Overview & Table Layout
Craps centres around a long oval table with a green layout and identical betting areas on each end. A shooter rolls two dice; players bet on whether those rolls will win or lose. The basic bet is the Pass Line, placed before the come‑out roll. A come‑out roll of 7 or 11 wins; 2, 3 or 12 ("craps") loses. Any other number becomes the point; the shooter keeps rolling until either the point repeats (Pass Line wins) or a 7 appears (Pass Line loses).
Bet Types & House Edge
The game features dozens of wagers; however, only a few have reasonable expected returns. The table below shows the core bets and their approximate house advantage.
| Bet | Payout | House edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass / Come | 1:1 | ≈1.41% | Wins on 7 or 11; loses on 2, 3, 12; point must repeat before 7. |
| Don't Pass / Don't Come | 1:1 | ≈1.36% | Wins on 2 or 3; loses on 7 or 11; pushes on 12; after point, you’re betting the shooter rolls a 7 before the point. |
| Odds | True odds | 0% | Backing your Pass/Don't Pass bet once a point is set. Pays true odds and has no house edge. |
| Place 6/8 | 7:6 | ≈1.52% | Bet that 6 or 8 appears before a 7. Moderate edge. |
| Hardways | 8:1 or 10:1 | ≈9–11% | Bet on double dice combinations (e.g., 3‑3 for a hard 6). High edge; best avoided. |
| Proposition bets | Varies | ≈11–16% | One‑roll bets in the centre of the layout (e.g., any 7, any craps). Very poor value. |
House edge figures are approximate and assume fair dice. Pass/Come bets carry about a 1.41% house advantage, while Don't Pass/Don't Come bets are slightly better at around 1.36%.
Strategy & Etiquette
- Stick to low‑edge bets: Focus on Pass/Come or Don't Pass/Don't Come with odds. Avoid Big 6/8 and most centre‑table proposition bets.
- Take odds where allowed: After a point is established, you can back your bet with odds that pay true odds and reduce the overall house edge.
- Handle dice properly: Use one hand, keep dice above the table, and hit the back wall to ensure fair rolls.
- Be mindful of flow: Place bets quickly and avoid reaching into the layout when a shooter has the dice. Dealers are there to help; call out bets rather than tossing chips chaotically.
Glossary
- Come‑out roll: The first roll of a new round; 7/11 win on Pass, 2/3/12 lose.
- Point: The number established on the come‑out (4,5,6,8,9,10) that must repeat before a 7 to win Pass.
- Odds: An additional bet taken/laid after a point that pays true odds (no house edge).