Craps
Craps is one of the most social and fast-paced dice games in both land-based and online casinos. The objective is straightforward: predict the outcome of a dice roll across a range of bet types that each carry different odds and house edge percentages. This page is an overview and navigation hub for the full Craps section on Casino.com. Each guide below covers a specific part of the game in depth.
What is Craps?
Craps is a dice game in which players bet on the outcome of a roll, or a series of rolls, of two six-sided dice. The player rolling the dice is called the shooter. All other players at the table can also place bets on the same outcome.
The most common starting bet is the Pass Line. A Pass Line bet wins when the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the opening roll, and loses when they roll a 2, 3, or 12. Any other number becomes the 'point', and the shooter keeps rolling until they hit the point again (Pass Line wins) or roll a 7 (Pass Line loses).
Craps bets fall into three broad categories: Pass-side bets (you win when the shooter succeeds), Don't Pass bets (you win when the shooter fails), and side bets that resolve independently of the main game.
How Craps Works
A round of craps follows two phases. The first is the come-out roll, where the result is either an immediate win, an immediate loss, or the establishment of a point number. The second phase is the point phase, where the shooter rolls repeatedly until the round ends. For a complete walkthrough of every rule and bet type, the how to play craps guide covers the full sequence from start to finish.
|
Come-out roll result |
What happens |
|
7 or 11 (Natural) |
Pass Line wins immediately. Round ends. |
|
2, 3, or 12 (Craps) |
Pass Line loses immediately. Round ends. |
|
4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 |
That number becomes the point. Game continues. |
|
Point rolled again before 7 |
Pass Line wins. Round ends. |
|
7 rolled before point (seven out) |
Pass Line loses. Dice pass to next shooter. |
Bet Types in Craps
Craps offers a wider range of bets than most casino games, but the core bets are straightforward and easy to understand. The table below covers the main categories. Full payout rates and house edge figures for every bet are available on the craps odds and payouts page.
|
Bet type |
What it means |
When to place it |
|
Pass Line |
Wins on 7/11 come-out; wins if point hits before 7 |
Before come-out roll |
|
Don't Pass |
Wins if shooter fails; 12 is a push on come-out |
Before come-out roll |
|
Come / Don't Come |
Same logic as Pass/Don't Pass but placed after the point is set |
After point is established |
|
Odds bet |
Zero house edge; placed behind Pass, Don't Pass, Come, or Don't Come |
After point is established |
|
Proposition bets |
Single-roll bets on specific outcomes (e.g. Any Seven, Snake Eyes) |
Any time |
Key Concepts in Craps
The terms below appear throughout every craps guide. Understanding them before reading further makes the rules and strategy pages much clearer.
|
Term |
Definition |
Where to learn more |
|
Come-out roll |
The opening roll of each round. Results in a win, loss, or point. |
How to play craps |
|
The point |
A number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) established on the come-out that the shooter must hit again to win. |
How to play craps |
|
House edge |
The percentage of each bet the casino expects to retain over time. Pass Line: approx. 1.41%. Odds bet: 0%. |
Craps odds and payouts |
|
Odds bet |
A supplementary zero-house-edge bet placed behind a Pass or Come bet. One of the best bets in any casino game. |
Craps odds and payouts |
|
Seven out |
When the shooter rolls a 7 after the point is set. Pass Line loses; dice pass to the next shooter. |
How to play craps |
Types of Craps Games
Craps is available in several formats, both at land-based casinos and online. The format changes the experience, but the core rules and house edge remain consistent.
- Standard (Bank) Craps: The version found at virtually all casinos. Players bet against the house.
- Live craps: A real-time streamed version with a human dealer in a studio and physical dice rolled by a mechanical arm. The same rules and odds apply as standard craps.
- Crapless Craps: A variant where 2, 3, 11, and 12 all become point numbers on the come-out roll, removing the immediate-win/loss mechanic.
- Mini Craps: A faster, smaller-table version with lower minimum bets.
- New York Craps and Simplified Craps: Regional and simplified variants with modified bet selections.
How to Get Started
The following steps are the most practical starting point for any new craps player, whether playing online or at a land-based casino.
- Understand the basic rules before placing any real-money bets. The come-out roll and point phase are the foundation of every round.
- Free craps is available with no deposit or registration required. Use it to watch the game flow before committing money.
- Start with the Pass Line bet. It has a house edge of approx. 1.41% and is the easiest to follow.
- Once the point is established, add an Odds bet behind your Pass Line bet. The Odds bet carries zero house edge.
- Proposition bets carry the highest house edge on the table, ranging from approx. 11% to over 16%. Understand the numbers before placing them.
Craps Guides
The following pages make up the full Craps section on Casino.com. Each covers a distinct part of the game.
|
Guide |
What it covers |
|
How to play craps |
Full rules, come-out roll, point system, all major bet types, beginner tips |
|
Craps strategy |
Named betting systems (3-Point Molly, Iron Cross, Dark Side), step-by-step sequences, bankroll management |
|
Odds and payouts |
Payout rates and house edge for every bet type, from Pass Line to Proposition bets |
|
Craps glossary |
Definitions for every key term: come-out roll, point, seven out, shooter, puck, and more |
|
Free craps |
Play craps for free with no deposit or registration required |
|
Live craps |
How live dealer craps works, what to expect, and how it differs from RNG craps |
FAQ
The questions below cover the most common entry-level queries about craps.
What is Craps?
Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of a roll, or series of rolls, of two dice. It is one of the most popular table games at both land-based and online casinos. The how to play craps guide covers the full rules in detail.
Is Craps Easy to Play?
The core of craps is simple: place a Pass Line bet, then follow the come-out roll. The full range of bets takes more time to learn, but beginners can participate in every round using just the Pass Line and Odds bet.
What is the Best Bet in Craps?
The Pass Line and Don't Pass bets have the lowest house edge among the primary bets, at approx. 1.41% and 1.36% respectively. Adding an Odds bet reduces the combined house edge further. Full figures for every bet are on the craps odds and payouts page.
Is Craps Based on Skill or Luck?
Craps is primarily luck-based. Dice outcomes are random and cannot be influenced. Strategy focuses on choosing bets with a lower house edge rather than influencing the result. The craps betting strategy guide covers the main approaches.
Can I Play Caps for Free?
Free craps is available with no deposit or registration required. It is useful for understanding the game flow before playing for real money.
This page is the starting point for the Craps section at Casino.com. New players will find the most useful next steps in the how to play craps guide, which covers every rule and bet type from scratch. For players who want to try the game before reading further, free craps is available with no deposit or registration required. Each guide in the navigation block above covers its topic in full.
Sadonna Price is a seasoned writer with over 20 years of experience in online casino, sports betting, poker, and sweepstakes content. She has worked with leading industry brands and specializes in clear, user-focused guides and reviews. Sadonna is known for breaking down complex topics into simple, practical insights that help readers make informed decisions.
