Tips For Playing Craps

The rules of craps are the same regardless of whether you are playing in a live setting or online. However, things are a lot simpler online. There’s no allocated shooter, as technically you are the shooter every time you play. Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images. Probably the number one mistake beginning poker players make is that they play far too many hands. When you're just starting out playing poker, you want to play poker, and that means staying in hands that aren't very good just to be part of the action. 2021's top 10 online poker tips to help you win money. Read our #1 guide for top 10 beginner and intermediate tips to become a winning online poker player! HOW TO PLAY CRAPS THE BASIC RULES WHEN PLAYING CRAPS. Craps has dozens of wagers available, but the game is structured around the pass line bet. Players bet by placing chips on the pass line on the craps layout. Some other bets require that the dealer move your chips. The pass sequence starts with a comeout roll and the shooter rolls the dice. Playing Craps at Las Vegas Casinos Craps is found in all Las Vegas casinos that have more than a handful of table games. The rules are generally the same from one casino to another except for the odds permitted online bets and whether the Field pays double or triple on 12.

Understanding the Craps odds and bets that you can place is vital to ensuring you don’t lose all your money or embarrass yourself in a live game.

You might hear people shouting all types of lingo and vernacular terms such as “Horn Bets” or “Lay 10” which often confuse or put off even the biggest casino degenerates.

Thankfully, the rules of Craps are actually quite simple even if it takes time to learn the jargon. Make sure to read all information on this page, before You play craps for money.

We can predict the odds of any particular number coming up on a roll and why the craps rules are made how you will see.

For example: the odds for you to roll a 4 on your next roll are 11 to 1.

Tips For Playing Craps

You can figure this out by taking the number of ways a four can be made with two dice (with a one and a three, a pair of twos, or a three and a 1) compared to the number of combinations that two dice can make, which is 36.

So we have a 3 in 36 chance, or 1 in 12 chance that a 4 will come up on any given roll. To express these odds as ‘against’, you would say the odds against rolling a four are 11 to 1 (think of it as 11 non 4’s to one 4 for a total of 12 rolls). The calculation we’ve just done determines the ‘true odds’ of rolling a 4.

As many of you may know, the casino doesn’t like to pay back its players with ‘true odds’, it prefers to alter them.

Craps rules, like so many other casino game rules, pay back odds which guarantee the house a profit in the long run. Say for instance you were to place a bet on ‘any sevens’, meaning you’re betting that the next roll will be a seven.

The odds against hitting a seven on the next roll are 5 to 1 (you can calculate that out the same way we did for 4), which means that if you bet one dollar and win, you deserve to win 5 bucks, but the casinos only pay you 4.

Most bets in most games at the casino have been altered in this way. In fact, this is exactly the phenomenon that gives the casino a house edge in many situations.

We’ve covered all the major types of bets and odds you receive here.

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Understanding Craps Odds

For instance, odds can be related either as 2-1 or 2 to 1, where a 1 credit bet returns 2 credits. In other words, 2 to 1 odds returns the original 1 credit bet and a 1 credit profit.

The Best Craps Bets

The best bets in craps are the pass line bet, taking the odds, the don’t pass bar, the come bet, and placing the 6 or the 8. Let’s look at each:

Pass Line

This is the most basic and popular of bets when playing Craps. It has one of the lowest house edges (1.41%) and it is very simple to place. Betting on the pass line bet or betting “with the dice” is the most common bet in craps and you will see many players or shooters choosing it.

A pass line bet requires you to place chips on the “Pass Line” section of the table. If the shooter’s come out roll is a 7 or 11, you win even money (1:1). However, if the come out roll is 2,3 or 12 (craps) you lose.

If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) it’s called the point. The shooter continues to throw the dice until he/she roles a 7 or the Point. If the point is rolled first, you win even money. If the 7 is rolled first you lose your bet.

Interestingly, in a game of Crapless Craps, the ability to lose a Pass Line bet to craps on a come out roll is removed – hence the name “crapless” craps. This improves your odds of winning by removing the house edge and increasing your expected value.

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Don’t Pass Line

You can also bet on the “Don’t Pass” line, which is basically when you are betting or laying the shooter on his first roll. This is simply the opposite of the pass line bet and is also known as betting against the dice.

