Craps
Craps is a casino dice game played with two standard six-sided dice, in which players place wagers on the outcomes of rolls made by a designated "shooter" at a specialized table typically measuring 10 to 14 feet long.[1] The game proceeds in rounds beginning with a "come-out roll," where a roll of 7 or 11 results in a win for pass line bets, while 2, 3, or 12 constitutes a loss known as "craps"; any other sum (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) establishes a "point" that the shooter must repeat before rolling a 7 to win the round.[2] If a 7 is rolled before the point, pass line bets lose, and the dice pass to the next shooter.[1] The origins of craps trace back to ancient dice games, with the earliest known six-sided dice dating to around 3000 B.C., though the direct precursor is the medieval European game of hazard, derived from the Arabic "al zahar" and popularized during the Crusades in the 12th century.[1] By the 19th century, simplified versions emerged among French settlers in New Orleans, initially called "crabs" for the losing rolls of 2, 3, or 12, evolving into the modern form of craps by the 1800s and gaining traction in American gambling culture.[1] In 1907, dice maker John H. Winn revolutionized the game by introducing a banking system and the modern table layout, allowing bets both for and against the shooter, which established craps as a viable casino offering and earned him recognition as the "father of casino craps."[3] Craps features over 40 betting options beyond the fundamental pass line wager, including come bets that function similarly after the point is set, but the pass line bet remains the most favorable with a house edge of approximately 1.414% due to its near-even win probability of about 49.3%.[2] The game demands precise dice handling—rolls must hit the table's far wall (often cushioned by a rubber pyramid) to ensure randomness—and uses balanced, 0.75-inch dice with epoxy-filled pits for fairness.[1] Its fast-paced excitement and social atmosphere have made craps a staple in U.S. casinos since the early 20th century, with popularity surging during World War II when dice were distributed to soldiers.[3]History
Origins
The origins of craps trace back to ancient dice games, with early precursors in Roman gambling practices around the 1st century AD, where players used tali—knucklebones from sheep or goats shaped into four-sided dice valued at 1, 3, 4, and 6—and tesserae, standard six-sided dice numbered 1 through 6. These tools were employed in betting on the sums of rolls, often in taverns or military camps, establishing core mechanics of chance and wagering that influenced later European variants.[4] The game of Hazard, the direct precursor to craps, is believed to have originated from the Arabic dice game "al-zahr" (meaning "die"), introduced to Europe by Crusaders in the 12th century. By the 13th century, it had evolved into the medieval English game of Hazard, a two-dice game mentioned in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales in the 14th century, where players bet on outcomes including a "main" number and subsequent rolls. In Hazard, the term "crabs" referred to the lowest throws—totals of 2 or 3 (ace-deuce or double aces)—which resulted in an immediate loss for the caster, emphasizing risk and quick resolution in high-stakes play among European gamblers.[5][6] In the 18th century, a simplified French variant known as Crabs emerged, popular among the nobility for its streamlined rules compared to Hazard's complexity. Played with two dice, Crabs retained elements of Hazard, including the losing "crab" rolls of 2 or 3. Bernard de Mandeville referenced the game's underlying chance mechanics in his 1726 philosophical work The Fable of the Bees, using "hazard" metaphorically to illustrate probabilistic risks in human endeavors.[7][8][9] This European lineage transitioned to America in the 18th century through English and French immigrants, who carried Hazard and Crabs variants to colonial settlements, laying the groundwork for further simplification before widespread casino adoption.[5]Evolution in America
Craps arrived in the United States during the early 19th century, introduced to New Orleans by Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville, a Creole aristocrat who learned the game of hazard during his travels in Europe and adapted it into a simplified form known as "craps," derived from the losing rolls of 2, 3, or 12 termed "crabs."[10] The game quickly spread among diverse communities, particularly in informal settings such as streets, saloons, riverboats, wharves, and cotton fields, where it was played without formal oversight.[11] The game's popularity surged in the mid-19th century, fueled by the California Gold Rush of 1849, which drew prospectors westward and transformed San Francisco into a new gambling hub as migration by ship and overland trails facilitated the spread of dice games from New Orleans.