Craps gets a reputation as the most intimidating game in any casino. The table layout sprawls across the felt with dozens of betting options, dealers bark cryptic terminology, and chips scatter in a controlled chaos that seems reserved for seasoned veterans. But here’s the liberating truth: craps is actually simpler than it appears. Once you understand the fundamental mechanics and learn to focus on the bets that actually favor players, craps transforms from an overwhelming spectacle into an accessible and genuinely exciting game. Online craps removes some of the intimidation factor—no dealer pressure, no crowd energy, no need to understand hand signals—while preserving everything that makes the game thrilling.
The Intimidation Factor: Breaking Down the Myth
Walk up to a craps table at a physical casino and you’ll immediately understand why new players feel overwhelmed. The felt layout contains what seems like hundreds of betting areas. The stickman calls out numbers with rhythmic intensity. Players cheer as dice hit the back wall. Chips move in patterns that seem to follow an unwritten language.
The reality? The core game involves just two fundamental concepts: establishing a point and rolling dice until either that point appears again (you win) or a seven appears (you lose). Everything else is layering. The dozens of betting options exist because casinos want to offer something for every level of gambler—from conservative players seeking minimal house advantage to aggressive bettors chasing big payouts on longshots.
In physical casinos, the energy is contagious. When a shooter gets hot and the table wins repeatedly, the excitement builds organically. Players celebrate together. Craps tables attract people specifically for this communal experience. Online craps eliminates this social element, which some players miss. But for new players, the absence of crowd pressure actually makes learning the game easier. You can play at your own pace, reference strategy guides without judgment, and build confidence before ever sitting at a live table.
The key psychological insight: most bettors at craps tables are making terrible bets. They’re attracted to the big payouts on proposition bets that carry 10-25% house edges. Your advantage comes from doing the opposite—making the simple, low-edge bets that don’t excite crowds but systematically favor intelligent players.
The Basics: Understanding Craps Game Flow
Craps uses two standard six-sided dice. Each roll produces a total between 2 and 12. The game proceeds through distinct phases: the come-out roll, the point phase, and the resolution.
The Come-Out Roll
The shooter begins by rolling the dice. This initial roll is called the come-out roll. Three things can happen:
If the come-out roll totals 7 or 11, this is called a “natural.” Pass Line bets win immediately.
If the come-out roll totals 2, 3, or 12, this is called “craps.” Pass Line bets lose immediately. (The 12 is sometimes called “box cars” or “snake eyes” when it’s two sixes, though technically snake eyes refers to two ones.)
If the come-out roll totals any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the “point.” The shooter will continue rolling until either the point repeats (a “pass” and Pass Line bets win) or a 7 appears (a “seven-out” and Pass Line bets lose).
The Point Phase
Once a point is established, the focus narrows dramatically. The shooter keeps rolling. On each roll after the point is set:
If the point number appears again, it’s called “making the point.” Pass Line bets win, the round ends, and the next shooter begins a new come-out roll.
If a 7 appears, it’s called “seven-out.” Pass Line bets lose, the round ends, and the next shooter takes the dice.
If any other number appears, the roll simply continues the point phase without resolution.
This core flow repeats endlessly. Everything else in craps—all those betting options—is simply variations on whether you want the point to be made or not, or attempts to predict future rolls.
Understanding Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line
The Pass Line is craps’ foundational bet. Before the come-out roll, you place your chips on the Pass Line area of the layout. You’re betting that the shooter will:
- Roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll (immediate win), or
- Establish a point and then roll that point again before rolling a 7 (delayed win)
If the come-out roll is 2, 3, or 12, your Pass Line bet loses immediately. If a 7 is rolled after the point is established, your Pass Line bet loses.
The house edge on Pass Line bets is 1.41%. This means over time, for every $100 wagered on Pass Line, you’ll lose about $1.41 to the house. This is respectable odds for any casino game.
The Don’t Pass Line inverts the logic. You’re betting that the shooter will either roll 2 or 3 on the come-out (you win), or 12 on the come-out (push/tie—your bet is returned), or fail to make the point (you win). The house edge on Don’t Pass is 1.36%, slightly better than Pass Line.