To make this bet place your chips in the narrower section just beyond the pass line labelled don’t pass.

If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 (Craps) than you win straight away (1:1 even money). If a 7 or 11 is rolled before the Point is scored you lose. A 12 is considered a Push (draw) and normally you can relinquish this bet.

If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10) this is established on the point number. After this happens you’ll win your money back if a 7 is rolled before the Point number, and lose if a 7 comes first.

Taking the Odds

After the point has been established, you can make an additional bet known as Taking the Odds or Pass Odds. You are betting on the Point number being rolled before a 7. The pay out odds are normally displayed on the Casino craps table.

The odds vary for different numbers based on the likelihood of them being rolled.

Normally, the payouts are as follows:

  • 4 pays 2:1
  • 5 pays 3:2
  • 6 pays 8 pays 6:5
  • 9 pays 3:2
  • 10 pays 2:1

The odds bet is the best bet you can make in the game of craps, because the house has no built-in advantage. Free odds bets are paid back at true odds, so when you’re making these bets the casino has no house edge whatsoever, it’s an even game!

Come Bet

This is similar to a Pass Line bet, but it is made after the point has been established (dealer button is ON). The next roll then becomes the Come Out roll for your bet and establishes your Point. The payout depends on the Point:

  • 7 or 11 pays 1:1 (also known as a Natural)
  • 2, 3, or 12 you lose your money (also known as Craps)
  • If neither of the above is rolled then (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) becomes the point for your bet. If a 7 comes before your point is rolled again you lose. If your point is won however your payout depends on the Point.

Come Bet Payouts:

NumberPayout
42:1
53:2
66:5
86:5
93:2
102:1

Taking the Odds

This is similar to the Come Bet and has the same odds above (Come Odds). You can place this bet only after the point has been established. If the 7 is rolled before the point, you lose.

Laying the Odds

Tips

Opposite of Taking the Odds. This is a Don’t Pass Line bet which can be made only after the point has been established. If a 7 is rolled before the point, you win.

Laying the Odds Payout:

NumberPayout
41:2
52:3
65:6
85:6
92:3
101:2

Don’t Come Bet

Oppose of Come Bet. This is similar to a Don’t Pass Line bet, but it is made after the Come Out roll. To make this bet all you need to do is to put your chips in the area labeled “Don’t Come” on the layout. You lose on a 7 or 11, and win on a 2 or 3. 12 is a “stand-off.”

Here you win if 7 rolls before your “come-point” is repeated, and lose if the “come-point” is made before a 7 is rolled.

Place Bets

You can bet on specific point numbers. If your number is rolled before a 7, you win. If a 7 comes before your point number, you lose. You’re paid out according to the table below.

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Place Bets Payout:

NumberPayout
49:5
57:5
67:6
87:6
97:5
109:5

Placing the 6 or 8

When you make a place bet you bet that one of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will be hit before a 7 is hit. You can make a place bet any time by throwing your chips on the table while telling the dealer ‘I want to place the 6’ or whatever number you want to place your bet for.

So, if the number you bet on is rolled before a 7 you win and you are paid as follows: 4 or 10 placed – 9:5 odds, 5 or 9 placed – 7:5 odds, 6 or 8 placed – 7:6 odds.

As you can see the best for you is to place a bet on 6 or 8, because these bets have the best odds and also they have a good chance of hitting.

If you get the feeling like you want to place the 4 or 10, you should buy them instead, because although there is a Vig (a fee for winning bets) on these numbers, the edge comes out in your favor, however slightly.

However, the pass line bet is still the best one with the best odds and in the long run you should stick with it.

Although you can technically place a place bet at any time, it is impossible for it to come into effect until the shooters point is set, therefore it is more acceptable to ask for this bet after the come out roll is over.

Craps table

Bets with Poor Craps Odds

Big 6/Big 8 Bet

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This is a Bet on a Big 6 or Big 8, put down after the point has been established. If a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7, you win (1:1). This is a bet that you should not play because you can Place a bet on 6 or 8 and receive better odds.

