How to Play Craps (Las Vegas) — Pass Line, Odds, Bets, Etiquette

Game Guide

How to Play Craps (Vegas-style)

Craps looks like chaos, but the core game is one simple loop: come-out roll → point → keep rolling until point or 7. This page teaches the safe, beginner way to play: Pass Line (or Don’t Pass) + Odds.

Start Playing in 3 Minutes The Core Game Best Bets (Low Edge)

1) Start playing (step-by-step) 2) The core game: come-out + point 3) Basic bets you actually need 4) Best bets vs sucker bets 5) Odds & payouts (plain) 6) Etiquette (hands, dice, calls) 7) Responsible gaming

1) Start Playing in 3 Minutes

Do this and you’ll look like you belong.

Step-by-step: your first safe craps bet

Step	What you do	What to say (optional)
1	Watch a few rolls. Confirm the table minimum and whether a point is set (puck ON) or not (puck OFF).	—
2	Buy in: place cash on the table (don’t hand to dealer). Dealers will change it into chips.	“Change, please.”
3	When puck is OFF (come-out roll), place your chips on the PASS LINE.	“Pass line.”
4	After a point is set (4/5/6/8/9/10), add ODDS behind your Pass Line bet.	“Odds on, please.”
5	Now you can mostly chill: you win if the point hits before a 7; you lose if 7 hits first.	—
6	If the shooter “sevens out,” the round ends and puck goes OFF again.	—

Puck cheat code: OFF = new round (come-out). ON = point established.

Absolute beginner glossary

Word	Meaning
Shooter	Person rolling the dice.
Come-out	First roll of a round (puck OFF).
Point	4,5,6,8,9,10 set by come-out (puck ON).
Seven-out	A 7 appears after point is set (round ends).
Odds	Extra bet behind Pass/Come that pays true odds (best value).

2) The Core Game: Come-Out + Point

Once you get this loop, craps is easy.

The whole game (Pass Line version)

COME-OUT ROLL (PUCK OFF) - Roll 7 or 11 → PASS LINE wins - Roll 2, 3, 12 → PASS LINE loses (12 is "bar" on some tables) - Roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 → that number becomes the POINT (PUCK ON) POINT PHASE (PUCK ON) - Keep rolling until: * POINT hits again → PASS LINE wins * 7 hits first → PASS LINE loses ("seven-out")

What about Don’t Pass? (the opposite side)

Don’t Pass is the “dark side” bet: you’re betting the shooter will lose. On the come-out: 2 or 3 wins, 7 or 11 loses, 12 usually pushes, and point numbers set the same. During point phase, Don’t Pass wins if 7 comes before the point.

Beginner warning: Don’t Pass can create social friction at a loud table. It’s not “wrong,” it’s just emotionally opposite of the crowd.

3) Basic Bets You Actually Need

If you learn these three, you can play all night.

Pass Line

The classic bet. You’re betting the shooter will win a round. Place it on the Pass Line when puck is OFF.

Foundation bet Easy

Odds (behind Pass Line)

After a point is set, you can place extra chips behind your Pass Line bet. This pays true odds (no built-in house edge on the odds portion).

Translation: Odds are the “best value” bet in the whole casino. Ask the dealer what the table allows (ex: 3x-4x-5x).

Come (optional, but powerful)

A Come bet is like placing a new Pass Line bet after the point is already on. You put chips in the “COME” box, and the next roll (not a come-out) sends that bet to a number (4/5/6/8/9/10). Then you can add Come Odds behind it, just like Pass Odds.

Simple way to use Come bets without getting lost

Start with Pass Line + Odds. If you want more action, add ONE Come bet at a time. When it travels to a number, put odds behind it. Don’t stack five different bets until you’re comfortable.

4) Best Bets vs Sucker Bets

Craps has both the best and the worst bets in the casino — on the same table.

Best “value” bets (low edge)

Bet	Why it’s good
Pass Line	Low house edge; simple.
Pass Odds	Pays true odds (best value).
Come	Like Pass Line after point.
Come Odds	Also pays true odds.
Don’t Pass / Don’t Come	Also low-edge (but socially “opposite”).

Low edge Best for long play

Sucker bets (high edge / high hype)

Bet	Why to avoid
Any 7	Pays “okay” but hits too rarely for the price.
Hardways	Fun, but pricey for odds.
Hops	Very high edge, fast money drain.
Big 6 / Big 8	Usually worse than placing 6/8 properly.
Center table chaos	Designed for action, not value.

High edge Fast drain

Vegas truth: If a bet is shouted, flashy, and lives in the middle of the table, it’s usually for entertainment — and priced accordingly.

5) Odds & Payouts (Plain)

Pass Line pays 1:1. Odds pay “true odds” based on the point number.

Pass Line & Odds payout basics

Point	Ways to roll it	True odds (Odds bet payout)	Plain English
4 or 10	3 ways	2:1	Hardest point → pays the most.
5 or 9	4 ways	3:2	Medium-hard → medium payout.
6 or 8	5 ways	6:5	Easiest point → smallest payout.

What does “3 ways / 4 ways / 5 ways” mean?

With two dice, some totals have more combinations. 7 has 6 ways (most common). 6 and 8 have 5 ways. 5 and 9 have 4 ways. 4 and 10 have 3 ways. More ways = more likely.

Beginner math shortcut: Keep your base Pass bet small, and put more of your “risk budget” into Odds (if you can afford it). That’s how you get the best value without drowning in bets.

6) Etiquette (Hands, Dice, Calls)

Craps is strict about hands when the dice are moving.

Golden rules

Hands off the layout when the stickman is pushing dice to the shooter.
Place bets quickly, then pull back.
Don’t touch other players’ chips. Ever.
If you want a bet placed but can’t reach, ask the dealer.

Most common beginner mistake: reaching in late while dice are out. Dealers will bark — it’s for safety and fairness.

Shooter basics

Use one hand to pick up and throw the dice.
Throw so both dice hit the back wall.
Don’t “set” dice theatrically if you’re slowing the game.
If you’re nervous, pass the dice. No shame.

What to say at the table (simple)

“Pass line.” • “Odds on.” • “One come bet.” • “Place the 6 and 8?” (optional)

7) Responsible Gaming

Craps is social and fast — it can push people to overbet.

Rule: Don’t expand your bets just because the table is “hot.” Keep your plan.

Before	During	After
Set a max loss and a stop time.	Keep it simple: Pass + Odds (and maybe one Come).	Color up and leave when the timer hits.
Choose a table minimum that feels comfortable.	If you feel pressured to bet more, step away.	Take the win (or loss) and move on.

Disclaimer

Educational content only. No guarantees. This site does not encourage gambling. Gambling involves risk. If you think you may have a gambling problem, seek professional help immediately.