Craps
Craps is the most exhilarating dice game in the casino, offering some of the best odds available to players alongside some of the worst. The game revolves around the shooter rolling two dice, with players wagering on the outcome. The Pass Line bet — the core of the game — carries a house edge of just 1.41%, and when combined with the Free Odds bet (which pays true odds with zero house edge), the combined edge can drop below 0.8%. Craps has a rich social culture; nothing on the casino floor generates the collective excitement of a hot shooter on a winning streak.
Rules & Gameplay
The game begins with a come-out roll. Pass Line bet: wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12; any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes the Point. The shooter must then roll the Point again before rolling a 7 to win. Don't Pass is the mirror bet (wins when Pass Line loses, except ties on 12). After the point is established, players may take Free Odds behind their Pass/Don't Pass bet — these pay true odds (4/10: 2:1, 5/9: 3:2, 6/8: 6:5). Come bets work like Pass Line bets but placed after the come-out. Place bets on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 pay less than true odds (house edge 1.52–6.67%). Proposition bets in the centre of the table (Any Seven, Hardways, etc.) carry house edges of 9–17% and should be avoided.
Basic Strategy
Pass Line + maximum Free Odds is the optimal strategy. Most casinos offer 2x, 3x-4x-5x, or 10x odds behind the line — always take the maximum allowed, as Free Odds carry a 0% house edge. Come bets with odds replicate Pass Line value on multiple numbers simultaneously. Avoid all proposition bets (centre table): Any Seven (16.67% edge), Any Craps (11.11%), Hardways (9.09–11.11%), Horn bets (12.5–16.67%). Don't Pass with maximum lay odds is equally valid statistically, though unpopular socially at a live table. Never make Big 6 or Big 8 bets — the equivalent Place 6 or Place 8 bets pay better odds.
At a Glance
- Category
- Dice Games
- Sections
- Rules + Strategy