Craps has a reputation for being the loudest table in the casino, and also the most confusing for anyone watching from a distance. In truth, the core game rests on a single decision: whether the shooter will roll a 7 before repeating their point number. Learn that one cycle and you understand roughly 90% of what happens at the table. This guide strips the game back to the bets that matter for newcomers playing in pounds sterling. Read more about this at BingoNoDepositBonus not blocked by gamban.
The game uses two six-sided dice, giving 36 possible combinations. The number 7 is the most likely total, appearing in 6 of those 36 outcomes, which is exactly why it plays such a central role. Everything else , the shouting, the chips flying across the felt , flows from that simple mathematical fact.
The Come-Out Roll and the Pass Line
Every round begins with the come-out roll. Place your stake on the Pass Line before the dice leave the shooter’s hand. If the total is 7 or 11, you win immediately and are paid even money. If it lands on 2, 3 or 12 , known as craps , the Pass Line loses straight away.
Any other total (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10) becomes the point. The dealer places a marker on that number, and the shooter keeps rolling until either the point repeats or a 7 appears. Repeat the point and the Pass Line wins; roll a 7 and it loses. That is the entire cycle.
The house edge on the Pass Line is just 1.41%, one of the lowest figures on any casino floor and considerably better than the 2.7% on single-zero European roulette. For UK players used to fruit machines and fixed-odds terminals, that difference is significant over a long session.
Once a point is established you may add Odds behind your Pass Line bet. This wager carries zero house edge because it pays at true odds , for example, 2:1 on a point of 4 or 10, and 6:5 on 6 or 8. Many UK tables allow single odds; some permit up to 5x, which drags the combined house edge below 0.5%.
Bets Worth Understanding Before You Play
The Don’t Pass Line is the mirror image: you win on 2 or 3, lose on 7 or 11, and push on 12. Its edge is a fraction lower at 1.36%, though the table atmosphere rarely favours it.
Place bets let you wager directly on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 without a Pass Line stake. Payouts are 9:5 on 4 and 10, 7:5 on 5 and 9, and 7:6 on 6 and 8. The edge sits between 1.52% and 6.67% depending on the number, so they are reasonable but not the sharpest play.
- Pass Line with full Odds , the best starting point for beginners
- Come bets , effectively a new Pass Line wager on the next roll
- Place bets on 6 and 8 , popular, with a 1.52% edge
The proposition bets in the centre of the table , hardways, any 7, snake eyes , look tempting but carry edges from 9% up to 16.67%. New players should leave them alone until they are comfortable with the rhythm of the game.
Table Etiquette and Bankroll Basics
In UK casinos, craps tables typically run with a £5 or £10 minimum, though some venues in London and Manchester ask for £25 during peak hours. Never handle the dice with one hand only , always use one hand, and never pass them across the table yourself.
Decide your session budget before you buy in. With a 1.41% edge on the Pass Line, a £100 bankroll spread across 60 bets at £1.50 gives you a realistic chance of a long, entertaining session rather than a quick exit.
Start small, stick to the Pass Line and Odds, and watch two or three rounds before placing a chip. The game rewards patience far more than it rewards guesswork.