[12] In New Orleans, craps became especially prevalent among African American communities, where it was often played in back alleys and informal gatherings, evolving as a social pastime distinct from more elite European variants. Standardization occurred around 1907 when dicemaker John H. Winn, known as the "Father of modern craps," refined the rules by introducing the "Don't Pass" bet to counter cheating with loaded dice and designating a roll of 12 as a push (barred) on the come-out roll, creating a balanced layout that favored fair play in street versions.[13] Craps transitioned to commercial bank craps in the early 20th century following Nevada's legalization of gambling on March 19, 1931, with the first legal casino tables opening in Reno that year, marking the shift from street gambling to house-banked operations where the casino acted as the banker.[14] By the post-World War II era, the game expanded rapidly in Las Vegas, where neon-lit casinos proliferated in the 1940s and 1950s, drawing crowds with its fast-paced action and achieving widespread adoption across American gaming venues by the mid-1950s.[15] This growth extended eastward with Atlantic City's legalization of casino gambling in 1976 and the opening of Resorts International in 1978, the first legal casino outside Nevada, where craps tables became central to the boardwalk's revival.[16] During this period, casinos introduced or expanded "odds" bets—wagers backing pass or don't pass lines at true probabilities with no house edge—to attract skilled players and lower the overall advantage to as low as 0.02% on certain combinations, solidifying craps as a staple of American casino culture.[17]Equipment and Setup
Craps Table
The standard craps table used in casino bank craps is a rectangular structure designed to accommodate multiple players and facilitate efficient gameplay. It typically measures 12 to 14 feet in length and approximately 5 feet in width, including a padded arm rail around the perimeter for player comfort while leaning during the game.[18][19] The table's surface is covered in green felt with printed markings delineating various betting areas, allowing up to 20 players to participate simultaneously from both long sides.[20] The layout features a symmetrical design with two mirrored sections, or wings, on either side of a central area to support multiple shooters and bettors. Each wing includes designated spaces for the pass line, don't pass line, come and don't come areas, place bet boxes for numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, as well as field and big 6/8 markings. The central portion is reserved for proposition bet areas, handling single-roll and other specialized wagers. This configuration ensures clear visibility and access for all participants.[20] Key structural elements enhance the game's integrity and flow. At the far end, a back wall lined with pyramid-shaped rubber bumpers, often referred to as the "pyramid wall," causes the dice to bounce randomly upon impact, promoting fairness in outcomes. Chip racks are positioned along the dealer's side for storing and organizing casino chips, while a dedicated stickman's box in the center holds the dice when not in use and displays proposition bet options. These components are engineered for durability and to withstand continuous use in high-volume casino environments.[20] The table is staffed by a crew of four to five casino employees in specific positions to oversee operations. The boxman, seated at the center opposite the stickman, supervises the dealers, manages the chip bank, and resolves any disputes. The stickman, positioned at the table's center near the proposition bets, uses a hooked stick to control dice movement and announces roll results. Two base dealers, one on each wing, handle bet placements, collections, and payouts for their respective sides. This division of roles ensures smooth supervision and accountability.[21][22][20] Since the early 2000s, some casinos have introduced modern variations incorporating electronic elements to streamline play and reduce staffing needs. These include digital craps tables with electronic displays for bet tracking and odds information, as well as fully automated electronic table games (ETGs) that simulate traditional layouts using touchscreens and virtual dice rolls. Such innovations, like the Roll to Win Craps system, maintain the core physical bouncing mechanic while integrating multi-sensory feedback for an enhanced experience.[23][24]Dice