Many new players shy away from Don’t Pass because it feels like betting against the shooter. In reality, it’s simply betting with the mathematical odds—the house maintains a slight edge on all bets, so “wrong way” betting (Don’t Pass) is mathematically equivalent to “right way” betting (Pass Line). Choose whichever feels more comfortable.
Essential Betting Options: Building Your Craps Strategy
Once you understand Pass Line and Don’t Pass, you’re ready to explore the betting landscape. Not all options are created equal. The critical principle: focus on bets with house edges below 1.5%, avoid anything above 4%, and never touch proposition bets that exceed 10%.
Pass Line and Don’t Pass (1.41% and 1.36% House Edge)
These are your foundation. Every craps session should include Pass Line or Don’t Pass wagers as your primary bet. They’re simple, offer decent odds, and teach you how the game flows.
Come and Don’t Come (1.41% and 1.36% House Edge)
Come bets function identically to Pass Line bets, except you make them after the point is already established. The next roll becomes your personal come-out roll. If you roll 7 or 11, Come wins. If you roll 2, 3, or 12, Come loses. If any other number appears, that number becomes your Come point, and you win when that number rolls again before a 7.
Don’t Come functions identically to Don’t Pass using the same logic.
Come and Don’t Come bets are useful for betting on multiple numbers. Imagine the point is 6. You can have a Pass Line bet working on the 6, and simultaneously make Come bets that might win on points of 8, 9, and 10. This diversifies your outcome, though it doesn’t improve the house edge—it just spreads action across more numbers.
Taking and Laying Odds (0% House Edge – The Best Bet in Any Casino)
This is where craps becomes exceptional. Once a point is established, you can make a supplemental bet called “taking odds” on Pass Line bets or “laying odds” on Don’t Pass bets. These bets have zero house edge—the payout is mathematically fair.
When you take odds, you’re betting that the point will be made. The payout depends on the point: 4 or 10 (pays 2:1), 5 or 9 (pays 3:2), 6 or 8 (pays 6:5).
For example, if the point is 8, you might bet $50 on Pass Line. Once the point is set, you can take odds by placing an additional $50 behind the line. If an 8 rolls before a 7, you win $50 on your Pass Line bet plus $60 on your odds bet (your $50 odds bet paid at 6:5), for a total win of $110.
The key advantage: odds bets reduce your overall house edge. If you bet $50 Pass Line with $50 odds, your combined house edge falls from 1.41% to roughly 0.76% (the odds have 0% edge, diluting the Pass Line’s 1.41% across both bets). If your casino offers 10x odds, you could bet $50 Pass Line and $500 in odds, reducing your combined house edge to approximately 0.13%.
This is why odds bets are universally considered the smartest bet in any casino game. The downside? They require larger bankrolls. The upside? They’re the closest thing to a free lunch that casinos permit.
Place Bets (1.52% House Edge on 6 and 8)
Place bets let you win money if a specific number rolls before a 7. You can place bets on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. The house edge varies: 1.52% on 6 and 8, 4% on 5 and 9, and 6.67% on 4 and 10.
Intelligent players focus exclusively on place bets on 6 and 8. These numbers have the lowest house edge and the best payout ratios (6:5). If you place $30 on 6 and a 6 rolls before a 7, you win $36. This is a reasonable bet for variance and supplementary action.
Buy Bets (4.76% House Edge)
Buy bets function similarly to place bets, but with a twist: the house takes a 5% commission on your win. So betting $20 to win on 4 means the 4 rolls before a 7, you win $40 minus the 5% commission ($2), netting $38. Buy bets on 4 and 10 can be reasonable if the casino allows low commission rates or discounts for regular players.
The Sucker Bets: Understanding Why to Avoid Them
Not all bets are created equal. Some bets carry such high house edges that they should never be part of your strategy, no matter how attractive the payouts appear.
Any 7 (16.67% House Edge)
One of the worst bets in craps. Any 7 wins if the next roll is a 7, typically paying 4:1. Seems reasonable? The mathematics tell a different story. A 7 appears on approximately 1 in 6 rolls. A 4:1 payout means you need to win 20% of the time just to break even. You only win about 16.67% of the time, creating a devastating house edge.
