If you walk onto a casino floor, it is usually incredibly easy to locate the Craps pit; just follow the noise.
The Craps layout is an absolute mess of confusing numbers, bizarre terminology (like “Horn Bets” and “Hardways”), and fast-moving chips.
Because it looks so incredibly complicated, most casual players simply walk past the Craps table and sit down at a slot machine instead.
Let’s learn how to throw the dice, understand the “Pass Line,” and experience the most thrilling game on the casino floor.
Understanding the Core of Craps: The Pass Line
The Pass Line is the long, curved betting area that wraps entirely around the outside edge of the table layout.
Before the shooter throws the dice, you place your chips directly on the Pass Line.
Outcome 1 (The Instant Win): If the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11, the entire table erupts in cheers.
Outcome 3 (Establishing the Point): This is the most common outcome and the heart of the game.
The dealer will take a large, physical plastic puck (which is white on one side and black on the other) and place it directly on that number on the layout, white side up.
What Happens After the Point is Established
Once “The Point” is established (let’s use 8 as our example), the rules for your Pass Line bet completely flip.
Your Pass Line bet wins, the dealer pays you 1 to 1, the puck is flipped to “Off,” and the game resets to a brand new Come-Out Roll.
If the shooter rolls a 7 before they roll the Point (an 8), it is called “Sevening Out.”
The dealer sweeps all the chips off the table, the shooter passes the dice to the next player in line, and the game resets.
You can literally ignore the other 50 bets on the table and have an amazing, mathematically sound evening playing just the Pass Line.
How to Lower the House Edge to Zero
Once a Point is established, the casino allows you to place an additional wager directly behind your original Pass Line bet (outside the printed line).
It is mathematically perfect; the casino pays you out exactly according to the true statistical probability of the dice rolling the Point before a 7.
If the Point is 5 or 9, the true odds are 3 to 2. The Odds bet pays exactly 3 to 2.
To take advantage of this incredible mathematical anomaly, professional players always keep their initial Pass Line bet as low as possible (the table minimum).
Never play Craps without taking Odds. It is the smartest, most mathematically sound decision you can make in any casino on earth.
The Craps Cheat Sheet for Beginners
- Phase 1: The Puck is “OFF”. You are hoping the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11 to win instantly.
- Phase 2: The rules flip. You now want the shooter to roll the Point number again.
- The Free Odds Bet: Once the Point is established, place more chips directly behind your Pass Line bet.
- The Golden Rule: Stick to the Pass Line and the Odds. Let the tourists throw their money away in the middle of the table.
Understanding the Probabilities in Craps
| Result of the Throw | How Many Ways to Make It | Statistical Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 3 or 11 (Yo) | Only 2 ways each (1-2, 2-1 or 5-6, 6-5) | Very difficult to hit. |
| 5 or 9 | Only 4 ways each | Moderate difficulty. The Odds bet pays 3:2. |
| The Golden Ratio | There are 6 ways to roll a 7, and only 5 ways to roll a 6 or 8. | The House Edge exists because the 7 will always eventually appear and wipe out the board. |
Do not let the complex layout and the shouting dealers intimidate you from experiencing the best game in the building.
If you stick rigidly to this simple strategy, you will be playing with better odds than 95% of the other people in the casino.
Welcome to the most exciting, chaotic, and profitable fraternity in the casino world.
