How to Play Craps · PixelStrikeX

Last updated: May 2026 · Table game guide

The 90-second explanation

Craps is played with two six-sided dice. Players bet on the outcome of one roll, or a series of rolls, against the house. The most basic bet — Pass Line — is one of the best bets in any casino, with a house edge of just 1.41%.

Craps has more bet types than any other casino game — over 40 different bets. But you only need to know a few to play well. The simplest strategy uses just two: Pass Line and Odds.

The dice basics

You roll two dice. Each can land 1–6, so the total is between 2 and 12. The seven outcomes break down like this in probability:

7 — 6 ways to roll, most common (16.67%)
6 or 8 — 5 ways each (13.89% each)
5 or 9 — 4 ways each (11.11%)
4 or 10 — 3 ways each (8.33%)
3 or 11 — 2 ways each (5.56%)
2 or 12 — 1 way each (2.78%, rarest)

The number 7 is special — it is rolled more often than any other total, and it ends most craps rounds. Remember this.

How a round works

Place a Pass Line bet before the first roll. This is your main wager.
Come-out roll. The shooter rolls two dice.
- 7 or 11 → Pass Line wins. New round starts.
- 2, 3, or 12 ("craps") → Pass Line loses. New round.
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 → that number becomes "the point." Round continues.
Point phase. The shooter keeps rolling until either:
- The point is rolled again → Pass Line wins.
- A 7 is rolled → Pass Line loses ("seven out"). New round.

That is the entire core game. Everything else is side bets.

Key bets to know

★ Pass Line

The flagship bet. Wins on come-out 7 or 11, or if the point is hit before a 7. Pays even money (1:1). House edge: 1.41%. Always play this.

★ Don't Pass

The opposite of Pass Line. Wins on come-out 2 or 3 (push on 12), or if a 7 is rolled before the point. Pays 1:1. House edge: 1.36% — slightly better than Pass Line, but it feels antisocial in a live game because you are betting against the table.

★ Odds (Free Odds)

Once a point is established on Pass Line, you can place an Odds bet behind it. The Odds bet has zero house edge — it pays true odds. The casino lets you do this only because you must first have the Pass Line bet.

Take maximum odds whenever you can. It lowers your overall house edge significantly.

★ Come / Don't Come

Like Pass Line but placed after the point is set. Lets you have multiple "personal points" running at the same time.

★ Place Bets

Bet that a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7. Pays varying odds depending on the number. House edge ranges from 1.52% (6 or 8) to 6.67% (4 or 10).

Bets to avoid

The high-payout "exciting" bets on the table are also where the house makes most of its money:

Any 7 — pays 4:1 but has a brutal 16.67% house edge. Worst bet on the table.
Field — pays even or 2:1, but house edge is ~5.5%.
Big 6 / Big 8 — same as Place 6/8 but worse payout (1:1 vs 7:6). House edge 9.09%.
Hard Ways (rolling doubles like 4-4 before 7 or "easy 8") — pays well but house edge is 9–11%.
Any Craps — 11% house edge.

The smart-player strategy

Pass Line — place your base bet.
Take maximum Odds after the point is set — this is the only bet in any casino with 0% house edge.
Optionally add a Come bet on the next roll for diversification.
Avoid all proposition bets (those in the centre of the table that look tempting).

Done. You are now playing one of the best-EV games in the casino.

Etiquette in a live game

Wait until the shooter has rolled at least once before placing your first bet.
Never say the word "seven" while the dice are out. Superstition runs deep.
Tip the dealers occasionally if they are helping you learn.
Cheer for the shooter — everyone betting Pass Line wins together.

Try it for free

Play Craps Vegas with Pass Line, Don't Pass, Field, Hard Ways, and more — all the standard craps bets implemented with virtual coins. Practice the strategy here before you ever step up to a real table.