| PlayTT Guide
The Complete Guide to Craps History, the table, every bet, the odds, strategy, etiquette and everything in between |
| This guide covers everything about craps — the history of the game, a full breakdown of the table layout, every single bet from Pass Line to Hardways, true odds and free odds bets, the house edge on every wager, betting strategies, how to behave at the table, and practical tips for getting the most from your session. Craps has a reputation for complexity, but this guide will take you from complete beginner to confident, informed player. |
| Part 1 — The history of craps |
Where craps came from
Craps is one of the oldest dice games in the world and has one of the most colourful histories of any casino game. Its roots stretch back thousands of years, though the version played in casinos today is a distinctly American creation with European origins.
The most widely accepted ancestor of craps is Hazard, an English dice game that was popular across Europe from at least the 13th century and possibly much earlier. Hazard was a complex, high-stakes game played in taverns, on streets, and in gambling houses across England and France. It is mentioned in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, written in the late 14th century, as a game associated with chance, excitement, and risk.
The French version of Hazard, known as Crapaud (the French word for toad, a reference to the crouched position players adopted when rolling dice on the street), was brought to New Orleans in the early 19th century by French settlers. A simplified version of the game — designed to be faster and easier to play — spread rapidly through the Mississippi River communities and quickly became one of the most popular gambling games in America.
The modern casino version of craps was largely shaped by John H. Winn, a dice manufacturer from New York who introduced the Don’t Pass bet and the layout we recognise today in around 1907. Winn’s innovation allowed players to bet against the shooter for the first time, which eliminated much of the advantage that could be gained from using loaded dice, and standardised the game in a way that made it viable for large-scale casino operation.
Craps became a defining feature of American gambling culture throughout the 20th century. During World War II, American soldiers played craps on blankets using whatever dice they could find, cementing its place in popular culture. When Las Vegas expanded in the 1940s and 1950s, craps tables were at the centre of the action — loud, fast, communal, and unlike any other game on the floor.
Today craps is played in casinos worldwide and remains one of the most distinctive experiences in any casino. It is the only major casino game where players can hold the dice themselves, the only game where everyone at the table can be winning simultaneously, and the only game where the noise and energy of a hot table can be felt from across the casino floor.
In Trinidad & Tobago, craps tables are available at a number of casinos and attract a loyal following of players who appreciate both the social atmosphere and the genuinely favourable odds the game offers when played correctly.
| Part 2 — The craps table and its layout |
Understanding the craps table
The craps table is the largest table game in any casino and the most visually complex. At first glance the layout of betting areas, numbers, propositions, and abbreviations can look impenetrable. This section breaks it down section by section so you know exactly where everything is and what it means before you place your first bet.
The physical table
A standard craps table is a large rectangular table with raised sides — the walls of the table are lined with a textured rubber surface that the dice must bounce off on every throw to ensure a random result. The table is typically staffed by four casino employees: two dealers who stand on either side of the layout managing bets and payouts, a boxman who sits in the centre overseeing the game and the chips, and a stickman who stands opposite the boxman and controls the dice with a long curved stick, announcing results and managing the proposition bet area.
The layout is printed on green felt and is mirrored on both the left and right halves of the table, so players standing on either side have access to the same bets. The centre of the table — between the two halves — is the proposition bet area controlled by the stickman.
The sections of the layout
Pass Line
A long betting strip running around the near edge of the table on both sides. This is the most fundamental bet in craps and where most players start. It runs along the bottom of the layout closest to the players standing at the table.
Don’t Pass Bar
A narrower strip just above the Pass Line. This is the opposite bet — betting against the shooter. The word “Bar” refers to the “Bar 12” rule: if the come-out roll is 12, Don’t Pass bets are pushed (returned) rather than winning, which is how the casino maintains its edge on this bet.
Come and Don’t Come
Boxes in the upper section of each half. The Come bet works identically to the Pass Line but can be placed on any roll after the point is established. Don’t Come is the opposite. Once a Come bet is placed and a point is established, the dealer moves it to the corresponding number box.
Place bet numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
Six numbered boxes arranged in a row across the top of each half of the layout. Players can bet directly on any of these numbers being rolled before a 7. These are called Place bets and are among the most commonly used bets in the game.
Field
A large box in the middle of each half listing the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. A Field bet wins if any of these numbers is rolled and loses if 5, 6, 7, or 8 appears.