In craps, two standard six-sided dice are used, each featuring faces numbered 1 through 6, with opposite sides summing to 7—specifically, 1 opposite 6, 2 opposite 5, and 3 opposite 4—to ensure balanced probability distribution.[1] These dice are typically constructed from cellulose acetate, a durable, non-transparent plastic material that provides uniformity and resistance to wear, measuring approximately 19 mm (0.75 inches) on each side for optimal rolling dynamics on the craps table.[1][25] Casinos enforce stringent requirements to maintain fairness and randomness, mandating precision-balanced dice that are handcrafted as perfect cubes with tolerances as tight as 0.0005 inches, featuring flat, flush pips (dots) drilled and backfilled with equal-weight material to prevent any bias from shaved or uneven surfaces.[26][25] These "perfect" dice, often marked with serial numbers, casino logos, and a key letter in one pip for identification, undergo regular inspections and must exhibit no detectable weight discrepancies across faces or edges.[25] Handling of the dice is strictly regulated to promote impartial rolls: the shooter selects one die per hand from the stickman's tray using only one hand total, ensuring the dice remain visible and cannot be manipulated.[27][28] Upon rolling, both dice must rebound off the table's back wall and come to rest flat on the layout, with any roll failing these criteria deemed invalid and re-rolled to preserve randomness.[29] Historically, craps dice evolved from bone or ivory constructions in the early 20th century to modern plastic variants like cellulose acetate, driven by the need for greater durability and consistency in high-volume casino play.[30] To further safeguard fairness, casinos implement rotation policies, replacing the active set of dice approximately every 8 hours or at shift changes to mitigate subtle wear from repeated impacts that could otherwise introduce minor biases over time.[31][32]Rules of Play
Objective and Basic Rules
Craps is a dice game in which players wager on the outcome of rolls of two six-sided dice, with one player designated as the "shooter" who rolls the dice on behalf of the table while others place bets against the house.[33][34] The primary objective is to predict and bet correctly on whether the shooter will achieve certain totals before others, particularly focusing on the establishment and repetition of a "point" number or avoiding a seven in key phases.[29][35] In bank craps, the standard casino variant, the house serves as the banker, paying out winning bets and collecting losses without player banking involved, ensuring all wagers are resolved against the casino's odds.[33][34] The game proceeds in rounds on a specialized craps table, where the shooter must roll the dice so they bounce off the far wall to ensure randomness.[29] Each round consists of a come-out roll followed potentially by a point phase, continuing until the point is rolled or a seven-out occurs, at which point the dice pass clockwise to the next shooter.[35][33] The come-out roll initiates the round, with a total of 7 or 11 resulting in a win for pass line bets (known as a "natural"), while 2, 3, or 12 results in a loss (termed "craps").[34][29] If the roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the "point," and the game enters the point phase where the shooter continues rolling until either the point is repeated (a win for pass line) or a 7 is rolled (a seven-out loss, ending the shooter's turn).[35][33] This structure emphasizes the core win and loss conditions, with key terms like natural, craps, and point defining the foundational mechanics of play.[34][29]Come-Out Roll
The come-out roll in craps is the initial roll of the dice that begins a new round, occurring at the start of the game or immediately following a resolution of pass line and don't pass line bets from the previous round.[36][37] This roll determines whether the round ends immediately or proceeds to the point phase. On the come-out roll, a total of 7 or 11, known as a natural, results in an immediate win for pass line bets, paying even money, while don't pass line bets lose.[38][36] Conversely, a total of 2, 3, or 12, referred to as craps, causes pass line bets to lose immediately, with don't pass line bets winning on 2 or 3 but resulting in a push (bar) on 12.[38][37] If the dice total 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, no immediate win or loss occurs; instead, this number becomes the point, marked on the table, and the game advances to the point phase where the shooter must roll the point again before a 7 to win pass line bets.[38][36] The shooter retains the dice and continues rolling through the come-out roll and any subsequent point phase unless a seven-out occurs—rolling a 7 after a point is established—which ends the shooter's turn and passes the dice clockwise to the next player.[36][37] A craps outcome on the come-out roll does not end the shooter's turn, allowing a new come-out roll with the same shooter.[38]Point Phase
