If you walk through any major casino, you will undoubtedly find a table that is much louder and more energetic than any other game in the building. Players are yelling and celebrating as the dice bounce down the green felt. This highly intimidating game is known as Craps. To an absolute novice, the game seems terrifyingly complicated. There are confusing boxes and numbers, and the dealers are shouting slang. But this is a huge misconception. Despite the crazy layout, the core game is incredibly basic, and most profitable games in the entire casino. If you just learn the basics, you can play craps like a seasoned professional.
The Core Mechanic: How the Game Starts
The only logical way for a beginner to learn how to play craps is to look away from the center of the board. The confusing center sections are mathematically terrible "sucker bets" with massive house edges. You only need to look at the long line wrapping the table: the famous Pass Line. Placing a chip on the Pass Line is how you play the game. When a new shooter gets the dice, the shooter rolls the dice for the first time. If you have a bet on the Pass Line, you instantly win even money on a 7 or 11. Your bet is taken away if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled. It is truly that simple: 7/11 wins, 2/3/12 loses.
Establishing the Point: What Happens on a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10?
But what happens if the Come-Out roll is not a winner or a loser? If the result is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number is now the Point. The dealer takes a white puck and places it directly onto that specific number on the table layout. The phase of the game shifts. To secure a win, the shooter must roll the dice again and again until that specific number hits. If the Point hits, you win. But there is a fatal flaw: if the shooter rolls a 7 before they hit the Point, this is called "Sevening Out". You lose your bet, the round completely ends, and the next person shoots. The entire game of craps is just players cheering praying the shooter hits their Point before rolling a deadly 7.
Taking Odds: Once a Point is established, you can place additional chips directly behind your original Pass Line bet. This is known as taking odds and it is a mathematical anomaly that pays true mathematical odds. The house has no advantage here. Don't Pass Line: You can play the 'Don't Pass' line. This is betting on the 7, or if the shooter fails. It is technically a smarter bet, but the other players will hate you since you win when the table loses. Avoid the Center of the Table: The center layout (like 'Any Craps', 'Hard 8', or 'Snake Eyes') are terrible math traps with huge casino advantages. Never, ever place a chip in the center of the craps table.
Simplifying the Math: How the Pass Line Works
To make your very first trip to the craps table, as easy and stress-free as possible, memorize this table. It explains the basic rules of the Pass Line bet: how to play the Pass Line.
The Dice RollThe NumbersWin or Lose The Come-Out Roll (First Roll)A NaturalYou get paid Come-Out RollShooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 (Crapping Out).Instant Loss Establishing the PointShooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.Bet stays on the table The Ongoing GamePoint is hitYou WIN your Pass Line bet (and any Odds bets). Round resets. The GrindThe Deadly 7Table groans, you lose
Ultimately, do not let the loud table intimidate you. The casino purposefully designs the table layout to look incredibly complex and confusing so casual gamblers will guess and lose their money. By simply walking up, sticking to the basic rules, avoiding the middle of the table, and ignoring the proposition bets, you are playing one of the smartest, most mathematically sound games in the entire casino industry. Join the fun, and experience the greatest time in the world.