How to Play Craps: Rules Explained

Craps rules are easier to follow once you understand the come-out roll, the point and the main betting areas. This beginner’s guide explains how to play craps step by step, including table setup, craps terms, common bets, payouts and mistakes to avoid.

Objective

Craps is a dice game in which players wager on the result of one or more rolls. The shooter rolls two dice, while other players may place bets on the table before or during the round.

The central objective is usually to predict whether the shooter will establish and then make a point before rolling a 7. Other bets predict specific totals, combinations or events on individual rolls. These additional betting options can have very different house edges, so understanding the rules is more important than simply choosing a busy-looking area of the table.

Craps is primarily a game of chance. Betting systems cannot remove the house edge, and no strategy guarantees a win. Treat each wager as entertainment and decide your budget before you begin.

Setup

A craps table has a long layout with several labelled betting sections. The exact design can vary between casinos, online games and live-dealer versions, but the main areas usually include:

• Pass Line: A bet on the come-out roll and the later point phase.
• Don’t Pass: A bet that generally takes the opposite side of the Pass Line, with special treatment for a roll of 12 in many games.
• Come and Don’t Come: Bets made after a point has been established.
• Place bets: Bets that a selected number will roll before a 7.
• Field: A one-roll bet on selected totals.
• Proposition bets: One-roll wagers on particular totals or combinations.

The person rolling the dice is called the shooter. The shooter must normally make a valid roll with both dice reaching the far end of the table. A dealer manages the game, collects losing wagers, pays winning bets and confirms when the point changes.

Before playing online, check whether you are joining an automated table, a live-dealer table or a free-play version. The interface, available bets, table limits and payout table may differ. See our overview of craps games and table formats before selecting a version.

Checklist for a First Game

• Confirm the minimum and maximum table limits.
• Read the displayed payout table before placing a bet.
• Identify the Pass Line, Don’t Pass and point numbers.
• Watch one complete round without wagering if the interface is unfamiliar.
• Decide your total session budget and an individual bet size.
• Check the operator’s rules for deposits, withdrawals and location availability.
• Stop if the game is no longer entertainment or you are chasing losses.

How a Round Works

A standard craps round has two main phases: the come-out phase and the point phase.

1. The shooter places or confirms any permitted bets.
2. The shooter rolls the dice for the come-out roll.
3. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, a Pass Line bet wins immediately.
4. If the come-out roll is 2, 3 or 12, a Pass Line bet loses. The treatment of 12 on a Don’t Pass bet depends on the game rules.
5. If the come-out roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, that number becomes the point. The dealer marks it on the table.
6. During the point phase, the shooter continues rolling.
7. If the point rolls before a 7, Pass Line bets win and the round ends.
8. If a 7 rolls before the point, Pass Line bets lose and the round ends.
9. A new come-out roll begins with the next round.

For example, suppose the come-out roll is 8. Eight becomes the point, so the shooter continues. If the next relevant result is 8, the point is made and the Pass Line wins. If a 7 appears first, the Pass Line loses and the shooter’s turn may end.

A second example shows why different wagers need separate explanations. If the come-out roll is 6, a player who bets the Pass Line is waiting for 6 before 7. A player who makes a Place 6 bet is also predicting a 6 before a 7, but the bet is settled under its own rules and may have a different payout.

Some casino rules allow or restrict certain bets at different stages. Online interfaces may also prevent an invalid wager automatically, but you should still read the game help panel rather than assume every table uses identical rules.

Bets Explained

The Pass Line is the most common starting bet. It is active on the come-out roll and, if a point is established, remains active until the point is made or a 7 appears. It is often the clearest bet for a new player because its sequence follows the basic round structure.

The Don’t Pass generally predicts that the Pass Line will lose. It wins on some come-out results that lose for the Pass Line and continues into the point phase under the opposite condition. A roll of 12 is commonly treated as a push for Don’t Pass, but this must be confirmed at the table.

Come bets work like a new Pass Line bet placed after a point has already been established. The next roll determines the Come bet’s number, after which the wager can remain active until that number or a 7 appears. Don’t Come bets apply the reverse principle.

Place bets select a number such as 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 and usually predict that it will roll before a 7. The available numbers and their payouts are displayed on the layout. Place bets are not the same as Pass Line bets, even when they concern the same number.

The Field is settled on the next roll. It covers selected totals, but the exact winning numbers and any special payout for a particular result can vary by table. Proposition bets also settle quickly and may cover one total, a combination of dice or a named event. Their simplicity can be appealing, but quick settlement does not mean a favourable house edge.

