Craps looks confusing at first. The table is covered in boxes and numbers. Players shout and cheer. Yet the game itself is simple. A player rolls two dice, and everyone bets on what happens next.
This guide explains how craps works in plain English. You will learn the basic rounds, the best bets and the bets to avoid. We also cover the odds, the key terms and a sensible way to manage your money.
It is written for beginners. For other games, see our full set of casino game guides.
A Short History Of Craps
Craps grew out of an older dice game called Hazard. Hazard was popular in Europe in the 1700s, especially among the upper classes. The name craps is thought to come from crabs, a losing roll in Hazard. French speakers in New Orleans later said it as craps.
Around 1813, a New Orleans Creole named Bernard de Marigny is often credited with simplifying Hazard. His version became an early form of modern craps. The game then spread along the Mississippi River and across America.
Some stories link dice games to Roman soldiers, but there is no proof they played craps. What is clear is that soldiers played it in large numbers during the World Wars. They carried the game home with them.
| Period | What changed |
|---|---|
| 1700s | Hazard is popular among European nobles |
| Around 1813 | A simpler version of Hazard appears in New Orleans |
| 1800s | The game spreads along the Mississippi River |
| 20th century | Soldiers popularise craps, and casinos add tables |
| Late 1990s onward | Online craps appears, with live dealer versions later |
For a while, slot machines drew many players away from the craps table. Even so, craps has kept a loyal following. Today you can also play it online.
How Craps Works
In craps, one player rolls two dice. That player is called the shooter. Other players bet on the result. You do not have to roll to play. You can simply bet.
A round has two stages. The first roll is called the come out roll. After that, the game moves on, depending on what the shooter rolls.
- Place your bet. Most beginners start with the Pass Line.
- The shooter makes the come out roll. The result decides whether the round ends or a point is set.
- A point may be set. If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, that number becomes the point. The dealer places a marker on it.
- The shooter keeps rolling. The round ends when the shooter rolls the point again, or a 7.
- Bets are paid. A new round then begins.
Rolling a 7 after a point is set is called a seven out. It ends the shooter’s turn, and the dice pass to the next player.
The Dice Odds
Two dice can land in 36 different ways. Some totals are easier to make than others. The table shows how many ways each total can appear.
| Total | Ways to roll it | Chance |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or 12 | 1 each | 1 in 36 |
| 3 or 11 | 2 each | 1 in 18 |
| 4 or 10 | 3 each | 1 in 12 |
| 5 or 9 | 4 each | 1 in 9 |
| 6 or 8 | 5 each | 5 in 36 |
| 7 | 6 | 1 in 6 |
A 7 is the most common total. That is why the 7 plays such a big role in the game. It wins some bets and ends others.
The Come Out Roll
The first roll of a round has special rules. Here is how the Pass Line bet works on that roll.
| Come out roll | Result for a Pass Line bet |
|---|---|
| 7 or 11 | Wins at once. This is called a natural. |
| 2, 3 or 12 | Loses at once. These are the craps numbers. |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 | The number becomes the point |
Once a point is set, the Pass Line bet wins if the shooter rolls the point again before a 7. It loses if a 7 comes first. Here is a simple example. The shooter rolls a 6 on the come out. The 6 becomes the point. The shooter then rolls 9, 4 and 6. The 6 came before any 7, so Pass Line bets win.
The Best Bets For Beginners
The table has many bets. Most of them cost you a lot. A few are among the best bets in the casino. Start with these.
Pass Line
This is the main bet. You win on a 7 or 11 on the come out, and lose on 2, 3 or 12. If a point is set, you win when it repeats before a 7. It pays even money.
Don’t Pass
This is the opposite of the Pass Line. You win on a 2 or 3 on the come out. A 12 is a tie, and a 7 or 11 loses. If a point is set, you win when a 7 comes before the point. Some players dislike it because they are betting against the table. However, the odds are slightly better.
Come And Don’t Come
These work like Pass and Don’t Pass. The difference is that you make them after a point has been set. The next roll acts like a new come out roll for that bet.
Odds Bets
An odds bet is an extra bet you can add behind a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come or Don’t Come bet. It pays at the true odds, so the casino has no edge on it. Most tables limit it to a multiple of your first bet, such as three times.
| Point | Odds bet pays (Pass) |
|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 |
| 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 |
| 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 |
Taking the odds is the smartest move in craps. It cuts your overall cost without raising the house edge.
Other Craps Bets
Many other bets sit in the middle of the table. They look tempting because of the payouts. However, most of them have a much higher house edge.
| Bet | What you are betting | Typical house edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | The shooter makes the point or a natural | About 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass | The shooter fails, with 12 a tie | About 1.36% |
| Come | Same as Pass, made mid-round | About 1.41% |
| Odds | An extra bet behind a line bet | 0% |
| Place 6 or 8 | The number rolls before a 7 | About 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | The number rolls before a 7 | About 4% |
| Place 4 or 10 | The number rolls before a 7 | About 6.67% |
| Field | A one-roll bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 | About 2.8% to 5.6% |
| Big 6 or Big 8 | A 6 or 8 rolls before a 7 | About 9.09% |
| Hard 6 or Hard 8 | The number rolls as a double, before a 7 or an easy way | About 9.09% |
| Hard 4 or Hard 10 | The number rolls as a double, before a 7 or an easy way | About 11.11% |
| Any Craps | The next roll is 2, 3 or 12 | About 11.11% |
| Any 7 | The next roll is a 7 | About 16.67% |
The pattern is clear. The bets in the middle of the table, such as Any 7, are the worst. Players call them proposition bets. They pay big, but they cost the most over time.
