How to Play Craps for Beginners: Effective Tips for Playing Craps

Edna Boykin
November 19, 2024

Considered one of the most popular casino games, craps remains a top choice for players looking to add some sophistication to their gambling. The game’s fast-paced nature and flexible bankroll make it suitable for every type of gambler. Many beginners tend to avoid playing it altogether due to its seemingly complicated gameplay compared to blackjack or roulette.

While there are a few concepts that should be mastered, playing craps isn’t as difficult as it looks. In this guide, we’ll demystify the exciting table game by uncovering the basics and fundamental rules. We’ll also share some effective winning tips and strategies you can incorporate as a beginner to enhance the quality of your gameplay.

What is Craps? Understanding the Basics of Craps

A typical game of craps has several interesting facets to it. The concept involves a pair of dice, a table, and chips with which to place your bets. Your goal is to correctly predict the outcome (value of the dice) after a successful roll. The game consists of multiple rounds, giving you enough opportunity to place as many bets as you want while increasing your chances of winning.

Historically, several theories about how craps originated to become the popular dice game it is today abound. The most widely accepted version suggests that it comes from a similar dice game of English origins called “Hazard.” Like craps, the gameplay involved players taking turns to throw the dice while betting on whether they believed they’d win. Hazard was popular during the Middle Ages and became a favorite among noblemen visiting the first English casinos during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Modern craps remain popular in the 21st century and are still widely played at land-based and online casinos worldwide. The fast-paced, energetic, and competitively healthy atmosphere it generates makes it an entertaining experience. There’s also a sense of camaraderie among participants as they team up against the house, encouraging the shooter to roll the dice to enable them to win.

As a beginner, if you want to learn how to play craps, going all in without understanding how it works is the wrong move. You need to figure out what role the dice play, and they determine outcomes. Also, the table layout is an integral aspect of the game, and having a good understanding of its design will certainly get you more confident as you play at online casinos or a brick-and-mortar establishment.

The Craps Table Layout

Looking at a craps table for the first may leave you feeling intimidated by the symbols, numbers, and phrases in various sections of the board. The first thing to note is that a handful of these areas are designed to accommodate different betting options. A section on the board called the “Pass Line” is where you can bet that the shooter will win (pass). This is typically done before the first dice roll, called the “come out roll.”

To win, the outcome of a come-out roll should be 7 or 11 (natural). If it’s 2, 3, or 12, it’s called “crapping out” and implies that you’ve lost. In situations where the roll results in none of those values, the outcome becomes the “point,” and you’ll win if it rolls before a 7 or lose if a 7 rolls before it. The Don’t Pass Line is the opposite of a Pass Line. You’ll win if the roll results in 2 or 3, lose if it’s 7 or 11, and tie (or push) if it’s 12.

Another group of wagers you can make on the outcome of a roll are on the “come” and “don’t come” sections. These areas are marked clearly on the table, allowing you to identify them easily. “Come” works like the Pass Line—you’ll win if a natural is rolled and lose for crapping out. Alternatively, Don’t Come is like a Don’t Pass Line. You win if the resulting roll is 2 or 3 but can kiss your luck goodbye if it’s 7 or 11. Similarly, a resulting roll with 12 gives you a push—implying that you’ve neither won nor lost.

The Dice and Their Role

Learning how to play craps dice is easy as long as you’re paying attention to important elements in the game. The dice are the key to the outcome of every roll and are necessary for ensuring the game’s randomness. Once the dice are rolled, a definite outcome is set in motion, and all you can do is wait to see the result.

By design, the dice generate a combination of numbers or one random number. Spots representing numbers are painted on the dice, such that opposite sides add up to 7. There’s a theory that shooters can learn to throw the dice to get the desired outcome, but this is highly unlikely. Most casinos use a rubber pyramid lining to throw them, which reduces the possibility of players influencing the results.

Getting an outcome from each roll is the most predictable part of the game, not because you can know what the result will be but because outcomes are guaranteed. Whether a shooter wins, loses, or scores points is a matter of chance. Generally, the goal is to get a number and then try to roll it again before getting a 7. Should the shooter be unlucky at this, he/she loses, and the dice get passed to the next person.