Big 6 and Big 8
Two boxes in the corners of the layout. These are bets that 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7. They pay even money, which makes them significantly worse than the equivalent Place bets. Avoid them.
Proposition bets (centre section)
The colourful section in the middle of the table managed by the stickman. This area contains one-roll bets (Any Craps, Any Seven, 2, 3, 11, 12) and multi-roll bets (Hardways). These bets carry the highest house edges on the table and are popular with casual players attracted by the high payouts.
The puck
A large disc, black on one side and white on the other, sits on the layout. When it shows the black side and is positioned off to the side, it means no point has been established and the next roll is a come-out roll. When it is flipped to show the white side and placed on one of the point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), it indicates that a point is in play. The puck tells everyone at the table exactly where the game stands at any moment.
| Before you place any bet, look at the puck. Black side up and off the numbers means the shooter is about to make a come-out roll — the start of a new round. White side up on a number means a point is established and the shooter is trying to roll that number before rolling a 7. |
| Part 3 — How craps is played |
The flow of the game
Craps is played in rounds, each driven by a shooter — one of the players at the table who rolls the dice. The shooter changes after each time a 7 is rolled after a point has been established. Understanding the flow of a craps round is the foundation of everything else in the game.
Choosing the shooter
At the start of play or when it is time to change shooters, the stickman pushes five dice to the new shooter. The shooter selects two dice and returns the rest. The shooter must make either a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet to roll the dice. Other players at the table may bet on any available position.
The come-out roll
The first roll of a new round is called the come-out roll. This is the most important roll in craps. The outcome of the come-out roll determines what happens next:
- 7 or 11 on the come-out: Pass Line bets win immediately. Don’t Pass bets lose. This is called a “natural”.
- 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out: Pass Line bets lose immediately. Don’t Pass bets win on 2 or 3, and push (tie) on 12. This is called “craps”.
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 on the come-out: The number rolled becomes “the point”. The puck is flipped to white and placed on that number. The game moves into the point phase.
The point phase
Once a point is established, the shooter continues rolling until one of two outcomes occurs:
- The shooter rolls the point number again: Pass Line bets win. Don’t Pass bets lose. The round ends and a new come-out roll begins.
- The shooter rolls a 7 (called “seven out”): Pass Line bets lose. Don’t Pass bets win. The round ends, the dice pass to the next shooter, and a new come-out roll begins.
Any other number rolled during the point phase (not the point number or 7) has no effect on Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets and the shooter simply rolls again. Other bets — Place bets, Come bets, Hardways, etc. — can win or lose on these intermediate rolls.
The seven-out
When the shooter rolls a 7 after a point has been established, it is called a seven-out. This ends the shooter’s turn. Note that rolling a 7 on the come-out roll (before a point is established) is a winning natural — it does not end the shooter’s turn. The shooter only loses the dice when they seven-out during the point phase.
| A common misconception is that rolling a 7 is always bad in craps. It is only bad after a point has been established. On the come-out roll, a 7 is the best possible result for Pass Line bettors. Context matters — always check the puck before deciding how to feel about a 7. |
Rolling the dice
When it is your turn to shoot, pick up both dice with one hand. Throw them firmly enough to hit the far wall of the table. Both dice must bounce off the far wall for the roll to count. Throws that do not reach the wall may be called “no roll” by the stickman and replayed. Rolling one die off the table is also a no roll.
Once the dice leave your hand, do not touch them until the stickman returns them to you for the next roll. After a seven-out, the stickman collects the dice and passes them to the next shooter.
| Part 4 — The core bets |
Pass Line and Don’t Pass
These are the two fundamental bets in craps. Every other bet in the game is built on or related to them. If you understand only two bets, make it these.
The Pass Line bet
The Pass Line is the most popular bet in craps and the natural starting point for all new players. You place your chips on the Pass Line before the come-out roll.
- Come-out 7 or 11: you win even money (1 to 1).
- Come-out 2, 3, or 12: you lose.
- Come-out 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: a point is established. You win if the point is rolled again before a 7. You lose if a 7 comes first.
The Pass Line bet cannot be removed or reduced once a point is established. You made your bet — it rides until the round ends.
House edge: 1.41%.
The Don’t Pass bet
The opposite of the Pass Line. You are betting against the shooter — that a 7 will come before the point is repeated. This puts you on the casino’s side of the wager and is sometimes called “betting the dark side”.
