Two dice · Come-out · Point
Craps
Craps uses two dice and a two-stage cycle. The shooter begins with a come-out roll: it may resolve on 7, 11, 2, 3 or 12, or establish a point. Once set, rolling continues until that point repeats or a 7 appears. The layout seems complex because it combines bets on different events and durations.
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The game at a glance
The game at a glance
Complete sequence of play
Complete sequence of play
- 01
Come-out
On Pass Line, 7 or 11 wins immediately; 2, 3 or 12 loses. Any 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 becomes the point.
- 02
Point established
The puck moves to ON and marks the point. The shooter continues, while existing and new bets settle under their own rules.
- 03
Point or seven-out
If the point repeats before 7, Pass wins and a new come-out begins. If 7 appears first, Pass loses and the dice normally move to another shooter.
- 04
Other wagers
Come reproduces Pass logic after its launch. Place, Field, Hardways and propositions concern other events and must be separated from the main cycle.
Reference table
Pass Line come-out
| Roll | Effect | Next |
|---|---|---|
| 7 or 11 | Pass wins | New come-out |
| 2, 3 or 12 | Pass loses | New come-out |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 | Number becomes point | Roll to point or 7 |
| Point before 7 | Pass wins | Cycle ends |
| 7 before point | Pass loses | Seven-out |
Understand before staking
Understand before staking
Pass Line and Don’t Pass
Don’t Pass broadly bets against the shooter: on the come-out, 2 or 3 wins, 7 or 11 loses and 12 is usually a push, although the posted layout controls. After a point, Don’t Pass wins if 7 arrives first. The probabilities are not exact mirror images because of the treatment of 12.
Odds behind the line
After a point, an additional odds wager may sit behind Pass or Don’t Pass. It pays at true odds and therefore carries no separate house edge, but it increases total money exposed. The table’s 2x, 3-4-5x or higher limit does not turn the original line bet into a positive expectation.
Place, Come and Field
A Place bet wins when its number arrives before 7, with different payments for 4/10, 5/9 and 6/8. Come begins like Pass before moving to an established number. Field settles on one roll and wins on a stated set of low and high totals, sometimes with special 2 or 12 payments. Ask when a bet is working or off.
Proposition bets
Any seven, any craps, horn and hardways advertise high payments because events are rare. The payment remains below true odds and these bets often carry some of the layout’s largest edges. Table ritual and excitement do not change their mathematical cost.
Official sources to consult
These references cover the jurisdiction stated in their titles. Applicable rules, variants and payouts remain those of the specific game and jurisdiction.
Worked example · Explicit assumptions
Count two-dice outcomes
Two fair dice produce 36 equally likely ordered pairs. Seven occurs in six pairs, probability 6/36 = 1/6; two occurs in one pair, probability 1/36. Totals are not equally likely.
For bets resolved over several rolls, these probabilities alone do not establish cost. Include the game phase and settlement rule.
Understand and check the calculationsCheck understanding · Explicit assumptions
Count two-dice outcomes
Roll two fair six-sided dice. How many ordered pairs total 7?
Show the calculation and its limits
Six of 36: (1,6), (2,5), (3,4), (4,3), (5,2), (6,1). Chance: 1/6. Two consecutive sevens on independent rolls have chance 1/36; this is not a craps bet payout.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the basic principle of Craps?
Craps uses two dice and a two-stage cycle. The shooter begins with a come-out roll: it may resolve on 7, 11, 2, 3 or 12, or establish a point. Once set, rolling continues until that point repeats or a 7 appears. The layout seems complex because it combines bets on different events and durations.
Which rules should I check before playing Craps?
On Pass Line, 7 or 11 wins immediately; 2, 3 or 12 loses. Any 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 becomes the point. Also check the exact variant, payment table, stake and session cost before playing.
Does understanding Craps make it profitable?
No. Understanding the rules helps prevent mistakes but does not remove chance, costs or the house edge.