Craps for Beginners: How to Play & Win

If you have ever strolled into a casino and heard cheers and excitement around a long table, chances are, you were overhearing the craps table; an exhilarating casino game of chance based on the rolling of dice, full of excitement and the thrill of teamwork.  But if you are new to the game, all those dice, the betting, and the rapid nature of the game can be bewildering.  

This beginner’s guide will walk you through what craps is, how the game of craps works, and how to play (and win) in land-based and online casinos confidently.

What This Blog Will Offer You

^{This guide is made especially for beginners who want to learn:}

• What Craps means and how it works
• The different parts of a Craps table
• How to play step by step
• Winning strategies and simple tips
• Where to play Craps online safely

What Is Craps?

Craps is a dice game where players place bets on the result of a roll, or a series of rolls, of two dice. The game is simple at its core: predict what numbers will appear when the dice are rolled.

The game starts with one player, called the shooter, rolling the dice. Other players place bets on whether the shooter will win or lose.

The first roll is called the Come Out Roll. This roll decides what happens next:

• If the dice show 7 or 11, the shooter wins immediately.
• If the dice show 2, 3, or 12, it’s called “Craps,” and the shooter loses.
• If the dice shows any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the Point.

Once the Point is set, the shooter continues rolling the dice until they roll the same number again (which means a win) or a 7 (which means a loss).

Craps might seem complicated at first, but once you understand the table and basic bets, it becomes one of the most exciting casino games to play.

The Parts of a Craps Table

The Craps table can look daunting at first glance with all the markings covering the table. Each part has a meaning or purpose, and here’s the important things to consider:

1. Pass Line

This is the most popular bet, and pretty straightforward. When you bet on the Pass Line you are betting that the shooter will win; either by rolling a 7 or 11 on the Come Out Roll, or if the shooter throws a Point number they have to roll that number again prior to rolling a 7.

2. Don’t Pass Line

This is the opposite of the Pass Line. You are betting that the shooter will lose, and that they will roll a 7 before they hit their Point.

3. Come and Don’t Come Bets

These bets are the same as the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets, except you are placing them after the Come Out Roll. They work the same way, just at a different point in the game.

4. Field Bets

A single-roll bet that will win if either a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 appears. These bets are quick (element of excitement, quick) and have a high house edge.

5. Place Bets

You select a number (6 or 8) and bet that that number will appear before a 7. Place bets are popular bets, and offer fairly decent odds.

How to Play Craps Step-by-Step

Craps is a game that is played in rounds. Here is a description of a typical game:

Step 1: Make Your Bet

• Before allowing for the roll of the dice, the players will put their chips on either the Pass Line or the Don’t Pass Line.

Step 2: The Come Out Roll

• Once the shooter rolls the dice, a 7 or 11 is a win for the Pass Line and 2, 3, or 12 lose. Any number aside from these numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) revert to be known as the Point.

Step 3: The Point Phase

• Once a Point is set, the shooter continues to roll the dice until a Point is rolled (win) or a 7 (loss). In this phase of the game, players are also able to add more bets (Come, Don’t Come, and/or Place Bets).

Step 4: Collect Winning Bets and Next Shooter

• Once a round finishes, winning bets are collected and losing bets are surrendered. Step aside from the table and cash in your chips if they do not want to continue. Otherwise, a new player may take over as the shooter.

Tips for Beginners

When you’re new to Craps, it can be a great deal of fun as long as keeping it simple is your goal.
Here are a few tips to get you started: 

• Stick with Pass Line bets until you get a feel for the game. These bets have some of the lowest house edges in the casino, at around (about 1.41 %). 
• Avoid all of the complicated side bets until you truly understand the game. 
• Consider waiting for a few rounds to go by before sitting down at the table or when you do sit down watch the flow of the game. 
• Always be aware of your bankroll and plan a limit every time you play. 
• Always keep in mind that Craps is a game of chance, and the point is to have fun, and not just win!

Where to Play Craps Online

Many online casinos are now offering Craps as both a digital game and a live dealer setting. One of the easier ways to play Craps is online and below you find some of our most trusted casino sites: 

• Stake.com
• BC.Game
• FortuneJack
• 7Bit Casino

Before you play online, always check that the casino is licensed, has secure payment options, and offers fair odds.

If you’re a business in the gaming or casino industry, improving your search visibility can help you reach more players. Working with an experienced SEO agency can make your platform more discoverable and competitive in search rankings.

Final Thoughts

Craps entails way more than chucking dice; it embodies energy and excitement, the rush of formulating a strategy. Once you have the rules down, and understand the table layout, you may just find it to be one of the most enjoyable gambling games you’ll ever play.

For players, the solution is to keep it simple, use sound strategies, and have fun. For online casino businesses, the real name of the game is visibility. A top-notch SEO strategy is what will help your site attract users and develop trust in a competitive industry.

Whether you’re throwing dice at the casino, or new marketing campaigns, success is about understanding the game,  and playing it well.