A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Casino Craps
- Home & Family, Home Improvement
- casino
- June 17, 2026
The craps table is undoubtedly the loudest, most energetic, and most intimidating area on any casino floor.
Once you understand the basic flow of the game, the intimidating layout starts to make perfect sense.
The Most Important Craps Bet
Almost everyone at the table plays the Pass Line, as it represents betting with the shooter to win.
If the first roll of the dice is a 7 or an 11, the entire table celebrates and you double your money.
- The Pass Line bet has an incredibly low house edge of just 1.41%, making it one of the best bets in the casino
- You can place ‘Odds’ behind your Pass Line bet, which is the only wager in the building with a 0% house edge
- Most of the crazy proposition bets in the center of the table are terrible mathematically and should be avoided
Crucial Craps Etiquette
Because the game is so fast-paced and physical, strict etiquette rules must be followed to keep things moving safely.
Always buy your chips when the dice are in the center of the table, never while the shooter is preparing to throw.
| Action | Explanation | Dealer Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| String betting | Dropping chips one by one slows the game | Dealers will scold you; drop them all at once |
| Tipping | Dealers work incredibly hard at this game | Place a bet ‘for the boys’ to ensure great service |
Stick to the basics, mind your hands, and enjoy the incredible energy of the craps pit.