Craps for Beginners: Rules, Bets, and Table Etiquette

The Craps Table at a Glance

The table looks busy. Do not worry. Most action happens in a few spots:

• Pass Line: This long ring near the rail. Most beginners start here.
• Don’t Pass: The ring just above the Pass Line. This is the “against the shooter” side.
• Come and Don’t Come boxes: In the middle of the layout. They act like Pass/Don’t Pass after the point is set.
• Place areas on numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10: These are for side bets on specific numbers.
• Field: A wide box that pays on a single roll (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12).
• Proposition (prop) bets: The little boxes in the center. Many pay high, but have a high house edge.

People at the table:

• Shooter: The player who throws the dice.
• Dealers: Two dealers stand on each side. They place your bets and pay wins.
• Stickman: The person with the stick in the center. They move the dice and call the roll.
• Boxman / Floor: The supervisor. They watch the game and handle issues.

How a Craps Round Works (Step by Step)

Each round has two parts: the come-out roll and the point phase.

Come-out roll

• You place your chip on the Pass Line (or Don’t Pass).
• The shooter throws the dice.
• If the roll is 7 or 11: Pass Line wins even money. Don’t Pass loses.
• If the roll is 2, 3, or 12 (called “craps”): Pass Line loses. Don’t Pass wins on 2 or 3. On 12, most tables push on Don’t Pass (bar 12).
• If the roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: That number becomes the point.

Point phase

• Now the shooter rolls until one of two things happens:
• Point repeats (say the point is 6 and 6 rolls again): Pass Line wins. Don’t Pass loses.
• 7 rolls first (called a “seven-out”): Pass Line loses. Don’t Pass wins.

Quick example: You bet $10 on Pass. Come-out is 9 (point is 9). You can now add an Odds bet behind your Pass. The shooter rolls 4, 6, 5, then 9. The 9 hits. Your Pass wins. If you took Odds, that Odds wins too. New round starts with a new come-out.

The Best Beginner Bets (Low House Edge)

Start simple. Use the bets below. These keep the house edge low. They also help you learn the flow.

Pass Line (house edge ~1.41%)

Place your chip on the Pass Line before the come-out roll. It wins on 7 or 11. It loses on 2, 3, or 12. If a point sets, you need that point to roll again before a 7. Payout is 1:1.

Don’t Pass (house edge ~1.36%)

This is the opposite side. It wins on 2 or 3 on the come-out. It loses on 7 or 11. On 12 it pushes (on most tables). After a point sets, you want a 7 to roll before the point. Payout is 1:1. Note: Some players see this as “betting against the table.” It is fine, but be polite.

Come and Don’t Come (house edge ~1.41% and ~1.36%)

Come and Don’t Come act like Pass and Don’t Pass, but you place them after a point is set. On a Come bet, a 7 or 11 on the very next roll wins. A 2, 3, or 12 loses. Any other number moves your bet to that number’s box. Then it wins if that number hits again before a 7. Don’t Come is the mirror of that logic.

Free Odds (house edge 0%)

After a point is set, you can add an Odds bet behind your Pass or Come. Odds pay “true odds,” so the house has no edge on this part. The payouts are:

• Point 4 or 10: pays 2:1 on Odds
• Point 5 or 9: pays 3:2 on Odds
• Point 6 or 8: pays 6:5 on Odds

Many casinos limit how big your Odds can be, for example 2x, 3x, or “3-4-5x” Odds. Ask the dealer what the limit is.

Simple example: You bet $10 on Pass. Point is 6. You take $20 in Odds (2x). If 6 hits before 7, your Pass pays $10, and your Odds pay $24 (6:5 on $20). You get $34 in wins. If 7 comes first, both parts lose.

Beginner plan: Start with Pass Line + single or double Odds. After you feel good, add one Come bet with Odds. Keep it slow and steady.

Want to see the math behind house edges? See the breakdown by a well-known gambling math site: Wizard of Odds: Craps.

