What You’re Doing In Craps (The Core Idea)
In most craps sessions, you’re betting on whether the shooter will:
- win quickly on the come-out roll
- establish a point, then hit it again before rolling a seven
- or seven out and end the turn
That’s the engine.
Everything else is extra.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
Craps Table Layout (Only The Parts You Need First)
A craps table has lots of boxes, but beginners can focus on a few key areas.
Pass Line
This is the main starting bet. It runs along the edge of the table.
- You place it before the come-out roll.
- It wins immediately on 7 or 11.
- It loses immediately on 2, 3, or 12.
- If a point is set, it wins if the point hits again before a seven.
Don’t Pass
This is the opposite of the Pass Line.
- It wins immediately on 2 or 3.
- It loses immediately on 7 or 11.
- 12 usually pushes (tie) instead of winning.
- If a point is set, it wins if a seven shows before the point repeats.
Come
This is used after a point is set. It works like a new Pass Line bet mid-round.
Place Bets (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
These bets win if the chosen number rolls before a seven.
Field
A one-roll bet on a group of numbers. It settles immediately.
Center Table Props
These are one-roll bets in the middle. They look fun, but they are often the most expensive over time.
If you want a deeper table-reading guide, you’ll get it later in the cluster. For now, just recognize where the main bets live.
Step-By-Step: How A Craps Round Actually Works
Craps runs in a loop that repeats over and over. Here’s the full flow.
Step 1: A Shooter Is Chosen
One player becomes the shooter.
- The shooter rolls the dice.
- Everyone at the table can bet, not just the shooter.
- When the shooter seven outs, the dice pass to the next shooter.
If you want to know more about the full rotation, read How The Shooter Rotation Works At A Craps Table.
Step 2: The Puck Starts OFF (Come-Out Roll)
The dealer places the puck on OFF.
That means the next roll is the come-out roll.
This is the most important roll in craps because it can:
- end the round instantly (win or loss)
- or set the point and start the longer phase
Step 3: Come-Out Roll Outcomes
On the come-out roll:
If 7 Or 11 Rolls
- Pass Line wins
- Don’t Pass loses
If 2, 3, Or 12 Rolls
- Pass Line loses
- Don’t Pass wins on 2 or 3
- Don’t Pass usually pushes on 12
If 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, Or 10 Rolls
That number becomes the point.
- The puck flips to ON
- the point number is marked on the table
- the shooter keeps rolling
Next, we’ll go deeper into why the come-out roll matters so much. Continue with Understanding The Come-Out Roll And Its Importance.
Step 4: The Point Phase (Puck ON)
Once the point is set, the shooter rolls until one of two things happens:
Point Hits Again
- Pass Line wins
- Don’t Pass loses
- the round ends
- puck returns to OFF for a new come-out roll
Seven Out Happens
- Pass Line loses
- Don’t Pass wins
- shooter’s turn ends
- dice move to the next shooter
- puck returns to OFF
If you want the clean meaning and why it ends the turn, read What “Seven Out” Means & Why It Ends The Shooter’s Turn.
What The Point Numbers Mean (And Why They Matter)
Point numbers are: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.
Some point numbers are easier to roll than others.
- 6 and 8 show up more often than 4 and 10
- 5 and 9 are in the middle
That’s because dice totals have different probabilities.
If you want the quick math breakdown, read The Probability Of Rolling Each Number On Two Dice.
The Simplest Bets That Match The Game Flow
If you want craps to feel manageable, match your bets to the flow.
Beginner Setup (Clean And Simple)
- Pass Line: 1 unit
- Odds (optional): 1–2 units after point is set
- Avoid center props while learning
Why it works:
- it tracks the natural phases
- it limits confusion
- it reduces impulse bets
If you want to understand why odds bets are special, read How Odds Bets Work And Why They Have No House Edge.
Why Craps Feels Chaotic (Even When The Rules Are Simple)
Craps gets confusing because:
- many bet types are open at once
- the table is social and loud
- players shout slang
- bets can be placed mid-round
- the center table draws attention
You don’t have to use everything.
A smart craps player is often the one placing fewer bets, not more.
Common Beginner Mistakes In Craps
Betting Too Many Boxes At Once
More bets feels like more chances to win, but it also means more money exposed every roll.
Treating Props Like “Quick Fixes”
Center bets can pay big, but they often cost more over time.
Forgetting The Phase
If you don’t know whether you’re in come-out or point, you’ll place the wrong type of bet at the wrong time.
Quick fix:
- check the puck (ON or OFF)
Chasing After A Bad Roll
Craps energy makes chasing feel normal. It’s not.
Set a stop-loss and time limit before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Craps Based On Skill Or Luck?
Craps outcomes are based on dice randomness, but your bet choices affect how much house edge you pay over time.
What Does “Come-Out Roll” Mean?
It’s the first roll of a round when the puck is OFF. It can win/lose instantly or set the point.
What’s The Point In Craps?
The point is the number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that must be rolled again before a seven for Pass Line bets to win.
Can I Bet If I’m Not The Shooter?
Yes. Anyone at the table can bet on each roll. The shooter just controls the dice.
What’s The Easiest Way To Start Playing Craps?
Start with the Pass Line, learn the come-out and point phases, then add odds bets once you feel comfortable.
Where To Go Next
You now understand how craps works from start to finish: table layout basics, the come-out roll, how a point is set, and what ends a round.
Next, we’ll zoom in on the most important roll in the game, because it decides whether you win fast, lose fast, or enter the point phase.
Continue with Understanding The Come-Out Roll And Its Importance.
