What You Need to Know About Craps as a Beginner

Craps is an exciting yet often intimidating casino game played with dice. Two dice are rolled and various bets can be made on the outcome. It may look chaotic with Vegas Now players shouting and chips flying everywhere.

However beneath the chaotic exterior lies an intriguing game with roots tracing back centuries. This beginner’s guide breaks down the exhilarating world of craps.

Brief History of Craps

The origins of craps are believed to go as far back as the Crusades in the 12th century when European knights played a game called “hazard” or “azzahr”. This dice game involving betting on outcome rolls spread in popularity across Europe and eventually made its way to France. In 18th century New Orleans, the game evolved into a simplified version called “crapaud”, the French word for “toad”, referring to the way players would crouch over a sidewalk to play. This version incorporated the addition of a second die and established the “pass” and “don’t pass” bets which are fundamental to how craps is played today. By the mid-1900s, craps became a staple offering in casinos across Las Vegas and beyond.

Craps Table Layout 101

The craps table layout can seem bewildering at first with its variety of boxes, sections and all those chips strewn about. Here is a basic overview.

■ The table has rounded corners with the center area referred to as the “playing field”. This is where the shooter rolls the two dice to start a new round.

■ Flanking the top edges of the table are the Proposition Bets labeled with individual box numbers corresponding to potential dice totals.

■ The Pass and Don’t Pass lines stretch along the table’s long sides indicating where these fundamental bets are placed.

■ The Come and Don’t Come bar-shaped areas are further down and also allow for ongoing pass or don’t pass bets after the initial “come out” roll.

■ Around these areas will be various chip piles from players betting on and against the shooter to win.

Rollin’ with the Punch: Gameplay Basics

The ebb and flow of craps gameplay centers around the rolling shooter establishing a “point” target for players to bet on:

■ Come Out Roll – The shooter attempts to make their “point” by rolling a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. Any other total establishes the point instead.

■ Point Established – The shooter now tries to repeat their point total before rolling a 7 to win.

■ Resolve Bets – If the shooter makes their point, pass bets win. If they “seven out” with a 7 first, don’t pass bets win.

■ New Round – The dice move clockwise to the next shooter for a fresh come out roll, settling all bets first.

All About the Cheddar: Odds and Payouts

With every roll, money will exchange hands. Here is the rundown on standard bets and payout odds.

Wager	Pays
Pass/Come	1:1
Don’t Pass/Come	1:1
Pass/Come Odds	2:1, 3:2, 6:5
Place 4, 10	9:5
Place 5, 9	7:5
Place 6, 8	7:6
Field	2:1 (for 3,4,9,10,11)  1:1 (for 2,12)
Any Craps	7:1
Proposition Bets	Various

The house edge ranges from 1.4% on basic pass/come bets up to 16% for certain props. Carefully consider odds before laying chips down!

Mindful Betting for Novices

Limit risk when first playing:

■ Stick to pass line/don’t pass with max odds

■ Dip toes into place 6 & 8 bets

■ Avoid flashy proposition bets

■ Fixed win goals and loss limits

This conservative approach minimizes house edge exposure while allowing newbies to become comfortable with gameplay mechanics before adopting advanced betting strategies. Master the fundamentals, then build on skills over time.

Set the Dice in Motion

With the basics covered, it’s time to stride up to a live or online craps table with renewed confidence. While the game appears chaotic to new spectators, fans around the globe relish craps for its fascinating blend of chance and choice. Every roll of the dice unfurls new possibilities. Practice smart betting discipline, ride each round’s rhythmic waves up and down and perhaps lady luck graces your table tonight! Both newbies and veterans alike are sure to be engrossed by the ecstatic highs and lows only craps can deliver.

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