If you walk onto any physical casino floor, the loudest and most energetic area is almost always the Craps table.

It is a unique gambling experience where players actively cheer for each other and celebrate shared victories.

Despite the fun atmosphere, the layout of a Craps table appears incredibly confusing to anyone who hasn’t played before.

The truth is that while the table looks complex, the core game is actually very simple to understand and play.

In this article, we will break down the absolute basics of Craps so you can confidently approach the table.

How a Round of Craps Actually Works

The game operates in phases, always starting with the initial throw of the dice, known as the Come-Out roll.

If the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 on the Come-Out roll, that specific number becomes “The Point.”

The puck visually signals to everyone at the table that the game is now in the Point phase.

The shooter keeps throwing the dice repeatedly; rolling the Point is a victory for the table.

Rolling a 7 ends the round immediately, sweeping away the bets on the table, and the dice pass to the next player.

The Best Bets: Pass Line and Don’t Pass

You can ignore 90% of the table layout; the smartest place to start is the prominent Pass Line.

You place your Pass Line bet immediately before the Come-Out roll occurs.

If the 7 hits before the Point, your Pass Line bet loses. It is that simple.

Alternatively, you can bet the “Don’t Pass” line, which is essentially betting against the shooter.

Betting the Pass Line means you are playing with the crowd, cheering for the shooter to succeed.

How to Lower the House Edge to Zero

This secondary bet is known as “Taking the Odds,” and it is completely unmarked on the table felt.

Because the payout perfectly matches the probability, over the long run, this bet breaks exactly even.

If you Take the Odds on a Point of 4 and win, the casino pays you exactly 2 to 1 on that specific portion of your bet.

Most casinos allow you to place Odds bets equal to 3x, 4x, or even 5x your original Pass Line wager.

You simply place your extra chips directly behind your Pass Line chips after the Come-Out roll to utilize this tactic.

Essential Craps Lingo

• Rolling: Anyone at the table gets a turn to be the shooter if they have a Pass Line bet.
• Establishing the Point: The primary goal of the initial throw.
• The Point: The target number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) the shooter is trying to roll again.
• Sevening Out: The worst roll possible during the Point phase. Clears the board.
• Taking Odds: Placing a secondary bet behind the Pass Line with zero house edge.

Comparing the Basic Bets

The secret to Craps is sticking strictly to the edges of the board where the mathematically sound bets live.

Start by playing online for free to get comfortable with the flow of the Come-Out roll and the Point phases.

When you do hit a physical casino, do not be afraid to tell the dealers that you are a beginner.

May the dice be kind, and may you hit your Point before the 7 appears!