How to play craps
Put a bet on the pass line and the shooter rolls two dice. A 7 or 11 on the first roll wins, 2, 3 or 12 loses, and any other number becomes the point; the shooter then rolls until the point comes again (you win) or a 7 (you lose). The pass line wins 49.29% of the time.
Checked 2026-11-07. Source: odds worked out below.
Step by step
- Bet before the come-out roll. Put chips on the pass line (with the shooter) or don't pass (against).
- The come-out roll. 7 or 11: pass wins. 2, 3 or 12 ("craps"): pass loses. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 becomes the point.
- Rolling for the point. The shooter rolls until the point repeats (pass wins) or a 7 appears ("seven out": pass loses and the dice move to the next shooter). Other numbers do not decide the line bets.
- Add odds if you like. Once there is a point you can back your pass bet with an odds bet, paid at true odds with no house edge.
- Other bets. Place bets, field and one-roll bets can be made any time, but most cost more than the line bets (table below).
Try it: free craps simulator
Bets go down automatically when they are allowed: line bets on the come-out roll, odds and place bets once a point is set.
19+ in most of Canada (18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec), 21+ in most US states. A calculator shows what a bet pays, not how likely it is to win. Free help: 1-800-GAMBLER (US), ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (Ontario), 211 (Alberta). More help.
How often each point is made
| Point | Ways to roll it | Chance to make it before a 7 | Odds bet pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 of 36 | 33.3% | 2 to 1 |
| 5 | 4 of 36 | 40.0% | 3 to 2 |
| 6 | 5 of 36 | 45.5% | 6 to 5 |
| 8 | 5 of 36 | 45.5% | 6 to 5 |
| 9 | 4 of 36 | 40.0% | 3 to 2 |
| 10 | 3 of 36 | 33.3% | 2 to 1 |
A 7 can be rolled 6 ways out of 36, more than any other total, which is why it ends most points.
The main bets and their house edge
| Bet | How it wins | Pays | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass line | You win on 7 or 11 on the come-out, lose on 2, 3 or 12; otherwise the point must come before a 7 | 1 to 1 | 1.41% |
| Don't pass | The opposite of pass; 12 on the come-out is a push | 1 to 1 | 1.36% |
| Odds (behind the line) | Extra bet once a point is set, paid at true odds | 2:1, 3:2 or 6:5 | 0.00% |
| Place 6 or 8 | The number must roll before a 7 | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | The number must roll before a 7 | 7 to 5 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | The number must roll before a 7 | 9 to 5 | 6.67% |
| Any craps | 2, 3 or 12 on the next roll | 7 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Horn | Four units split across 2, 3, 11 and 12, for one roll | 30:1 on 2 and 12, 15:1 on 3 and 11 (check the layout) | 12.50% |
| Any seven | 7 on the next roll | 4 to 1 | 16.67% |
Edges worked out from the 36 dice combinations. Payouts on one-roll bets vary by casino; check the layout before you bet. The edge of every casino game is on the house edge page.
Craps words you will hear
- Shooter: the player rolling the dice. Come-out: the first roll of a round.
- Point: the number set on the come-out; the puck on the table shows ON and the number.
- Seven out: a 7 before the point; the round ends and the dice pass on.
- Craps: a 2, 3 or 12. Natural: a 7 or 11 on the come-out.
Questions
How do you play craps?
Bet on the pass line, then the shooter rolls two dice. A 7 or 11 on the first roll (the come-out) wins, 2, 3 or 12 loses, and any other number becomes the point. The shooter keeps rolling: the point again wins, a 7 first loses.
What is the pass line in craps?
The main bet in craps. It wins 244/495 of the time (49.29%), pays even money and has a house edge of 1.41%, one of the lowest in the casino.
What is a horn bet?
A one-roll bet split into four equal parts on 2, 3, 11 and 12. Where 2 and 12 pay 30 to 1 and 3 and 11 pay 15 to 1, the house edge is 12.50%, about nine times the pass line.
How do you win at craps?
No bet beats the house edge over time, but bets differ a lot. Pass (1.41%) or don't pass (1.36%) plus odds, which have no edge, is the cheapest way to play; one-roll bets in the middle of the table cost far more.