How to Play Craps

Craps Basics & Types of Wagers

One player, known as the “shooter,” throws the dice at the craps table. All wagers must be placed before the shooter throws the dice. The types of wagers that can be made are:

Pass Line

An even money bet, made on the first roll of the dice (known as the “come out roll”).

• You win if a 7 or 11 rolls.
• You lose if 2, 3, or 12 rolls (known as “craps”).

Any other number that rolls becomes the “point,” and the point must roll again before a 7 to win.

Don't Pass Line

An even money bet, which is the opposite of the pass line. 

• You lose on the “come out” roll if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. 
• You win on a 2 or 3 (12 is a tie). 

Once a point is established, you lose if the point is thrown and win if a 7 rolls.

Come Bets

Made anytime after the first roll when a shooter has a point to make. 

• You win on a 7 or 11
• You lose on a 2, 3, or 12. 

Any other number becomes your “come point” and must be repeated for you to win before a 7 rolls.

Don't Come Bets

Made anytime after the first roll when a shooter has a point to make. It is the opposite of the come bet. 

• You win if 2 or 3 roll (12 is a tie)
• You lose if a 7 or 11 rolls. 

Any other number rolled becomes your “come point,” and if repeated, you lose. If a 7 rolls, you win.

Odds

Once a point is made on the first roll or a come point on a succeeding roll, you may take the odds and win if the point or come points are made before a 7. Payoffs are: 

• 2 to 1 on 4 and 10. 
• 3 to 2 for 5 and 9.
• 6 to 5 on 6 and 8. 

“Don't pass” or “don't come” bets are in reverse: you must lay the odds in order to win.

Place Bets

Once a shooter makes a point, you may make a “place bet” on numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. If the shooter rolls any of these numbers before a 7, you win the following payoffs: 

• 9 to 5 on 4 and 10.
• 7 to 5 on 5 and 9.
• 7 to 6 on 6 and 8.

A “place bet” may be taken off anytime before the next roll.

Field Bets

A one-roll bet. 

• You win even money on 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11. 
• You win 2 to 1 on 2. 
• You win 3 to 1 on 12. 
• You lose on 5, 6, 7, or 8.
   

Proposition Bets

These bets are found in the center of the table and are one-roll bets. You are betting that on the very next roll of the dice, any of these numbers will come up:

Hardways

A Hardway bet is not a one-roll bet. You are betting that the shooter rolls a pair. Hardways win if the dice roll as a pair and lose if a 7 rolls or if the number is thrown “the easy way.” Example: If you bet a hard 8 and the dice roll 4,4 you win. If the dice roll “easy” 5,3 or 6,2 you lose.

Hop Bets

Hop Bets are a one-roll bet on a specific combination of the dice. You are literally betting on what you think the very next roll of the dice will be.

If you think the next roll is going to be a (6, 3), you would tell the dealer that you want the 6 and 3 hopping. Hop bets pay 31 to 1 or 16 to 1, depending on the combination you choose.

Crapless Craps

Just as exciting as any craps game, Crapless Craps is not only fun but easy to master. As the name says, there are no “craps” numbers in this game. On the “come out roll” 7, you win, and any other number rolled becomes your point. Once a point is established, you must roll the “point” before a 7 to win.

Dice-Ology

Our featured side wager on our craps games allows you to make three separate optional wagers. Little Ones (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), Big Ones (8, 9, 10, 11, 12), and Boom or Bust (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). Complete a grouping of numbers before any 7 is rolled and you win.

Complimentary Gaming Lessons

Craps lessons are available Monday through Friday at 11 AM and 7 PM. To join, visit The Venetian Craps Pit across from the main cage.