Craps for Beginners: How to Play Craps Online

The time has come and you decided to finally learn how to play craps. Good for you! It’s a fast, chaotic, but not the most complicated game that keeps luring people in (in a good way), and there are lots of reasons why people enjoy it. And so, it’s your time to enjoy it, too.

As luck woud have it, this article will explain exactly how to play craps, what’s a craps table, what bet wins most, and how you can win some real money with a few dice rolls. Are you ready? Let’s start a new game!

What Is Craps?

Craps game is and slightly chaotic – exactly the one you’ve probably seen in movies, when people in a lavish casino resort are crowded around a table, yelling “Come on, baby!” while someone makes a lice roll of the dice across the felt. At first glance, it looks like absolute madness. But underneath all that noise, it’s really just a game of guessing what two dice will land on.

The main idea when craps begins is that one person rolls, and everyone else bets on what’s going to happen. The first roll is called the “come-out roll.” If it lands on 7 or 11, it’s a win. If it’s 2, 3, or 12, you’re out. Anything else sets the “point”, and from there, the shooter keeps rolling, trying to have the same number rolled again before rolling a 7.

That’s the basic loop. The rest of the table (with all the weird names like “hard 8” and “yo-eleven”) is just different ways to bet on the dice. Some people love going deep into those, but you don’t need to learn all of them on day one.

Online, it’s much more chill without a crowd, pressure, or people handing you the dice when you’re not ready. Just you, the virtual table, and a couple of dice.

How to Play Craps for Beginners

If you’re used to games like blackjack or roulette, game of craps might feel like stepping into the deep end of the casino table games pool at a fancy casino resort. But once you get the hang of the basics and learn how to play craps, it’s actually one of the most exciting (and surprisingly simple) games to play:

1. Join the table (or online game): Setup is the same for both real casino resort or craps online. You’ll see a table with a ton of betting areas. Don’t let it scare you, just focus on the main ones for now. You don’t need to know every bet to start.
2. Start with the Pass Line bet: Here s where most beginners start, and honestly, you could play craps with this bet only and still have a great time. You place your bet here before the first roll of a round (called the come-out roll).
3. The come-out roll: Now’s the time for a roll of the dice. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win your Pass Line bet. If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, you lose (it’s called “crapping out”). If it’s anything else (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the point.
4. Rolling for the point: Once a point is made, the shooter keeps rolling. Your goal now is for them to have the same number rolled again before they roll a 7. If they hit the point, you win. If they roll a 7 first, you lose (this is called “sevening out”).
5. Stick to the basics at first: While the craps table has tons of betting options (like Come point and bets, Odds, Field, and all sorts of “hard ways”), you don’t need to mess with those right away. Start with the Pass Line and maybe Come odds once you’re more comfortable.
6. Know when a new round starts: After a shooter sevens out, a new shooter takes over and the process resets, starting again with a come-out roll.

Craps Rules

Before you even roll the dice (literally) at a casino resort, it helps to know the actual rules that the game runs on. Game of craps isn’t just about making a roll of the dice and hoping for the best – there’s a structure to it, and knowing the rules makes the chaos make sense. So, why don’t we learn what the game allows, what the other bets mean, what the basic bet is, what bet wins, and how everything works under the hood?

• Craps is played with two six-sided dice. All rolls are based on the combined total of both dice, not individual numbers.
• The shooter (the person rolling) must place a bet on either the Pass/Don’t Pass (both are a basic bet) before rolling.
• The first roll of any new round is called the come-out roll. The rules for this roll are specific: 7 or 11 wins, 2, 3, or 12 bet loses (for Pass Line bets). Any other number rolled becomes the “point.”
• Once a point is established, the shooter keeps rolling until either the point is hit again (win) or a 7 is rolled (loss). This ends the round.
• If the shooter “sevens out,” the dice pass to the next player. If you’re playing online, the game just resets, and you get a new round.
• Players are allowed to bet with the shooter (Pass) or against them (Don’t Pass). Betting against the shooter is less common, but it’s completely within the rules.
• After the come-out roll, players can make Come or Don’t Come bets, essentially starting their own mini-rounds with the same rules as the Pass/Don’t Pass bets.
• Odds bets can be added behind Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bets after a point is established. These bets are optional but follow strict payout rules depending on the point number.
• The table also allows Place Bets, where players bet that specific numbers (like 6 or 8) will hit before a 7. These are separate from the Pass/Come bets.
• Field bets, Big 6/8, and Proposition bets (like betting on a specific total or pair of numbers) are all legal and available, but they usually come with worse true odds for the player.
• You can remove or reduce most bets anytime, except for Pass Line and Come Bets, which have to stay in play once the point is set.
• The dice must hit the back wall of the table when rolled. If they don’t, the dealer can call it a “no roll” (online game of craps handles this automatically).
• The shooter continues rolling as long as they keep winning or until they seven out. If you’re the shooter and lose, the dice go to the next player.
• All payouts and odds follow the casino’s posted rules. Online casinos usually show you the true odds and limits right on the screen.
• If you’re betting with the house (that the shooter won’t make the point before rolling a 7), that’s called lay odds. It’s a type of bet that you can make after a point has been established, and the opposite of taking odds on the Pass Line or Come bets.