Bets to Treat with Caution (and Why)

These bets are not “bad,” but many have a higher house edge. Learn them later.

• Place 6 or Place 8: House edge ~1.52%. These are the “least bad” place bets.
• Place 5 or Place 9: House edge ~4.00%.
• Place 4 or Place 10: House edge ~6.67%.
• Field: Often house edge ~5.56% when 12 pays double. It can drop to ~2.78% when 12 (or sometimes 2) pays triple. Check the layout.
• Big 6/8: House edge ~9.09%. Placing the 6 or 8 is better than Big 6/8.
• Hardways (like hard 6 = 3-3, hard 8 = 4-4): Hard 6/8 often pay 9:1 (house edge ~9.09%); Hard 4/10 often pay 7:1 (house edge ~11.11%).
• Proposition bets in the center (Any 7, Any Craps, Horn, Yo, etc.): Most have house edges over 10%. Example: Any 7 has ~16.67% house edge; Any Craps ~11.11%.

Beginner rule: Until you know the rhythm, stick to Pass/Come with Odds. It is simple and strong.

Bankroll Basics and Table Limits

Set a plan before you play. Keep it simple.

• Pick a table you can afford. Many tables have $10–$25 minimums. Lower is better to learn.
• Bring 30–50 line bets for your session. For a $10 table, $300–$500 is a fair start. For a $25 table, $750–$1,250.
• Bet small: 1 unit on Pass, then add 1x or 2x Odds. Add one Come + Odds only if your bankroll is okay.
• Set a stop-loss (for example, 30–40% of your bankroll). If you reach it, take a break.
• Set a win goal (for example, +20–30%). If you hit it, lock in some profit. It is okay to leave ahead.
• Never chase after a seven-out. Breathe. Wait for the next come-out. Stay calm.

Need more on fair limits and rules? See your local regulator. Examples: Nevada Gaming Control Board, UK Gambling Commission.

Table Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts

Good manners help the game flow. Staff and players will help you if you are polite.

Do

• Buy in between rolls. Place cash on the layout only when the dice are in the middle and no one is about to roll.
• Say your bet if you are unsure. Point to the spot and speak clearly: “$10 Pass Line,” “$10 Come.”
• Use one hand on the dice. Roll so the dice hit the back wall.
• Keep drinks and hands off the layout when the dice are out.
• Ask the dealer if you do not know where to put a chip. They will book the bet for you.
• Tip the dealers if you are winning or they give extra help. A small bet for the dealers on the Pass Line is kind.

Don’t

• Do not throw cash on the layout mid-roll.
• Do not say “seven” when a point is on. Many players see it as bad luck.
• Do not change chips or touch chips after the stickman calls “no more bets.”
• Do not fling the dice into stacks of chips or people’s hands.
• Do not sweat other people’s bets. Let them play their plan.

Trying Craps Online vs. Live Dealer

You can learn online first. Or you can learn at a real table. Each path has pros and cons.

Online RNG (random number generator) craps

• Pros: Fast. You can play small stakes. You can take your time. Good for practice.
• Cons: No social feel. Pace can be too fast if you auto-spin.
• Fairness: Look for audits and seals like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and GLI. These test RNGs.

Live dealer craps

• Pros: Real dice. Real people. You hear calls. You learn table flow.
• Cons: Slower. Table minimums can be higher.
• Tip: Check Odds limits (for example, 3-4-5x) and table rules in the lobby.

Good rule: If you are brand new, try RNG first to learn clicks and payouts. Then try live dealer to learn table rhythm. Always check the license of the site or casino. See this guide to gambling regulation (UKGC).

Where to Play: How to Choose a Beginner‑Friendly Option

Pick places with clear rules and fair limits. Use this list:

• Odds policy: Look for 3-4-5x Odds (or higher). This lets you add strong Odds with no house edge on that part.
• Table limits: Choose limits that fit your bankroll. Lower mins are better to learn.
• Staff or UI help: Friendly dealers in live casinos. Clean, clear buttons online.
• License and audits: Check that the casino is licensed and the games are tested.
• Banking and support: Fast payouts, fair terms, and helpful support.
• Responsible tools: Deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion options.

