Craps in 90 seconds: rules and flow

One player is the shooter. The first roll of a round is the come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out, Pass Line wins. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, Pass Line loses. If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point. Then the shooter rolls until the point repeats (Pass Line wins) or a 7 shows (Pass Line loses).

Key terms (very short):

• Pass Line: You bet the shooter will make the point.
• Don’t Pass: You bet the shooter will not make the point (contrarian).
• Come / Don’t Come: Same idea as Pass/Don’t Pass, but placed after the point is set; each Come bet makes its own “mini-point.”
• Odds: Extra bet you add behind Pass/Come (or lay behind Don’t). It pays at true odds; that part has 0% house edge.
• Place bets: You pick a number (like 6 or 8) and get paid if it rolls before a 7.
• Prop bets: One-roll side bets (like Any 7). Fun but high house edge.
• House edge: The built-in advantage for the casino across many rolls.

Key craps bets at a glance (house edge ≈ values)

Note: Exact edges and payouts can change by table rules. Always read the rules box on your game screen.

Bankroll and session plan

First, decide how much you can risk today. This is your session bankroll. Split it into small units. A simple way is to make 100 equal units. If your bankroll is $200, one unit is $2. This keeps emotions low.

Next, set two hard lines:

• Stop-loss: the point where you end the session (for example, 30% of bankroll).
• Stop-win: a profit target where you lock a win (for example, +30%).

Keep a short time box per session, like 20–30 minutes. Take a 5-minute break, drink water, and check your plan. This cuts tilt and helps you make steady choices.

Quick bankroll example

Bankroll = $300 → 100 units = $3 each. Table minimum is $5. You use $6 for Place 6/8 or $5 for Pass Line. Your stop-loss is $90. Your stop-win is $90. You plan two 25-minute sessions with a break in the middle.

Checklist before you roll

• Session budget set?
• Unit size set?
• Stop-loss / Stop-win set?
• Time limit set?
• Break plan ready?

Core low-edge strategy

This is the simple backbone many players use to keep risk steady and game time long. It uses bets with low house edge and the strong “Odds” add-on.

Why this works

Pass Line and Don’t Pass have a low edge. The Odds bet pays at true odds, so that part does not give any edge to the house. When you add Odds to your Pass/Come (or Lay Odds on Don’t), your overall edge goes down. You still cannot beat math in the long run, but you do get more fair rolls per dollar.

Basic step-by-step (HowTo)

1. Come-out: Place a Pass Line bet at the table minimum.
2. Point set: Add full Odds behind your Pass Line.
3. Build: Add one Come bet. When it travels to a number, take Odds behind it.
4. Cap at two: Keep at most two working numbers with Odds to control swings.
5. Discipline: Skip side prop bets. Stay with the plan even after a loss or a win.

Very short number example

You bet $5 on Pass Line. Point is 6. You add $6 Odds (many tables allow 2×–3×–4×–5×; some more). The 6 hits: Pass pays $5, Odds pays 6:5 → $7. Total win: $12. If a 7 shows first, you lose $11. Your plan is to accept both outcomes and make the same bets again without chasing.

What to avoid and why

• Any 7, Horn, Yo, Hardways: Fun, but house edge is high. They drain money fast.
• Too many active numbers: More action feels fun but adds swing. Keep it to 1–2 Come bets with Odds.
• Skipping Odds: This leaves value on the table. The Odds add-on is the fairest bet you can make in craps.

Safe bet progressions (non-martingale)

We want growth without big spikes. That means no doubling after a loss and no “catch-up chains.” Here are simple, gentle options.

Flat betting with Odds

Keep the Pass Line amount the same each round (for example, table minimum), and always add full Odds. It is easy to track and keeps risk steady.

Small press after a win

When a number hits, press the flat bet by one unit only on the next round. Never press after a loss. If you win again, press once more. If you lose, go back to base.

Regress to protect

After the first hit, drop your working bets back to the minimum to “lock in” a part of the profit. This is great on swingy sessions.

Why we skip martingale

Doubling after a loss looks strong on paper but fails when you hit a losing run, table limits, or a dry wallet. Also, stress goes up, and choices get worse. Keep it small and slow instead.

Place bets vs. Come bets

Come bets move to a number after a roll and then act like a mini Pass Line on that number. You can take Odds behind them. This fits the core low-edge plan well.

Place bets let you choose numbers like 6 or 8 and get paid 7:6 when they roll before a 7. They do not use Come box travel, and you do not need a point to use them.

When Place on 6/8 makes sense

On some tables, Place on 6 and 8 is simple and friendly for new players. The edge is still low (~1.52%). If you want two steady numbers fast, Place 6 and 8 is a clean start. But if you are already doing Pass Line + Odds + one Come with Odds, you may keep it that way to avoid too many moving parts.

Mini example

You Place $6 on 6 and $6 on 8. A 6 hits → you win $7. You can “press” to $12 or collect and keep $1 profit. If a 7 shows, both Place bets lose. Keep the plan light and put presses only after wins.

