Craps for Beginners: Rules, Bets, and Table Etiquette

Learn the game the way real players do: one roll at a time, clear steps, and kind table manners. No hype. Just good sense and tested math.

Updated on: 2026-02-06

Jump to: Your First Craps Roll · Bets Explained Like a Dealer · Craps Bets Cheat Sheet · Table Etiquette · Bankroll and Limits · Myths and Traps · Live vs Online · Glossary · FAQ

You stand by the rail. The stickman slides two red dice to the shooter. Chips click. A voice says, “Dice are out.” Your heart bumps a bit. It looks wild, but there is clear order here.

We will keep it simple. You will learn the base rules, the smart bets, and how to act at the table. In the end, you will know what to say, where to place a chip, and when to walk.

Want a short backstory? Here is a brief history of craps. Knowing where the game comes from helps you read the flow.

A No‑Nonsense Start: Your First Craps Roll

The 30‑Second Nerve‑Settler

• Buy in when a roll is done. Put cash on the felt; do not hand it to a dealer.
• Start with one bet: Pass Line. Place one chip on the line that says “Pass Line.”
• Say nothing fancy. A nod works. The dealer sees your bet.
• When you hold the dice, aim for the back wall. A soft, clean toss is good.
• Hands up when dice are out. Do not touch chips mid‑roll.
• Tip if you had fun, win or lose. Small tokes count.

From Come‑Out to Point: What Actually Happens

Each hand starts with the come‑out roll. If the shooter rolls 7 or 11, Pass Line wins at even money. If the shooter rolls 2, 3, or 12 (that is “craps”), Pass Line loses. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes the point.

When a point is set, the job is to hit that point again before a 7. If the point hits, Pass Line wins. If 7 comes first, Pass Line loses.

As soon as a point is set, you can take “Odds” on your Pass Line. This is the best add‑on in all of craps. It has no house edge. The payout is at true odds, which means fair math for both sides. We will break this down below.

If you want to see how the felt looks and what areas are named, open a picture of the standard craps layout. It helps you place chips with no stress.

Quick Mini‑Quiz

Q1: Come‑out roll is 11. You have $10 on Pass Line. What now?
Answer: You win $10. Your $10 bet stays for the next come‑out unless you remove it.

Q2: Point is 6. You have $10 Pass Line and $20 Odds. A 7 rolls. What now?
Answer: Both bets lose. Pass and Odds go down together when 7 comes before the point.

Q3: You bet the Field. An 11 rolls. What now?
Answer: Field wins even money (some tables boost 2 or 12; check the felt).

Bets Explained Like a Dealer Would

The Core: Pass/Don’t Pass, Come/Don’t Come, and Free Odds

Pass Line is the classic. On the come‑out, 7/11 wins, 2/3/12 loses, other numbers set a point. House edge is about 1.41%.

Don’t Pass is the mirror. On the come‑out, 2 or 3 wins, 7 or 11 loses, 12 pushes (bar 12). After a point, you win if 7 comes before the point. House edge is about 1.36%.

Come and Don’t Come work like Pass/Don’t Pass, but you place them after a point is set. They travel to a number box and act like mini Pass/Don’t Pass bets on that number.

Free Odds sit behind your Pass or Come. They pay at true math: 2:1 on 4/10, 3:2 on 5/9, 6:5 on 6/8. The house edge on the Odds part is 0. That is rare in a casino. Take as much as the table allows (often 2x, 3x, 5x, or tiers like 3‑4‑5x).

Why is Pass and Odds so strong? Because the core bet is low edge and the add‑on has no edge. You still face swings, but you do not bleed from bad payout rules. For the math behind each bet’s edge, see this trusted breakdown of house edge by bet.

Place Bets vs. The Field: Where New Players Bleed

Place bets target single numbers. Place 6 or Place 8 pay 7:6 and are fine for a steady plan. Place 5 or 9 pay 7:5 and cost more over time. Place 4 or 10 pay 9:5 and cost even more.

The Field is a one‑roll bet on 2,3,4,9,10,11,12. It looks easy. It is not cheap. You lose on 5,6,7,8, which come a lot. Some tables pay double or triple on 2 or 12. Check the fine print on the felt.

Proposition (“prop”) bets sit in the center: Hardways, Any 7, Yo (11), Any Craps, Horn, and more. They pay big, but the house edge is high. Fun as a small tip bet at times, but not for long play.

Want a fast way to feel number odds? Here is the clear chart for the probability of two-dice totals. It shows why 6, 7, and 8 roll so often.

Craps Bets Cheat Sheet

Use this table as a quick guide. Edges vary by house rules. Ask the dealer if you are not sure.