Odds bets are additional wagers that may be available behind a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come or Don’t Come bet after a point or number is established. They are calculated using the true mathematical odds of the relevant event, but the rules, minimums and maximums still depend on the table. An odds bet does not make the underlying wager risk-free.

Glossary

• Come-out roll: The first roll of a new craps round.
• Point: A number established by a qualifying come-out roll.
• Seven-out: Rolling a 7 during the point phase before the point is made.
• Shooter: The player currently rolling the dice.
• Pass Line: A principal bet that follows the normal round sequence.
• Don’t Pass: A principal bet generally opposing the Pass Line.
• Come bet: A Pass Line-style bet made after a point is established.
• Place bet: A wager that a selected number will roll before a 7.
• Odds: The mathematical relationship between the chance of an event and its payout.
• House edge: The casino’s theoretical advantage over time, expressed through the game’s rules and payouts.
• Push: A tie or no-decision result in which the stake is returned.
• Proposition bet: A usually short-term wager on a specified result or combination.

For a more detailed comparison of approaches, read this guide to craps betting strategy. Strategy can help with choosing simpler wagers and setting limits, but it cannot change random dice results or guarantee a profit.

Payouts

Craps payouts depend on the bet, the result and the specific rules of the casino or software provider. Always use the displayed payout table rather than relying on a remembered figure from another table. Variants can treat special results differently, and some bets may be unavailable entirely.

The house edge is not the same for every betting area. A bet with a large advertised payout may also be less likely to win. Compare the payout table, settlement conditions and whether the wager is one roll or stays active before committing money.

If you play online, also check the denomination, currency, table limits and whether the game is free or for real money. A free game can be useful for learning the layout, but it may not reproduce every condition of a live-dealer table. When you are ready to review real-money options, play craps online, after checking availability and terms for your location.

Common Mistakes

Confusing the come-out roll with the point phase. A 7 is usually favourable to Pass Line players on the come-out roll but ends a Pass Line bet during the point phase. The same number can therefore have a different meaning depending on when it appears.

Assuming every bet works like Pass Line. Place, Field, Come and proposition bets have separate settlement rules. Read the label and help panel before combining them.

Ignoring the payout table. Two games may look similar while using different limits, available wagers or payouts. Treat the current table information as authoritative.

Believing a hot or cold table changes the odds. Previous dice results do not make a future roll due. Streaks are part of random play, not proof that a particular number must appear next.

Using a betting system as a guarantee. Increasing a stake after a loss does not remove the house edge and can exhaust a budget quickly. Set a fixed session limit instead.

Failing to check the table limit. A minimum stake can make an otherwise suitable game too expensive for your budget. Confirm the limits before joining, especially in live-dealer games.

Playing while distracted or under pressure. Craps moves quickly, and rushed decisions can lead to unintended bets. In a casino, ask the dealer to explain the procedure; online, pause and read the rules.

FAQ

How to play craps?

Start by choosing a table within your budget and learning the Pass Line sequence. On the come-out roll, a Pass Line bet wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3 or 12 under the usual rules, and establishes a point on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. During the point phase, the aim of that bet is for the point to appear before a 7. Confirm the current payout table and any variant rules before wagering.

How do you play Craps?

You can watch a round, place a permitted bet and follow the shooter’s rolls. The dealer or software identifies the come-out phase, marks the point when required and settles bets when their conditions are met. Beginners often start by understanding one principal bet rather than placing several unfamiliar wagers at once.

Can I play Craps online for free?

Yes, many casinos and game sites offer free Craps in demo mode so you can practise the rules without risking money. Free play is useful for learning the layout, dice animation and sequence of a round, but check whether the demo uses the same bets and payout table as the real-money version. You can explore free craps practice before deciding whether a paid game is suitable.

Is Craps a game of skill or luck?

Craps is a game of luck because the dice outcome is random. Players can use knowledge of craps terms, house edge and betting conditions to make more informed choices, but skill does not control the dice or guarantee a result. A sensible approach is to treat the game as entertainment, use a pre-set budget and avoid chasing losses.

Responsible Gambling

Craps is for adults aged 18+ or 21+ where local law requires. Set a time and spending limit, never chase losses, and stop if gambling is causing stress or affecting essential expenses. 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. Check your state or provincial regulator for current local requirements, as eligibility and legal availability vary.

Information last reviewed: October 2026.