The point phase in craps begins immediately after the come-out roll establishes a point number of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, marking the transition from the initial roll to ongoing play until resolution.[39][40] During this phase, the shooter continues rolling the dice, with the primary objective centered on repeating the point or rolling a 7.[41] The win condition for the pass line occurs when the shooter rolls the established point number again before a 7, resulting in a pass line victory and the continuation of the shooter's turn.[39][40] Conversely, the loss condition, known as a seven-out, happens if a 7 is rolled before the point is repeated, causing the pass line to lose and requiring the shooter to pass the dice to the next player in clockwise order.[39][41] Rolls of numbers other than the point or 7 during this phase do not resolve the point itself but instead provide opportunities for players to place additional wagers on those outcomes.[40] The phase concludes only upon rolling the point or a 7, at which point the round ends and a new come-out roll commences to start the next round.[39][41]Joining a Game and Rolling
Players can join a craps game at any time by placing bets on the table layout, regardless of whether the game is in the come-out or point phase.[40] If a point has already been established, new players are unable to place Pass Line bets until the resolution of the current round and the start of the next come-out roll; however, they can immediately participate by placing Come bets, which establish a new point for that player on the next roll in a manner similar to a Pass Line bet.[41] This allows mid-round entry without interrupting the ongoing play, as all bets are resolved based on subsequent rolls after the point is set.[42] Once a point is established, additional bets can be placed by all players, including newcomers, and the game proceeds through the point phase until either the point is rolled or a 7 appears.[40] The dice are passed clockwise around the table to the next player only after a seven-out occurs, ending the current shooter's turn and initiating a new come-out roll with the subsequent player.[43] The rolling procedure is handled by the designated shooter, who selects two dice from those offered by the stickperson and must throw them using one hand only.[42] Both dice must be propelled across the table with sufficient force to hit the opposite back wall, ensuring randomness through the bounce; rolls that fail to reach the wall, land on their edges (cocked dice), or involve only one die hitting the wall are declared invalid ("no roll") and require a re-throw.[40][28] While players may optionally make verbal calls for specific roll outcomes, such as announcing desired numbers before the throw, these calls have no binding effect on the game; the actual result is determined exclusively by the physical outcome of the dice as interpreted and announced by the stickperson.[44] A seven-out, which ends the point phase when a 7 is rolled before the point number, results in the loss of the shooter's turn regardless of individual bet outcomes, with the dice then passing clockwise to the next player to become the new shooter.[43] The previous shooter retains the dice and continues rolling only if no seven-out occurs, allowing them to proceed to the next come-out roll after successfully making the point.[40]Names of Rolls
In the game of craps, a rich tradition of slang terms describes specific dice combinations, contributing to the vibrant, social atmosphere at the table without influencing gameplay outcomes. These nicknames, often rhyming or evocative, are shouted by the stickman to announce rolls or by players to express excitement, drawing from decades of gambling culture.[45] Among the most common terms are those for straightforward or superstitious rolls. "Snake eyes" refers to a 1-1 combination, named for the narrow, slitted appearance of the single pips on each die resembling a snake's eyes, a term rooted in early 20th-century American gambling slang.[46] "Ace deuce" denotes a 1-2 roll, blending card-playing terminology where "ace" means one and "deuce" means two, a straightforward descriptor from dice game lingo.[47] For an 11, "yo-leven" is the preferred call, with "yo" serving as a phonetic safeguard to avoid uttering "seven"—considered unlucky in craps due to its role in ending points—reflecting longstanding superstitions in casino play.[45] "Boxcars" describes a 6-6 outcome, originating from the visual similarity of the six pips on each die to the paired windows or panels on a railroad boxcar, a nod to early industrial-era imagery in slang.[48] "Hard eight" specifies a 4-4 pair, where "hard" distinguishes it from an "easy eight" (made with mixed numbers like 3-5), emphasizing the doubled dice in gambling vernacular.[49] Craps features unique, flavorful terms that highlight its cultural depth. "Little Joe" applies to a 1-3 roll, a nickname sometimes extended from hard-way references but commonly used for this combination in table calls, evoking folksy gambling tales.[50] "Fever five" names a 2-3 total, implying the "hot" energy of a five in play, a rhythmic phrase that amps up the table's tempo.[51] "Sixie-eightie" is a chant for either a 6 or 8, rhyming the numbers to encourage those point-establishing rolls with playful urgency.[52] Many of these expressions trace their roots to gambling lore and African American Vernacular English, which shaped street and casino versions of the game in 19th-century America; for instance, the term "craps" itself evolved from "crabs," old English slang for the lowest throws (2 or 3) in the precursor game of Hazard, corrupted through Louisiana Creole influence.[53] Such terminology is employed by the stickman or players during come-out rolls or point phases solely for entertainment and camaraderie, fostering the game's communal spirit.[45]Types of Bets
