Craps: The Ultimate Dice Game Guide

Introduction

For beginners, craps can feel overwhelming with its multitude of bets and fast-paced atmosphere. However, there’s a simple starting point: the “pass line” bet, which most players use. Mastering this basic bet allows newcomers to ease into the game and gain confidence. As familiarity grows, players can gradually explore other betting options. Within a few minutes of play, the game’s flow becomes more natural, and beginners can blend in as seasoned craps players.

Understanding House Edge in Craps

Craps offers a wide array of bet types, ranging from one-roll resolutions to those spanning multiple rolls. The conventional definition of house edge measures the ratio of expected player loss to the initial wager, including pushes. However, in craps, bets often take multiple rolls to resolve, allowing players to retract them at any point until the outcome is determined.

The question arises: should insignificant rolls, which have no impact on the outcome, be considered as pushes? While consistency would suggest so, craps players typically leave their bets active until resolved. Therefore, gambling writers must decide whether to factor in these rolls or wait until the bet is finalized.

After careful consideration, I propose three ways of expressing the house edge in craps:

Per bet made (including pushes).
Per bet resolved (excluding pushes).
Per roll (house edge per resolved bet divided by the average number of rolls).

For those assessing the quality of a bet and its value in earning comps, the “per roll” figure serves as a crucial metric. In all forms of gambling, the goal is to guide players towards making the most advantageous bets. In my opinion, the best bets in craps are those with a low “per roll” house edge.

pass

The Pass bet stands as the cornerstone of craps, with nearly every player opting for it. Understanding this bet is paramount for newcomers.

Placed on the pass line during a come-out roll, identified by a black “off” marker on the table, it pays even money for a roll of 7 or 11, resulting in a loss for 2, 3, or 12. Any other roll establishes “the point,” indicated by flipping the marker to “on” and placing it on the corresponding number on the table. The shooter continues rolling until either matching the point or rolling a seven. Winning occurs if the point is rolled first, while a seven spells defeat.

Don’t Pass

The Don’t Pass bet is essentially the opposite of the Pass Line bet. Winning occurs on a come-out roll of 2 or 3, with losses on 7 or 11; a 12 typically results in a push. The game continues until either the point or a 7 is rolled, with a win if 7 comes first and a loss if the point is rolled. This bet pays even money and is often placed by “wrong” bettors, who may want to maintain a low profile to avoid upsetting other players.

Placing the Odds

Laying the Odds is essentially betting against the point established in a Don’t Pass bet, with fair odds and no house edge. The payout varies: against a 4 or 10, it pays 1 to 2; against a 5 or 9, it pays 2 to 3; and against a 6 or 8, it pays 5 to 6.

Similar to Taking Odds, the amount you can Lay in Odds is typically capped at a multiple of your Don’t Pass bet. For instance, with a 5X Odds limit, you can wager up to six times your Don’t Pass bet, ensuring potential wins don’t exceed 3, 4, or 5 times the initial Don’t Pass bet.

Come, Don’t Come

Come Bet: Similar to Pass bet, placed after Come Out roll; subsequent roll acts as new Come Out Roll. Odds available after Come bet, with same win multiples as Pass bets.

Don’t Come Bet: Similar to Don’t Pass bet, placed after Come Out roll; Odds can be laid if point rolls after Don’t Come bet, mirroring Don’t Pass bet.

Place Bets

In craps, the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 are termed Place numbers. Players can wager on any of these numbers, winning if rolled before a seven. Similar to odds bets but don’t require a pass line bet, offering lower payouts. Specifically, bets on 6 and 8 pay 7 to 6, 5 and 9 pay 7 to 5, and 4 and 10 pay 9 to 5. Optimal odds are on 6 and 8.

Place to Lose

Opposite of Place bets, these wagers win on a seven and lose on the targeted number. Typically found in Australia, England, and certain online casinos. Payout odds vary:

6 and 8: 4 to 5 5 and 9: 5 to 8 4 and 10: 5 to 11

Buy Bets

Similar to Odds or Place bets but with varied odds. Pay fair odds like Odds bets but entail a 5% commission, usually non-refundable, based on the bet amount. Some casinos charge commission only on a win for 4 and 10. Tables display house edge with both commission payment methods.

Lay Bets

Similar to laying the Odds or Place to Lose bets but with varied odds. Pay fair odds like Odds bets but entail a 5% commission, usually non-refundable, based on the win amount. Some casinos charge commission only on a win for 4 and 10. Tables display house edge with both commission payment methods.

Hard Ways

Rolling an even number with both dice showing the same number is termed the “hard way,” while an even number with different numbers on the dice is the “easy way.” For instance, a hard 8 is a 4-4, whereas an easy 8 could be 2-6 or 3-5.

There are four Hard Way bets on the 4, 6, 8, and 10. Each wins by rolling the specified number the hard way but loses on any 7 or on an easy way. For example, the hard 8 wins on 4&4 and loses on any total of 7, 2-6, or 3-5. A flow chart illustrates adjudication of the Hard 8 bet.

Put Bets

In craps, players can make “put bets” by skipping the come-out roll on a pass or come bet. These late bets carry a high house edge as much of the value in pass and come bets lies in the come-out roll. Specifically, the house edge is 33.33% on the 4 and 10, 20.00% on the 5 and 9, and 9.09% on the 6 and 8, per resolved bet. However, combining a put bet with an odds bet can lower the overall house edge. Breakeven points vary by point:

For 6 and 8: Combine with 5X odds to match the 1.52% house edge of a place bet.
For 5 and 9: Combine with 4X odds to match the 4.00% house edge of a place bet.
For 4 and 10: Combine with 19X odds to match the 1.67% house edge of a buy bet, assuming commission is paid on a win only. If commission is always paid, combine with 6X odds to match the 4.76% house edge. If a casino offers 3-4-5X odds or worse, making a put bet is not advantageous compared to a place or buy bet.

Proposition Bets

Proposition bets win or lose on the next throw, typically carrying the highest house edge among craps bets. Savvy players avoid them entirely. Various prop bets are available, with different payoff odds. U.S. casinos usually offer lower odds, while U.K. and Australian casinos may have more favorable rules.

Strategy

In craps, optimal strategy entails betting the don’t pass and/or don’t come, followed by laying maximum odds, known as “playing the dark side.” Alternatively, if you prefer following the majority, opt for pass and/or come bets with full odds.

Miscellaneous Advice

Players take turns throwing the dice until they “seven out”; passing the dice is allowed. Familiarize yourself with the rules beforehand, especially in busy settings, and avoid relying solely on dealers for clarification. Craps has its own language; while not exhaustive, you’ll pick up terms as you play. When rolling the dice, some prefer a high lob while others opt for a gentler roll. Keep drinks off the table, utilizing the designated shelf beneath the chips, and refrain from sitting or leaning on anything. Avoid heeding advice from other players, particularly those favoring middle table bets. Tip dealers generously for their assistance, bypassing the common practice of making sucker bets on their behalf. Blend in with fellow players without engaging too closely, and refrain from uttering the word “seven” except during come-out rolls to avoid superstitions. If you’re new to the game, it’s advisable not to announce it, as male newcomers are considered unlucky while the opposite is true for females due to cultural beliefs surrounding virginity.