How to play craps

Craps is a dice game. Offline it is loud because many bets resolve in parallel across a crowded layout. Online it is quieter: you tap bets on a graphic table (RNG craps) or watch live streamed dice and bet through the UI.

This guide sketches the beginner route most tutorials start with (pass) and warns where tables get complex.

The pass line storyline (conceptual)

On the come-out roll — the roll that opens a sequence — a common introductory bet (“pass line”) behaves roughly like:

• wins immediately on 7 or 11
• loses immediately on 2, 3, or 12 (offline “old” craps; some online variants align closely)

If another total appears (4–6, 8–10 excluding 7 — context matters), many rulesets enter a point phase: subsequent rolls chase whether the point repeats before a 7. That sentence is jargon-heavy on purpose — your job online is simpler: click rules inside the lobby and confirm the payout sheet for pass / don’t pass for that supplier.

Important: craps rule writing varies by jurisdiction and RNG studio. Names like “pass” are standard, but number behaviour and pushes might differ subtly — trust the embedded help panel over a blog synopsis.

One-roll vs multi-roll bets

Layouts mix:

• one-roll proposition bets — resolve next throw
• multi-roll bets — stay active until resolved by a stopping condition

Proposition-heavy areas historically carry sharp house edges. Until you understand each labelled bet’s RTP / edge, steer toward what you’ve read thoroughly.

Field bets and hype

“Field” bets typically win when certain totals hit on the next roll. They’re easy to tap — they can also be expensive entertainment statistically. Pace matters: craps sessions can chew bankrolls quickly.

RNG vs live

• RNG: deterministic outcome from certified maths; etiquette irrelevant.
• Live dealer: pacing and streamed procedures — bets often close on timers.

Respect the table offline

In person: one hand dice handling, keep drinks away from cloth, tip according to house culture. Those norms don’t exist in RNG craps; timeouts and limits do.

18+ only. Gambling is risky. Budget modestly.