Any Craps (11.11% House Edge)
Betting that the next roll will be 2, 3, or 12 (craps). The payout varies (often 7:1), but the house edge remains brutal.
Hardways (10-16% House Edge)
A hardway bet wins if a specific number appears as a pair before appearing any other way or before a 7 rolls. For example, a “hard 8” wins if 4-4 rolls before 4-4 appears as any other combination or before a 7. These bets carry 10-16% house edges depending on the number.
Proposition Bets (14-25% House Edge)
The proposition bets in the center of the table promise outlandish payouts: 15:1, 30:1, even 45:1. These are pure sucker bets. Yes, they hit occasionally, but the payouts don’t compensate for the actual probability. Avoid them entirely.
Field Bets (Variable, Often 5.5%)
Field bets win if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The field covers many numbers, giving the illusion of high probability. But it covers only 7 of 11 winning numbers and excludes the most common numbers (5, 6, 7, 8). The house edge typically ranges from 2.7% to 5.5% depending on how 12 and 2 are paid. It’s not terrible, but it’s not intelligent either.
The Psychology of Big Payouts
Casinos arrange these high-edge bets prominently and advertise the big payouts. A 30:1 payout on a proposition bet sounds incredible. And yes, occasionally it hits. When it does, the rush is real. But over hundreds of rolls, these bets systematically drain your bankroll faster than anything else. Discipline here is where intelligent players separate from casual action-seekers.
Optimal Craps Strategy: Maximizing Your Advantage
The consensus among advantage players is remarkably simple: bet Pass Line or Don’t Pass with maximum odds. This combination provides the lowest possible house edge and the most reasonable bankroll requirements.
The Core Strategy: Pass Line Plus 3x-4x-5x Odds
Step 1: Make a Pass Line bet before the come-out roll.
Step 2: If a point is established, immediately take odds (typically 3x your Pass Line bet, or 4x, or 5x depending on your bankroll and casino limits). Some casinos offer 10x, 25x, 50x, or even 100x odds, which further reduces house edge.
Step 3: If the point is made, collect your winnings and repeat.
Step 4: If a 7 appears, lose both bets and repeat.
The beauty of this approach: it’s simple, requires no complex analysis, and provides nearly the lowest house edge available in any casino. If you have a $100 bankroll, you might make a $10 Pass Line bet with $30 in odds, risking $40 per round for approximately $0.13 in expected long-term loss per round.
Odds Multiplier Impact on House Edge
Pass Line alone: 1.41% house edge Pass Line with 3x odds: 0.51% house edge Pass Line with 4x odds: 0.38% house edge Pass Line with 5x odds: 0.30% house edge Pass Line with 10x odds: 0.13% house edge Pass Line with 100x odds: 0.013% house edge
The relationship is linear: more odds means lower house edge. Some online casinos offer 100x or unlimited odds precisely because the difference becomes negligible at extreme levels.
Bankroll Calculation for Odds Betting
To comfortably sustain odds betting, calculate your bankroll based on the bets you intend to make. If you want to make $25 Pass Line bets with 5x odds, you’re risking $150 per round ($25 + $125). To withstand variance over 100 rounds, you’d ideally have $1,500-$3,000.
The variance in craps is meaningful. Some shooters go hot and make multiple points in a row (you win repeatedly). Other shooters seven-out immediately (you lose repeatedly). A realistic short session might swing $400-$800 in either direction, even when making mathematically correct bets.
Bankroll Progression Strategy
Many craps players employ a betting progression—starting small and increasing bets after wins or decreasing after losses. Here’s the crucial reality: no progression system changes the house edge. If the house edge on Pass Line is 1.41%, it remains 1.41% whether you bet $10 or $100. Progressions change variance patterns and can help manage your psychological relationship with risk, but they don’t change the underlying mathematics.
Some players use a “conservative bankroll” approach: never risk more than 2% of your bankroll per round. If you have $1,000, keep each round’s total risk below $20. This extends your playing time and reduces the chance of a catastrophic loss.
