Understanding Craps
The fundamentals of the most exciting game on the casino floor.
What Is Craps?
Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcomes of rolls. The core concept: you're either betting with the shooter (Pass Line) or against them (Don't Pass).
One player throws two diceāthat's the "shooter." Everyone else bets on what happens. When the shooter loses (sevens out), the dice pass clockwise to the next player.
šÆ The Golden Rule
Seven is the most common roll. The entire game revolves around whether you want it to appear (before a point is set) or not (after a point is set).
Game Phases
Every craps sequence has two distinct phases:
- Come-Out Roll: The opening throw. Rolling 7 or 11 wins for Pass bettors. Rolling 2, 3, or 12 loses. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) establishes the "point."
- Point Phase: Now the shooter must roll their point number again before rolling a 7. Hit the point = win. Roll a 7 first = lose (called "sevening out").
The game continues until the shooter sevens out, then the dice move to the next player.
How a Round Plays Out
Place Your Bets
Before the come-out roll, place chips on Pass Line, Don't Pass, or other available wagers. The puck shows "OFF" indicating no point is established.
Come-Out Roll
7 or 11: Pass Line wins, Don't Pass loses. 2, 3, or 12: Pass Line loses (12 pushes on Don't Pass). 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: That number becomes the "point."
Point Is Established
The dealer flips the puck to "ON" and places it on the point number. Now you can take or lay odds behind your line betāthe only bet in the casino with zero house edge.
Keep Rolling
The shooter continues rolling. All numbers except 7 and the point are neutral for line bets (but may affect other wagers). Side bets resolve on each roll.
Resolution
Point rolled: Pass Line wins, shooter continues with new come-out. Seven rolled: Pass Line loses, dice pass to next shooter. The cycle begins again.
The Mathematics
Understanding dice probability is the foundation of smart craps play.
Dice Roll Distribution
36 total combinations, 11 possible outcomes. Height = ways to roll each number.
Why Seven Dominates
Seven can be made six different ways: 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1. That's more than any other number. On average, you'll see a seven once every six rolls.
This is why the game centers on seven. Before a point, you want it. After a point, you're racing to avoid it.
All 36 Dice Combinations
ā ļø The Gambler's Fallacy
Each roll is independent. If you haven't seen a 7 in 20 rolls, the odds of rolling one next are still exactly 1 in 6. The dice have no memory. Don't fall for "it's due" thinking.
Every Bet Explained
From the essentials to the exoticāknow what you're wagering on.
Line Bets (The Foundation)
These are the core bets. If you learn nothing else, master these.
| Bet | How It Works | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | Win on 7/11 come-out, lose on 2/3/12. After point: win if point hits before 7. | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don't Pass | Opposite of Pass. Lose on 7/11, win on 2/3 (12 pushes). After point: win if 7 hits first. | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Come | Same as Pass, but placed after point is established. Creates your own point. | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don't Come | Same as Don't Pass, but placed after point is established. | 1:1 | 1.36% |
Odds Bets (The Holy Grail)
After a point is established, you can place additional chips "behind" your line bet. These pay true mathematical odds with zero house edgeāthe only such bet in the entire casino.
š Argosy Advantage: Up to 100x Odds
Subject to MGC approval and posted limits, Argosy may offer odds up to 100 times your line bet. At 100x odds, the combined house edge on Pass + Odds drops to approximately 0.02%. This is as close to a fair bet as you'll find anywhere.
| Point | Pass Odds Payout | Don't Pass Lay Payout | True Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 1:2 | 3 ways to roll vs. 6 ways to roll 7 |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 2:3 | 4 ways to roll vs. 6 ways to roll 7 |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 5:6 | 5 ways to roll vs. 6 ways to roll 7 |
Place & Buy Bets
Bet directly on specific numbers without going through the Come bet process.
| Bet Type | Numbers | Payout | House Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place 6/8 | 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 1.52% | Best place bet; bet in multiples of $6 |
| Place 5/9 | 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4.00% | Bet in multiples of $5 |
| Place 4/10 | 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 6.67% | Consider Buy bet instead |
| Buy 4/10 | 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 4.76% | 5% commission; true odds payout |
| Big 6/8 | 6 or 8 | 1:1 | 9.09% | Always Place 6/8 insteadāsame bet, worse pay |
Proposition Bets (The Center)
High-payout, high-risk one-roll and multi-roll bets in the center of the layout. Exciting but mathematically brutal.
