other games of chance, they are often fatal. It is better to avoid them, so I have prepared 5 most popular mistakes that players make in Сraps.

1. Spreading across too many one-roll bets (prop bets) — these bets have a very high house edge, so your bankroll can disappear fast.
   Try to stick to main bets like Pass/Don’t Pass and Come/Don’t Come until you’re more experienced.

2. Chasing losses — raising your bets after a loss usually leads to even bigger losses.
   Set a session limit and stick to fixed bet amounts.

3. Ignoring Odds bets — you miss out on low-house-edge opportunities that actually give you a fairer shot.
   Learn how to place Odds behind Pass/Come or Don’t bets and include them in your bankroll plan.

4. Betting at the wrong time — bets may not be active at the correct stage, so your wager doesn’t count.
   Instead, place Pass bets before the come-out roll, Come bets only after the point is set, and ask the dealer if unsure.

5. Incorrect chip placement — you might make a different bet than intended and be surprised by the outcome.
   Place chips precisely in the correct box; if unsure, ask the dealer to help.

Let me remind you once again that it is still better to watch a few games on YouTube. It will be much easier to understand Craps visually. And after watching, you can return to this article and consolidate your knowledge.