Pass Line	Win on 7/11 come‑out; lose on 2/3/12; point must repeat	1:1	~49.3%	~1.41%	Core bet for new players	“Pass line bets?”	Low
Don’t Pass	Win on 2/3; lose on 7/11; 12 pushes; 7 before point wins	1:1	~50.7%	~1.36%	For a steady, slow plan	“Don’ts work on the come‑out?”	Low
Come	Like Pass but after a point; travels to a number	1:1	~49.3%	~1.41%	To spread to more numbers	“Come bet moves to 8”	Low–Med
Don’t Come	Like Don’t Pass but after a point; 7 before that number wins	1:1	~50.7%	~1.36%	For a calm, grind plan	“Don’t Come to 5”	Low–Med
Free Odds (on Pass/Come)	Add‑on behind line bet; true odds	2:1 (4/10), 3:2 (5/9), 6:5 (6/8)	Varies by point	0.00%	Take max allowed if bankroll fits	“Odds are set”	Low–Med
Place 6 / Place 8	Win if your number rolls before 7	7:6	~45.5%	~1.52%	Solid choice for action	“Placing the 6 (or 8)”	Med
Place 5 / Place 9	Win if your number rolls before 7	7:5	~40.0%	~4.00%	Use light or skip	“Place the 9 for $10”	Med
Place 4 / Place 10	Win if your number rolls before 7	9:5	~33.3%	~6.67%	For short shots; be careful	“Ten, place, please”	Med–High
Field	One‑roll: win on 2,3,4,9,10,11,12	1:1 (often 2:1 or 3:1 on 2/12)	~44.4%	~5.56% (rules vary)	Short‑term fun; not a base plan	“Field is set”	Med
Hard 6 / Hard 8	Pair (3‑3 or 4‑4) before easy 6/8 or 7	9:1	~9.09%	~9.09%	Tiny splash only	“Hard eight”	High
Hard 4 / Hard 10	Pair (2‑2 or 5‑5) before easy 4/10 or 7	7:1	~11.11%	~11.11%	Tiny splash only	“Hard four”	High
Any 7	One‑roll: any 7	4:1	~16.67%	~16.67%	Avoid as a habit	“Any seven”	High
Any Craps (2,3,12)	One‑roll: 2, 3, or 12	7:1	~11.11%	~11.11%	Fun tip bet at most	“Any craps”	High
Horn (2,3,11,12)	One‑roll split bet on 2,3,11,12	Vary by hit: 2/12 high, 3/11 lower	~22.22% any hit	~12.5% (approx.)	Only tiny, for fun	“Horn high yo?”	High
Big 6 / Big 8	Win if 6/8 before 7 (even money)	1:1	~45.5%	~9.09%	Skip; Place 6/8 pays better	“Big six”	Med

House edge figures from the well‑known resource: house edge by bet. Basic dice odds: probability of two-dice totals.

Manners That Win Friends (and Fewer Side‑Eyes)

• Wait to buy in until a roll ends. The dealer will spread your cash and give chips.
• Keep drinks above the rail. No wet felt.
• When the stickman says “dice are out,” do not reach into the layout.
• Toss the dice so they hit the back wall. No fastball. No slide.
• Do not say “seven” mid‑hand. If you must, say “big red.”
• Ask dealers for help. “Can you set Odds for me, please?” is fine.
• Tip with small checks as you go, or place a bet “for the dealers.”
• Want norms on tips? Here is a sane guide to tipping dealers at table games.
• Be kind to other players. Cheer wins. Smile at losses. It helps.

Bankroll, Table Minimums, and When to Walk

Set a session bank. A common plan is 40–60 base bets. For a $10 table, that is $400–$600. This gives your plan room to breathe.

Pick a base bet and stick to it. On a $10 table, a lean start could be: $10 Pass Line; if a point sets, take $20 Odds; add one $12 Place 6 or 8 for action if you wish. Keep your total exposure clear to you.

Use stop points. For example, up +30%? Bank half and keep playing. Down −30%? Take a break and step away. Protect your mood first.

For safety basics on limits, cool‑downs, and signs of harm, read this short guide on how to gamble safely.

Myths That Drain Chips

“The Field is for beginners.” It looks easy, but the long‑term cost is high. It is fine for a one‑roll sweat. Do not make it your base plan.

“Hardways hit a lot if you set the dice.” The path is narrow: one combo wins, many combos lose. On hard 6/8, your chance to win before a loss is ~1 in 11. There is no magic fix. A deep dive asks: does dice control work?

“Hot table means free money.” Streaks happen. They end without warning. Ride them if you want, but set stops before the ride.

