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Craps: Game Rule

casino craps table

Of course, craps is best played in land-based casinos. Online, the game loses its charm. Nevertheless, I believe that craps deserves your attention in any version. Why? Read on.

General Description of Craps

Craps is sometimes called simply the dice, but this definition is not entirely correct because dice are used in many games of chance. Two six-sided dice are used in this game. Each of their faces shows from one to six pips. The game is played at the table with a special layout and high edges, preventing the dice from bouncing off the table.

Many players (usually up to twenty) can participate in the game simultaneously. One of them rolls the dice (this player is called the Shooter). Other players make bets on the outcome of the roll.

The aim of the player is to predict the outcome of the roll made by the shooter and make the appropriate bet.

How to Shoot Dice in Craps

Dice are made of cellulose and are carefully checked after several rounds.

Dice are replaced after eight hours of use.

Dice should be shooted according to the rules. Otherwise, you will lose the role of the shooter at the table.

It is allowed to handle them only with one hand. Dice must touch the board on the opposite side of the table. If the dice bounce off the table, the casino employee has to check them and select another pair of dice. In each round, there is only one shooter. When he loses, dice are passed to the next player to his left.

Craps Gameplay

The gameplay of craps consists of two main stages:

  1. come-out roll
  2. and point roll.

Let's consider them from the point of view of the shooter.A Table for Craps. The Discussion of the Rules

A come-out roll is the first roll of the dice, which is necessary to establish a point. The point is fixed if 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 show up. In this case, the game proceeds to the point roll.

  • If the first roll is 2, 3, or 12, the craps is announced, and the shooter loses their right to roll the dice, and the next player starts.
  • If the roll is 7 or 11, the situation is called a natural, and the shooter wins; they then throw the dice again.

The shooter continues to throw the dice until the established point, or 7 comes up. In the first case, the shooter wins. The game starts again, and the shooter rolls the dice again. If the roll is a 7, he loses, and the right to roll the dice moves to another player.

Bets in Craps

Let's discuss the gameplay of craps from the perspective of other players, considering various types of bets.

  • Pass Line is a bet made during the come-out roll. It wins if the roll is either 7 or an 11. If 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, the player loses and continues to play if a point is set. If the point is rolled before a 7 (i.e., if the shooter wins), this bet wins. It is paid 1:1.
  • Don't Pass Line is a bet opposite to a Pass Line bet. It is also made during the come-out roll. This bet wins if 2 and 3 show up. It is returned to the player if 12 is rolled. It loses if the roll is either 7 or 11. It is still valid if a point is established. It wins if 7 is rolled earlier than the point (i.e., if the shooter loses) comes up. It is paid 1:1.
  • Come is a bet made on the next point rolled by the shooter. It wins if the next roll equals either 7 or 11. It loses if 2, 3 or 12 is rolled. Any other number is defined as a Come point, and the bet is placed on the corresponding field. It wins if the Come point will be rolled earlier than a 7. It is valid till the end of the game. Users can neither remove nor change it. It is paid 1:1.
  • Don't Come is a bet that is made after establishing the point. It wins if the roll is 2 or 3. It loses if either 7 or 11 is rolled. It is returned if the roll is 12. If the shooter rolls any other number, it is defined as the Do Not Come point, and the bet moves on the corresponding field. Then it wins if 7 is rolled earlier than the Do Not Come point. It is paid 1:1.
  • Pass Line Odds is a side bet that can be made to increase the existing Pass Line bet after establishing the point. It wins in the same cases as the Pass Line bet. It is paid in the following way: if 4 or 10 is rolled - 2:1; if 5 or 9 is rolled - 3:2; if 6 or 8 is rolled - 6:5.
  • Don't Pass Line Odds is a side bet that can be made to increase the existing Don't Pass Line bet after establishing the point. It wins in the same cases as the Don't Pass Line bet. It is paid in the following way: if 4 or 10 is rolled - 1:2; if 5 or 9 is rolled - 2:3; if 6 or 8 is rolled - 5:6.
  • Come Odds is a side bet that can be made to increase the existing Come bet (up to three times) after establishing the point. It wins in the same cases as the Come bet. It is paid in the following way: if 4 or 10 is rolled - 2:1; if 5 or 9 is rolled - 3:2; if 6 or 8 is rolled - 6:5.
  • Don't Come Odds is a side bet that can be made to increase the existing Don't Come bet after establishing the point. It wins in the same cases as the Don't Come bet. It is paid in the following way: if 4 or 10 is rolled - 2:1; if 5 or 9 is rolled - 2:3; if 6 or 8 is rolled - 5:6.
  • Win is a bet on any number that must be rolled before 7 comes up. It is paid in the following way: if 4 or 10 is rolled - 9:5; if 5 or 9 is rolled - 7:5; if 6 or 8 is rolled - 7:6.
  • Lose is a bet on any number that must not be rolled before 7. It is paid in the following way: if a 4 or a 10 is rolled - 5:11; if a 5 or a 9 is rolled - 5:8; if a 6 or an 8 is rolled - 4:5.
  • Hard Way is a bet that is made on the fact that the shooter rolls a pair (2+2, 3+3, 4+4, or 5+5) earlier than 7, or the same number of points in another combination comes up. It is paid in the following way: if 3+3 or 4+4 is rolled - 9:1; if 2+2 or 5+5 is rolled - 7:1.
  • Big Six is a bet that 6 will roll earlier than 7. It is paid 1:1.
  • Big Eight is a bet that an 8 will roll earlier than 7. It is paid 1:1.
  • Field is a bet made at any game stage and wins if 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 will come up in the next roll. It is paid in the following way: if 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 is rolled - 1:1; if 2 or 12 is rolled - 2:1.
  • Any Craps (C) is a bet that wins if 2, 3, or 12 will come up in the next roll. It is paid 7:1.
  • Craps Two is a bet that wins if a 2 comes up in the next roll. It is paid 30:1.
  • Craps Twelve is a bet that wins if a 12 comes up on the next roll. It is paid 30:1.
  • Craps Three is a bet that wins if 3 come up in the next roll. It is paid 15:1.
  • Any Seven is a bet that the shooter will roll 7 in the next roll. It is paid 4:1.
  • Eleven (E) is a bet that wins if 11 comes up in the next roll. It is paid 15:1.


