If you walk onto a casino floor, it is usually incredibly easy to locate the Craps pit; just follow the noise.
Adding to the stress, there are four different casino employees managing the game, shouting commands and moving stacks of money at lightning speed.
This is a massive mistake, because beneath the chaotic surface, Craps actually offers some of the absolute best mathematical odds in the casino.
In this article, we are going to completely demystify the game of Craps for the absolute beginner.
The Foundation: The Pass Line Bet and the Come-Out Roll
Almost every player at the table is betting on the Pass Line, which is why everyone cheers and groans at exactly the same time.
Before the shooter throws the dice, you place your chips directly on the Pass Line.
A 7 or 11 on the Come-Out Roll is an instant winner for the Pass Line. The dealer will pay you even money (1 to 1) on your bet immediately.
Rolling Craps on the Come-Out roll is an instant loser for the Pass Line. The dealer will sweep your chips away, and you must place a new bet for the next roll.
This is where the true drama of Craps begins.
Phase Two: Hitting the Point vs. Sevening Out
The entire goal of the table is for the shooter to roll the Point number (an 8) again BEFORE they roll a 7.
Your Pass Line bet wins, the dealer pays you 1 to 1, the puck is flipped to "Off," and the game resets to a brand new Come-Out Roll.
If the shooter rolls a 7 before they roll the Point (an 8), it is called "Sevening Out."
This dynamic—praying for the Point and terrified of the 7—is what creates the intense, communal adrenaline rush of Craps.
The House Edge on the Pass Line bet is an incredibly low 1.41%, making it one of the absolute best bets in the entire casino.
How to Lower the House Edge to Zero
Once a Point is established, the casino allows you to place an additional wager directly behind your original Pass Line bet (outside the printed line).
The Odds bet is the ONLY bet in the entire casino that carries a 0.00% House Edge.
If the Point is 4 or 10, the true odds are 2 to 1 (it is twice as hard to roll a 4 as it is to roll a 7). The Odds bet pays 2 to 1.
To take advantage of this incredible mathematical anomaly, professional players always keep their initial Pass Line bet as low as possible (the table minimum).
Ignore the yelling, ignore the complex center bets, and just focus on hitting the point.
The Core Rules of Craps (A Quick Summary)
Phase 1: The Puck is "OFF". You are hoping the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11 to win instantly. Phase 2: The rules flip. You now want the shooter to roll the Point number again. The Payouts: The Odds bet pays true mathematical odds (2:1 for 4/10, 3:2 for 5/9, 6:5 for 6/8). The Center Bets (Proposition Bets): The massive grid in the middle of the table (Hardways, Any 7, Horn Bets).
Understanding the Probabilities in Craps
The NumberPossible Dice CombinationsWhy Some Points are Harder to Hit 2 (Snake Eyes) or 12 (Boxcars)Only 1 way each (1-1 or 6-6)Statistically the rarest rolls on the table. 5 or 9Only 4 ways eachModerate difficulty. The Odds bet pays 3:2. The True OddsThe payouts are based perfectly on these specific combinations.Understanding this table reveals the absolute genius behind the design of the Craps layout.
You only need to memorize two simple steps: Bet the Pass Line, and Take Odds behind it when the Point is established.
When it is your turn to throw the dice, simply ensure they hit the back wall of the table, and try to relax.
Roll the bones, fear the 7, and enjoy the incredible camaraderie of the Craps pit.