HOW TO PLAY CRAPS

What is craps?

Craps is a casino dice game played with two six-sided dice. One player at a time - called the shooter - rolls the dice. Everyone at the table can bet on what the shooter will roll. Bets can be placed on the next single roll, on a sequence of rolls, or on whether the shooter will hit certain numbers before others.

The game traces back roughly two centuries to a French dice game called hazard, which evolved into modern craps in 19th-century New Orleans. It became a fixture of American casinos in the 20th century and remains one of the most exciting games on a casino floor because of the noise, the camaraderie, and the sheer number of ways to bet on a single roll.

Craps has a reputation for being intimidating, mostly because the table looks complex and the language is full of slang. The truth is, the core game is simple. You can play craps competently after learning a single bet (the pass line). Everything else is variations on betting strategy.

Crapsee exists to make learning craps easier. You can play in your browser for free, with no real money, and try every bet on a real craps layout without the pressure of a casino floor.

How to play craps step by step

Here is exactly what happens in one full round of craps, from the first roll to the last bet paid. Whether you are at a live casino or playing online, the sequence is identical.

Step 1 - Place your bet before the come-out roll

The "come-out roll" is the first roll of a new round. Before it happens, the puck on the table shows "OFF", signaling a new round is about to start. Place a chip on the pass line. This is the standard bet and what 90% of players do.

Try placing a pass line bet free →

Step 2 - Watch the come-out roll

The shooter rolls two dice. Three things can happen:

• 7 or 11 ("natural"): pass line wins immediately at 1 to 1. A new come-out roll follows with the same shooter.
• 2, 3, or 12 ("craps"): pass line loses immediately. A new come-out roll follows with the same shooter.
• 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: a "point" is established. The dealer flips the puck to "ON" and places it on the point number. The round continues to step 3.

Step 3 - Play the point round

The shooter keeps rolling. There is no time limit. You are now waiting for one of two things:

• The shooter rolls the point number again: pass line wins at 1 to 1. The puck flips back to "OFF" and the same shooter starts a new come-out roll.
• The shooter rolls a 7 ("seven out"): pass line loses. The shooter loses the dice. The dice rotate clockwise to the next player who wants to shoot.

Any other number rolled during the point round has no effect on the pass line (though it can affect other bets like place bets and field bets).

Step 4 - Collect your payout (or accept the loss)

The dealers move around the table collecting losing bets and paying winners. Pass line pays even money (1 to 1). A $10 bet wins $10. No action needed from you if you win - the dealer puts the payout next to your original bet and you can either let it ride for the next round or scoop the chips.

Step 5 - New round begins

The puck flips to "OFF". The shooter (new or returning) prepares to throw. Place your next pass line bet. Repeat.

That is one full round. Every round of craps you ever play follows these five steps.

The craps table layout

A craps table is long and rectangular with curved ends. Two mirrored sets of betting areas sit on either side of the table center, so players standing on either side see the same layout in front of them. The center section holds the proposition bets, controlled by the stickman.

Here is the actual Crapsee craps table layout, showing every major betting area you will encounter on a real felt:

The most important areas to know as a beginner:

• Pass line - the curved area along the bottom edge. This is where 90% of beginners place their first bet.
• Don't pass bar - just inside the pass line, the "wrong way" version of the same bet.
• Come and Don't Come - mirror versions of pass and don't pass that you place after a point has been set.
• Place numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) - bets that a specific number will roll before a 7.
• Field - a one-roll bet on a set of numbers (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12).
• Center proposition area - one-roll bets like any seven, hardways, and the horn. Higher payouts but high house edges.

For a complete breakdown of every box on the felt, see our craps table layout guide.

The four basic bets (with examples)

Craps has dozens of possible bets, but you only need to learn four to play competently. Master these and you have everything you need.

Pass line

The pass line is the bet you should place on almost every come-out roll. It is the standard, the most popular, and one of the lowest-house-edge bets on the entire table.

• How to bet: Place a chip on the pass line area before the come-out roll.
• Win: Come-out is 7 or 11, OR a point is set and the shooter rolls the point before rolling a 7.
• Lose: Come-out is 2, 3, or 12, OR a point is set and the shooter rolls a 7 before the point.
• Payout: 1 to 1 (even money).
• House edge: 1.41%.

Full guide to the pass line bet · Try it free →

Don't pass

Don't pass is the mirror image of pass line. You are betting against the shooter. It is sometimes called "wrong way" betting because you win when most of the table loses, which can feel awkward in a casino. It has a slightly lower house edge than pass line.