Field Bets

Kind of what the name suggests, field bets are open to everyone who bets on the next number rolled. To place one you simple throw your chips into the table (as little chips as possible) and tell the stick man what you want. The payout for field bets:

  • 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 all payout 1:1
  • 2 pays 2:1
  • 12 pays out either 2:1 or 3:1 (depending on the casino)

Proposition Bets

Placed before any throw. The house edge on all of these bets are over 11%. Therefore, you should not bet these very often or you should hedge your bets when you do so.

You can bet on any number as follows:

  • Betting on the next throwbeing a 2, 3 or 12 (Craps)
  • Any Seven: Betting on the next throw being a 7
  • Eleven: Betting on the next throw being an 11
  • Horn Bet: Betting on the next number being a 2, 3, 11, or 12. The payout is determined by the number rolled

Proposition bets are those placed in the middle of the table layout, and those bets never have a good house edge. You should make these bets only for fun and to make your game more exciting.

So, here they are:

  • With the “any seven” bet you’re betting the shooter will hit a 7 on the next roll. It has a horrible house edge of 16.67%. Never make this bet.
  • With the “snake eyes” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a two on the next roll.
  • With the “yo eleven” bet you’re betting the shooter will hit an 11 on the next roll.
  • With the “any craps” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a 2, 3, or 12 on the next roll. It holds a house edge of over 11%
  • With the “any three” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a 3 on the next roll.
  • With the “midnight” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a 12 on the next roll.
  • With the “horn” bet you’re combining the snake eyes, 3, yo 11, and midnight bets.

Hardway Bets

A Hardway Bet is also made regarding the outcome of the next die throw. A Hardway roll occurs when doubles are thrown with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10.

For example: rolling a pair of threes would produce a “hard 6”. An Easy roll is produced when the same outcome is achieved, but without rolling doubles.

For the previous example, rolling a 4 and a 2 would produce an “easy 6”. For a Hardway Bet to win, the shooter must roll a double with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10. The wager loses if either a 7 or any Easy number is rolled.

The Lay Bet

The lay bet is almost similar with the don’t pass and don’t come bets, because with this bet your are playing against the dice. You can make this bet at any time in the game and it can be placed on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. A lay bet wins when 7 rolls before the number.

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7 is more likely to come up than any other number so the casino requires you to wager more than you could win. This bet also requires a commission of 5% on average. If the bet is on 4 or 10 you get 1:2 odds, on 5 or 9 2:3 odds, on six or 8 5:6 odds.

The Buy Bet

When you choose this bet it means that you will buy numbers instead of placing them.

The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 can all be bought but there are only two numbers that really make buy bets worthwhile and those numbers are 4 and 10 because they pay off better than the other numbers. You win if the buy number comes up before a 7 is rolled.

The odds are higher for a buy bet. 2:1 on a 4 or 10 buy, 3:2 for a 5 or 9, or 6:5 for a 6 or 8. Player pays 5% “vigorish” to get true odds on all numbers.

Depending on how much you bet, buying a bet can make you more money in the end even after accounting for the ‘vig’. The odds are only in your favor on a buy bet for a 4 or 10, so stick with the place bet on any others.

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Craps is found in all Las Vegas casinos that have more than a handful of table games. The rules are generally the same from one casino to another except for the odds permitted online bets and whether the Field pays double or triple on 12.

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Best Tips For Playing Craps

Las Vegas Craps Minimum Bets

Las Vegas craps minimum bets range from $1 to $50. Here is a list of all Las Vegas casinos that spread craps with its minimum bet. These minimum bets were recorded on weekdays. Higher minimum bets may be found during peak hours.

$1 Craps
  • Club Fortune
  • Jokers Wild
$2 Craps
  • Arizona Charlie’s Boulder
  • Jerry’s Nugget
$3 Craps
  • Fiesta Rancho
  • Fremont
  • Sam’s Town
$5 Craps
  • Plaza (Crapsless and traditional game)
  • 4 Queens
  • Aliante Casino
  • Arizona Charlie’s Decatur
  • Bally’s
  • Binion’s
  • Boulder Station
  • California
  • Cannery
  • Downtown Grand
  • El Cortez
  • Ellis Island
  • Fiesta Rancho
  • Gold Coast
  • Golden Nugget
  • Green Valley Ranch
  • M Resort
  • Main Street Station
  • Orleans
  • Palace Station
  • Rampart
  • Santa Fe Station
  • Silver 7’s
  • Silverton
  • South Point
  • Suncoast
  • Texas Station
  • The D
  • Tuscany
  • Westgate
$10 Craps
  • Bellagio
  • Circus Circus
  • Encore
  • Excalibur
  • Hard Rock
  • Harrah’s
  • Red Rock
  • Park MGM Casino
  • Sahara Las Vegas
  • Treasure Island
  • Wynn