How The Hard Way Bets Work
A hard way bet needs both dice to show the same number. For example, a Hard 8 wins on 4 and 4. It loses if a 7 comes first, or if the 8 comes up another way, such as 6 and 2.
Hard 6 and Hard 8 pay 9 to 1. Hard 4 and Hard 10 pay 7 to 1. These bets are fun, but remember the house edge in the table above.
Craps Terms Explained
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Shooter | The player who rolls the dice |
| Come out roll | The first roll of a round |
| Point | The number the shooter must roll again to win |
| Natural | A 7 or 11 on the come out |
| Craps | A 2, 3 or 12 on the come out |
| Seven out | A 7 after a point is set, which ends the round |
| Puck | The marker that shows the point |
| Stickman | The dealer who handles the dice |
| Box numbers | The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 |
| Easy way | Making a total without a double |
A Simple Craps Strategy
No strategy can beat the house edge. The dice are random, so every roll is independent. However, a few smart habits cut your costs.
- Stick to the Pass Line or Don’t Pass. They have the lowest edge among the main bets.
- Take the odds. It is the only bet with no house edge.
- Add Place 6 or 8 later if you like. They cost far less than other middle bets.
- Avoid proposition bets. Any 7 and Any Craps drain your money fast.
- Do not chase streaks. A hot shooter does not change the next roll.
Some players use betting systems. These raise or lower bets after wins and losses. They change how fast you win or lose, but they do not change the odds.
How Much Should You Bet?
Craps can move quickly. Rounds can also last many rolls, so your money can tie up for a while. Start with a plan.
Here is a simple example. Say you set aside R500 for the evening. You bet R20 on the Pass Line. That gives you 25 bets if you lose every one. In practice, you will win some, so you will play longer. At a house edge of about 1.41%, R500 in total bets costs you about R7 on average. The same total on Any 7 costs about R83.
Table minimums matter too. Check them before you sit down. Also remember that odds bets need extra money on top of your first bet.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Playing proposition bets. They are fun, but they cost the most.
- Skipping the odds. You pass up the only bet with no house edge.
- Believing in hot dice. Past rolls do not change the next one.
- Making too many bets at once. It is easy to lose track of your money.
- Chasing losses. Raising your bets to win it back can drain your money fast.
- Not knowing the rules. Learn the come out roll before you play for real money.
Craps Compared With Roulette
| Feature | Craps | Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Your choices | Many bets, some with a very low edge | Many bets, with the same edge on most |
| Best house edge | 0% on odds, about 1.4% on line bets | About 2.7% on a European wheel |
| Pace | Fast, with a lot going on | Steady |
| Learning curve | Steeper at first | Gentle |
If you prefer a simpler game, try our roulette guide. If you like a game of strategy with cards, read our blackjack guide.
Playing Craps In South Africa
Craps is less common than slots or roulette in land-based casinos in South Africa. Ask the casino whether it has a table before you visit. Casinos are licensed and regulated by the provincial gambling boards. You must be 18 or older to play.
Online craps is a different matter. The National Gambling Act of 2004 does not allow online casino gambling in South Africa. No South African online casino licence exists. Offshore sites accept South African players, but they are not licensed here. As a result, you have no local regulator to turn to if something goes wrong. Our online gambling laws guide explains the position in detail.
If you choose to play at an offshore site, read our online casino reviews first. They show the bonus rules and the licence details for each site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is craps a game of skill or luck?
It is luck. The dice are random. However, your choice of bets changes how much the game costs you.
What is the best bet in craps?
The odds bet has no house edge. You can only make it after a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet. The line bets themselves cost about 1.4%.
What does the point mean?
It is the number the shooter sets on the come out roll. The shooter must roll it again before a 7 for Pass Line bets to win.
Do I have to roll the dice?
No. You can bet on the shooter without rolling. In online games, the computer or the dealer rolls for you.
Can I tell when the dice are hot?
No. Each roll is independent. Streaks happen by chance and do not predict the next roll.
Is online craps legal in South Africa?
No. The National Gambling Act of 2004 does not permit online casino gambling, and no South African online casino licence exists. Land-based casinos are licensed by provincial gambling boards.
Where To Play Craps Online
Online casino gambling is not licensed in South Africa. The sites below are offshore, and you play at your own risk. Read each review before you deposit, and remember that you must be 18 or older. We checked these game lists on 8 November 2026.
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Punt Casino Lists craps among its tables, next to blackjack, roulette and baccarat. |
| Visit CasinoRead Review | |
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Jackpot Cash Casino Names craps among its games in its bonus terms, and publishes a craps tutorial. |
| Visit CasinoRead Review | |
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Silver Sands Casino Names craps among its games in its bonus terms, alongside blackjack and roulette. |
| Visit CasinoRead Review | |
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive. Only play with money you can afford to lose. If gambling is causing you harm, call the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation helpline on 0800 006 008.