How to Bet on Craps: Rules, Strategies, and Best Bets Explained

If you’ve ever been to a casino and heard excited screaming and yelling coming from the table games area, it more than likely came from a craps table.

Craps is an exciting game that always draws an enthusiastic crowd, but now you can play this amazing game at home without needing to go to a physical casino.

If you’re planning to play craps online instead of at a physical casino, you can explore MyBookie’s online casino, where table games like craps are available for real money wagering.

If you have never played before, then use this as your craps betting guide, as we will teach you how to play and how to wager, so let’s get to it.

This Craps Betting Guide is designed to help beginners understand the rules, betting options, and smart strategies before placing real money wagers.

In simple terms, craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of rolls made by a shooter, with wagers centered around the come-out roll, the point number, and whether certain numbers appear before a seven.

If you’re brand new to the game or want a clear breakdown of betting order, table flow, and wager types, this how to bet on craps guide> explains the fundamentals step by step before you move on to strategy.

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Craps Betting Guide: How Does Craps Work for Beginners

If you want a more foundational walkthrough, this basic guide to start playing craps covers the game from the ground up.

This guide is designed for beginners who want to understand how craps works, what the safest bets are, and how to avoid common mistakes at the table.

If you’re new to table games in general, this beginner’s guide to casino games explains how popular casino games work before you start wagering real money.

The question that most people have when looking at the table is, “how does craps work?”

The game begins with a shooter (the person who rolls the dice), with the first roll of a round known as the come-out roll and sets the point.

If that roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, the round continues.

A 7 is considered the crap out number that immediately ends the round.

2, 3, and 12 rolls also end the round.

Now that you know the numbers, let’s talk about the craps table layout and rules.

   

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Craps Table Layout and All Main Bets

If you need the craps table explained, the following layout guide should help:

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Key areas on the layout

Pass Line / Don’t Pass:

Along the outer rim closest to the players you’ll see the “Pass Line” band, and just behind it will be the “Don’t Pass” area. Craps beginners should start here.

Come / Don’t Come:

Inside the Pass Line area is a smaller “Come” box. “Don’t Come” is usually just above or nearby. Similar to pass but used after the point is set.

Number boxes (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10):

Near the middle are six large boxes labeled with the point numbers. These are where dealers park Come / Don’t Come bets after the point is set.

Field:

A big rectangle labeled “Field” covers part of the center on each side. This is a one roll bet on several numbers (usually 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12) – if one of them hits on the next roll, it wins. Any other number results in a loss.

Proposition and Hardways (center):

The center of the craps table has a number of smaller boxes: “Any 7,” “Any Craps,” “Yo 11,” the Hardways (hard 4, 6, 8, 10), and sometimes special bets. These are all high house edge bets, handled by the stickperson.

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How to Bet in Craps: Step by Step for Beginners

When it comes to understanding craps, start with easier bets, such as Pass, Come, and Odds.

This section of the Craps Betting Guide walks you through each step so you can follow the action confidently and avoid costly beginner mistakes.

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Step 1: Making a Pass Line Bet

Place your bet on the Pass Line and let the wager ride through the point phase after the come-out roll.

When Pass Line wins or loses

On the come out roll, a 7 or 11 pays even money.

2, 3, or 12 is a loss, while any other number becomes the point and keeps your wager active.

After the initial roll, even money is paid on numbers that match the point.

This is the best way for beginners to get started with craps.

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Step 2: Understanding the Come Out Roll

This is the first roll made by the shooter.

7 and 11 are natural wins, while 2, 3, and 12 are losses.

The other numbers set the point, which the dealer marks with a little puck or disc.

For example, if the first roll is an 8, your wager remains in place, and you are hoping for another 8 before the shooter rolls a 7.

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Step 3: Establishing and Playing the Point

Let’s stick with 8 as the point.

As long as the shooter does not crap out, the shooter will continue to roll until they hit 8 again, at which point a new round begins.

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Step 4: Adding Come Bets and Odds Bets

The most common bet in craps is the Pass Line, but you can expand on that once you are comfortable with the game.

A Come bet is essentially like wagering on a new point after the initial point has been established.

Same rules apply as the Pass wager.

Odds bets payouts:

• Point 4 or 10: pays 2:1
• Point 5 or 9: pays 3:2
• Point 6 or 8: pays 6:5

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Step 5: Tracking Wins and Losses During the Round

If you are a beginner in the game of craps, your best way to play is on the Pass Line.

Once you start adding Come and Odds wagers, keeping track of wins and losses can be difficult. It is much easier to keep track of a single bet than to have 4 or 5 going on every roll.

As you grow more accustomed to the rules, you can start mixing in other wagers.

Before placing advanced wagers, it helps to understand common mistakes, which are outlined in these do’s and don’ts of craps.

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Difference Between Place and Buy Bets

The Place and Buy bets are for specific numbers, which are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.

 

If they land before a 7 is rolled, the Place bet pays as follows:

• 6 or 8: pays 7:6 (bet $12, win $14)
• 5 or 9: pays 7:5
• 4 or 10: pays 9:5

Place bets on 6 and 8 are especially popular because of their relatively low house edge for a non Pass type bet.

Buy bets pay true odds and come with a 5% commission.

So, if you have $25 wagered on 8 and it hits before 7, it would pay $50 minus the commission for a win of about $49.

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What Is the Best Bet in Craps?

No single craps wager is more rewarding over the long term, but there are a few where the house edge is lower and more in your favor.

The Pass Line and Come bets are at the top of that list and are easily the best bets for craps beginners.

When the point is set at 6 or 8, those numbers represent the best chance of beating 7.

For most new players, the Pass Line with Odds is widely considered the safest and most mathematically favorable way to play craps.

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Can You Really Win at Craps Every Time?

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, this guide on winning craps strategy for online casinos explores more advanced approaches for experienced players.

There is no craps strategy or system that can allow you to win every time, as this is still a game of chance.

This Craps Betting Guide focuses on helping players make informed decisions, manage risk, and improve long-term results rather than chasing guaranteed wins.

Stick to the easier bets and manage your bankroll to maximize playing time. Take some time to practice with fun money and only get into the real money action once you have learned the game.

Many players prefer online play because of convenience, game variety, and bonuses, which are covered in this breakdown of the benefits of playing in an online casino.

Always gamble responsibly and only wager money you can afford to lose.

   

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MyBookie: Bet On Anything. Anywhere. Anytime.

 

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