Pass Line and Don't Pass
The Pass Line bet is one of the fundamental wagers in craps, placed by players who are betting on the shooter's success. It is positioned on the designated "Pass Line" area along the lower edge of the craps table layout, typically before the come-out roll begins. This bet wins even money (1:1 payout) if a 7 or 11 is rolled on the come-out roll, loses on a 2, 3, or 12, and establishes a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) otherwise; the bet then wins if the point is rolled again before a 7, and loses on a 7 (known as seven-out). Once a point is established, Pass Line bets cannot be placed, increased, reduced, or removed until resolution. Minimum wager amounts for Pass Line bets vary by casino, often ranging from $5 to $25 or higher depending on the venue and time of play. In contrast, the Don't Pass bet is the opposing wager, placed by players betting against the shooter and positioned on the "Don't Pass" bar or area just above the Pass Line on the table layout, also before the come-out roll. It wins even money (1:1 payout) on a come-out roll of 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11, and results in a push (tie, bet returned) on 12 (though some casinos rule 12 as a win for Don't Pass); if a point is established, the bet wins if a 7 is rolled before the point repeats, and loses otherwise. After a point is established, Don't Pass bets cannot be placed or increased but may be removed or decreased at the player's discretion. Like the Pass Line, minimums for Don't Pass bets vary by casino and are typically the same as those for the Pass Line.Odds Bets
Odds bets in craps are optional supplemental wagers that players can place behind their initial pass line or don't pass line bet after a point has been established during the point phase. These bets win or lose based on whether the point is rolled before a 7, mirroring the resolution of the underlying line bet, but they pay at true mathematical odds without any house advantage.[54] For pass odds, which support the pass line bet, the wager is placed in the area directly behind the pass line on the craps table layout. If the shooter rolls the point before a 7, the pass odds bet wins and pays according to the specific point: 2 to 1 for points of 4 or 10, 3 to 2 for points of 5 or 9, and 6 to 5 for points of 6 or 8. These payouts reflect the precise probabilities of rolling each point versus a 7, ensuring fairness.[55][56] Don't pass odds, also known as lay odds, are placed for players backing the don't pass line and are typically positioned in the designated "don't" area on the opposite side of the table. These bets win if a 7 is rolled before the point and pay the reverse of the pass odds ratios: 1 to 2 for points of 4 or 10 (meaning the player lays $2 to win $1), 2 to 3 for points of 5 or 9, and 5 to 6 for points of 6 or 8. Like pass odds, these payouts are at true odds, providing no edge to the house.[54][56] Casinos often impose limits on the size of odds bets, expressed as multiples of the original line bet, with common structures including 3x-4x-5x odds—allowing up to 3 times the line bet on points of 4 or 10, 4 times on 5 or 9, and 5 times on 6 or 8—or higher offerings like 10x or even 100x odds at select venues to encourage larger wagers.[55][54] The defining advantage of odds bets is their zero house edge, making them the fairest proposition available in casino gaming and a strategic way for players to reduce the overall house advantage on their total exposure when combined with line bets.[57][54]Come and Don't Come Bets
Come bets and Don't Come bets in craps allow players to participate in the game after the initial come-out roll, effectively creating additional pass/don't pass-like wagers that resolve independently during the point phase. These bets are placed in designated areas on the craps table layout and function similarly to the Pass Line and Don't Pass bets but can be made at any time except during the come-out roll.[54] A Come bet is placed by positioning chips in the Come area, typically below the numbered boxes for 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. The subsequent roll serves as the "come-out" roll for this bet: it wins immediately and pays even money (1:1) if a 7 or 11 is rolled, while it loses if a 2, 3, or 12 appears. If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that number becomes the "Come point," and the bet is moved by the dealer to the corresponding numbered box on the layout. From there, the bet wins even money if the Come point is rolled again before a 7, and loses if a 7 is rolled first. Players may then back the Come bet with odds, which are paid at true odds with no house edge, such as 2:1 on 4 or 10, 3:2 on 5 or 9, and 6:5 on 6 or 8.