The complexity of craps is not really how the game is played. If you've read our description above, that's pretty much all about the game flow. Where the game becomes more complex is with the several different betting options. Put on your thinking cap and buckle up as we dive head first into Craps betting options. When you have finished reading this section, you should have a strong sense of the different possibilities for the different betting options and how they fit into the game flow.
Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets
The easiest bet to roll is the Pass Line bet. As a rule, casinos will require that you place at least the minimum bet on the pass line if you are the shooter. It is optional for the other players, but we recommend beginners to start with this bet. You will also notice that most experienced players are very fond of this bet.
There is a large ring that goes around the table that says Pass Line. If you suspect that you are placing your bet here, you are a smart guy. Here you place your bet and the shooter then fires the dice for the come out roll. A few things can happen depending on what he rolls:
If a 7 or 11 is thrown, you will automatically win this bet.
If a 3 or 12 is rolled, you will automatically lose that bet and the game will start over.
If the shooter rolls ANY other number, that number becomes the point and your bet remains on the table. If a 7 is rolled afterwards, you will lose that bet. If the point is thrown, you will win this bet.
The reverse bet on the Pass Line is of course the Don’t Pass Line bet. This bet is commonly known as betting with the house or several other curses that we do not share here. Basically, this bet wins when most of the other players who play pass line bets and other point bets lose. This is what happens with this come out roll bet:
If a 2 or 3 is thrown, you will automatically win this bet.
If a 7 or 11 is rolled, you will automatically lose that bet.
If the shooter rolls a 12, the bet is a push.
If the shooter rolls ANY other number, that number becomes the point and your bet remains on the table. If a 7 is rolled afterwards, you will win this bet. If the point is thrown, you will lose that bet.
Come and don’t come bets
These bets are pretty similar to Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets, except that they are made AFTER the come out roll. You can complete these at any time between throws in the corresponding areas where a point is set. This happens on a come bet based on what the shooter rolls:
If the first roll after you make your come bet is 7 or 11, you win your bet.
If a 2, 3 or 12 is thrown, you lose your bet.
If ANY other number is rolled then your bet remains on the table and that number is the corresponding “point” of the bet. If a 7 is rolled afterwards, you will lose that bet. If this “point” is rolled, you win the bet.
The don’t come bet is basically the opposite of the come bet. You can complete these at any time between throws where a point is set. This happens on a don’t come bet based on what the shooter rolls:
If the first roll after making your don’t come bet is a 7 or 11, you lose your bet.
If a 2, 3 or 3 is thrown, you win that bet.
If ANY other number is rolled then your bet remains on the table and that number is the corresponding “point” of the bet. If a 7 is rolled afterwards, you will win this bet. If this “point” is rolled, you lose the bet.
Odds betting
Do you remember the bets that have no house edge? You found her. These are bets that are made after the point has been set and are essentially extensions of the four bets mentioned above (pass line, don’t pass line, come bet, don’t come bet). These bets follow the same rules as the bets that accompany them. For example, if you place a odds bet on your Pass Line bet, your odds bet will win if your Pass Line wins and lose if it loses. The same applies to the other three bets.
The biggest advantage of this bet is that it pays out with real odds. This means that the casino has a 0% house edge on this bet and will not win or lose money in the long run. This is the best bet you can ever get in a casino!
