The Table, the Dice and the First Bet
Craps looks chaotic from a distance, but it is one of the most structured games on any casino floor. Everything begins with the shooter rolling two dice against the far wall of the table. The total of those two dice decides what happens next, and every player at the table bets on the outcome of that same roll. For more details, visit best bingo sign up bonus uk.
The first roll of a round is called the come-out roll. If the shooter lands a 7 or 11, pass line bets win immediately , and those two totals appear on 8 of the 36 possible dice combinations, roughly 22.2% of rolls. A 2, 3 or 12 is craps, and pass line bets lose straight away.
Roll any other total , 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 , and that number becomes the point. The shooter then keeps rolling until either the point repeats (pass line wins) or a 7 appears (pass line loses). The odds of landing the point before a seven vary by number: a 6 or 8 succeeds 45.5% of the time, while a 4 or 10 succeeds just 33.3% of the time.
The Core Bets Worth Knowing
Pass line and don’t pass line are the two anchor bets, and both carry a house edge under 1.5%. The pass line pays even money and holds a 1.41% edge, while don’t pass sits at 1.36% , one of the lowest edges in the entire casino.
Once a point is established, you can back your pass line bet with odds. This is the only wager in the house with zero house edge, and most UK operators allow odds at true mathematical payout: 2:1 on a 4 or 10, 3:2 on a 5 or 9, and 6:5 on a 6 or 8.
Come bets work like a pass line bet placed mid-round, and place bets let you target specific numbers directly. A place bet on 6 or 8 carries a 1.52% edge, but the same bet on 4 or 10 jumps to 6.67% , a difference worth remembering before you put chips down.
The field bet covers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in a single wager, though its 5.56% edge makes it a weaker choice than the pass line. Stick to the fundamentals and the maths stays firmly on your side.
Etiquette, Bankroll and Playing Responsibly
Craps moves fast, and a round can resolve in under twenty seconds. Set a session budget before you buy in , many experienced players cap any single bet at 2-5% of their total bankroll to survive the variance. Never chase a losing streak by raising stakes on a hunch.
When you join a table, wait for a break between shooters before placing chips. Hand your cash to the dealer rather than dropping it on the felt, and ask for your odds bet verbally , the dealer will position the chips behind your pass line wager. Keep your hands off the dice unless you are the shooter.
Remember that every wager carries risk regardless of how favourable the odds appear. Set deposit limits through your chosen operator, take regular breaks, and treat craps as entertainment with a cost, not a route to income. If play stops feeling like fun, step away from the table entirely.