[54][58] The Don't Come bet mirrors the Don't Pass bet but is also placed after the point is established, with chips positioned in the Don't Come area. On the next roll, it wins even money if a 2 or 3 is rolled, loses on a 7 or 11, and typically pushes (returns the bet without winning or losing) on a 12—though in some venues like Reno and Lake Tahoe, a 2 also pushes. If a point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, the bet moves to that number's box behind the Don't Pass line, winning even money if a 7 is rolled before the point and losing if the point repeats. Odds can be laid behind a Don't Come bet, where the player risks more to win the amount of the original bet at true odds, again with no house edge.[54] Both types of bets can be made in multiples, with players typically allowed up to three active Come or Don't Come bets at a time, depending on table limits and house rules, enabling greater exposure to the game's outcomes without waiting for the next come-out roll. These bets resolve based on the ongoing point phase, providing a way for late-joining players to engage dynamically with the dice rolls.[54][58]Place Bets
Place bets are multi-roll wagers in craps where a player selects one or more specific numbers—4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10—and bets that the chosen number will be rolled before a 7 appears.[54][40] These bets are placed directly on the corresponding boxes in the craps table layout, typically after a point has been established, and do not require a pass line bet to participate.[41] If the selected number rolls, the bet wins and pays out according to fixed odds, while the original stake remains in place to continue the wager; a 7 causes the bet to lose.[54] The payouts for place bets are designed to approximate true odds while incorporating a house edge, varying by number based on their probability of rolling before a 7. Specifically, place bets on 4 or 10 pay 9 to 5, on 5 or 9 pay 7 to 5, and on 6 or 8 pay 7 to 6.[40][41] These ratios reflect the relative frequencies of the numbers in dice combinations: for example, 6 and 8 each have five ways to roll (out of 36 possible outcomes), compared to three ways for 5 and 9, and two for 4 and 10.[54] By default, place bets are "off" or inactive during the come-out roll, meaning they do not win or lose if a 7 is rolled at that stage, to align with the pass line resolution.[54][40] Players can request their place bets to be "working" during the come-out, making them active and eligible for resolution on that roll, though this is uncommon and must be specified to the dealer.[54] Players have flexibility with place bets, as they can be removed or turned off at any time before a roll by calling to the dealer, allowing bettors to manage risk during the point phase.[41][54] Variants such as buy bets offer an option to pay a commission for true odds payouts on these numbers, but standard place bets use the fixed ratios without additional fees.[54]| Number | Payout Odds | Ways to Roll (before 7) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 3 |
| 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4 |
| 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 5 |
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets, also known as prop bets, are high-risk wagers in craps that resolve on the immediate next roll of the dice, offering enticing payouts but carrying some of the highest house edges in the game, often exceeding 10%.[54] These single-roll bets are placed in the central proposition area of the craps table layout and are managed exclusively by the stickman, who handles the chips, announces outcomes, and facilitates payouts or losses after each roll.[56] Unlike multi-roll bets, proposition bets do not carry over; they either win or lose entirely based on the result of one roll, making them appealing for players seeking quick, dramatic action but generally unfavorable for long-term play due to their poor expected value.[54] Among the most common proposition bets are those on specific totals from the two dice. The "Any 7" bet wins if a 7 is rolled, paying 4:1, with a house edge of 16.67%.[54] The "Any Craps" bet succeeds on a 2, 3, or 12, typically paying 7:1 (though some casinos offer 8:1), resulting in a house edge of 11.11% at 7:1 or lower at higher payouts.[41][54] Individual number bets include the 2 (also called "aces" or "snake eyes"), which pays 30:1 (or 33:1 in some venues) with a house edge of 13.89% at 30:1 or 5.56% at 33:1; the 3 (ace-deuce), paying 15:1 or 16:1 with a house edge of 11.11% or 5.56%; the 11 (yo or eleven), mirroring the 3's payouts and edges; and the 12 (boxcars), matching the 2's terms.[54][56] The Field bet covers a broader range of outcomes—2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12—paying even money (1:1) on most wins, but doubling (2:1) or tripling (3:1) on 2 or 12 in many casinos, yielding a house edge of 2.78% under optimal conditions or up to 5.56% otherwise.[54] The Horn bet combines four one-roll wagers into a single unit, typically $4 minimum ($1 each on 2, 3, 11, and 12), with payouts distributed accordingly—such as 30:1 on 2 or 12, and 15:1 or 16:1 on 3 or 11—while the losing portions remain in play for the next roll unless collected.[56][54]| Bet Type | Winning Outcome(s) | Typical Payout | House Edge (Typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any 7 | 7 | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Any Craps | 2, 3, 12 | 7:1 or 8:1 | 11.11% (at 7:1) |