Las Vegas Craps Odds

Most craps tables on the Las Vegas Strip offer 3/4/5 times odds. This means that a player can wager three times the flat bet on a 4 and 10, four times on a five and 9, and five times on a six and eight. The maximum win with odds on any of these numbers equals six times the flat bet. A notable exception is The Cromwell, where players may take odds for up to 100 times the original wager.

Downtown Las Vegas and the locals market tend to spread 10 times odds. There are some exceptions. Below is a list of each odds grouping with the amount permitted by each house.

100x Craps Odds
  • The Cromwell
20x Craps Odds
  • Main Street Station
  • Sam’s Town
10x Craps Odds
  • Aliante Casino
  • Arizona Charlie’s Boulder
  • Cannery
  • Boulder Station
  • Eastside Cannery
  • El Cortez
  • Ellis Island
  • Fiesta Henderson
  • Fiesta Rancho
  • Golden Gate
  • Green Valley Ranch
  • Jokers Wild
  • Palace Station
  • Plaza (craps only, not crapsless, which is 2x)
  • Rampart
  • Red Rock
  • Santa Fe Station
  • Silverton
  • Stratosphere (crapsless and traditional)
  • Suncoast
  • Texas Station
  • The D
5x Craps Odds
  • 4 Queens
  • Arizona Charlie’s Decatur
  • Binion’s
  • Downtown Grand
3-4-5x Craps Odds
  • Aria
  • Bally’s
  • Bellagio
  • Caesars Palace
  • Casino Royale
  • Club Fortune
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Encore
  • Excalibur
  • Flamingo
  • Gold Coast
  • Golden Nugget
  • Hard Rock
  • Harrah’s
  • OYO
  • Linq
  • Luxor
  • M Resort
  • Mandalay Bay
  • MGM Grand
  • Mirage
  • Park MGM Casino
  • New York New York
  • Orleans
  • O’Sheas
  • Palms
  • Paris
  • Planet Hollywood
  • Rio
  • Silver 7’s
  • Treasure Island
  • Tropicana
  • Tuscany
  • Venetian
  • Wynn
2x Craps Odds
  • Plaza (Crapsless table)
  • Railroad Pass
  • South Point

There are also alternatives to playing Craps for real money if you are not in Las Vegas. Check out our live casino page to find out more about playing craps online.