Learning the Rules of Craps

Understanding the rules of playing online craps games makes the experience enjoyable and ultimately improves your level of gameplay. You don’t want to start not knowing the basics unless you’re feeling particularly okay with losing a few bucks. First, understand the dice and how totals are calculated. Each die has six sides, but only the upward-facing parts matter after a roll. For example, if one lands on 2 and the other has a 3, the outcome for that roll becomes 5 (2+3).

Next, familiarize yourself with the table crew if you’re learning how to play craps for beginners on a land-based casino floor. The crew composition in this situation comprises two dealers, a stickman and a boxman. Together, their job is to ensure the game is played correctly and fairly. If you’re playing the game online (except live casino craps), all of this is taken care of automatically by computer software.

The next essential aspect is your game credits. Before you decide to play the craps game online or at a physical venue, you need to have enough funds to play with. Interestingly, table rules dictate that dealers don’t take any cash from players but instead exchange it for chips, which can then be bet with. You can purchase chips at in-person retail casinos or top-up your account with real money at online casino sites.

We’ve previously talked a bit about craps terms like Pass Line/Don’t Pass and Come/Don’t Come. You can place bets on any portion of the table, including the pass line and come areas. You would then lay your chips and inform the dealer about which bet you want to make. At online casinos, the virtual table has no dealers—simply choose a wager value by selecting a corresponding chip and clicking the area on the table you wish to bet on. All bets in a round are typically made before the first roll of the dice, which is the come-out roll. The result of this initial roll also determines how the game progresses.

Types of Bets in Craps

Now that you have some background on what a game of craps is about, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the bet types and tips for playing craps. We’ve talked a bit about them previously, but we’ll provide more details to help you form a better picture of how best to play the game.

Pass Line Bets

This bet type is the most straightforward of all craps bets. Before the first (come out) roll, players around the table place wagers on the possibility of hitting a 7 or 11 before a 2, 3, or 12. If you’re lucky and if this happens, you win your bet and if not, it’s a loss. Of course, the other numbers can be rolled and if this happens, they become a Point number. In this case, the game continues until a Point hits before a 7 (for a win) or 7 hits before it (a loss).

Example: Say you placed a $10 bet on the Pass Line and the dice rolls a 7 or 11, you’ll win $10 in addition to your initial bet for $20.

Don’t Pass Bets

The opposite of a Pass Line bet is Don’t Pass. It works in the opposite, such that the bets are made on landing a 2 or 3 before getting a 7 or 11. In this case, rolling 12 results in a tie, and your bet gets returned to you. If the hit is a Point number, you’ll win your Don’t Pass bet if a 7 is rolled before the Point number hits again. Alternatively, you’ll lose your bet should a Point number land before a 7.

Example: If you place a $10 net on Don’t Pass and a 2 or 3 is rolled, you win $10 for a total payout of $20. Getting a push (12) means you get your stake back.

Come Bets

A Come bet works in the same way as a Pass Line bet but with one small difference. Unlike Pass Lines where wagers are placed before the first roll, a Come bet can only be made after a Point has been established. Pass Line and Come bets have a 1.41% house edge and 1:1 payout odds.

Example: Assuming you placed a $10 Come bet after a Point number of 5 was rolled. You can only win if the shooter rolls another 5 before hitting a 7 for a total payout of $20.

Don’t Come Bets

Placing a Don’t Come bet will give you the same outcome as a Don’t Pass bet. Again, there’s a slight difference between the two—it can only occur after a Point is established by the come-out roll. If a 7 is rolled before another Point number, you win your bet, and if not, you lose. Don’t Come and Don’t Pass bets have the same house edge of 1.36% and a 1:1 payout ratio.

Example: If you staked $10 on Don’t Come after 8 hits, your win is guaranteed only if a 7 is rolled before another 8. Your total payout in this situation becomes $20.

Proposition Bets

These types of bets are higher risk but with larger payout ratios. Here, you place a single roll wager on any dice throw. The bet is placed at the center of the craps table. Results depend on the shooter throwing a specific dice pattern that resembles those displayed on the table. If you’re lucky, payout odds can get as high as 30:1, with the house edge hovering between 10% to 16.7%.