Others use a “win goal and stop” approach: play until you reach a specific profit target, then quit. If you start with $500 and want to reach $700, quit once you’ve won $200. This creates a psychological win state without relying on faulty mathematical progressions.
Bonus Craps and Side Bets: Understanding Modern Variants
As online casinos compete for players, they’ve introduced variants like Bonus Craps with additional side betting options. Understanding these allows you to evaluate whether they’re worth incorporating into your strategy.
Galaxy Gaming’s Bonus Craps
Bonus Craps adds two optional wagers: “All or Nothing” and the “Bonus Craps” side bet itself.
The All or Nothing bet wins if the shooter rolls all six point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) before sevening out. The payout is substantial (often 250:1 or higher), which immediately signals a high house edge. The probability of rolling six different numbers before a 7 is extremely low, making this a proposition bet by another name.
The Bonus Craps wager pays based on whether specific point numbers are rolled before sevening. The payout structure varies, but it’s another high-edge option designed to extract additional money from aggressive bettors.
My Assessment of Side Bets
Most bonus craps variations carry 4-10% house edges. They exist because casinos know that some players will find the novelty and higher payouts irresistible. If you’re committed to the lowest possible house edge, ignore these bets entirely. If you want to add them occasionally for entertainment value, set a strict budget (perhaps 5% of your total action) and don’t exceed it.
The core principle remains: Pass Line with odds is always more profitable than chasing bigger payouts on worse odds.
Online Versus Live Craps: Platform Differences and Strategy Adjustments
Online craps comes in multiple formats, each with distinct characteristics that affect your strategy and enjoyment.
RNG Craps with Animation
Most online casinos offer computer-generated craps using random number generators (RNG). The game displays digital dice animations that produce outcomes predetermined by the RNG algorithm. These games are fast, offer flexible betting limits ($1-$2,500 typical), and let you play at whatever pace you prefer.
The odds are identical to physical craps. The house edge on Pass Line remains 1.41%. The odds bets still have zero house edge. The primary psychological difference: there’s no sensation of roll or anticipation. The dice animate after the outcome is determined, removing the physical suspense.
Live Dealer Craps
Some casinos offer live dealer craps with a human crew shooting real dice on a real table. This recreates the physical experience through streaming video. Live dealer craps is less common than live blackjack or roulette, but it’s available at premium online casinos.
Live craps preserves the physical anticipation while maintaining online convenience. You see the dice actually roll. The atmosphere mimics a real table. However, the betting limits are often lower than RNG craps, and loading times are slower due to streaming requirements.
Speed Differences and Implications
Online RNG craps is substantially faster. You can complete 30-50 rounds per hour, compared to 8-15 rounds per hour at a physical table. This faster pace affects bankroll variance. More rounds mean your short-term results will likely approach the mathematical expected value faster.
For strategy purposes, this means: bankroll swings at online craps will be more consistent with theoretical expectations. You’ll see the math play out in real-time rather than being obscured by small sample-size variance.
Using Craps for Bonus Clearing
Craps is sometimes overlooked for bonus clearing, but it’s actually excellent for this purpose. Many casino bonuses require a multiplier (e.g., wagering the bonus amount 20 times before you can withdraw). Craps’ low house edge means you lose money slowly. Pass Line with 5x odds has approximately 0.30% house edge. If you have a $100 bonus with 20x wagering requirement ($2,000 total wagered), your expected loss is $6.
Compare this to slot machines (typically 2-5% house edge) where that same bonus would cost $40-$100 in expected losses. Craps is the intelligent choice for bonus clearing.
Electronic, Video, and Live Craps Formats: Understanding Your Options
The craps experience varies considerably depending on which format you choose.
RNG Craps (Most Common Online)
Fully automated using random number generators. No dealers, no physical dice. Fastest play. Lowest minimum bets often available. Available at essentially all online casinos. The odds are mathematically identical to physical craps.
Live Dealer Craps (Limited Availability)
Real dealers, real dice, real table. Streamed via video. More immersive. Slower pace. Higher minimum bets typical. Available at premium online casinos and some traditional casinos with online platforms. The experience is superior for players seeking authenticity, though the odds are identical.