- Come-out 2 or 3: you win even money.
- Come-out 12: push (your bet is returned). This is the Bar 12 rule that prevents Don’t Pass from having a negative house edge.
- Come-out 7 or 11: you lose.
- Come-out 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: a point is established. You win if a 7 is rolled before the point. You lose if the point comes first.
Unlike Pass Line, a Don’t Pass bet can be removed or reduced after a point is established (because the odds now favour the Don’t Pass bettor). However, removing a winning-position bet is considered poor strategy.
House edge: 1.36%.
| The Don’t Pass bet has a very slightly lower house edge than Pass Line (1.36% vs 1.41%). However, it puts you in opposition to the shooter and most of the table, which many players find socially uncomfortable. Both are excellent bets. Choose the one that fits the experience you want. |
Come and Don’t Come bets
Come and Don’t Come bets work identically to Pass Line and Don’t Pass, but they can be placed on any roll after a point has been established. They allow you to create multiple independent “points” simultaneously.
Come bet
Place a Come bet at any time after the point is established. The very next roll becomes your personal come-out roll:
- If the next roll is 7 or 11: your Come bet wins immediately.
- If the next roll is 2, 3, or 12: your Come bet loses immediately.
- Any other number: that number becomes your Come bet’s point. The dealer moves your chips to the corresponding number box. Your bet now wins if that number is rolled before a 7.
You can have multiple Come bets active at once, each with its own point. A 7 during the point phase wins your Don’t Come bets but wipes out all active Come bets — this is called being “behind the seven”.
House edge: 1.41%. Identical to Pass Line.
Don’t Come bet
The opposite of the Come bet. Works identically to Don’t Pass but placed after the point. House edge: 1.36%.
| Part 5 — The Free Odds bet |
The best bet in any casino
The Free Odds bet — also called simply “Taking Odds” or “Laying Odds” depending on whether you are backing Pass/Come or Don’t Pass/Don’t Come — is one of the most extraordinary bets in gambling. It is the only bet in a casino that carries a zero house edge. The casino pays it at exactly the true mathematical probability of the outcome. No commission, no built-in margin — true odds.
The catch: you can only take odds after a point is established, and only in addition to an existing Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet. You cannot make a free odds bet on its own.
Taking odds (Pass Line and Come)
After a point is established, you place additional chips directly behind your Pass Line or Come bet — outside the betting area, in the space behind it. This is your odds bet. It wins if the point is rolled before a 7, and is paid at true odds based on the point number.
| Point number | Ways to make point | Ways to roll 7 | True odds against |
| 4 or 10 | 3 ways | 6 ways | 2 to 1 |
| 5 or 9 | 4 ways | 6 ways | 3 to 2 |
| 6 or 8 | 5 ways | 6 ways | 6 to 5 |
Example: Your Pass Line bet is $10 and the point is 6. You take $10 in odds. If the 6 is rolled, your Pass Line bet pays $10 (even money) and your odds bet pays $12 (6 to 5). If a 7 is rolled, you lose both.
Laying odds (Don’t Pass and Don’t Come)
On Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets, you lay odds rather than take them. Because a 7 is more likely than any individual point number, you must bet more to win less. The payouts are the inverse of the true odds:
| Point number | Lay amount to win | Payout on win | True odds |
| 4 or 10 | $20 to win $10 | $10 | 1 to 2 |
| 5 or 9 | $15 to win $10 | $10 | 2 to 3 |
| 6 or 8 | $12 to win $10 | $10 | 5 to 6 |
Odds multiples
Casinos set limits on how much you can take or lay in odds, expressed as a multiple of your original flat bet. Common limits are 2x, 3x, 4x-5x, 10x, and 100x odds. A 3x odds game means you can bet up to three times your Pass Line bet in free odds. The higher the odds multiple allowed, the lower the overall house edge on your combined bet.
| Odds multiple available | Combined house edge (Pass + Odds) | Effect |
| 0x (no odds) | 1.41% | Pass Line only |
| 1x odds | 0.85% | Good |
| 2x odds | 0.61% | Better |
| 3x–4x–5x odds | 0.37% | Very good |
| 10x odds | 0.18% | Excellent |
| 100x odds | 0.02% | Exceptional |
| Always take the maximum free odds your bankroll allows. Because odds bets carry a zero house edge, taking maximum odds is the most powerful thing you can do to reduce the casino’s advantage over your total money in action. Always check what odds multiple your casino offers before choosing a table. |
| Part 6 — Place bets, Buy bets, and Lay bets |
Betting directly on numbers
Place bets allow you to bet directly on any of the six point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) being rolled before a 7, without waiting for the come-out roll or going through the Come bet process. You can place them at any time and remove them at any time. This flexibility makes Place bets the most actively managed bets on the table.
