If you walk onto any physical casino floor, the loudest and most energetic area is almost always the Craps table.

Unlike blackjack or poker, where players sit quietly and focus, Craps is a highly social game built on collective momentum.

However, to an absolute beginner, the Craps table looks incredibly intimidating and hopelessly complicated.

Fortunately, you only need to learn a few basic rules to jump in and enjoy some of the best odds in the casino.

In this article, we will break down the absolute basics of Craps so you can confidently approach the table.

The Basics: The Come-Out Roll and The Point

Every round of Craps begins with what is called the "Come-Out" roll, performed by the designated "shooter."

The entire goal of the Come-Out roll is to establish a "Point" number for the rest of the round.

Once the Point is established, the dealer places a large white puck labeled "ON" above that number on the table.

The shooter keeps throwing the dice repeatedly; rolling the Point is a victory for the table.

The tension builds as the shooter tries to hit the Point while actively avoiding the dreaded 7.

The Best Bets: Pass Line and Don't Pass

The Pass Line is the fundamental bet of Craps and offers an incredibly low house edge of just 1.41%.

If the Come-Out roll is a 2, 3, or 12 (called "Crapping out"), your Pass Line bet loses instantly.

If the 7 hits before the Point, your Pass Line bet loses. It is that simple.

The Don't Pass bet is the exact opposite: you win on a Come-Out 2 or 3, and win if a 7 rolls before the Point.

This simple bet is all you need to play for hours and enjoy fantastic mathematical odds.

The Best Bet in the Entire Casino

This secondary bet is known as "Taking the Odds," and it is completely unmarked on the table felt.

The Odds bet is unique because the casino pays out at exactly true mathematical odds, meaning there is zero house edge.

If you Take the Odds on a Point of 4 and win, the casino pays you exactly 2 to 1 on that specific portion of your bet.

Smart players make the minimum allowed bet on the Pass Line and maximize their Odds bet behind it.

If you are unsure how much you can bet, simply ask the dealer, "What are the max odds?" and they will gladly assist you.

Craps Terminology for Beginners

• The Shooter: The person actively rolling. The dice rotate around the table after a Seven Out.


• Come-Out Roll: The very first roll of a new round, used to establish the Point.


• The Mark: The number that must be hit before a 7 to win the round.


• Hitting a Seven: Ends the shooter's turn and transfers the dice to the next player.


• Free Odds: The secret weapon of professional Craps players.

Pass Line vs. Don't Pass

Craps is only intimidating until you realize that you do not need to understand the entire board to play effectively.

Practicing on a digital table allows you to learn the rhythm of the game without the pressure of a loud, crowded casino.