• How to bet: Place a chip on the "don't pass bar" area before the come-out roll.
• Win: Come-out is 2 or 3, OR a point is set and the shooter rolls a 7 before the point.
• Lose: Come-out is 7 or 11, OR a point is set and the shooter rolls the point.
• Push (tie): Come-out is 12 (the "bar 12" rule). Your bet is returned with no win or loss.
• Payout: 1 to 1.
• House edge: 1.36%.

Full guide to the don't pass bet · Try it free →

Come

The come bet works exactly like the pass line, except you can place it after a point has been set. The next roll becomes your personal "come-out roll", and whatever number rolls (other than 7 or 11) becomes your personal point.

This is how players who want extra action layer multiple bets. You can have a pass line bet on the table point AND a come bet on a different number, and both are working at the same time.

• House edge: 1.41% (same as pass line).

Full guide to the come bet · Try it free →

Don't come

The mirror of the come bet, just like don't pass mirrors pass. House edge is 1.36%. Place a chip in the "don't come" area after a point has been established.

Try it free →

Place bets

Place bets let you wager that a specific number will roll before a 7. You can place a bet on any of the box numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) at any time, and the dealer will move your chips to the correct spot for you.

The catch: place bets pay at different odds depending on the number. The 6 and 8 pay the best odds, the 4 and 10 pay the worst.

If you only ever place 6 and 8, you have learned the most efficient non-line strategy in the game. Try place 6 and 8 free →

Field and proposition bets

These are the high-payout, high-house-edge bets in the center of the table. They are exciting because they pay quickly, but they cost you more in the long run than the line bets above.

Field

A one-roll bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Pays 1 to 1 on most numbers, double (2 to 1) on 2 or 12 (some tables triple-pay one of them). House edge is 5.56% on most layouts. Easy to understand, popular with beginners, but mathematically not your friend over time.

Hardways

A "hardway" is rolling a 4, 6, 8, or 10 with both dice showing the same number (e.g., a hard 8 is two 4s). You bet that the hardway will roll before a 7 OR before that number rolls "easy" (any other combination summing to 4, 6, 8, or 10). Payouts range from 7 to 1 (hard 4 and 10) to 9 to 1 (hard 6 and 8). House edges range from 9% to 11%.

Any seven (Big Red)

One-roll bet that the next roll will be a 7. Pays 4 to 1. Sounds great until you realize the true odds are 5 to 1, giving the house a 16.67% edge - the worst single bet on the entire table. Avoid.

Yo (eleven)

One-roll bet on 11. Pays 15 to 1. House edge is about 11.11%.

Any craps

One-roll bet on 2, 3, or 12. Pays 7 to 1. House edge is about 11.11%.

House edge by bet (which bets are worth making)

If you remember nothing else from this page, remember this table. It ranks every major craps bet by house edge. Bets at the top are the best for you mathematically; bets at the bottom cost you the most over time.

Simple rule: stick to pass line with odds and place 6 / place 8. That covers 95% of optimal craps play. Everything below the place bets is entertainment, not strategy. See our complete craps odds and payouts breakdown for deeper math.

How to play craps at a casino

If you have only played online and are heading to a live casino for the first time, the pace and noise can be overwhelming. Here is what to expect and how to act.

1. Find an open spot at the table

Craps tables fit about 16 players. There is usually space if you walk up during a break between rolls. Stand at the rail with your hands on the padded edge.

2. Buy in for chips

Put your cash on the felt (never hand it directly to the dealer) and say "change only". The dealer will convert it to chips and slide them back to you. Stack your chips in front of you on the rail.

3. Wait for the next come-out roll

Do not place bets mid-round. Watch the puck - when it flips to "OFF", the next come-out roll is about to happen. This is when you place your first pass line bet.

4. Place your pass line bet

Drop a chip on the pass line area directly in front of you. No need to call out what you are doing - the dealers can see it.

5. Stay quiet during the roll

Let the shooter concentrate. The stickman will call out the result. Do not touch your chips until payouts are complete.

6. Accept payouts or let it ride

If you win, the dealer places your payout next to your original bet. You can either scoop both chips (taking your winnings and original bet back) or leave them to play the next round. Both are fine.

7. Know when it is your turn to shoot

After a shooter sevens out, the stickman offers the dice to the next player clockwise. When they reach you, you can either take the dice or wave them off. If you shoot, you must have a pass line or don't pass bet down first. Throw the dice so they hit the back wall of the table.

8. Tipping the dealers

A common way to tip is a "two-way" bet: one chip for you, one for the dealers. Say "two-way field" or "two-way hard 8" as you drop the chips. It is not required but it is customary on a hot table.

If you are nervous about any of this, practice on our free craps simulator first until the rhythm is second nature.

How to play craps online or at home

Online craps strips out the noise and social complexity. You can learn the game in a fraction of the time without the pressure of strangers watching you fumble with chips.