RNG craps vs. Live dealer craps

RNG tables (random number generator) are fast, clear, and often have lower minimums. They usually have a practice or demo mode, which is perfect to learn the flow and the controls. Good RNG games are tested by labs like eCOGRA and iTech Labs.

Live dealer craps is slower but adds a social feel. You see the table, chips, and the dice action. The pace can help calm your clicks and make your plan easier to follow. The flip side is fewer rounds per minute, so plan your time box.

Tip: Start on RNG to learn. Move to live once you feel calm and steady with your steps and chip sizes.

Table limits, comps, and bonuses

Every table has a minimum and a maximum. These numbers control your unit sizes and also affect how long your bankroll lasts. Lower minimums are good for practice and longer sessions.

About bonuses

Many casinos set lower “wagering contribution” for dice games, or they may exclude some bets. Read the bonus page and the terms page before you opt in. Look for these lines: wagering (like 30×), game weighting, max bet while wagering, and time limit. If dice games count 0% or 5%, the bonus is not useful for craps play. It may be better to play without a bonus and keep cash-out steps simple.

For safe rules and fair play standards, see: UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and GamCare.

Risk control and clear mindset

Craps has streaks. You will see quick wins and quick losses. Your power is not in picking magic bets. Your power is in when to stop and how big you bet. Keep your bets small, repeat the same plan, and never chase.

Signals that tilt is near

• You click faster and change bets mid-roll.
• You add prop bets you did not plan.
• You raise bet size after a loss to “get even.”

When you see any of these, take a break. Breathe. Drink water. If you feel heat in your chest or face, end the session. Your goal is not to “win today.” Your goal is to play safe every time.

Need support for safer play? See NCPG (US), BeGambleAware (UK), or your local help line.

How to choose a safe online casino (with checklist)

Pick sites that are licensed, tested, and clear. Look for the regulator logo in the footer, real contact channels, and fair terms. Make sure withdrawal rules are simple, and that KYC (ID checks) is clear and fast.

Quick safety checklist

• License visible: Check the regulator’s website if needed (UKGC public register, MGA).
• Independent testing: Logos and certificates from eCOGRA or iTech Labs.
• Clear payments: Fees, limits, timeframes listed in the payments page.
• RG tools: Deposit limits, time-outs, self-exclusion links.
• Support: Live chat or email with real response times.

If you want a shortcut, you can compare craps-friendly sites that pass the checks above using our independent review list at top-casinos.co.nz. We focus on clear limits, fair dice games, and simple cash-out rules. Use it as a start point and still read each site’s terms before you join.

Extra resources: Gamblers Anonymous, GAMSTOP (UK self-exclusion), and Gambling Therapy.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Chasing with prop bets: They look fun but burn bankroll fast.
• Skipping Odds: The best add-on you can make is free of house edge on that part.
• Too many numbers live: Keep at most two Come bets with Odds to limit swings.
• No stop-loss / stop-win: Without these, a good session can flip in minutes.
• Ignoring table limits: Limits block big presses and make martingale fail.
• Playing bonus terms blind: Dice may not count toward wagering. Check first.

Quick start plan (copy this)

1. Pick a licensed casino; test the game in demo if possible.
2. Set a small session bankroll and make 100 equal units.
3. Place Pass Line on come-out. When point is set, take full Odds.
4. Add one Come bet; when it travels, take Odds. Cap at two numbers.
5. Skip props. Take a 5-minute break every 20–30 minutes.
6. Stop at your stop-loss or stop-win. Do not chase. Log results.

FAQs

What is the best craps bet for a beginner?

The Pass Line with Odds is the most friendly path. It is simple to place and has a low combined edge. Add one Come bet with Odds once you feel calm.

How big should my bankroll be?

Pick a number that you can lose without stress. Split it into small units. Many players like 100 units. If the table minimum is too big for your unit size, switch to a lower table.

Do any systems beat the house?

No. The house edge is part of the rules. A good plan uses low-edge bets and strong stop rules so your money lasts longer and your stress stays low.

Pass Line or Don’t Pass: which is better?

Don’t Pass has a tiny edge advantage (~1.36% vs. ~1.41%), but some players do not like to bet against the shooter. Pick the style you enjoy and use Odds either way.

Do bonuses work for craps?

Often, dice games have low or zero contribution to wagering. Check the bonus page before you accept. If the rules block craps or set 0% weight, skip the bonus.

Is RNG fair?

Licensed RNG games use audited random number generators. Look for testing logos from eCOGRA or iTech Labs. Also check the casino’s license on the regulator’s site.

Conclusion

Craps feels wild, but your plan can be calm. Use Pass/Don’t Pass with Odds. Add at most one or two Come bets with Odds. Keep bet sizes small. Skip high-edge props. Set a stop-loss and a stop-win, and take short breaks. This keeps your session steady and your mind clear. Play for fun, play with limits, and take care of yourself.