Craps is a popular dice game that offers fast-paced action, a wide range of betting options, and some of the best odds you’ll find at a crypto casino. You just need to know which bets to place and which to avoid, as the house edge ranges from well below 1% to over 16%.
We’ll explain how to play craps, and we’ll highlight the house edge on every bet. You’ll learn which sucker bets to steer clear of, and we’ll provide our top tips to improve your returns.
What Is Craps?
Craps is a casino game where every bet depends on the total value of two dice. One player, known as the shooter, rolls the dice, and everyone at the table bets on the outcome. Most players back the shooter, so the whole table tends to win and lose together, which is why craps tables are famously loud and boisterous.
In a physical casino, players take turns being the shooter. When you play online, there are two options:
- Virtual craps games: These games use software to roll the dice. The outcomes are generated by random number generators (RNGs), which are independently audited to guarantee fairness.
- Live dealer craps: You connect with an actual dealer via a video link when playing games like Live Craps by Evolution. The dealer uses a mechanical arm to launch the dice down the table. There’s no need for RNGs when you play live craps games, but independent labs still test the equipment and monitor sessions to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Craps Rules: How a Round Plays Out
Every round of craps follows the same structure. It starts with the come-out roll, and if a point is set, it ends when the point or a 7 is rolled.
The Come-Out Roll
The first roll of each round is known as the come-out roll. Most players bet on the pass line or the don’t pass line before the dice are thrown. Two dice are rolled, and there are three possible outcomes:
- 7 or 11: This is called a natural. Pass line bets win, don’t pass bets lose, and the round ends.
- 2, 3, or 12: The shooter craps out and the round ends. Pass line bets lose. Don’t pass bets win on a 2 or 3, but a 12 is a push.
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: That number becomes the point, and the round progresses to the point phase.
The Point Phase
Once the point is set, the dealer marks that number with a puck featuring the word “ON.” The shooter keeps rolling until one of two numbers appears: the point or a 7.
Every other total, including 2, 3, 11, and 12, has no effect on pass and don’t pass bets, although it may settle other bets on the table. This is also when you can add an odds bet behind your pass or don’t pass bet, which we’ve covered below. You can make come/don’t come bets at this stage too.
Making the Point or 7-Out
There are now two ways in which the round can end:
- The shooter rolls the point before a 7. Pass line bets win and don’t pass bets lose. The same shooter then starts a new round with another come-out roll.
- A 7 lands before the point. This is known as a 7-out. Pass line bets lose, don’t pass bets win, and most other bets are cleared from the table. In a physical casino, the dice then move to the next shooter. Online, a new round simply begins.
An Example Round of Craps
Here’s how a typical round might play out:
- You place a $10 bet on the pass line before the come-out roll.
- The shooter rolls a 4 and a 2, for a total of 6. The point is now 6.
- The next three rolls are 9, 3, and 11. None of them affect your pass line bet.
- The shooter then rolls a 6. The point has been made, so you win $10.
- The round ends and it’s time for a new come-out roll.
If a 7 had landed before the 6, you would have lost your $10.
Craps Bets Explained
Craps bets fall into three groups: line bets, multi-roll bets, and single-roll bets. The house edge varies significantly from one bet to the next, so it really pays to know the difference.
Line Bets
Line bets are the foundation of craps, and they carry some of the best odds in the casino. There are four to choose from:
| Bet |
How It Works |
Payout |
House Edge |
| Pass |
Placed before the come-out roll. It wins on a 7 or 11 and loses on a 2, 3, or 12. Any other total becomes the point, and the bet wins if the point is rolled before a 7. |
1:1 |
1.41% |
| Don’t pass |
The opposite of a pass bet. It wins on a 2 or 3, pushes on a 12, and loses on a 7 or 11. Once the point is set, it wins if a 7 is rolled before the point. |
1:1 |
1.36% |
| Come |
Works like a pass bet, but it’s placed after the point is set. The next roll acts as its own come-out roll, and any point number becomes the bet’s own point. |
1:1 |
1.41% |
| Don’t come |
Works like a don’t pass bet, but it’s placed after the point is set. Like a come bet, it has its own come-out roll and its own point. |
1:1 |
1.36% |
Most players bet on the pass line, since they’re backing the shooter along with the rest of the table. It’s considered bad manners to bet on the don’t pass line at a physical casino, but that’s not an issue when you play online. Don’t pass has a slightly lower house edge, so it’s actually a better bet.
Taking and Laying Odds
Once the point is set, most games let you place an odds bet behind your open pass, don’t pass, come, or don’t come wager. This odds bet pays out at “true odds,” which means it carries no house edge.
- Taking odds: This is the official term for betting behind an open pass or come bet at true odds.
- Laying odds: The official term for wagering behind an open don’t pass or don’t come bet at true odds.
You can’t place an odds bet on its own, as it needs to come on top of a wager you already placed. However, it significantly cuts the house edge on your total stake. Here’s an example:
- You place a $10 don’t pass bet, which has a 1.36% house edge. A point is then set.
- The game allows you to wager 6x your initial stake at “true odds” behind the open bet, so you lay $60 behind your open don’t pass bet at a 0% house edge.
- That means you’ve wagered $10 with a 1.36% edge and $60 with a 0% edge. Your total stake is now $70, and the combined house edge drops to just 0.19%.
The odds payouts depend on the point:
| Point |
Taking Odds Pays |
Laying Odds Pays |
| 4 or 10 |
2:1 |
1:2 |
| 5 or 9 |
3:2 |
2:3 |
| 6 or 8 |
6:5 |
5:6 |
The amount you can wager behind a line bet varies from one online craps game to the next, so check the rules before playing. The higher the multiple, the lower your overall house edge.