Electronic Craps Terminals (Shoot to Win Craps and Similar)
Some casinos offer electronic craps terminals that blend automation with some physical interaction. You might touch a screen to roll the dice, or a machine handles all actions. These are more common in tribal and local casinos than major online platforms.
Bubble Craps
A variant using an automated dice machine inside a plastic dome. The dice are mechanized rather than hand-rolled. Available primarily in physical casinos but sometimes mimicked online. Functionally identical to RNG craps with the added visual element of automated dice.
Which Format for You?
New players should start with RNG craps for the simplicity, speed, and low minimum bets. The lack of physical dice removes distractions when learning. Experienced players often prefer live dealer craps for the authenticity and the ability to read table momentum (though this doesn’t affect odds, many players enjoy the ritual).
Craps Terminology: Speaking the Language
Understanding craps terminology transforms your confidence and comfort at the table.
Come-Out Roll – The first roll of a new shooting sequence. Establishes whether a point is set or the round ends immediately.
Pass Line – The most popular craps bet. Betting that the shooter will establish and make a point.
Don’t Pass – Betting against the shooter. Betting that they’ll fail to make the point.
Point – The number established on the come-out roll (if it’s 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). The shooter must roll this number again to win.
Seven Out – Rolling a 7 after the point is established. Ends the shooter’s turn and loses all Pass Line bets.
Natural – Rolling 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. Wins Pass Line bets immediately.
Craps – Rolling 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll. Loses Pass Line bets immediately.
Snake Eyes – Rolling two ones (a 2). A type of craps roll.
Box Cars – Rolling two sixes (a 12). Another type of craps roll.
Hardway – Rolling a specific number as a pair before rolling it another way. For example, 4-4 as a hard eight.
Press – Automatically increasing a bet. Common instruction: “Press my place bet,” meaning add the winnings to the original bet instead of taking them as profit.
Taking Odds / Laying Odds – Making the supplemental zero-house-edge bet after a point is established. Taking odds supports Pass Line (betting the point is made). Laying odds supports Don’t Pass (betting the point fails).
Come Bet – A Pass Line-style bet made after the point is established. The next roll becomes your personal come-out roll.
Don’t Come Bet – A Don’t Pass-style bet made after the point is established.
Place Bet – Betting that a specific number will roll before a 7.
Buy Bet – Similar to a place bet but with a 5% commission on wins and better payouts.
Horn Bet – Betting on 2, 3, 11, and 12 simultaneously. A proposition bet with a high house edge.
World Bet – A single bet combining the horn numbers plus 7. Designed for shooters about to seven-out. A proposition bet with high house edge.
Yo-Leven – Calling 11 out loud as “yo-leven” to distinguish it from “seven” when sounds are unclear.
Table Minimum / Maximum – The smallest and largest individual bet allowed. Online tables often have $1-$2,500 ranges.
Stickman – The dealer who controls the proposition bets in the center of the table. Less relevant in online craps.
Boxman – The dealer who oversees payouts and chip management. Also less relevant online.
Visual Guide: Understanding the Craps Table Layout
The craps table layout can appear chaotic. Here’s how to navigate it mentally:
The Pass/Don’t Pass Area – Located at the front and back of the table (both ends are identical). This is where you place Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets before the come-out roll.
The Come/Don’t Come Area – Immediately above and below the Pass/Don’t Pass areas. Where Come and Don’t Come bets are placed.
The Point Box – A series of boxes numbered 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 in the center-top of the table. When a point is established, a puck or marker sits in the corresponding box to indicate the active point.
The Number Boxes – Specific areas for place bets and buy bets on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10. Located on both sides of the table (everything is mirrored so both ends can participate).
The Proposition Circle – The center of the table where proposition bets are located. Includes Any 7, Any Craps, Hardways, Horns, and similar high-edge bets.
The Field – A rectangular area covering 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12. Each number is displayed. Field bets are placed here.
Online tables simplify this significantly. You’ll see clickable areas for each bet type, eliminating the need to physically place chips.
Sample Game Flow: Following a Complete Round
Let’s walk through a realistic craps hand:
Round Start: You’ve decided on Pass Line with 5x odds. The shooter is about to roll the come-out roll. You place $25 on the Pass Line.
