This is an educational guide to how casino games work. House edge and payout figures are typical values and vary by game, rules and operator. No casino game can be beaten in the long run — play for entertainment, never as a way to make money, and only stake what you can afford to lose.
How to Play Craps
Craps looks like the most intimidating table in the casino — loud, busy, with a bewildering layout. But the core game is simple. Here’s how to start.
The basics
Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of two dice. The simplest and most popular bet is the Pass Line: on the first (“come-out”) roll, you win on a 7 or 11, and lose on 2, 3 or 12. Any other number becomes the “point”, and you then win if it’s rolled again before a 7.
A great-value bet
The Pass Line has a low house edge of about 1.41%, one of the better bets in the casino. You can lower it further by “taking the odds” — an additional bet behind your Pass Line that pays true odds.
Don’t be put off
Ignore the exotic bets at first — just play the Pass Line and you’re playing craps well. See what Sic Bo is, what the house edge is and casino games with the best odds.
Frequently asked questions
How does craps work?
Players bet on the outcome of two dice; the most common Pass Line bet wins on a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll.
What’s the best bet?
The Pass Line, with a house edge of about 1.41% — lowered further by “taking the odds”.
Is craps hard to learn?
The table looks busy, but the core Pass Line bet is simple to start with.
Related guides: what Sic Bo is, casino games with the best odds and what the house edge is.