If you want a short list that checks those boxes, see our picks on swisscasinoguide.com. We track Odds multiples, table limits, license info, and support quality, and we update it often.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping Odds: Odds have 0% house edge. If your bankroll allows, add them.
• Betting the center box too soon: Prop bets look fun, but the house edge is high. Wait until you know the flow.
• Buying in mid-roll: This slows the game and annoys people. Buy in between rolls.
• Changing bets in the middle of a roll without knowing what happens if 7 hits. Ask first.
• Tilt after a seven-out: Take a breath. Do not chase. The game has swings.

Quick Glossary (Short and Clear)

• Shooter: The player rolling the dice.
• Come-out roll: The first roll of a new round.
• Point: The target number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) set on the come-out.
• Seven-out: A 7 that ends the point and the shooter’s turn.
• Natural: A 7 or 11 on the come-out (Pass wins).
• Craps: 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out (Pass loses).
• Pass Line: The main beginner bet that wins with the shooter.
• Don’t Pass: The opposite side that wins if 7 comes before the point.
• Come / Don’t Come: Like Pass/Don’t Pass, but placed after a point is set.
• Free Odds: Extra bet behind Pass/Come (or Don’t). Pays true odds. 0% house edge.
• Place bet: A bet on a number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) to roll before a 7.
• Hardway: A pair like 3-3 (hard 6) or 4-4 (hard 8).

FAQs

What is the single best bet for beginners?

Pass Line + Odds. It is simple and strong. Place $ on Pass, wait for a point, then add Odds behind it. Keep bets small and steady.

How do Odds work in craps?

After a point is on, place an extra bet behind your Pass or Come. It pays at true odds (0% house edge). Payouts: 2:1 on 4/10, 3:2 on 5/9, 6:5 on 6/8. If 7 comes first, both parts lose.

Is online craps fair?

It can be, if licensed and tested. Look for audits by eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or GLI. Check the site’s license with your regulator, for example the UKGC.

What is a typical minimum at a craps table?

Many land casinos offer $10–$25 mins. Pick lower limits to learn. Online RNG and some live tables can be lower.

Can I play craps if I do not want to shoot?

Yes. You can pass the dice. You can still make Pass/Come bets and play the game.

Do I need a strategy, or is craps pure luck?

Craps uses real odds and chance. You cannot control the dice. But you can choose bets with a lower house edge. That is your “strategy.”

Responsible Gaming, Disclosures, and Help

Only play if you are of legal age in your area. Play for fun, not for income. Set limits. Take breaks. If gambling harms you or your family, get help.

• NCPG (US) — Help by State
• BeGambleAware (UK)
• GamCare (UK)
• Responsible Gambling Council

We may earn a commission if you visit partners through our links. This does not change our opinions. We focus on safe play and fair rules.

Sources and Further Reading

• Wizard of Odds: Craps odds and house edge
• Wizard of Odds: Craps probabilities
• UNLV Center for Gaming Research
• Nevada Gaming Control Board
• UK Gambling Commission: Regulation explained
• eCOGRA: Fair gaming certification
• iTech Labs: RNG testing
• Gaming Labs International

Quick Start Checklist (Print or Save)

• Find a $10–$15 table (or low-limit online).
• Buy in between rolls. Ask for $1 chips too.
• Bet Pass Line for 1 unit on the come-out.
• If a point sets, take 1–2x Odds.
• After a few rolls, add one Come bet + Odds.
• Avoid the center box until you know the game.
• Set stop-loss and win goal. Take breaks.
• Be kind to dealers and other players.

Conclusion

Now you know the flow, the best starter bets, and how to act at the table. Keep it simple: Pass Line + Odds, then one Come + Odds. Learn the rhythm. Respect the table. If you want a quick list of fair places to try, check the options we track on swisscasinoguide.com. Play safe and have fun.

Last updated: 2026-01-09