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🎲 How to Play Craps: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Zane | March 15, 2023 | Updated on: February 17th, 2025

Online Craps is one of the most exciting and fast-paced casino games. However, beginners may find the table layout and betting options overwhelming. Don’t worry! This guide will walk you through craps rules, basic gameplay, and essential tips to get you rolling with confidence.

πŸ‘‰ Already familiar with the basics? Check out our advanced guides on Craps Tips and Craps Strategy to improve your gameplay and boost your winnings.


πŸ“ Craps Basics: Understanding the Game

Craps is a dice-based casino game where players bet on the outcome of rolls. The game is played on a large table with various betting options, and the action centers around the shooter, who rolls the dice.

🎯 Objective: Predict the outcome of the dice rolls and place bets accordingly.


🎯 How to Play Craps: Step-by-Step Guide

1️⃣ Place Your Bets

  • Before the come-out roll (first roll of a round), players place their bets on the table.
  • The most common bet is the Pass Line bet, which wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled.

2️⃣ The Come-Out Roll

  • The shooter rolls the dice.
  • If the roll is 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win.
  • If the roll is 2, 3, or 12, Pass Line bets lose.
  • Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the Point.

3️⃣ Establishing the Point

  • If a Point is set, the shooter must roll that number again before rolling a 7 to win.
  • If a 7 is rolled before the Point, the shooter loses, and the round ends.

4️⃣ Winning & Losing Bets

  • If the shooter hits the Point, Pass Line bets win.
  • If a 7 appears first, Pass Line bets lose, and the next round begins.

🎲 Ready to play smarter? Learn winning craps tips to increase your chances!


πŸ“Œ Essential Craps Bets & Payouts

Bet TypePayoutHouse EdgeBest For
Pass Line Bet1:11.41%Beginners
Don’t Pass Bet1:11.36%Betting against the shooter
Come Bet1:11.41%Continuation betting
Odds BetVaries (2x, 3x, 5x)0.00% (No House Edge!)Advanced Players

Want to master the best bets? Read our Craps Strategy Guide to discover expert betting techniques.


🎲 Next Steps: Improve Your Craps Skills

βœ” Boost your winnings with these Craps Tips.
βœ” Master advanced betting strategies in our Craps Strategy Guide.
βœ” Understand the math behind bets in Odds of Craps.

πŸš€ Now that you know how to play, it’s time to roll the dice!


πŸ’‘ Craps Tips: Play Smarter & Win More

Want to improve your craps gameplay and increase your winning chances? Here are expert-approved craps tips to help you make better bets and avoid common mistakes.

πŸš€ Looking for an in-depth approach? Check out our Craps Strategy and Odds of Craps guides for advanced techniques.


πŸ”₯ Top 5 Winning Craps Tips

1️⃣ Stick to Low-House-Edge Bets

  • The Pass Line & Don’t Pass Bets offer the best odds.
  • Avoid Proposition Bets, which have house edges as high as 16.67%.

2️⃣ Take Full Advantage of Odds Bets

  • Odds bets have NO house edge, making them the best advantage play in craps.
  • Always bet the maximum odds allowed by the casino.

3️⃣ Manage Your Bankroll Wisely

  • Set a budget and stick to it.
  • Use flat betting instead of chasing losses.

4️⃣ Avoid Common Betting Mistakes

  • Don’t bet on Any 7 or other high-risk bets.
  • Don’t increase bets randomlyβ€”use a structured Craps Strategy.

5️⃣ Learn the Odds of Each Bet

  • Knowing the probabilities of different bets helps you make informed decisions.
  • Check out our Odds of Craps guide for a breakdown of house edge percentages.

πŸš€ Want more expert advice? Our Craps Strategy Guide reveals advanced techniques used by pro players!


β™ŸοΈ Craps Strategy: Advanced Betting Techniques

If you want to turn the odds in your favor, learning the right craps strategies is key. This guide will show you how to bet smart, manage your bankroll, and maximize your winnings.

πŸ”Ž Looking for quick tips? Check out our Craps Tips guide!


🎯 Best Craps Strategies for Smart Players

1️⃣ The Pass Line + Odds Strategy

  • Best for: Low-risk players.
  • Bet on Pass Line and take maximum Odds Bets for zero house edge.

2️⃣ The 3-Point Molly System

  • Best for: Consistent wins with low risk.
  • Bet on Pass Line β†’ Add Come Bets β†’ Take full Odds Bets.

3️⃣ The Iron Cross Strategy

  • Best for: Frequent wins, but higher house edge.
  • Covers multiple numbers to increase winning chances.

4️⃣ The Martingale System (High Risk!)

  • Best for: Short-term play only.
  • Double your bet after a loss to recover losses, but requires a large bankroll.

πŸš€ Want to master the probabilities behind these strategies? Visit our Odds of Craps page!


πŸ“– Craps Glossary: Must-Know Terms

🎯 Shooter: The player rolling the dice.
🎯 Point: A number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that must be hit before rolling a 7.
🎯 Come Bet: Functions like a Pass Line bet but placed after the Come-Out Roll.
🎯 Lay Bet: Betting against a number being rolled before a 7.

βœ” New to craps? Learn the basics in our How to Play Craps guide.
βœ” Want to master advanced bets? Check our Craps Strategy page!


🎲 Odds of Craps: Understanding House Edge & Payouts

πŸ“Œ Best Bets with Low House Edge

βœ” Pass Line: 1.41%
βœ” Don’t Pass: 1.36%
βœ” Odds Bet: 0% (No house edge!)

🚨 Worst Bets to Avoid

❌ Any 7: 16.67%
❌ Hard 6 or Hard 8: 9.09%
❌ Yo (11): 11.11%

πŸ“ŒHow to play Craps FAQs:Β 

❓ What is the best bet in craps?

The Pass Line bet offers a low house edge of 1.41% and is the safest choice.

❓ What is the worst bet in craps?

The Any 7 Bet has a house edge of 16.67%β€”avoid it!

❓ Can I use a betting system to win at craps?

Some systems help with bankroll management, but no strategy eliminates the house edge.

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