Example: The table below shows how to stake and win Proposition bets

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You bet on…	You win…
Horns	If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, 11, or 12
Any craps	If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12
Ace deuce	If the shooter rolls a 3
Aces	If the shooter rolls a 2
Boxcars	If the shooter rolls a 12
Any 7	If the shooter rolls a 7

Betting Strategies for Beginners

Learning about different betting types will only take you so far. If you’re not employing key strategies on how to play craps and win, you may find yourself making avoidable mistakes. Here are some of what you can do to improve your winning chances and understand the game better:

1. Place low-risk bets – You’re just getting in on the game and still trying to master the rules and gameplay, so the last thing you want to do is stake high. As a newbie, it’s important to keep your wagers in the low-risk zone. A pass-line bet is a good option because of the low house edge.

2.The craps odds bet strategy – With this, you wager that the shooter will roll a 7 before hitting a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 after rolling the Point number. There are more chances of getting a 7 than any other number, so this craps strategy gives you a good shot at winning.

3. Iron cross strategy – Here, you can combine wagers on two number lots. For example, you bet the field (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12) and wager on the likelihood of a 5, 6, or 8 rolling before a 7. What you’ve done here essentially is cover each of these numbers with one bet, so regardless of the outcome, you win.

It’s important to note that these strategies are not a guarantee you’ll win every time. Putting them into practice only makes winning more likely.

Effective Tips for Playing Craps

As much as possible, you ought to find actionable ways to improve your overall gameplay while increasing your chances of getting wins more often. The craps tips and tricks we’ve curated here are well-researched and will leave you feeling better about yourself at the end of a session, another you win or lose.

Tip 1. Master the rules – Before putting real money on the craps table at a land-based or online casino, learn and master the rules of the game. It's important to be well-versed in how the game works, as this will help you make better decisions as it progresses.
Tip 2. Practice, practice, practice!!! – No harm ever comes from practicing a casino game, and craps are no different. After learning the bet types, rules, and strategies, look for an online casino that offers the game in demo mode. This allows you to test everything you've learned without risking your funds.
Tip 3. Know when to call it a day – Craps is an exciting, fast-paced game. This means you can get carried away quickly, especially when you're on a winning streak. You may also be tempted to bet more when you've been losing with the hopes that you're about to land a win. Either way, it's important to time yourself and leave the table once you've reached that point.
Tip 4. Manage your bankroll – Before playing craps, set aside a maximum amount you want to spend on an entire section of play. This requires some discipline, but it helps you to stay within your budget whether you win or lose.
Tip 5. Understand the odds – Certain numbers like 7 and 8 have a higher probability of being rolled, meaning they have lower odds. Learn and memorize the payout ratios for each bet and edit your wages during the game to suit your style.

Managing Your Bankroll

Bankroll management is essentially the various methods and processes you can incorporate into managing your funds when playing craps. One of the best reasons this is important is that it’s a very effective responsible gambling tool. It typically involves having a set budget, determining the size of bets you’ll be making in each round, or even going as far as establishing win and loss limits.

In addition to being a money-saving craps strategy, there’s a mental aspect to it. Craps bankroll management can also insulate you from the risks of developing gambling issues. There will be times when you’re experiencing consecutive losses, but if you manage your funds properly, you can ride it out and possibly recover some of it. Here are some key areas to note when managing your bankroll:

Setting a budget – Start the game with a fixed amount you're willing to lose without feeling bad. This could be as much as $5,000 or less than $1,000. Whichever it is, the point is to ensure you don't exceed your budget whether you've lost it all or won extra.
Bet sizing – After fixing your budget, the next step is to set a maximum bet size for each round. For instance, if you plan to play with a total of $2,000, a safe bet size on each round should be around 2% of the total bankroll. This means you'll be staking $40 on each round, and while you're allowed to go a bit less or higher, always return to the 2% baseline depending on how the game is going.
Set a win/loss limit – Just because you have $2,000 to spend on craps doesn't mean you have to lose all of it. You should set aside a maximum amount you're willing to lose (say $1,500) to avoid feeling the mental anguish of leaving the table with nothing. In the same vein, don't be greedy by aiming for a $10,000 win on a $2,000 budget. You can set your max win limit to $5,000 and exit the table once you achieve this.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Playing craps is fun and can be rewarding if you’ve got your strategies on lock. Still, there are a few transgressions we’ve noticed to be quite common with first-time players. These rookie mistakes are to be avoided at all cost when playing craps:

Being overconfident won't do you any good as a newbie. Keep your head down figuratively and observe the game from a learning perspective while playing.
Losses are bound to come to you at some point during the game. Avoid chasing your losses by betting more than you can afford.
Learning the rules and odds at craps is very important. Do not sit at a craps table without having prior knowledge of the house edge, payout ratios, and gameplay. It may cost you more than you bargained for.
Don't play craps without having a strategy. It's important to have a well-thought-out style before you begin.
Betting too much money on the game too soon will make you feel bad if you lose. Avoid doing this when you're just starting as a new player.

