What Craps Is In One Sentence
Craps is a dice game where you bet on what happens when two dice roll, mostly focused on whether the shooter makes a point number before a seven appears.
Craps Table Layout Basics
The table looks complex because it supports a lot of bets at once. You don’t need to learn every box on day one.
Here are the main areas that matter for beginners:
Pass Line Area
The most common starting bet zone. It runs along the outer edge of the table.
Don’t Pass Area
The opposite of the Pass Line. It’s a bet that the shooter will not make the point.
Come Area
Used after a point is set. It acts like a new Pass Line bet mid-round.
Field Area
A one-roll bet that wins on specific numbers (often 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12), with special payouts on some numbers.
Place Bet Boxes
Number boxes for 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. These bets win if the number rolls before a seven.
Proposition Bets (Center Table)
These are the small boxes in the middle. They can pay big, but they’re often riskier over time.
How Craps Works Step By Step
Craps has two main phases:
1) The Come-Out Roll
This is the first roll of a new round.
On the come-out roll:
- 7 or 11: Pass Line wins
- 2, 3, or 12: Pass Line loses (this is “craps”)
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: that number becomes the point
2) The Point Phase
Once a point is set, the shooter keeps rolling until one of these happens:
- The point number rolls again → Pass Line wins
- A 7 rolls → this is seven out, Pass Line loses, and the shooter’s turn ends
That’s the entire engine of the game.
If you want to lock in the most important moment in craps, go next to Understanding The Come-Out Roll And Its Importance.
What The “Puck” Means
You’ll see a small puck that says ON and OFF.
- OFF means the next roll is a come-out roll
- ON means a point is set and the table is in the point phase
If you feel lost at a table, look at the puck. It tells you what stage you’re in.
The Best Beginner Bets In Craps
If you’re new, your goal is not to use every bet on the board.
Your goal is to use a few clean bets that follow the main flow.
Pass Line
Why it’s beginner-friendly:
- easy to understand
- fits the game’s core structure
- doesn’t require perfect timing
Pass Line With Odds
Odds bets are special because they typically pay true odds, meaning the odds portion usually has no house edge. You can still lose, but you’re not paying extra “built-in” cost on that part of the bet.
If you want the full breakdown, read How Odds Bets Work And Why They Have No House Edge.
Come Bet (Optional)
A come bet works like a Pass Line bet placed after the point is set. It gives you a new “mini point” and can also take odds.
For beginners, it’s optional. Start simple first.
Bets Beginners Should Be Careful With
Some bets look exciting because:
- they pay big
- the table reacts loudly
- they feel like a quick win
But many of these bets are expensive over time.
Be cautious with:
- center-table proposition bets
- one-roll “lottery” style bets
- anything you don’t fully understand
A simple rule: if you can’t explain the bet in one sentence, skip it for now.
The Probability Basics (Why Some Numbers Show Up More)
Two dice don’t produce all numbers equally.
Some totals have more combinations than others, which means they show up more often over time.
If you want the clean beginner breakdown, read The Probability Of Rolling Each Number On Two Dice.
Why Craps Feels So Fast
Craps moves quickly because it’s a repeated loop:
- bets placed
- dice roll
- bets settle
- repeat
And because the table energy is high, people often speed up without noticing.
Fast play makes it easier to:
- bet on autopilot
- chase losses
- make “one more roll” decisions
Before you play, set a budget, a stop-loss, and a time limit. It’s the simplest way to protect your session.
Common Craps Myths To Ignore
Craps has a lot of table superstition. Most of it is storytelling.
Myth: “The Table Is Due”
The dice don’t remember prior rolls.
Myth: “One Shooter Is Always Hot”
Long rolls happen, but they don’t prove predictability.
Myth: “A New Shooter Resets The Luck”
Shooter changes reset the turn, not the probabilities.
A Simple “Smart Craps” Starter Plan
If you want a low-drama approach, use a basic setup like this:
- Pass Line: 1 unit
- Odds: 1–2 units (only if bankroll allows)
- Optional: Place 6 and 8 for 1 unit each
- Avoid: center-table prop bets
- Stop-loss + time limit set before you start
This plan doesn’t beat the game. It keeps your decisions clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Craps Hard To Learn?
It looks intimidating, but the core is simple: come-out roll, point set, then point or seven out. The betting board is what makes it look complex.
What Is The Best Bet In Craps For Beginners?
Many beginners start with the Pass Line, then add odds bets once they understand the flow.
What Does “Seven Out” Mean?
It means the shooter rolled a 7 after a point was set, which ends the shooter’s turn and resets the round.
Are Prop Bets Worth It In Craps?
They can be fun, but many come with higher house edge. If you want bankroll control, keep them rare and small.
Can You Control The Dice In Craps?
Casinos require the dice to hit the back wall, which makes consistent control difficult. Treat outcomes as random.
Where To Go Next
You now know how to play craps at a high level: the table layout, the game flow, the best beginner bets, and the biggest traps to avoid.
Next, we’ll zoom in on the most important roll in the whole game, because it decides whether you win fast, lose fast, or enter the point phase.
Continue with How Craps Works: Rules, Table Layout & Game Flow Explained.