Tips For Playing Craps In Vegas

Complete Las Vegas Craps Survey 2019

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CasinoGameMin BetMax Bet# of TablesOddsField 12Video
PlazaCrapless Craps5100012 xTripleNo
StratosphereCrapless Craps102000110 xDoubleNo
StratosphereCraps102000210 xDoubleNo
4 QueensCraps550025 xDoubleNo
Aliante CasinoCraps51000310 xTripleNo
AriaCraps25500083-4-5 xTripleYes
Arizona Charlie’s BoulderCraps21000110 xTripleNo
Arizona Charlie’s DecaturCraps550015 xTripleNo
Bally’sCraps5300043-4-5 xDoubleYes
Bally’sCraps15500013-4-5 xDoubleNo
BellagioCraps10500013-4-5 xTripleYes
BellagioCraps25500083-4-5 xTripleYes
Binion’sCraps550035 xDoubleNo
Binion’sCraps320012 xDoubleYes
Boulder StationCraps52000310 xDoubleNo
Caesars PalaceCraps25500013-4-5 xTripleNo
Caesars PalaceCraps50500053-4-5 xTripleYes
Caesars PalaceCraps200500013-4-5 xTripleNo
CaliforniaCraps5100042 xTripleNo
CanneryCraps51000210 xTripleNo
Casino RoyaleCraps10100013-4-5 xDoubleNo
Circus CircusCraps10100022 xTripleNo
Club FortuneCraps110013-4-5 xTripleNo
CosmopolitanCraps25500063-4-5 xTripleNo
CosmopolitanCraps15500013-4-5 xTripleYes
CromwellCraps2550004100 xDoubleYes
Downtown GrandCraps5100025 xTripleNo
Eastside CanneryCraps3500110 xTripleNo
El CortezCraps51000210 xTripleNo
Ellis IslandCraps5300110 xDoubleNo
EncoreCraps10500053-4-5 xTripleNo
ExcaliburCraps10300043-4-5 xTripleYes
Fiesta RanchoCraps3500110 xDoubleNo
Fiesta RanchoCraps5500110 xDoubleNo
Fiesta HendersonCraps31000110 xDoubleNo
FlamingoCraps15500013-4-5 xDoubleNo
FlamingoCraps25500043-4-5 xDoubleYes
FlamingoCraps100500013-4-5 xDoubleYes
FremontCraps5100042 xTripleNo
FremontCraps5300012 xTripleNo
Gold CoastCraps5100033-4-5 xTripleNo
Golden GateCraps52500210 xTripleNo
Golden NuggetCraps5500053-4-5 xTripleNo
Golden Nugget (Pool)Craps10500012 xDoubleYes
Green Valley RanchCraps55000410 xDoubleNo
Hard RockCraps10300043-4-5 xDoubleNo
Hard RockCraps15300013-4-5 xDoubleNo
Harrah’sCraps15500033-4-5 xDoubleYes
Harrah’sCraps25500043-4-5 xDoubleNo
OYOCraps10100013-4-5 xDoubleYes
Joker’s WildCraps1500110 xTripleNo
LinqCraps15500063-4-5 xDoubleYes
LuxorCraps15300053-4-5 xTripleNo
M ResortCraps5300035 xDouble/TripleNo
Main Street StationCraps51000320 xTripleNo
Mandalay BayCraps15500073-4-5 xTripleNo
Mandalay BayCraps25500013-4-5 xTripleNo
MGM GrandCraps10500013-4-5 xTripleNo
MGM GrandCraps25500063-4-5 xTripleYes
MGM GrandCraps50500013-4-5 xTripleNo
MirageCraps25500063-4-5 xTripleYes
NYNYCraps15300033-4-5 xTripleNo
NYNYCraps25300013-4-5 xTripleYes
OrleansCraps5200063-4-5 xTripleNo
O’SheasCraps15500013-4-5 xDoubleNo
Palace StationCraps53000310 xDoubleNo
PalazzoCraps25500052 xTripleNo
PalazzoCraps50500032 xTripleNo
PalmsCraps10500033-4-5 xDoubleYes
ParisCraps15500063-4-5 xDoubleYes
Park MGM CasinoCraps10300053-4-5 xTripleNo
Planet HollywoodCraps10500063-4-5 xDoubleYes
PlazaCraps51000210 xTripleNo
Railroad PassCraps350013-4-5 xTripleNo
RampartCraps51000210 xDoubleNo
Red RockCraps105000510 xDoubleNo
RioCraps10500043-4-5 xDoubleYes
Sam’s TownCraps31000420 xTripleNo
Santa Fe StationCraps51000310 xDoubleNo
Silver 7’sCraps550013-4-5 xDoubleNo
SilvertonCraps51000210 xTripleYes
Sahara Las VegasCraps10300033-4-5 xDoubleNo
South PointCraps5200022 xTripleNo
South PointCraps10200022 xTripleNo
South PointCraps15200012 xTripleNo
South PointCraps25200012 xTripleNo
StratosphereCraps51000210 xDoubleNo
SuncoastCraps52000310 xTripleNo
Texas StationCraps51000310 xDoubleNo
The DCraps55000210 xTripleNo
Treasure IslandCraps10200043-4-5 xTripleNo
Treasure IslandCraps110012 xDoubleYes
TropicanaCraps15300023-4-5 xDoubleNo
TuscanyCraps550013-4-5 xDoubleNo
VenetianCraps25500052 xTripleYes
VenetianCraps50500032 xTripleYes
WestgateCraps5200033-4-5 xDoubleNo
WynnCraps10500073-4-5 xTripleNo
WynnCraps25500013-4-5 xTripleNo
WynnCraps1001000013-4-5 xTripleNo