Quick Answer: The Craps Table Has Four Main Zones
Most layouts are built around four key areas:
- Line bets (front edge): Pass Line and Don’t Pass
- Come area (middle-left): Come and Don’t Come
- Number boxes (middle): 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 for place bets and come bets
- Center props (center): one-roll “action” bets like Horn, Yo, Any 7, etc.
If you learn those four zones, you can understand 80% of the table instantly.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
Zone 1: The Pass Line (Front Edge)
The long curved line along the edge is the Pass Line.
What The Pass Line Is
It’s the main “with the shooter” bet.
- On the come-out roll (puck OFF), 7 or 11 wins
- 2, 3, 12 loses
- any point number sets the point
Once the point is set, you win if the point repeats before a 7.
If you want the full comparison, read The Difference Between Pass Line & Don’t Pass Line Bets.
Where Your Chips Go
You place chips directly on the Pass Line in front of you.
If it’s crowded, you can slide chips to the dealer and say:
- “Pass Line, please.”
Zone 2: The Don’t Pass Line (Behind The Pass Line)
Behind the Pass Line is the Don’t Pass area.
This is the “against the shooter” side.
- On the come-out roll, 2 or 3 wins
- 7 or 11 loses
- 12 usually pushes
- point number sets the point
Once point is set, you win if a 7 appears before the point repeats.
This side can feel awkward socially at some tables, but it’s a standard bet.
Zone 3: The Come And Don’t Come Area
Near the middle of the layout, you’ll see:
- Come
- Don’t Come
These bets work like Pass Line and Don’t Pass, but they start after the point is set.
A key thing to understand:
Come Bets “Travel”
You place a Come bet in the Come box. Then:
- the next roll becomes the “come-out” for that bet
- if a number hits, your bet moves to that number box
- you win if that number repeats before a 7
Same idea for Don’t Come, but opposite.
If you want the full step-by-step, read Understanding Come & Don’t Come Bets.
Zone 4: The Number Boxes (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
In the center area you’ll see:
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
These boxes are where a lot of action lives.
Place Bets Go On These Numbers
Place bets are “number before 7” bets.
You can place:
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
Players love 6 and 8 because they hit more often than 4/10.
If you want to know more about payouts and chip sizing, read Place Bets Explained: How They Work On Each Number.
Come Bets Also Land Here
When a Come bet travels, it sits on one of these number boxes.
So when you look at a table, those stacks on numbers might be:
- place bets
- come bets
- or dealer-controlled bets for multiple players
The Center Area (The Danger Zone For Beginners)
The center layout is packed with fast, flashy bets.
Common ones include:
- Any 7
- Any Craps
- Yo (11)
- Horn
- C&E
- hop bets
- hardways (often nearby)
These bets settle fast, and many are higher-cost over time.
If you want them explained, read Understanding Prop Bets In Craps (Horn, Yo, C&E, Etc.).
How To Read The Puck And The Stick Calls
If you only learn one “pro skill,” learn this:
The Puck Tells You The Game Phase
The puck shows:
- OFF = come-out roll
- ON + number = point is set
The puck matters because it changes how bets behave.
If you want this simplified, read Understanding The Role Of The “Puck” In Craps.
The Stickman’s Call Confirms The Roll
The stickman calls results loudly so everyone hears the same outcome.
Listen for:
- the number
- and whether it’s a “hard” result sometimes
If you’re new, don’t panic. Just listen and follow the puck.
Beginner “Layout Reading” Mistakes To Avoid
Mistake 1: Betting Late As The Dice Are Moving
That’s how bets get rejected or mis-placed. Place bets early.
Mistake 2: Confusing Place Bets With Come Bets
They can both sit on number boxes, but they behave differently.
Mistake 3: Thinking The Center Is The “Main Bets”
The center feels like the action zone, but it’s not the core of the game.
Mistake 4: Not Knowing Where Your Money Is Working
If you don’t know what bets you have and where they sit, you’ll lose track fast.
A Simple Way To Use The Layout Without Overthinking
If you want a clean beginner plan that matches the layout:
- start with Pass Line
- add odds only if you planned it
- place 6 and 8 only (optional)
- skip center bets until you’re comfortable
That keeps your eyes on just two zones:
- front line
- number boxes
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Pass Line On A Craps Table?
It’s the main bet line along the front edge of the table, used for Pass Line betting.
Where Do Place Bets Go?
On the number boxes for 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
What’s The Difference Between Come And Place Bets?
Come bets start in the Come area and travel to a number. Place bets go directly on a number box.
What Does The Puck Mean?
OFF means come-out roll. ON with a number means the point is set.
Should Beginners Bet In The Center?
Most beginners should avoid center prop bets at first because they settle quickly and can be higher-cost over time.
Where To Go Next
You can now read a craps table layout with confidence: where the core bet zones are, what the puck means, and why the center area can be a trap for beginners.
Next, we’ll compare how craps feels online versus in a real casino, what changes in pace and etiquette, and where most beginner mistakes happen.
Continue with Differences Between Craps In Online Vs Land-Based Casinos.
