Craps may look complicated to new players, with its wide variety of bets and rowdy atmosphere. But at its core, this popular casino game only requires learning a few key rules and strategies to have fun and boost your chances of winning at LocoWin Casino. This beginner’s guide covers everything you need to know about craps, from the table layout and basic gameplay to smart betting strategies you can immediately put into play during your next trip to the casino.
Craps Table Layout
The craps table may initially seem chaotic and confusing with its myriad of bets and locations for the dice to land. But learning what everything means will allow you to focus on the key areas needed to play.
The table is comprised of:
Pass Line
This is where you place a Pass bet, which is one of the simplest wagers in the game. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on their first roll, known as the Come Out roll, you win even money on your original bet. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, you lose your Pass bet. Any other number becomes the shooter’s Point, meaning they must roll that number again before a 7 to win.
Don’t Pass Line
You can also bet against the shooter winning by placing a Don’t Pass bet here. This section works similarly to the Pass Line but favors the 7 being rolled before the Point.
Come and Don’t Come
Once a Point has been established, you can place additional bets to root for or against that specific Point number being rolled again before a 7.
Odds
If you have a Pass or Come bet working, you can place additional Odds bets here for the chance to get paid at true odds if your number hits.
Odds bets have no house edge, making them among the best bets in the casino.
Proposition Bets
These bets allow you to wager on specific numbers or rolls happening on any given roll. While they may have bigger payouts, prop bets generally have a much higher house edge and risk.
Rules of Play
Beyond the layout, craps follows these essential rules during gameplay:
- One player is the shooter, who rolls the pair of dice to start a round.
- The Come Out roll starts each round. The shooter wants to roll a 7 or 11 to Pass, or establish a Point number without crapping out by rolling a 2, 3, or 12.
- If a Point is set, the shooter rolls again trying to hit the Point before rolling a 7 to win. If 7 comes first, all Pass bets lose.
- To start their turn, the shooter must place a Pass or Don’t Pass bet. Other players can also bet before the Come Out roll.
- The shooter continues rolling until they Seven Out or hit their Point to win. Then the dice move clockwise to the next player.
Coolest Bets and Strategies
While craps offers many wagers, these are among the best bets to focus on due to having low house edges:
Pass/Don’t Pass
With around a 1.4% house edge, these are among the safest starter bets with near even odds of winning. You win if the shooter either rolls a 7/11 or establishes then hits their Point.
Come/Don’t Come
Similar to their Pass counterparts, these bets let you join betting on the Point once it’s already been established. The Come has a house edge of 1.4% as well while Don’t Come has a slightly lower 1.36% edge.
Odds
By far the best bets in the https://slotspeak.com/food-slots/, Odds have no house edge. You only win if your original Pass/Come number hits, but they pay at true odds. At 2x-3x odds, the potential payouts are excellent.
Place Bets
While riskier on the Come Out, Place bets on 6 or 8 offer a low 1.5% house edge once a Point is set. You’re betting those numbers roll before the 7. They pay 7:6 but allow you to slowly build potential payouts over multiple rolls.
Tips for New Craps Players
Follow these quick tips to make the most of your experience:
- Start with the simple Pass/Don’t Pass bets to learn the flow.
- Once a Point is established, add Come/Don’t Come and Odds bets.
- Avoid risky single-roll Proposition bets in the middle of the table.
- Set betting stops to manage your bankroll and lock in profits.
- Learn additional strategies like buying the 4 and 10.
- Take advantage of odds bets since they have no built-in house edge.
With its mixture of luck and strategy, craps offers one of the most exciting experiences in the casino. By learning smart bets and wise bankroll management, new players can extend their play while boosting their chances to come out a winner. Over time, craps becomes less intimidating and far more enjoyable once you understand the rhythms and best practices. So don’t be afraid to pick up the dice and take your shot at one of the classic casino games!
Key Craps Statistics
| Bet | House Edge | True Odds Payout |
| Pass/Come | 1.41% | 1 to 1 |
| Don’t Pass/Come | 1.36% | 1 to 1 |
| Odds – 2x | 0% | 2 to 1 |
| Odds – 3x | 0% | 3 to 2 |
| Odds – 5x | 0% | 5 to 4 |
| Odds – 10x | 0% | 10 to 5 |
| Place 6, 8 | 1.52% | 7 to 6 |
| Field | 2.78% | 1 to 1 on 3, 4, 9, 10, 11; 2 to 1 on 12; Even money on 2 |
| Big 6, 8 | 9.09% | 1 to 1 |
| Hard 4, 10 | 11.11% | 7 to 1 |
| Hard 6, 8 | 9.09% | 9 to 1 |