“Big payout means good value.” Often the reverse. Big center bets have the biggest edge. Use them as tiny tips at best.

Live vs Online Craps: Where to Learn Without Pressure

Live tables give pace, noise, and talk. You learn table flow and etiquette fast. Minimums can be higher at peak hours. If you are shy, stand back for a few rolls. Watch the dealer calls. Ask one short question at a time.

Online or app play lets you practice at your own speed. Many sites offer demo mode. RNG games use tested code to roll fair dice. When you compare places to try, look for clear license info, plain bonus terms, and fast payouts. For a clean, side‑by‑side view, see https://danske-casinoer.com/ — it lists key facts so you can check trust first.

Both paths work. Live teaches people skills and rhythm. Online drills rules and odds. Use both if you can.

A Small Story: My First Mistake

The first time I played, I threw the dice too hard. One die flew off the table. The boxman was calm. He said, “No rush. Hit the back wall. You’re fine.” I slowed down, and the rest of the night felt easy. Small fix. Big change.

Quick Glossary for the Rail

• Pass Line: Main bet: 7/11 wins on come‑out; 2/3/12 loses; point must repeat.
• Don’t Pass: The “dark side”: 2/3 wins; 7/11 loses; 12 pushes.
• Come / Don’t Come: Line bets made after a point; they travel to a number.
• Odds: Add‑on behind line bets that pays true odds (no edge).
• Place Bet: Bet a single number to roll before 7.
• Point: Number set on the come‑out (4,5,6,8,9,10).
• Hardway: A pair (like 3‑3) before an easy total or 7.
• Stickman: Dealer with the stick who runs the dice.
• Boxman: Dealer who watches chips and the game.
• Yo: 11 (said to avoid “eleven” sounding like “seven”).
• Big Red: Slang for 7, used to avoid saying “seven.”
• “Dice are out”: Warning that a roll is coming; hands up.

For a quick dictionary entry, see this clear craps definition.

FAQ

What are the best bets for beginners at craps?

Start with Pass Line plus Free Odds. Add one Place 6 or Place 8 if you want more action. These keep the house edge low and the rules simple.

How do Free Odds work and why are they called “true odds”?

Odds are a side bet behind your Pass or Come. They pay at the real math of the game (2:1 on 4/10, 3:2 on 5/9, 6:5 on 6/8). There is no house edge on the Odds part. That is why players love them.

Is dice setting or dice control real?

You can set dice for fun and habit. But long‑term control is not shown by strong proof. See the test‑based view here: does dice control work?

What’s the difference between Pass Line and Come bets?

They are the same rules, but timing is different. Pass Line is only on the come‑out. Come bets are made after a point and move to a number. Both can take Odds.

How much should I tip dealers at a craps table?

There is no fixed rule. A few small tokes during a session is kind. You can also place a $1 Pass Line “for the dealers.” For ideas, here is a guide to tipping dealers at table games.

What’s a good bankroll for a $10 minimum table?

$400–$600 gives you 40–60 base bets. This helps you ride normal swings. Set a loss stop and a win bank. Take breaks.

Can I practice craps online for free?

Yes. Many sites and apps offer demo play. It is a low‑pressure way to train rules and chip moves. When you compare sites, check license and payout record first. A neat list is at https://danske-casinoer.com/.

Wrap‑Up: Your First 15 Minutes at the Table

1. Watch one full hand. Note dealer calls and chip moves.
2. Buy in after the roll ends. Take a breath.
3. Bet $10 on Pass Line. If a point sets, add Odds (2x if you can).
4. If you want a bit more action, add one $12 Place 6 or 8.
5. Hands up when dice are out. Light, clean toss to the back wall.
6. Win or lose, tip a little if you had fun. Leave on your terms.

Responsible Play and Sources

Gambling is for adults only and should be fun, not stress. Set limits, take breaks, and seek help if play does not feel in control. See how to gamble safely.

For deeper reading and data, these are strong, neutral sources:

• house edge by bet (Wizard of Odds)
• probability of two-dice totals (Math Is Fun)
• brief history of craps (Britannica)
• standard craps layout (Wikipedia)
• does dice control work? (Skeptical Inquirer)
• craps definition (Merriam‑Webster)
• UNLV Center for Gaming Research

Author

By: Alex M. — table games fan, math‑first player, and notes‑nerd. I have logged many hours at low‑limit craps tables in Las Vegas and local rooms. I ask dealers questions, test small tweaks, and write the results in plain words.

Editorial policy: We check rules and edges against primary sources. We keep updates clear and dated. No “sure‑win” claims. Ever.