Craps made simple: essential bets and table layout explained

Craps can look chaotic in a casino, but the game is highly structured once you know the layout and the rhythm of a round. Each shooter begins with a come-out roll, aiming to win immediately with a 7 or 11, or lose with 2, 3, or 12. Any other number becomes the “point”, and play continues until the shooter rolls the point again (win) or a 7 (lose). The table is designed to guide these stages, with the most important bets grouped around the Pass Line and the central number boxes.

Start with the simplest, best-known wagers. The Pass Line is the standard bet for the shooter’s side: it wins on 7/11 on the come-out, loses on 2/3/12, and then wins if the point repeats before a 7. The Don’t Pass is the opposite, with a push on 12. Once a point is set, the safest add-on is “odds” behind your line bet, which pays true odds and reduces the house edge. The six and eight are popular Place bets because they hit relatively often; you can also “take down” or adjust them. Avoid most one-roll centre-table bets (like hardways or any 7) if you want steadier value, as they carry higher edges despite the excitement.

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