Craps Table: How to Play and Where to Play Online
Craps table games use dice, a marked layout and a range of bets on the result of one roll or a sequence of rolls. The basic route is simple: place a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet, watch the come-out roll, then follow the point if one is established. You can learn the rules in free play or compare online tables for real-money play, but always check the game rules, terms and availability for your location.
What Is a Craps Table
A craps table is the layout used for craps, a dice game in which players bet on outcomes produced by two dice. One player, known as the shooter, rolls the dice while other players place bets around the table. The shooter normally continues rolling until a defined result ends the hand or changes the betting situation.
The layout contains separate areas for Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come, Place, Field, proposition and other bets. Each area has its own rules, payout and house edge. A bet’s position on the table does not make it safer: the key decision is understanding what outcome it covers and how much it costs in mathematical terms.
Craps is usually a social game, particularly at a land-based casino or a live-dealer online table. Online versions may use digital dice or a live video stream. Before playing, check whether the game is available in your state or province, or in New Zealand, and follow the applicable local rules.
For an overview of other casino games, visit the casino games guide.
Basic Rules
The game begins with the come-out roll. The shooter throws both dice, and the result determines whether a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet wins, loses or remains active:
- A Pass Line bet wins on 7 or 11 and loses on 2, 3 or 12.
- A Don’t Pass bet generally wins on 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11, and treats 12 as a push at many tables.
- If the come-out roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, that number becomes the point. The dealer marks it on the layout.
- Once a point is established, a Pass Line bet wins if the point is rolled again before a 7.
- A Pass Line bet loses if 7 appears before the point.
- A Don’t Pass bet generally wins if 7 appears before the point and loses when the point is rolled.
This sequence is called “seven out” when a 7 ends the point phase before the point is repeated. The dice then pass to another shooter. Some bets apply only to the next roll, while others remain active through the point phase, so ask the dealer or open the online help panel before confirming a wager.
The shooter must normally roll both dice together and have them reach the far end of the table. A live dealer or digital game may use additional procedures, but the rules should be displayed before play. If the game uses an automated random number generator, look for the published game information and any testing or fairness details provided by the operator.
Bets and Payouts
Craps offers more betting options than most table games. A larger number of options does not mean a better chance of winning. Proposition bets can appear attractive because their outcomes are easy to understand, but their house edge is often higher than for the main line bets.
The table below gives common examples. It is a general guide rather than a promise that every online or live-dealer table uses exactly the same rules. Confirm the payout table, odds rules, minimums and maximums on the specific game before betting.
| Bet | What it covers | Common result or payout |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | Wins on 7 or 11 on the come-out roll; then wins if the point is repeated before 7 | Even money |
| Don’t Pass | Generally wins on 2 or 3, or when 7 appears before the point; 12 is often a push | Even money, subject to the table rules |
| Come | Like a new Pass Line bet after a point is established | Even money on a winning result |
| Don’t Come | Like a Don’t Pass bet after a point is established | Even money, subject to the table rules |
| Place 4 or 10 | Wins when the selected number appears before 7 | Commonly 9:5 |
| Place 5 or 9 | Wins when the selected number appears before 7 | Commonly 7:5 |
| Place 6 or 8 | Wins when the selected number appears before 7 | Commonly 7:6 |
| Field | One-roll bet covering 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12, with table-specific treatment of 2 and 12 | Usually even money, with special payouts possible |
| Any 7 | The next roll is 7 | Commonly 4:1 |
| Any Craps | The next roll is 2, 3 or 12 | Commonly 7:1 |
“Odds” bets are additional wagers behind a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come or Don’t Come bet after a point is established. They are often described as having no additional house edge because the payout reflects the actual dice odds, but the original bet still has its own edge and the casino may restrict the odds multiple. The available odds level is a table rule, not something to assume.
A payout table tells you the return for a winning bet, not the overall risk. For example, a high payout can be paired with a low probability of success. Compare both the probability of the outcome and the house edge, and do not confuse a payout with a guaranteed profit.
Beginner checklist
- Read the help screen or ask the dealer what each betting area means.
- Start by learning the Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come and Don’t Come rules.
- Check whether a bet applies to one roll or remains active during the point phase.
- Confirm the minimum and maximum table limits before placing a wager.
- Read how the game handles 12 on Don’t Pass and special Field payouts.
- Check whether odds bets are available and what maximum applies.
- Use the lowest comfortable stake while learning the layout.
- Treat every roll as independent; previous results do not predict the next one.
Popular Variants
The core craps rules are recognizable across many casino formats, but the layout, side bets and odds options can vary. A digital version may use a compact interface and automatic settlement, while a live-dealer table recreates more of the physical casino experience.
Some games include simplified versions designed for faster play. Others add side bets or different bonus areas. These additions can change the volatility, payout table and house edge. Read the rules for the exact title rather than assuming that every game labelled craps uses the same version.
Free play
Free-play craps lets you practise without risking real money. It can be useful for learning the order of the come-out roll, point phase and seven-out, and for checking how the interface accepts or removes bets. Free mode may not reproduce every feature of a real-money table, so confirm the actual game rules before depositing.
