How to Play Craps: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

Craps can feel like a private club with its own language and secret handshakes, but the game is actually built on a very simple loop. Once you understand the “Come-Out” roll and the “Point,” the rest of the table starts to make sense.

In 2026, the game hasn’t changed its core, but the way we play—with digital overlays and live dealer stats—makes it easier than ever to track the action. Here is exactly how a round of Craps unfolds.

Phase 1: The Come-Out Roll

Every new round begins with the Come-Out roll. You’ll know the game is in this phase because the dealer’s Puck will be flipped to the black OFF side.

1. Place Your Bet: Most players start by placing a bet on the Pass Line. This is a bet that the shooter (the person rolling the dice) will win.
2. The Roll: The shooter throws the dice. Three things can happen:
   • Natural (7 or 11): You win instantly! The Pass Line pays 1:1, and the round ends.
   • Craps (2, 3, or 12): You lose instantly. The Pass Line bet is collected, and the round ends.
   • The Point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10): If any other number rolls, that number becomes the “Point.” The dealer flips the Puck to ON and moves it to that number on the layout.

Phase 2: The Point Phase

Once a Point is established, the goal changes. The shooter is now “chasing” that specific number.

1. The Mission: The shooter keeps rolling until they either hit the Point number again or roll a 7.
2. Winning: If the shooter hits the Point, the Pass Line wins. The Puck goes back to OFF, and the same shooter starts a new Come-Out roll.
3. Seven-Out: If the shooter rolls a 7 before hitting the Point, the Pass Line loses. This is a “Seven-Out.” The round ends, and the dice are passed to a new shooter.

Taking the Odds: The Best Bet in the House

In 2026, every pro player uses the Odds Bet. This is an extra wager you place directly behind your Pass Line bet after a Point is set.

• Why it’s special: It is the only bet in the casino with 0% house edge. The casino pays you the “true” mathematical value of the roll.
• The Payouts: Because some numbers are harder to roll than others, the Odds bet pays differently:
  • 4 and 10: Pays 2:1
  • 5 and 9: Pays 3:2
  • 6 and 8: Pays 6:5

Other Common Bets for Beginners

While the Pass Line is the heart of the game, you’ll see people throwing chips all over the table. Here are the two most common “side” bets:

• Place Bets: You can bet on specific numbers (like 6 or 8) at any time. You win if that number rolls before a 7. This is the best way to get “action” on every roll without waiting for a Point.
• The Field: A one-roll bet. You win if the very next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. If a 5, 6, 7, or 8 rolls, you lose. It’s fast, but the house edge is higher than the Pass Line.

Quick 2026 Play Tips

• Watch the Puck: Never try to place a Pass Line bet if the Puck says ON. You have to wait for the shooter to win or Seven-Out.
• Keep it Simple: For your first few sessions, stick to the Pass Line + Odds. It’s the best math in the casino and lets you learn the rhythm of the game without risking too much.
• Don’t Say “Seven”: It’s the only real rule of the table. Once a Point is set, calling out the number 7 is the fastest way to lose friends at the rail.