Place bets
Tell the dealer which number or numbers you want to place and the amount. The dealer positions your chips in the corresponding number box. Place bets are “off” (not working) on the come-out roll by default — they can be turned on for the come-out by telling the dealer, but most experienced players leave them off.
| Number | Why | Payout | True odds | House edge |
| 4 or 10 | 5 ways to lose (roll 7) vs 3 ways to win | 9 to 5 | 2 to 1 | 6.67% |
| 5 or 9 | 6 ways to lose vs 4 ways to win | 7 to 5 | 3 to 2 | 4.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 6 ways to lose vs 5 ways to win | 7 to 6 | 6 to 5 | 1.52% |
| Place 6 and Place 8 are among the best bets in craps with a house edge of just 1.52%. They are the recommended starting point for players who want to bet on specific numbers without going through the Come bet process. Always bet in multiples of $6 on Place 6 and Place 8 to receive the correct 7:6 payout. |
Buy bets
Buy bets are similar to Place bets but the casino pays true odds. To compensate, the casino charges a 5% commission (called the vig) on the bet. Buy bets are worth considering on 4 and 10, where the true odds payout (2 to 1) is significantly better than the Place payout (9 to 5) even after the commission. On 5, 9, 6, and 8, the commission makes Buy bets worse than their Place equivalents.
- Buy 4 or 10: pays 2 to 1 minus 5% commission. House edge: 4.76% when commission paid on placement, or approximately 1.67% when commission paid only on wins (ask your casino which method they use).
- Buy 5 or 9: pays 3 to 2 minus 5% commission. Worse than Place 5 or 9. Avoid.
- Buy 6 or 8: pays 6 to 5 minus 5% commission. Worse than Place 6 or 8. Avoid.
Lay bets
The opposite of Buy bets. You are betting that a 7 will be rolled before a specific number. Like Buy bets, the casino pays true odds and charges a 5% commission, but here the commission is on the potential winnings rather than the bet amount. Lay bets are the Don’t Pass equivalent for specific numbers and are used by dark-side players to bet against individual numbers.
Lay 4 or 10: pays 1 to 2 (you bet $40 to win $20). Commission 5% of winnings = $1. Effective house edge approximately 2.44%.
| Part 7 — All other bets on the table |
The complete bet reference
The following tables cover every remaining bet available on a standard craps table, from the Field bet to the Hardways to the proposition bets in the centre. They are organised by type and rated for their value to the player.
The Field bet
A single-roll bet placed in the Field box. Wins if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Loses on 5, 6, 7, or 8. Pays even money on 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11. Most casinos pay 2 to 1 on 2 and 2 to 1 on 12 (some pay 3 to 1 on 12). The house edge depends on the payout on 2 and 12:
- Field with 2:1 on both 2 and 12: house edge 5.56%.
- Field with 2:1 on 2 and 3:1 on 12: house edge 2.78%.
The Field covers seven of the eleven non-seven numbers which makes it feel like a broad bet, but the numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8 together account for 20 of 36 possible outcomes — more than half. The Field is an entertaining one-roll bet for occasional use but not a core strategy bet.
Hardways
A multi-roll bet that a specific number will be rolled as a pair before it is rolled any other way or before a 7 appears. Hard 4 means 2+2. Hard 6 means 3+3. Hard 8 means 4+4. Hard 10 means 5+5.
| Bet | What you are betting on | Payout | House edge | Verdict |
| Hard 4 | Roll 2+2 before any other 4 or a 7. | 7 to 1 | 11.11% | Poor |
| Hard 10 | Roll 5+5 before any other 10 or a 7. | 7 to 1 | 11.11% | Poor |
| Hard 6 | Roll 3+3 before any other 6 or a 7. | 9 to 1 | 9.09% | Poor |
| Hard 8 | Roll 4+4 before any other 8 or a 7. | 9 to 1 | 9.09% | Poor |
Proposition bets — one-roll bets
One-roll proposition bets are resolved on the very next throw of the dice. They are placed in the centre of the table and controlled by the stickman. Their high payouts attract many players but they carry the worst house edges on the table.