Free play is also a good way to compare the layout with a physical table. Try placing one type of bet at a time and follow its settlement. Do not use a demo session as evidence that a strategy can overcome the house edge: the dice outcomes remain random, and practice changes familiarity rather than the mathematical odds.
Live dealer
Live-dealer craps uses a streamed dealer and physical table, with players joining through an online interface. It may offer chat, visible dice handling and a more social pace than a fully digital table. Camera coverage, betting windows and game speed can differ between providers.
Before joining, check whether the table accepts players from your location, the available currencies, the table limits, the side-bet rules and the operator’s bonus terms. A live table can close betting while the dice are in play, so new players should watch a few rounds before wagering.
Strategy Basics
There is no betting system that removes the house edge from craps. A sensible approach is to choose bets with rules you understand, keep stakes consistent and avoid increasing wagers to recover a loss. The outcome of a previous roll does not make a particular number “due.”
Many experienced players focus on Pass Line or Don’t Pass bets and may add an odds bet where the rules and bankroll allow it. This does not guarantee a winning session. It only limits the range of bets and can reduce exposure to some higher-edge proposition wagers. The original line bet still carries risk, and the odds wager can increase the amount at stake.
Be cautious with the common claims that a shooter can control the dice, that hot tables must continue, or that a cold table should be avoided. These ideas are not a reliable basis for predicting random rolls. A strategy should instead answer practical questions: how much can you afford to lose, which bets do you understand, and when will you stop?
Compare craps with other table games before choosing a format. Our guides to blackjack rules and bets and baccarat basics explain how their decision-making and house-edge structures differ.
Where to Play Craps Table Online
There is no verified operator list supplied for this page, so the most useful comparison is a checklist rather than a ranking. Operator availability and gambling rules vary by state, province and country. Check the relevant local regulator and the operator’s current terms before opening an account or making a deposit.
| Comparison criterion | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Licence and availability | Whether the operator may offer the game in your location |
| Game rules | Dice format, payout table, side bets and odds-bet rules |
| Table limits | Minimum and maximum stakes for the selected table |
| Free play | Whether a demo mode is available and what features it includes |
| Live dealer | Stream quality, betting windows, support and game schedule |
| Payments | Available deposit and withdrawal methods and any applicable terms |
| Bonuses | Eligibility, wagering requirements, excluded games and expiry rules |
| Support | Contact options and help with account or transaction questions |
Do not rely on a bonus headline alone. Read the full promotion terms, including wagering requirements, maximum cash-out rules if any, eligible games and whether craps contributes to playthrough. Terms and available payment methods can change, so confirm them on the operator’s official page immediately before using the service.
For real-money play, use an account in your own name, protect your login details and avoid depositing more than your planned entertainment budget. If a table shows a currency or limit that is unclear, contact support before placing a bet. The operator should explain the game rules and account terms; it cannot remove the underlying house edge.
Editorial note: This page explains how to assess a craps table rather than naming a verified best site. A meaningful ranking requires current checks of licensing, jurisdiction, game availability, payment terms, support and bonus conditions. Use the current site comparison only after those details have been verified for your location.
FAQ
How do you play Craps Table?
Choose a permitted wager, usually Pass Line or Don’t Pass, and follow the come-out roll. A 7 or 11 wins a Pass Line bet, 2, 3 or 12 loses it, and a roll of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 establishes the point. During the point phase, the relevant bet wins when the point is repeated before a 7. Learn whether each additional wager is a one-roll bet or remains active, and check the payout table before confirming it.
Can I play Craps Table online for free?
Yes, many casinos and game sites offer free Craps Table in demo mode so you can practise the rules without risking money. Free play is useful for learning the layout, betting controls and point sequence, but it may not show every real-money feature. Check the game information and local availability before switching to a paid mode.
Is Craps Table a game of skill or luck?
Craps is primarily a game of chance because the dice outcomes are random. Players can choose between betting options and manage their bankroll, but those decisions do not control the dice or guarantee a result. Selecting a lower-edge bet may change the mathematical cost of play, not eliminate the house edge. For a different type of table-game decision process, read this blackjack strategy overview.
What is the best bet on a craps table?
There is no universally best bet for every player or table. Compare the house edge, payout, duration and minimum stake, then choose only a wager whose rules you understand. Pass Line and Don’t Pass are common starting points, while proposition bets may involve more risk; the exact rules should be confirmed on the selected layout.
What does “odds” mean in craps?
An odds bet is an additional wager behind a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come or Don’t Come bet after a point is established. Its payout is based on the dice probability, and the casino may set a maximum odds multiple. The original line bet remains subject to its own rules and house edge, so an odds bet is not a guarantee.
Can I play craps for real money everywhere?
No. Online gambling availability depends on the laws and licensing framework in your state, province or country, as well as the operator’s service area. Check your local regulator and the operator’s current terms. Do not use a service that does not clearly explain whether it accepts players from your location.
Responsible Gambling: 18+
You must be 18 or older to gamble, or 21+ where local law requires it. Set a deposit, loss and time limit before playing, keep gambling within an entertainment budget, and never chase losses. If gambling stops feeling recreational, stop and ask for help: in the US, call 1-800-GAMBLER; in New Zealand, call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655; in Canada, contact your provincial problem gambling service.
Information last reviewed: October 2026.