Multi-Roll Bets
These bets can stay on the table for several rolls before they’re settled. Some multi-roll bets offer decent value, while others carry a steep house edge:
| Bet |
How It Works |
Payout |
House Edge |
| Place |
A bet that a chosen number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled before a 7. |
9:5 on 4 or 10; 7:5 on 5 or 9; 7:6 on 6 or 8 |
6.67% on 4 or 10; 4% on 5 or 9; 1.52% on 6 or 8 |
| Buy |
Works like a place bet, but pays true odds in exchange for a 5% commission. |
2:1 on 4 or 10; 3:2 on 5 or 9; 6:5 on 6 or 8 (minus commission) |
4.76% if the commission is charged up front; 1.67% on 4 or 10 if it’s only charged on wins |
| Lay |
A bet that a 7 is rolled before a chosen number. |
1:2 on 4 or 10; 2:3 on 5 or 9; 5:6 on 6 or 8 (minus a 5% commission on wins) |
2.44% on 4 or 10; 3.23% on 5 or 9; 4% on 6 or 8 |
| Big 6 and Big 8 |
A bet that a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7. |
1:1 |
9.09% |
| Hardways |
A bet that 4, 6, 8, or 10 is rolled as a pair (e.g., 3 and 3 for a hard 6) before a 7 or the same total rolled any other way. |
7:1 on hard 4 or 10; 9:1 on hard 6 or 8 |
11.11% on hard 4 or 10; 9.09% on hard 6 or 8 |
Place bets on the 6 and 8 are the best multi-roll wagers. They pay 7:6 and carry a 1.52% house edge, which is lower than most other bets at an online casino.
Big 6 and Big 8 are sucker bets. They cover the same numbers, but they only pay even money (1:1), which increases the house edge to 9.09%. Always avoid these bets.
Single-Roll Bets
Single-roll bets are settled on the very next throw. Most of them sit in the center of the table, and they offer you the chance to win large payouts, but they also tend to come with a huge house edge.
| Bet |
How It Works |
Payout |
House Edge |
| Field |
The next roll is a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. |
1:1, or 2:1 on 2 and 12 |
5.56% |
| Snake eyes |
The next roll is a 2. |
30:1 |
13.89% |
| Ace-deuce |
The next roll is a 3. |
15:1 |
11.11% |
| Yo |
The next roll is an 11. |
15:1 |
11.11% |
| Boxcars |
The next roll is a 12. |
30:1 |
13.89% |
| Hi-Lo |
The next roll is a 2 or 12. |
15:1 |
11.11% |
| Any craps |
The next roll is a 2, 3, or 12. |
7:1 |
11.11% |
| C and E |
Split evenly between any craps and 11. |
3:1 on 2, 3, or 12; 7:1 on 11 |
11.11% |
| Horn |
Split evenly between 2, 3, 11, and 12. |
27:4 on 2 or 12; 3:1 on 3 or 11 |
12.5% |
| Whirl |
Split evenly between the horn numbers and any 7. |
26:5 on 2 or 12; 11:5 on 3 or 11; a 7 is a push |
13.33% |
| Any 7 |
The next roll is a 7. |
4:1 |
16.67% |
The field is the best single-roll bet, but it still carries a 5.56% house edge. That’s terrible compared to a pass/don’t pass or come/don’t come bet. Any 7 is the worst bet on the table, with a house edge of 16.67%.
Craps for Beginners: A Simple Strategy
You can improve your returns by sticking to the best bets when playing craps. Here’s a simple approach that works on any game:
- Start with the pass or don’t pass line: Both carry a house edge below 1.5%, and they’re the easiest bets to follow.
- Add odds once the point is set: Odds bets have no house edge, so the more you wager behind your line bet, the lower the overall edge. However, you should only risk as much as you’re comfortable betting.
- Place the 6 and 8 for more action: At 1.52%, these are the best bets outside the line and odds bets. Make sure you avoid Big 6 and Big 8.
- Skip the center of the table: Proposition bets offer eye-catching payouts, but they carry a house edge of 11% or more, so steer clear of them.
Set a budget before you play and stick to it. Our bankroll management guide explains how to size your bets.
Playing Craps at Crypto Casinos
Most crypto casinos offer virtual craps games, which let you play at your own pace. They also host live dealer craps, which has a better atmosphere and feels far more authentic. You can deposit with coins like BTC, ETH, and USDT, and withdrawals are typically much faster than card or bank payments at the best crypto casinos.
FAQs
The best bet in craps is the odds bet, which pays true odds and carries no house edge. However, you can only place it behind an open pass, don’t pass, come, or don’t come bet. The best standalone bets are don’t pass and don’t come, which have a 1.36% house edge, and you can then bet behind them at true odds.
A 7-out happens when a 7 is rolled after the point has been set. It ends the round, so pass line bets lose and don’t pass bets win.
Yes, most crypto casinos host several craps games, and you can play with coins like BTC, ETH, USDT, SOL, and XRP. You’ll usually find RNG craps, which you can play at your own pace, and live dealer craps, where the dice are rolled in a real studio and streamed to your phone or computer screen.
Ilija is a CCN writer with 7 years of experience covering all things crypto. Ever since a fateful run-in with Litecoin in 2013, he's been an avid investor and writer in the space. When he's not maniacally hacking away at his keyboard, Ilija spends his time either hiking in nature or holed up in his apartment gaming.
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