Rolling The Bones: How To Play Casino Craps

If you walk onto a casino floor, it is usually incredibly easy to locate the Craps pit; just follow the noise.


However, for a beginner, this massive, raucous table can be the most intimidating place in the entire building.


Because it looks so incredibly complicated, most casual players simply walk past the Craps table and sit down at a slot machine instead.


In this article, we are going to completely demystify the game of Craps for the absolute beginner.

How a Round of Craps Actually Works

Almost every player at the table is betting on the Pass Line, which is why everyone cheers and groans at exactly the same time.


A new round of Craps begins with a "Come-Out Roll." This is the first roll of the dice by a new shooter.


Outcome 1 (The Instant Win): If the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11, the entire table erupts in cheers.


Outcome 3 (Establishing the Point): This is the most common outcome and the heart of the game.


The dealer will take a large, physical plastic puck (which is white on one side and black on the other) and place it directly on that number on the layout, white side up.

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.


If the shooter rolls a 4, 9, 10, or 2, absolutely nothing happens to your Pass Line bet; the game just continues, and the shooter rolls again.


However, there is a massive threat looming over every single roll: the dreaded 7.


The entire table groans, because a 7 means every single Pass Line bet instantly loses.


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.

The Secret Weapon: "Taking Odds" Behind the Line

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).


Because the casino makes absolutely zero profit on this specific bet, they do not print it on the table layout; you just have to know it exists.


If the Point is 6 or 8 (the easiest points to hit), the true odds are 6 to 5. The Odds bet pays exactly 6 to 5.


Then, once the Point is established, they place the absolute maximum allowable amount of money on the "Odds" bet directly behind it.


Never play Craps without taking Odds. It is the smartest, most mathematically sound decision you can make in any casino on earth.

The Core Rules of Craps (A Quick Summary)

The Come-Out Roll: The very first roll of a new game. Place your bet on the Pass Line.
Phase 2: The rules flip. You now want the shooter to roll the Point number again.
The Free Odds Bet: Once the Point is established, place more chips directly behind your Pass Line bet.
The Center Bets (Proposition Bets): The massive grid in the middle of the table (Hardways, Any 7, Horn Bets).

The Math of the Dice: Why the 7 Rules the Game

Result of the ThrowHow Many Ways to Make ItStatistical Likelihood
3 or 11 (Yo)Only 2 ways each (1-2, 2-1 or 5-6, 6-5)Very difficult to hit.
6 or 85 ways eachThe easiest points to hit, but still harder than a 7. The Odds bet pays 6:5.
The Golden RatioThere are 6 ways to roll a 7, and only 5 ways to roll a 6 or 8.The House Edge exists because the 7 will always eventually appear and wipe out the board.


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.


Welcome to the most exciting, chaotic, and profitable fraternity in the casino world.