| 2 (Aces) | 2 | 30:1 | 13.89% (5.56% at 33:1) |
| 3 (Ace-Deuce) | 3 | 15:1 | 11.11% (5.56% at 16:1) |
| 11 (Yo) | 11 | 15:1 | 11.11% (5.56% at 16:1) |
| 12 (Boxcars) | 12 | 30:1 | 13.89% (5.56% at 33:1) |
| Field | 2,3,4,9,10,11,12 | 1:1 (2:1/3:1 on 2/12) | 2.78%–5.56% |
| Horn | 2,3,11,12 | Varies (combo) | Varies by outcome |
Other Specialized Bets
Hard way bets are multi-roll wagers placed in the proposition section of the craps table layout, where the player stakes on rolling a specific even total (4, 6, 8, or 10) using a pair of identical dice numbers—known as the "hard" way—before either a 7 or the same total rolled the "easy" way (with dissimilar dice) occurs. For instance, a hard 8 bet succeeds only on a 4-4 roll under these conditions, while it loses on any 7 or easy 8 combinations like 6-2, 5-3, or 3-5. These bets pay 9:1 for hard 6 and hard 8, and 7:1 for hard 4 and hard 10 in standard U.S. casinos, though some venues offer slightly higher payouts such as 10:1 or 8:1.[59][54] The Big 6 and Big 8 are straightforward multi-roll bets designated in their own table areas, wagering that a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7 during the point phase. They operate similarly to place bets on the 6 or 8 but with a lower payout structure to simplify the wager for casual players. These bets pay even money (1:1) upon winning.[59][54] Put bets allow players to make a pass line bet after a point has been established, effectively wagering that the current point will be rolled before a 7, often with the option to add free odds immediately. Unlike place bets, put bets resolve with the pass line payout of even money plus true odds on the backup, without a commission, but they are less common in modern casino play and may not be offered everywhere.[54] Player bets, also known as side wagers, occur directly between individual players at the table rather than against the house, often on outcomes like specific rolls, shooter performance, or point resolutions, and are uncommon in regulated bank craps due to casino policies prohibiting unmonitored player-to-player gambling. These informal wagers are more prevalent in private or street craps variants where no house bank exists.[60] Working bets encompass any active multi-roll wagers—such as hard ways, place, or put bets—that are eligible to resolve on the immediate next roll, as opposed to being temporarily suspended or "off." During the come-out roll, many working bets are automatically turned off to avoid exposure to the higher volatility of that phase, but players can call "working" to the stickman to keep them active if desired. This status provides flexibility for bettors to control their exposure across roll types.[59][54]Bet Odds and House Edge
Summary of Probabilities and Payouts
In craps, each roll of the two six-sided dice produces one of 36 equally likely outcomes, with the sum determining the result. The number 7 is the most probable sum, occurring in 6 out of 36 ways (16.67%), while 2 and 12 are the least probable, each occurring in 1 out of 36 ways (2.78%).[61] Rolls are independent events, meaning prior outcomes do not influence future probabilities.[54] The game's bets vary in win probabilities, payouts, and house edges, with multi-roll bets like the pass line offering better odds than single-roll proposition bets. For quick reference, the table below summarizes key standard bets, including win probabilities, true odds against winning, typical payouts, and house edges (calculated as the expected loss relative to the bet amount). These figures assume standard rules without commission variations unless noted.[62]| Bet Type | Win Probability | True Odds Against | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 244/495 (49.29%) | 251:244 | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don't Pass | 949/1980 (47.93%) | ≈1024:949 | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Taking Odds (on 6 or 8) | Varies by point | Matches true odds | 6:5 | 0.00% |
| Come Bet | 244/495 (49.29%) | 251:244 | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 5/11 (45.45%) | 6:5 | 7:6 | 1.52% (per resolution) |
| Place 5 or 9 | 4/10 (40.00%) | 6:4 | 7:5 | 4.00% (per resolution) |
| Field (2 and 12 pay 2:1) | 16/36 (44.44%) | 20:16 | 1:1 (most); 2:1 (2,12) | 5.56% |
| Any Seven | 6/36 (16.67%) | 30:6 | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Any Craps (2,3,12) | 4/36 (11.11%) | 32:4 | 7:1 | 11.11% |