How to Play Craps at a Casino

If you're planning a trip to a casino, you might be wondering how to play craps. It's a fast-paced game that can be intimidating to new players, but with a little bit of knowledge and practice, anyone can learn how to play. In this guide, we’ll go over the basics of craps, explain the rules, and give you some tips on how to make the most of your experience.

Understanding the Game

Craps is a game of chance that involves rolling two dice. The goal of the game is to predict the outcome of the dice roll. The person rolling the dice is called the shooter, and the game begins with a come-out roll. The come-out roll is the first roll in a betting round, and it determines the point. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, it’s called a natural, and they win. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, it’s called craps, and they lose. If the shooter rolls any other number, it becomes the point, and they need to roll that number again before rolling a 7 to win.

Placing Bets

There are many different bets you can make in craps, but the most common are:

  1. Pass Line Bet
  1. Don't Pass Line Bet
  1. Come Bet
  1. Don't Come Bet
  1. Odds Bet
  1. Place Bets
  1. Field Bets
  1. Proposition Bets

The Pass Line and Don't Pass Line bets are the most popular bets in craps. Here's a table explaining how they work:

Bet TypeDescription
Pass Line BetBet made on the come-out roll. Wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, and loses if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter rolls any other number, it becomes the point, and the bet wins if the shooter rolls the point before rolling a 7.
Don't Pass Line BetBet made on the come-out roll. Wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, and loses if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. If the shooter rolls a 12, it's a push. If the shooter rolls any other number, it becomes the point, and the bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point.

Other bets that can be placed in craps include the Come and Don't Come bets, Odds bets, and Proposition bets LeoVegas.

Here's a table explaining how Come and Don't Come bets work:

Bet Type!Description
Come BetBet made after the come-out roll. Wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 and loses if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter rolls any other number, the bet moves to that number and wins if the shooter rolls the number again before rolling a 7.
Don't Come BetBet made after the come-out roll. Wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 and loses if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. If the shooter rolls a 12, it's a push. If the shooter rolls any other number, the bet moves to that number and wins if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the number.

Tips for Success

To make the most of your craps experience, here are a few tips:

  • Start with simple bets: Stick to the Pass Line or Don't Pass Line bets until you get the hang of the game.
  • Manage your bankroll: Set a budget and stick to it. Don’t chase your losses or bet more than you can afford to lose.
  • Watch the table: Pay attention to how other players are betting and how the game is going. Don’t be afraid to ask the dealer or other players for help if you’re unsure of something.
  • Understand the odds: Craps has some of the best odds in the casino, but not all bets are created equal. The Pass Line and Don't Pass Line bets have the lowest house edge, which means they offer the best odds for players.
  • Have fun: Craps is meant to be an enjoyable experience. Don’t take it too seriously, and remember to have fun.
Chameli Chaudhuri
Chameli Chaudhuriverified

Now that you have a basic understanding of how to play craps, you can confidently join a game at a casino. Remember to start with simple bets, manage your bankroll, and pay attention to the game. With a little bit of luck and a lot of practice, you could be a craps pro in no time. Good luck, and have fun!

Frequently Asked Questions about Playing Craps at a Casino

Q: How do I start playing craps? A: Find an open seat at a craps table and buy-in. You'll receive chips, which you'll use to place your bets. Once you have your chips, wait for the come-out roll to begin.

Q: What is a come-out roll? A: The come-out roll is the first roll in a betting round. It determines the point and whether the Pass Line or Don't Pass Line bets win or lose.

Q: What is the Pass Line bet? A: The Pass Line bet is a bet made on the come-out roll. It wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 and loses if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter rolls any other number, it becomes the point, and the bet wins if the shooter rolls the point before rolling a 7.

Q: What is the Don't Pass Line bet? A: The Don't Pass Line bet is a bet made on the come-out roll. It wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 and loses if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. If the shooter rolls a 12, it's a push. If the shooter rolls any other number, it becomes the point, and the bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point.

Q: What is the odds bet? A: The odds bet is an additional bet you can make after the point is established. It's a bet on whether the shooter will roll the point before rolling a 7. The odds bet has no house edge and is a great way to increase your winnings.

Q: What is a Come bet? A: The Come bet is a bet made after the come-out roll. It wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 and loses if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter rolls any other number, the bet moves to that number and wins if the shooter rolls the number again before rolling a 7.

Q: What is a Don't Come bet? A: The Don't Come bet is a bet made after the come-out roll. It wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 and loses if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. If the shooter rolls a 12, it's a push. If the shooter rolls any other number, the bet moves to that number and wins if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the number.

Q: What is the best bet in craps? A: The Pass Line and Don't Pass Line bets have the lowest house edge and offer the best odds for players. Stick to these bets if you want to increase your chances of winning.

Q: How can I improve my craps game? A: Practice, practice, practice. The more you play craps, the more comfortable you'll become with the game. Watch other players and pay attention to their strategies. And remember to have fun!