Craps has a reputation for noise and confusion, but the mechanics are simpler than the crowds around a table suggest. The game centres on two six-sided dice, and the shooter , the player rolling , is aiming to establish and then repeat a „point” number. Before that point exists, the table is in the „come-out” phase. Read more about this at mobile casinos.
On the come-out roll, a 7 or 11 wins instantly for pass line bettors. A 2, 3 or 12 loses. Any other total , 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 , becomes the point, and the shooter keeps rolling until that number repeats (a win) or a 7 appears (a loss). That is the entire spine of the game.
For UK players, craps usually appears as a live dealer table at online casinos rather than on a high street, since traditional British casinos favour games like roulette and blackjack. Online versions run on random number generators or streamed live from studios, and stakes can start as low as £1 on the pass line, so learning costs very little.
One useful figure before you start: the house edge on a pass line bet is just 1.41%, one of the lowest in any casino game. Compare that with the 2.7% on European roulette or the 5.26% on American roulette and the appeal becomes obvious.
The pass line is the beginner’s bet. You wager that the shooter will win, and it pays even money. The don’t pass line is its mirror image, paying even money when the shooter loses, with a house edge of 1.36% , marginally better, though many players find backing the shooter more sociable.
Once a point is established, you can back your pass line bet with „odds.” These are paid at true odds , 2:1 on a point of 4 or 10, 3:2 on 5 or 9, and 6:5 on 6 or 8. Casinos cap how much odds you may take, typically at 2x to 5x your original stake, but because the odds bet carries zero house edge, it dilutes the overall advantage the house holds over you.
Behind the main bets sits a menu of proposition wagers , hardways, any 7, the field , that pay handsomely but carry edges that can exceed 11%. Most experienced players skip them entirely. A sensible beginner’s rule is to stick to the pass line plus odds and ignore everything the dealers shout about in between.
| Bet | House Edge | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Pass line | 1.41% | 1:1 |
| Don’t pass | 1.36% | 1:1 |
| Pass odds (4 or 10) | 0% | 2:1 |
| Hard 8 | 9.09% | 9:1 |
| Any 7 | 16.67% | 4:1 |
Craps runs on rhythm, and the unwritten rule is simple: place your chips on the table and let the dealer position them, never reaching into the betting area yourself while dice are in motion. Dealers will tell you where each bet belongs, so hesitation costs you nothing but a moment.
Bankroll management matters more here than at many games because the round can stretch across many rolls. A common approach is to size your pass line bet at 1-2% of your total bankroll and treat odds separately. Set a session loss limit in pounds before you buy in and leave when you hit it , the game’s fast pace rewards that discipline.
In the UK, licensed operators must display deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion tools under Gambling Commission rules, and you should verify a site’s licence before depositing. Only play with money you can afford to lose, take regular breaks, and treat craps as entertainment rather than income. Gambling should stay fun , if it stops being fun, step away.