How Do You Play Craps In A Casino

Walking up to a craps table for the first time can be intimidating with all the shouting and chips flying, but it's actually one of the most social and exciting games in any US casino. We'll break it down so you can walk up, place a bet, and understand exactly what's happening on that long, felt-covered table.

Understanding the Craps Table and Your First Bet

A standard craps table has a mirrored layout for players on each side. The most important areas for beginners are the "Pass Line" and "Don't Pass Bar." Your first move should be to wait for the current round to end (the dealer will call "no more bets"), then place your chips on the Pass Line. This is a bet that the shooter (the person rolling the dice) will win. The minimum bet is usually marked on the table; at a $10 table, you'd put down a $10 chip.

The Come-Out Roll and Establishing a Point

The game starts with the "come-out roll." If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on this first roll, all Pass Line bets win immediately and are paid even money (1:1). If they roll a 2, 3, or 12 ("craps"), Pass Line bets lose. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the "point." A puck labeled "ON" is placed on that number on the table. Now, the shooter's goal is to roll that point number again before rolling a 7. If they do, Pass Line bets win. If a 7 comes first, they lose.

Essential Bets Every Player Should Know

Beyond the Pass Line, you'll hear other bets called out. The "Don't Pass" bet is the opposite of Pass Line—you're betting the shooter will lose. The "Come" bet works just like a Pass Line bet, but you place it after a point is established. A "Field" bet is a one-roll bet that the next number will be 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. It pays even money, except 2 and 12 often pay 2:1 or 3:1.

Taking Odds: The Best Bet in the Casino

Once a point is established, you can place an additional "Odds" bet behind your original Pass Line bet. This is a unique bet with zero house edge. Casinos set a limit, like "3x-4x-5x Odds," meaning your Odds bet can be 3 times your Pass Line bet if the point is 4 or 10, 4 times if it's 5 or 9, and 5 times if it's 6 or 8. If your $10 Pass Line bet has a point of 6, you could put up to $50 in Odds behind it. This bet pays at true odds: 6:5 for a point of 6 or 8, 3:2 for 5 or 9, and 2:1 for 4 or 10.

Playing Craps Online at US Casinos

You don't need a physical casino to play. Major regulated online casinos in the USA offer RNG (Random Number Generator) and live dealer craps games. For instance, BetMGM Casino and Borgata Online Casino have excellent digital craps tables with detailed tutorials. DraftKings Casino offers a smooth mobile craps experience, while Caesars Palace Online Casino often includes craps play in their welcome bonus wagering.

Bonuses You Can Use on Craps Games

While many bonuses restrict table games, some casinos allow craps play. BetRivers Casino frequently offers a "first deposit match" like a 100% bonus up to $250 with a 1x playthrough requirement on all games, including craps. Always check the terms. For example, FanDuel Casino might have a "$1000 risk-free bet" that can be used on any game, but the bonus funds often come with a 15x wagering requirement. Hard Rock Bet Casino sometimes runs promotions specifically for live dealer games, which could include live craps.

Practical Tips for Your First Time at the Table

Start with only the Pass Line bet and the Odds bet. Avoid the tempting center-table propositions (like "Any 7") as they have a high house edge. Hand your money to the dealer and ask for "change to the table minimum." They'll give you chips. Place bets yourself on the Pass Line, but let the dealer handle any Come or Place bets by handing them chips and saying your intention. Use common payment methods like Visa or Mastercard to buy in online, or PayPal for faster withdrawals at sites like bet365 Casino.

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