| Bet | What you are betting on | Payout | House edge | Verdict |
| Any Seven | Next roll is a 7. 6 ways to win out of 36. | 4 to 1 | 16.67% | Avoid |
| Any Craps | Next roll is 2, 3, or 12. 4 ways to win. | 7 to 1 | 11.11% | Avoid |
| Craps 2 | Next roll is exactly 2. 1 way to win. | 30 to 1 | 13.89% | Avoid |
| Craps 3 | Next roll is exactly 3. 2 ways to win. | 15 to 1 | 11.11% | Avoid |
| Craps 12 | Next roll is exactly 12. 1 way to win. | 30 to 1 | 13.89% | Avoid |
| Yo (11) | Next roll is 11. 2 ways to win. | 15 to 1 | 11.11% | Avoid |
| Horn bet | Splits stake across 2, 3, 11, and 12. Wins on any of those. | Varies | ~12.5% | Avoid |
| World bet | Splits across 2, 3, 7, 11, and 12. | Varies | ~13.33% | Avoid |
| Hop bet | Next roll is a specific dice combination. e.g. 3+4. | 15 or 30 to 1 | ~11–16% | Avoid |
| The proposition bets in the centre of the table are the casino’s most profitable section. Every single one carries a double-digit house edge. The stickman’s job includes calling attention to these bets and encouraging players to make them. Appreciate their entertainment value but treat them as an expensive luxury — not a regular part of your strategy. |
Big 6 and Big 8
A bet in the corners of the layout that 6 (or 8) will be rolled before a 7. Pays even money (1 to 1). House edge: 9.09%. This is the exact same bet as Place 6 or Place 8 — except Place 6 and Place 8 pay 7 to 6 and carry a house edge of only 1.52%. There is never a reason to use Big 6 or Big 8 when Place bets on the same numbers are available. Avoid.
Master house edge reference
The complete house edge for every bet on the table, sorted from best to worst:
| Bet | House edge | Category |
| Free odds (Pass / Come / Don’t Pass / Don’t Come) | 0.00% | Play always |
| Don’t Pass / Don’t Come | 1.36% | Excellent |
| Pass Line / Come | 1.41% | Excellent |
| Place 6 or Place 8 | 1.52% | Very good |
| Buy 4 or Buy 10 (commission on wins only) | 1.67% | Good |
| Place 5 or Place 9 | 4.00% | Fair |
| Field (3:1 on 12) | 2.78% | Fair |
| Buy 4 or Buy 10 (commission on placement) | 4.76% | Poor |
| Place 4 or Place 10 | 6.67% | Avoid |
| Field (2:1 on both 2 and 12) | 5.56% | Avoid |
| Big 6 / Big 8 | 9.09% | Avoid |
| Hard 6 / Hard 8 | 9.09% | Avoid |
| Hard 4 / Hard 10 | 11.11% | Avoid |
| Any Craps | 11.11% | Avoid |
| Craps 3 / Yo 11 | 11.11% | Avoid |
| Horn bet | ~12.50% | Avoid |
| Craps 2 / Craps 12 | 13.89% | Avoid |
| Any Seven | 16.67% | Avoid |
| Part 8 — Betting strategy |
How to approach the craps table strategically
Craps offers the player more genuine strategic choices than almost any other casino table game. Unlike baccarat where you simply choose from three bets, or roulette where every bet has a fixed and calculable edge, craps gives you a wide menu of bets ranging from zero house edge to nearly 17%. The strategy is largely a matter of identifying the good bets and sticking to them.
The core strategy — simple and effective
For the vast majority of players, the optimal craps strategy can be reduced to three rules:
- Bet Pass Line or Don’t Pass. Both carry a house edge under 1.41%.
- Take or lay maximum free odds on your flat bet. Free odds have a zero house edge and reduce the overall edge on your combined wager significantly.
- Add Place 6 and/or Place 8 if you want more numbers in action. Their 1.52% house edge makes them the best non-odds bets on the table.
Ignore the rest. Every other bet on the table — Hardways, Any Seven, Field, Big 6, Horn bets — carries a house edge that makes them unattractive for any player who wants to play intelligently over the course of a session.
