Craps can be intimidating to new players. There are lots of places to put your chips and plenty of bets you can take.
Knowing which bets are right for you isn’t just about feel, and the basic craps rules and craps strategy can be understood with a few short explanations.
In this beginner look at how to play craps, we’re focusing on what you need to know to get started.
Tips Craps for Beginners
This isn’t an exhaustive guide to craps, but more a tip guide to getting at the table and starting to play craps online.
Tip #1: Understand the Basic Terminology of Craps
Once you understand what each of the terms mean, it’s a lot easier to reference them when you’re learning more advanced craps strategies. You can even leave this short list of definitions open on your phone while you play, and come back to it as needed.
- The first die roll that happens on a series of bets. If the roll is a 7 or 11, pass lines win. If the roll is a 2, 3, or 12 all pass line bets lose.
Craps
- Craps are the 2, 3 or 12 rolls. They end the game on any roll and begin a new round of betting, and payout any Don’t Pass Line bets.
Point Number
- The Point, or point number is a number other than 7,11, 2, 3, or 12 on the come out. This number pays out on the pass line when rolled again, and sets up the field bets.
Pass Line
- This is a betting line that pays out double when you roll a seven or eleven on the come out. If the roll is a Point number, the pass line pays when that number is rolled again.
Don’t Pass Line
- Don’t pass lines pay out when craps are rolled, or when 7 or 11 is rolled after the point number is established on the come out. So Don’t Pass Lines pay out on 2, 3 or 12 on the come out, then a 7 once point numbers are in play.
The Field
- These bets are only on the next roll. You’re betting a specific number will come up with 2:1 odds on 2 or 3:1 on 12. Field bets have the highest ‘house edge’ at 2.78%. House edge is your chance of losing as a player.
Sevens Out
- Rolling a 7 after the point number is in play. This means it’s another player’s turn to roll.
Don’t Come Bar
- This bet is placed after the shooter has come out, and the point number is established. You place a don’t come bet to estimate a 2 or 3 on any rolls following the Come out.
Come
- If the point number is rolled again, a come bet is paid out. If the shooter rolls a 7, 2,3 or 12 then the Come bet loses. You can only place a come bet on rolls after a point is established on the come out.
Place Bets
- Wager’s on specific numbers, 4 ,5 ,6 ,8 ,9 , or 10. These bets payout if your number comes up before a craps roll or seven, after the point number is rolled.
Tip #2: Make Use of the Pass Line Bet
The pass line bet is a low house advantage bet, just 1.41%. Pass Line bets win on the Come out if the roll is a 7 or 11, then when on a subsequent roll if the point number is rolled again before a 7 is rolled.
The probability a seven will get rolled is always the highest, and the odds at a virtual casino are some of the truest odds available.
Tip #3: Start With A Trusted Casino
If you’re just learning to play craps online, start with a trusted casino. It’s easy to end up hunting around for the most lucrative offer, but we’re focused on directing you to casinos with fair play, big bonuses, and fair terms of use.
Tip #4: Understand Your Odds of Winning
The odds of each number coming up at any given roll are as follows:
| Roll | Instances | Percentage Odds |
| 2 | 1/36 | 2.7% |
| 3 | 2/36 | 5.5% |
| 4 | 3/36 | 8.3% |
| 5 | 4/36 | 11.1% |
| 6 | 5/36 | 13.8% |
| 7 | 6/36 | 19.4% |
| 8 | 5/36 | 13.8% |
| 9 | 4/36 | 11.1% |
| 10 | 3/36 | 8.3% |
| 11 | 2/36 | 5.5% |
| 12 | 1/36 | 2.7% |
Understanding what you’re up against on any given roll will help you make educated bets. After the come out is rolled, you’ve missed out on the opening 7,11 opportunity, a 24% chance of winning on the come out. When you’re learning how to play craps, you’re really learning dice probability.
Tip #5: Understand the ‘Odds Bet’
This is the only even money bet in a Casino, meaning your chances of winning are 1:1. After the point is thrown, players bet on the dice landing on a specific number before the dice roll a seven.
Tips on Craps Strategy Wrap Up
Remember that this is just scratching the surface on how to play craps. There are bets like the Big 6 8 and Yo (11 field bet) that more advanced players will enjoy taking advantage of. Get into one of our trusted casinos and try to put some of these beginner tips to work!