Playing Craps Online vs. In-Person

Traditionally, craps have been played for centuries years in bustling land-based locations. While there’s a superb social advantage to playing live dealer craps in person, the online version has its benefits. Here, we’ll explore the advantages and drawbacks of both settings:

Key Points	Online Craps	In-person Craps
Convenience and Accessibility	Whether you’re commuting, on a lunch break at work, or just lounging in the comfort of your home, you can play craps online using your smartphone or PC.	You can only play live craps by visiting a land-based casino establishment.
Social Networking	Playing craps online robs you of the opportunity to mingle with other players in a social setting.	With live craps, you have a chance to meet new people, form new friendships, and improve your social life.
Bonuses and Promotions	One of the benefits of playing craps online is the added perks that come with it. Many casinos offer welcome bonuses and regular promotions that’ll give you more money to play with.	Unless you’re a member of an exclusive VIP club, land-based casinos hardly give customers bonuses. You simply bring your money, place bets, and win or lose.
Shooter Rhythm	In online craps, a Random Number Generator (RNG) takes over the job of the shooter. This means you have no way to become a skilled thrower.	In-person craps allow you the opportunity to become good at throwing the dice. Some players believe they can influence the outcome by consistently throwing the dice a certain way. This is only possible when playing live.

If you’re fascinated with the convenience, privacy, and promotional offers that come with playing craps online, we’ve got you covered. You can register today at any of the best online casinos for craps in 2024 to enjoy the perks of online gambling.

Advanced Strategies for Aspiring Players

Many experienced players have mastered the use of advanced craps betting systems to win massive payouts. These strategies are associated with higher risks and should only be used if you’re a seasoned professional.

YOLO strategy: If your goal is to win massive payouts, the YOLO strategy lets you make several high-risk single roll bets. Start with a super-sized bankroll, and don’t be too cautious about burning through it quickly. Next, you can bet on a 3 or 11 hit, which pays out 15:1, or rolling a 2 or 12, which pays as much as 30:1. If you’re not feeling so lucky, try Hard 8s or 6s at 10:1 or Hard 4s and 10s at 8:1.

KISS strategy: Here, you place a Pass Line bet and max out your odds, then bet on a 6 and 8 roll. You may not require a large bankroll for this, but like other advanced strategies, it lets you get more bets on the table while keeping the house edge low.

Do the three-point molly – In this strategy, you combine Pass Line and Don’t Come bets until you have three chips (numbers) on the table working for you. You start by placing a Pass Line bet and then place a Don’t Come bet after the Point is established. This strategy reduces risk while maximizing your wins during hot streaks.

Conclusion

If you’ve read up to this point, you’ve learned interesting insights on how to play craps table games. It’s still important that you don’t rush into playing with real money. Becoming a professional craps player will take time and experience. It’s advisable to keep practicing and applying the tips and strategies covered here as you go along. Remember that losing and winning is not guaranteed either way, but maintaining a degree of control over your gameplay can help enhance your craps gaming experience.

FAQs

What Are the Different Types of Bets You Can Make at a Craps Table?

There are several bet types you can make when playing craps in-person or online. The most common types are Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come, and Proposition bets.

What is the Minimum Bet at a Craps Table?

The minimum acceptable bet at craps depends on the table or casino. Some casinos allow low bets of $10 while others may keep it at a $100 minimum.

How Do I Read the Craps Table Layout?

A craps betting table is separated into several sections with different rules and bets. The main areas are the Pass Line and Come boxes. You’ll quickly identify them by their bold lettering.

Craps vs. Roulette: Which Game Offers Better Odds?

Craps has better odds than roulette because it offers the lowest house edge of the two. Although it’s a bit more complex, you stand a better chance of winning big payouts than in roulette.