Craps Math

As for the house edge, the most profitable bets for players are Pass Line Odds, Do not Pass Line Odds, Come Odds, Do not Come Odds, but they can be made only if you have already made Pass Line, Do not Pass Line, Come, and Do not Come bets.

The combination of these types of bets is the best strategy for craps.

For more information, please refer to the corresponding section on Casinoz.

BetPayoutHouse Edge
Pass Line1:1
1.41%
Don't Pass Line
1:1
1.36%
Taking Odds 6 and 8
6:5
0.00%
Taking Odds 5 and 93:2
0.00%
Taking Odds 4 and 10
2:1
0.00%
Laying Odds 6 and 8
5:6
0.00%
Laying Odds 5 and 9
2:3
0.00%
Laying Odds 4 and 10
1:2
0.00%
Place 6 and 8
7:6
0.46%
Place 5 and 9
7:5
1.11%
Place 4 and 10
9:5
1.67%
Big 6 and 8
1:1
2.78%
Don't Place 6 and 8
4:5
0.56%
Don't Place 5 and 9
5:8
0.69%
Don't Place 4 and 10
5:11
0.76%
Buy 6 and 8
23:21
1.46%
Buy 5 and 9
29:21
1.32%
Buy 4 and 10
39:21
1.19%
Buy 6 and 8 
23:20
0.69%

Probability of winning in craps

The most favorable bets for the player in terms of casino advantage are Pass Line Odds, Don't Pass Line Odds, Come Odds, Don't Come Odds, but they can be bet only with already existing bets: Pass Line, Don't Pass Line, Come, Don't Come. Combining these types of bets is the best strategy for playing craps.

For more information, see the relevant section of Casinoz.

How to Win at Craps?

This is one of the most profitable casino gambling games for the gambler. However, we must not forget that different bets include different house edge numbers. In this case, the range is incredibly wide: from zero to several tens of percent.

Accordingly, to successfully play craps, it is necessary to make bets with the maximum theoretical return. The optimal strategy for playing craps is described on Casinoz. You can also try out different betting systems, but you should not put too much hope on them. 

Where to Play Craps?

Of course, the most interesting thing will be to visit a large, real casino, where craps is in high demand among customers. So you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this fantastic game. However, in the format of online casinos, craps can also pleasantly surprise and fascinate for a long time. Many well-known manufacturers of software for online gambling have released their own versions of craps.

The best games have favorable rules, a user-friendly interface, and realistic animation. Importantly, in virtual casinos, you can experience craps for free, while in land-based establishments, you can only play for real money. Listed below are reputable online casinos for rubles, where you can play craps "for interest" and at real rates.

Personal Experience

I never played craps much. I do not like it at online casinos, and I have rarely had a chance to play craps offline. 

How do you feel about craps? Have you ever played it in real casinos? What do you think about online craps? Let's discuss these and other questions in the comments. 

Frequently asked Questions

🧐 How can I learn to play craps?

The game is fascinating at land-based casinos, but you should better learn the rules online. On Casinoz, you can read articles and play craps for free. It will help you avoid mistakes when you start playing for money.

👌 Can I play free craps at casinos.

Offline casinos usually do not allow playing for free. Most gambling websites offer free demos of craps and other games.

👍 Should I play craps for money?

Craps is one of the best casino games for players, but you should learn what bets have the highest RTPs. It is crucial if you want to beat the casino.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

An expert in:
  • casino operations
  • management
  • gambling analytics
  • RTP
  • volatility
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Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
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