Come-Out Roll: The shooter rolls. The dice land: 5 and 4, totaling 9. This isn’t a natural (7 or 11) or craps (2, 3, 12), so the 9 becomes the point. A puck or marker moves to the 9 in the point box.
Taking Odds: Now that the point is 9, you take odds. You place $125 behind your Pass Line bet (5x your original $25 bet). You’re betting that a 9 rolls before a 7.
Next Rolls: The shooter rolls: 3 and 4 (total 7). No 9 yet. Your bets remain active.
Another Roll: The shooter rolls: 4 and 5 (total 9). Your point appeared! You win.
Winnings: Your $25 Pass Line bet wins $25 (1:1 payout). Your $125 odds bet wins $187.50 (3:2 payout because 9 is a 3:2 odds bet). Total profit: $212.50.
Next Round: Puck clears, you’re back to a come-out roll scenario. You place another $25 Pass Line bet, repeating the process.
This sequence illustrates the core mechanics and why odds bets are so valuable. Your original $25 risk combined with $125 in odds generated a $212.50 profit, emphasizing how odds amplify your winnings without increasing house edge.
Bankroll Calculation Examples
Conservative Player with $500 Bankroll Goal: Minimize risk and extend playing time. Strategy: $5 Pass Line with $25 odds ($30 per round total risk). Expected rounds: 15-20 before bankroll exhaustion if luck is average. Expected loss per round: $0.09 (based on 0.30% combined house edge). Expected total loss over 15 rounds: approximately $1.35.
Moderate Player with $1,500 Bankroll Goal: Balanced risk and entertainment. Strategy: $20 Pass Line with $100 odds ($120 per round total risk). Expected rounds: 10-12 before bankroll exhaustion if luck is average. Expected loss per round: $0.36. Expected total loss over 12 rounds: approximately $4.32.
Aggressive Player with $3,000 Bankroll Goal: Maximize potential wins despite volatility. Strategy: $50 Pass Line with $250 odds ($300 per round total risk). Expected rounds: 10 before bankroll exhaustion if luck is average. Expected loss per round: $0.90. Expected total loss over 10 rounds: approximately $9.
These calculations assume average variance. Actual results will fluctuate. A hot shooter can produce 10 made points in a row (you win repeatedly), or cold shooting can produce seven-outs immediately.
Advanced Consideration: Multiple Come Bets for Diversification
Once you’re comfortable with Pass Line plus odds, you can add Come bets and Come odds to cover multiple points simultaneously.
Example Scenario: Point is 6. You have a $25 Pass Line bet with $125 in odds. You make a $25 Come bet. The next roll is 8, establishing a Come point of 8. You immediately take odds on the Come bet.
Now you have two active bets: winning if either 6 or 8 appears before a 7. The house edge remains unchanged, but your variance spreads across more outcomes. This approach is psychologically appealing (multiple chances to win per round) but mathematically equivalent to a single larger bet.
Final Strategic Summary
The Optimal Approach:
- Understand Pass Line and Don’t Pass thoroughly. These are your foundation.
- Immediately take odds once a point is established. This is the single most important decision in craps strategy.
- Avoid all proposition bets, any craps, hardways, and field bets unless you have a specific entertainment budget set aside.
- Choose bet sizes based on your bankroll, targeting 1-2% per round risk for sustainability.
- Appreciate that craps, despite its appearance, is one of the best-odds games available if you make the correct bets.
The Psychological Advantage: Online craps removes much of the intimidation factor while preserving the mathematical advantage you gain through disciplined betting. You control the pace, can reference strategy without judgment, and benefit from the 0% house edge on odds bets. The combination of low house edge and straightforward mechanics makes craps an excellent choice for bankroll-conscious players who want genuine gaming entertainment.
The Bottom Line: Craps transforms from intimidating to accessible once you realize that the winning strategy is remarkably simple: bet Pass Line or Don’t Pass, immediately take maximum odds, and ignore everything else. No other casino game offers a zero-house-edge supplemental bet that reduces your overall edge this effectively. Master this, and you’re playing craps better than 95% of the players in any casino.