The 3-Point Molly
One of the most popular structured craps strategies. It keeps three bets in action simultaneously — the Pass Line plus two Come bets — each backed with maximum odds.
- Place a Pass Line bet and take odds once a point is established.
- Place a Come bet. Once it moves to a number, back it with odds.
- Place another Come bet. Once it moves to a number, back it with odds.
- Now you have the Pass Line point and two Come points all with maximum odds — three numbers working simultaneously.
- Each time a Come bet wins, immediately replace it with a new Come bet to maintain three active bets.
The 3-Point Molly maximises your time with bets on the table and ensures you benefit from any hot stretch of rolling. The risk is that a 7 during the point phase wipes all three bets simultaneously. Ensure your bankroll can absorb this.
The Iron Cross (Field strategy)
A popular strategy among recreational players that covers every number except 7 on every roll. You place the Field plus Place 5, Place 6, and Place 8. Any number other than 7 pays something. A 7 loses everything.
The Iron Cross feels exhilarating because you win on almost every roll during a good stretch. However, the Field bet’s 5.56% house edge drags the overall average house edge across all four bets significantly higher than a simple Pass + Odds strategy. The Iron Cross is an entertainment strategy, not an efficiency strategy.
Dark side play — Don’t Pass + Lay Odds
Betting Don’t Pass and laying maximum odds is the mirror image of the core strategy and carries the lowest theoretical house edge of any craps approach. The difficulty is psychological: you are betting against the shooter and against most of the table. A hot shooter who rolls their point repeatedly is your worst outcome — a scenario that the rest of the table is cheering for.
Dark side play is mathematically sound but requires composure at a table where emotion often runs high. Many experienced players quietly prefer it precisely for the discipline it demands.
Avoid the “system” traps
Craps generates more betting systems, superstitions, and pseudo-strategies than almost any other casino game. Dice control, rhythmic rolling, press-and-pull systems, regression strategies after a win — none of these overcome the house edge when applied to the already-poor bets in the centre of the table. The only mathematically sound strategy is bet selection: choose the bets with the lowest house edge and take maximum odds.
| Part 9 — Managing your bankroll |
Playing within your means
Craps can be an expensive game if you are not disciplined. The pace of the game is fast, the energy is high, and the temptation to place bets on every number or throw money at the proposition area is constant. Good bankroll management is what separates an enjoyable session from a damaging one.
Session budget
Set your maximum loss before you sit down and commit to it. A reasonable starting rule is to bring at least 30 to 40 times your intended flat bet to the table. If you plan to bet $10 on the Pass Line, bring $300 to $400. This absorbs the natural variance of the game without leaving you stranded after the first bad roll.
Managing odds bets and total exposure
The free odds bet is zero house edge but it does increase the total amount of money you have at risk on any given roll. On a Pass Line bet of $10 with 3x odds of $30, you have $40 at risk if a 7 appears. Plan your session budget to account for your full exposure including odds, not just your flat bets.
The seven-out and variance
The most jarring moment in craps is a seven-out when multiple bets are working simultaneously. A single 7 can clear $100 or more from the table in an instant. This is not unfair — it is the nature of the game. Long stretches without a seven-out are what generate the memorable hot table moments. Short points followed by quick seven-outs are equally normal. Neither tells you anything about the next roll.
Practical guidelines
- Set a loss limit and a win target before you buy in.
- Do not increase your bet size to chase losses.
- If you reach your win target, pocket half and continue playing with the other half if you want to stay.
- Take a break between shooters to assess your position.
- The most expensive craps session is one where a player starts flat betting sensibly, gets ahead, and then starts throwing money at the Hardways and proposition bets. Discipline matters most when you are winning.
| Gambling should always be affordable and enjoyable. If you find yourself betting money you cannot afford to lose, please speak to casino staff or contact the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) in Trinidad & Tobago. |
| Part 10 — Craps table etiquette |
How to conduct yourself at a craps table
Craps is the most social game in any casino. It is loud, fast, and communal — everyone at the table is often betting together and celebrating or groaning together. But it also has the most specific set of table customs and superstitions of any casino game. Knowing them makes you a welcome addition to any table.
Buying in
Place your cash on the layout during a pause between rolls — never while the dice are in motion. Say the amount clearly and wait for the boxman to count and confirm it. Do not hand money directly to the dealer. You will receive casino chips in return.