What Is a Natural in Craps?

In the game of craps, a “natural” happens when the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the very first roll - that’s called the come-out roll. And if you’re betting on the Pass Line (which, let’s be honest, most craps beginners do), a natural is exactly what you want. You win. Instantly. It’s kind of like hitting 21 right off the bat in blackjack. Super satisfying.

Now, if you’re on the Don’t Pass Line (basically betting against the shooter rolls), a natural is the worst-case scenario. You lose immediately. So when you’re playing against the shooter rolls, you’re kind of rooting for them to fail, and as a natural means, they didn’t.

To sum it up in plain terms:

• Natural = 7 or 11 on the come-out roll.
• Pass Line wins.
• Don’t Pass Line bet loses.
• Everyone who just made a Pass Line bet feels like a genius.

What is Craps or Crapping out?

You know that moment when the shooter makes a roll of the dice, everyone’s hyped, chips are down, and then a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled on the first try? That’s called crapping out, and it’s as brutal as it sounds.

If you’ve got money on the Pass Line, you just lost – instantly. It usually happens just as everyone’s getting fired up, especially when the table’s feeling lucky. One second you’re thinking you’re about to ride a hot streak, next second your chips are gone and someone’s muttering, “Well, that died fast.”

This is literally where the game gets its name. Having a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled on the come-out roll? That’s “craps.” You’ve crapped out. Welcome to the game.

Now, if you were betting on the Don’t Pass Line (aka being the villain at the table), it’s a little better:

• A 2 or 3 is a win.
• A 12 is a push, which is basically a tie, so your bet stays on the table.

So yeah, crapping out is the bad side of the coin when you’re chasing that sweet 7 or 11 (a “natural”). It’s the roll that sucks the air out of the table and makes you wish you’d waited one more round and tried some other combination.

What is the Point in Craps?

The shooter rolls the dice on the come-out roll and doesn’t hit a quick 7 or 11 (a natural), and doesn’t crap out with a 2, 3, or 12. Instead, they roll something like a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. That number is now the point, which is basically the target they need to hit again.

From now on, the game’s all about watching that shooter try to have the same number rolled again before they roll a 7. It’s tense. The table’s quiet for a moment, everyone’s eyes glued to the dice. You’ll hear people whispering things like, “Come on, give us an 8!” or “No sevens, no sevens…”

If the shooter nails that point number again before the 7, anyone who bet on the Pass Line wins. People usually throw some high-fives, maybe even shout. But if a 7 comes up first (that’s called sevening out), it’s game over for the round. Pass Line bets lose, and the dice move on to the next shooter.

Craps Table Layout Explained

At first glance, a table can look like a maze of numbers and boxes, but the craps table layout is simpler than it seems:

• Right in front of you is the Pass Line (that’s where most people start because it’s the simplest bet). Just above it, you’ve got the Don’t Pass Line, which is basically betting against the shooter rolls, kind of like rooting for them to mess up.
• In the middle, there are the Come and Don’t Come spots (think of those as the “second chance” bets once the point’s set). Around the edges, you’ll see numbers like 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. These are the spots where folks place bets on specific numbers to hit again before a 7 shows up.
• You’ll also notice areas for Odds Bets behind the Pass and Come lines. These are where the serious players pile on extra bets once the point’s locked in. And then there’s the Field and Big 6/8 zones if you want to mix things up and chase some riskier wins.
• If you’re playing online, the layout’s usually cleaner but follows the same flow, just click where you want to bet.

Pass or Don’t Pass Bets in Craps

So, let’s say it once more and with feeling: what are Pass or Don’t Pass bets?

When you bet on the Pass Line, you’re betting that the shooter’s gonna roll lucky and win. You put your chips down before the first roll (called the come-out roll). If they nail a 7 or 11 right off the bat, you’re cashing out. But if they roll a 2, 3, or 12, you lose your bet. If they roll any other number, that number becomes the “point,” and now the whole table is watching, hoping the shooter hits that point again before rolling a 7.

Now, if you’re feeling a bit contrarian, you can go with the Don’t Pass Line bet. This is you betting that the shooter’s gonna mess up. On the come-out roll, if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, you win. If they hit a 7 or 11, you lose. A 12 (the one exception here) is a push, meaning nobody wins or loses on that roll. Once the point’s set, you’re rooting for a 7 to come up before the shooter hits that number again.

Come or Don’t Come Bets in Craps

Once the point’s locked in and the game’s already rolling, that’s when Come and Don’t Come bets step up. They’re basically the same idea as Pass and Don’t Pass, but you place these bets after the point’s set, kinda like hopping on the bandwagon mid-ride.