Online craps

Open a craps simulator in your browser. The better ones (Crapsee, Wizard of Odds) give you an accurate layout, realistic dice rolls, and unlimited free play. You click to place bets, click to roll, and the software handles all payout math. Rolls are instant or animated depending on the simulator. A full round takes 10 to 60 seconds online versus several minutes at a casino.

Advantages of practicing online:

• Free - no bankroll required
• Fast - play 30 rounds in the time a live table plays 3
• Private - no audience, no pressure, no mistakes people will see
• No etiquette to memorize - software does not care if you touch chips mid-roll
• All bets always available - you can try every proposition bet without committing money

Open Crapsee's free table →

Home craps ("street craps")

Home craps is a simplified version played without a full casino layout. One person acts as the "banker" - they hold the bank and pay winning bets. Everyone else bets against the bank.

Basic home craps rules:

• One shooter rolls two dice
• Everyone else bets on pass or don't pass (you can play without the full bet menu)
• Come-out and point rules work the same as casino craps
• The banker collects losing bets and pays winners at even money
• When the shooter sevens out, the dice rotate to the next player

Home craps is fun but lacks the structure of a real table. Online simulators are an easier alternative because bet resolution and payout math are automatic.

Online craps vs casino craps

The right answer is usually both: learn online, then experience live. Crapsee is the free practice environment. When you are ready for the noise and the crowd, head to a real table with your bets memorized.

Etiquette and table positions

Live craps tables are crowded, fast-moving, and run by a small team of casino employees. Knowing who does what helps you avoid stepping on toes.

• Stickman: Stands in the middle of one long side of the table. Holds a long curved stick to push dice to and from the shooter. Calls out the result of every roll. Manages the proposition bets in the center.
• Boxman: Sits at the center of the table opposite the stickman. Supervises the entire game, watches for cheating, settles disputes, and confirms payouts.
• Dealers (two): Stand on either side of the boxman. Handle bets, move chips, pay winners, collect losers. Each dealer manages one half of the table.
• Players: Stand around the rail. Up to about 16 at a busy table.

Basic etiquette to avoid being "that player":

• Don't touch your chips after a roll begins. Wait until the dealer has finished paying out before adjusting your bets.
• Don't say "seven" out loud. Some players believe it jinxes the table. The number you don't say is replaced with code words like "big red".
• Toss the dice cleanly. When you shoot, throw the dice so they hit the back wall of the table. Slow rollers and "dice slides" are frowned upon.
• Tip the dealers. A "two-way" bet (one for you, one for the dealers) is a common way to share a winning streak.
• Use chips, not cash. Cash on the table is converted to chips by the dealer. Bets are always made in chips.

Crapsee is a simulator, so none of these apply to playing online. But if you ever sit at a real craps table, knowing the etiquette will save you embarrassment.

Common craps terminology

Craps has more slang than almost any other casino game. Here are the terms you will hear most often.

• Boxcars: A roll of 12 (two sixes).
• Come-out roll: The first roll of a new round.
• Craps: A roll of 2, 3, or 12.
• Crap out: Rolling 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out.
• Hardway: Rolling 4, 6, 8, or 10 as doubles.
• Hot table: A table where the shooter is on a long roll without sevening out.
• Natural: A 7 or 11 on the come-out roll.
• Off: A bet (or the puck) is not currently working on this roll.
• On: A bet is currently working.
• Point: The number a shooter must roll again before rolling a 7.
• Puck: The disc that marks whether a point is on or off, and which number it is.
• Seven out: Rolling a 7 during the point round, ending the shooter's turn.
• Snake eyes: A roll of 2 (two ones).
• Stickman: The dealer who handles the dice with a stick.
• Yo: A roll of 11 (slang to avoid confusion with "seven").

For the full list, see our craps glossary with 50+ terms.

How to practice craps for free

Reading about craps gets you maybe 30% of the way to actually playing it. The rest comes from watching the dice, placing bets, and seeing how rounds resolve. The fastest way to get there is a free craps simulator.

Crapsee is built for exactly this. Try the free craps simulator - a browser-based craps table with cryptographically secure dice rolls, no signup, no credit card, and no real money. Every bet you have read about on this page is on the layout. You can:

• Practice the pass line bet over hundreds of rounds without spending a penny
• Try place bets on 6 and 8 to see how the payouts feel
• Experiment with don't pass to learn the wrong-way side of the game
• Try the high-house-edge proposition bets to see WHY they cost you over time
• Build a sense of pace before ever sitting at a real table

Open the free craps table

Also worth exploring: crapless craps (no 2, 3, or 12 losses on the come-out), bubble craps (the electronic machine version), and easy craps (a simplified variant).

Frequently asked questions