If you walk onto a casino floor, it is usually incredibly easy to locate the Craps pit; just follow the noise.

However, for a beginner, this massive, raucous table can be the most intimidating place in the entire building.

This is a massive mistake, because beneath the chaotic surface, Craps actually offers some of the absolute best mathematical odds in the casino.

In this article, we are going to completely demystify the game of Craps for the absolute beginner.
How a Round of Craps Actually Works
The Pass Line is the long, curved betting area that wraps entirely around the outside edge of the table layout.

On this initial Come-Out Roll, there are only three possible outcomes that immediately affect your Pass Line bet.

A 7 or 11 on the Come-Out Roll is an instant winner for the Pass Line. The dealer will pay you even money (1 to 1) on your bet immediately.

Rolling Craps on the Come-Out roll is an instant loser for the Pass Line. The dealer will sweep your chips away, and you must place a new bet for the next roll.

The dealer will take a large, physical plastic puck (which is white on one side and black on the other) and place it directly on that number on the layout, white side up.
The Goal of the Game: Chasing the Point
The shooter will now continue to pick up the dice and roll them repeatedly until one of two specific things happens.

Your Pass Line bet wins, the dealer pays you 1 to 1, the puck is flipped to "Off," and the game resets to a brand new Come-Out Roll.

If the shooter rolls a 7 before they roll the Point (an 8), it is called "Sevening Out."

The dealer sweeps all the chips off the table, the shooter passes the dice to the next player in line, and the game resets.

You are now a competent Craps player. By simply placing a chip on the Pass Line and cheering for the Point, you are playing the game correctly.
The Secret Weapon: "Taking Odds" Behind the Line
Once a Point is established, the casino allows you to place an additional wager directly behind your original Pass Line bet (outside the printed line).

The Odds bet is the ONLY bet in the entire casino that carries a 0.00% House Edge.

If the Point is 5 or 9, the true odds are 3 to 2. The Odds bet pays exactly 3 to 2.

To take advantage of this incredible mathematical anomaly, professional players always keep their initial Pass Line bet as low as possible (the table minimum).

Ignore the yelling, ignore the complex center bets, and just focus on hitting the point.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Craps Table

The Instant Win/Loss: On the Come-Out, 7/11 Wins. 2/3/12 Loses. Any other number becomes "The Point." The Point Phase: The puck flips to "ON" and is placed on a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). The Payouts: The Odds bet pays true mathematical odds (2:1 for 4/10, 3:2 for 5/9, 6:5 for 6/8). The Sucker Bets: Ignore the center of the table completely. These bets carry massive house edges (often 10% to 16%).

The Math of the Dice: Why the 7 Rules the Game

Dice Total (The Roll)Number of Ways to Roll ItThe Probability (Out of 36) 4 or 10Only 3 ways eachHard points to hit, which is why the Odds bet pays a lucrative 2:1. 5 or 9Only 4 ways eachModerate difficulty. The Odds bet pays 3:2. The True OddsThe payouts are based perfectly on these specific combinations.Understanding this table reveals the absolute genius behind the design of the Craps layout.

You only need to memorize two simple steps: Bet the Pass Line, and Take Odds behind it when the Point is established.

If you roll a massive streak of points, the entire table will literally cheer your name, offering a high you cannot find anywhere else.

Welcome to the most exciting, chaotic, and profitable fraternity in the casino world.