If you throw down a Come bet, you’re hoping the next one is a 7 or 11 so you can score a quick win. Roll a 2, 3, or 12, and you’re out. But if the dice land on any other number, that number becomes your own little point. Now you’re watching the dice, crossing your fingers that it hits that number again before a 7 crashes the party.

With a Don’t Come bet, it’s flipped. You’re betting the shooter’s gonna mess up. You win if the next one is a 2 or 3, lose on a 7 or 11, and if it’s a 12, nobody wins or loses - it’s a push. If a different number pops up, that’s your point, and now you want the dreaded 7 to roll before your number shows up again.

Picking Your Spot at the Table

When you first step up to the game of craps table, it can feel like a lot of places to put your chips. You don’t have to bet on everything, though. Just pick the spot that suits your style and comfort level. Each area on the table offers a different type of bet, with its own risks and rewards, to see which bet wins it for you:

• Field bets are like the “quick hit” bets. You’re saying, “Hey, give me a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.” You either win or lose right then and there. It’s simple and gets the adrenaline going fast.
• Come bets are like hopping on a moving train. After the point’s set, you can jump in with a Come bet. If the next one’s a 7 or 11, you win. If it’s a 2, 3, or 12, you lose. If it’s any other number, that’s your new Come bet point, and you’re rooting for it to show up again before a 7 crashes the party.
• Place bets are a bit more like picking your favorite horse. You pick numbers like 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, betting they’ll show up before a 7 does. It’s less instant, but if you’ve got a feel for it, the payoffs can be pretty sweet.
• Proposition bets are the wildcards - the flashy, high-risk bets on hitting a specific double or rolling a 2 or 12. They don’t come up often, but when they do, the payout can be massive. Just be careful! They’re like fireworks: exciting but risky.
• One roll bet is exactly what it sounds like - a bet that is decided by the very next roll. It’s roll the dice, win or lose. A one roll bet includes betting on a 2 (snake eyes), 12 (boxcars), or that the next roll will be any craps number. The payouts can be big, but your odds with a one roll bet are slim.
• Odds bets are the hidden gems. Once the point’s set, you can back up your Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bets with Odds bets. Plus, they have the lowest house edge or no house edge, so they’re basically the smart money on the table.

Best Craps Strategy for Beginners

So if you still have no idea what you’re doing and how you should go about playing the game, we have best strategy for craps prepared right here:

• Stick to Pass Line or Don’t Pass bets: These are your bread and butter. They’re simple bets, but they give you the best odds without the headache. No need to chase weird bets when you’re still figuring things out.
• Always take the Odds bet when it’s available: Once the point’s set, putting some extra chips behind your Pass or Don’t Pass bet is like free money. We said it before, we’ll say it again: these bets have zero house edge, so they’re the smartest bets on the table.
• Forget about Proposition bets: Yes, hitting a hard eight or snake eyes looks cool, but those sucker bets will eat your bankroll faster than you can say “craps.” Leave those to the pros or when you’re feeling reckless.
• Set a budget and stick to it like glue: The game of craps is fast, and it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. Decide beforehand how much you’re cool losing, and once you hit that limit, walk away. It saves a lot of stress, trust.

How to Play Craps for Beginners FAQs

How can I find free online Craps games?

Easy. Just search for “free online craps” and you’ll find a bunch of legit casino sites (or a casino resort with that sort or games available) that let you play craps in demo mode. No money, no pressure – just you and the dice getting to know each other.

Can I win at Craps?

You can, absolutely. But it’s still a game at a site or a casino resort, so the house always has an edge somewhere. That said, if you stick to smart bets like Pass Line, Don’t Pass, and always take the Odds bet, you’re giving yourself the best possible shot without diving into unnecessary risks.

What are the most common craps bets?

The ones you’ll hear over and over again are:

• Pass Line: Betting the shooter will win. Classic move.
• Don’t Pass Line: You’re betting against the shooter rolls (expect dirty looks).
• Come/Don’t Come: Basically the same as Pass/Don’t Pass, just placed after the first roll.
• Odds: The best bet on the table (seriously, no house edge).
• Field: A quick one-roll bet. Fast and loose.
• Place bets: You pick a number and hope it hits before a 7 does.

Which bet should I make in craps as a beginner?

Start with the Pass Line. It’s simple, low-risk, and you’ll actually understand what’s going on. Once you’ve got the hang of it, throw in some Odds bets behind it. Everything else can wait till you’re more comfortable.

How much money should I bring to play craps at a casino?

This depends on how long you wanna play craps and what your comfort zone is. A good rule of thumb: bring at least 20 times the table minimum. So if it’s a $5 table, start with $100. Craps moves fast, and even low bets can add up if the dice go cold. Also, set a limit you’re cool with losing and stick to it. Seriously.

How can I practice playing craps?

Play online for free. Most online casinos (sites, not games found at some casino resort) have demo versions where you can get used to the rules, learn where to place your bets, and not feel like an idiot at a real table. YouTube tutorials help, too, but nothing beats actually clicking around and rolling virtual dice.