Placing bets
- You can place your own Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Field bets by reaching over the layout and positioning your chips. For Place bets, hand your chips to the dealer and tell them which numbers you want.
- Do not reach across other players’ bets. Keep your movements controlled and deliberate.
- Proposition bets are placed by tossing chips to the stickman and calling your bet clearly. The stickman will confirm and position them.
- Once the dice are passed to the shooter and in motion, do not place or adjust any bets.
As the shooter
- Pick up the dice with one hand only. This is a firm rule at most tables.
- Throw firmly enough that both dice hit the far wall of the table. A soft throw that does not reach the wall may be called a no roll.
- Do not delay. Pick up the dice and throw them at a reasonable pace.
- If a die leaves the table, call “die off the table” clearly. The stickman will retrieve it and inspect it before returning it to play. You may request a different die.
- After a seven-out, hand the dice back to the stickman without comment. It is customary.
Superstitions and table culture
Craps has more superstitions than any other casino game. Most of them are completely irrational but are deeply embedded in craps culture. Knowing them helps you fit in:
- Never say the word “seven” at a craps table during play. Players call it “the devil”, “a big red”, or simply point. Saying the word is considered extremely bad form and will earn you hostile looks from experienced players.
- A new shooter who hits a “virgin shooter” (a first-time roller, especially a woman) is considered lucky. Many players will increase their bets.
- A die going off the table is widely considered a bad omen. Many players will call “same dice” hoping the shooter keeps the same pair rather than switching.
- Do not hand the dice directly to another person. The stickman is the intermediary.
- Do not say the word “seven”. This bears repeating.
| You do not need to believe in any of these superstitions to play craps well. But understanding them — and not violating them carelessly — is part of being a good table citizen. Craps culture is part of what makes the game special. |
Tipping
Tipping at a craps table is common and appreciated. The customary way is to make a bet “for the boys” by throwing a chip to the stickman and calling it as a bet on the Pass Line, Any Craps, or another position. The crew will cheer as warmly for a winning tip bet as they do for your own. You can also tip directly by handing a chip to the boxman, though betting tips are the preferred tradition.
| Part 11 — Practical tips for the craps table |
Making the most of your craps session
Before you approach the table
- Choose a table that offers at least 3x-4x-5x odds. The higher the odds multiple available, the lower your overall house edge when you take full odds.
- Look for a table with a $5 or $10 minimum if you are new or working with a modest bankroll. Low minimums give you more time to learn the flow of the game.
- Watch a table for a few minutes before joining. Observe how the game flows, how bets are placed, and how the crew operates.
- Arrive with your session budget already decided. Do not improvise your buy-in amount at the table.
At the table
- Start with the Pass Line only. Master the core of the game before adding Come bets, Place bets, or odds.
- Take maximum odds as soon as your bankroll allows. This is the single most impactful thing you can do to improve the return on your money.
- Add Place 6 and Place 8 once you are comfortable. They are the best non-odds bets on the table.
- Do not bet the Any Seven, Horn, or Hardways as core strategy bets. The occasional proposition bet for entertainment is fine — do not let it become a pattern.
- Turn your Place bets off during come-out rolls if you do not want them at risk while the shooter is setting a new point.
- Press (increase) your Place bets after a win only if you are comfortable with the increased exposure. Never press a bet you cannot afford to lose.
The most important rule in craps
Every roll of the dice in craps is completely independent. A shooter who has been rolling for 20 minutes is not “due” to seven out. A cold table is not due to heat up. The dice have no memory. Make your bets based on the mathematics of each wager, not on patterns, feelings, or streaks.
Why craps is worth learning
Craps rewards the player who takes the time to learn it better than almost any other game on the casino floor. A Pass Line bet with maximum free odds has a combined house edge that can fall below 0.5% — better than most blackjack games and far better than roulette, slots, or the vast majority of table games. The game that looks most intimidating from the outside is, once understood, one of the most player-friendly in the casino.
Beyond the mathematics, craps is simply one of the most enjoyable casino experiences. When a hot shooter is rolling number after number and the whole table is winning together, there is nothing quite like it in gambling. That experience is worth the learning curve.
| PlayTT Guide covers every casino in Trinidad & Tobago that offers craps. Use our Casino Reviews page to find venues near you, check table limits, read player reviews, and see what events and promotions are running. Visit www.playtt.guide for more guides, news, and the latest from T&T’s casino scene. |