One-Roll Propositions
| Any Seven | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Any Craps (2,3,12) | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Two (Snake Eyes) | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Twelve (Boxcars) | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Three | 15:1 | 11.11% |
| Eleven (Yo) | 15:1 | 11.11% |
Hard Ways
Multi-roll bets that the number hits as doubles before any other combo or a 7.
| Hard 4 (2-2) | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Hard 6 (3-3) | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 8 (4-4) | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 10 (5-5) | 7:1 | 11.11% |
Hop Bets
Single-roll bets on exact dice combinations. Available at Argosy for any combination.
Easy Hops (Two Different Numbers)
Examples: 3-1, 4-2, 5-3, 6-4...
15:1 payout | 11.11% house edge
Hard Hops (Doubles)
Examples: 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5
30:1 payout | 13.89% house edge
Field Bet
A one-roll wager that wins on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Payouts: 1:1 on 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 | 2:1 on 2 and 12
House Edge: 2.78%
Looks attractive because 7 outcomes win vs. 4 that loseābut those 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) roll much more often. The math doesn't favor you.
Argosy Exclusive Bets
Sharp Shooter and Bonus Crapsāspecial wagers you'll find at our tables.
Sharp Shooter
An optional side bet placed before a new shooter's first come-out roll. You're betting the shooter will make at least 3 points before sevening out.
Key Rules
ā¢ 7/11 or 2/3/12 on come-out = neutral (doesn't affect bet)
ā¢ If shooter leaves before sevening out, their points carry to the next shooter
ā¢ Bet stays up until resolved
Pay Table (SS-06)
At 10 points, bet pays 500:1 and sequence ends.
Bonus Craps
Three prop bets where you're trying to roll specific sets of numbers before a seven. Each number only needs to appear once during the round.
How It Works
ā¢ Place before come-out or after a Bonus Craps win
ā¢ Dealer marks each number as it rolls
ā¢ Repeated numbers don't helpājust need each once
ā¢ Seven on ANY roll loses these bets
The Three Bonus Bets
Roll 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 before a 7 34 to 1
Roll 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 before a 7 34 to 1
Roll all 10 numbers (2-6, 8-12) before a 7 175 to 1
Once a Bonus Craps bet wins, it's taken down and you can re-bet if desired.
Playing Smart
Mathematical reality: which bets deserve your money.
Pass/Don't Pass + Maximum Odds
Combined house edge drops below 0.5% with full odds. At 100x odds, you're looking at ~0.02%. This is the mathematically optimal craps strategy.
Come/Don't Come + Odds
Same math as Pass/Don't Pass. Use these to have multiple points working with odds behind each.
Place 6 and 8
1.52% house edge. These hit frequently (5 ways each vs. 6 for seven). Bet in $6 increments for full 7:6 payout. Solid supplementary bet.
Field Bet (2.78%)
Not terrible. Fun for one-roll action. Don't make it your core strategy.
All Proposition Bets
Any Seven (16.67%), Hardways (9-11%), Hop Bets (11-14%), Horn bets. These exist to drain bankrolls. Occasional entertainment only.
Big 6 / Big 8
9.09% house edge. Place 6/8 pays 7:6 for the same bet. Never wager hereāit's objectively worse.
The Simple Strategy
- Bet Pass Line (table minimum)
- Once point is set, take maximum odds you're comfortable with
- Optionally place 6 and 8 if you want more action
- Ignore the center of the table
- Repeat
This approach gives you maximum playtime with minimum expected loss.
Bankroll Management
- Session bankroll: 20-30x your base bet unit
- Win goal: 50% profit, then reassess
- Loss limit: Stop at 50% of session bankroll
- Odds sizing: Only bet what you can afford to lose
- Never chase losses with bigger bets
š§ The Reality Check
No strategy beats the house long-term. Craps is negative expected valueāyou will lose over enough time. Smart play minimizes how much you lose per hour while maximizing entertainment. The odds bet is the only fair bet in the casino; use it liberally.
Common Questions
The dealer or supervisor will call "no roll" and the shooter throws again. A die landing in the dice cup, on the rail, in the bank, or stacked on the other die all result in no roll. If a die leaves the table, it's retrieved and inspected before returning to playāor a fresh die is used.
No. Pass and Come bets cannot be removed or reduced once a point is established. Don't Pass and Don't Come bets CAN be taken down (though mathematically you shouldn'tāthe odds are now in your favor). Odds bets behind any line bet can be removed anytime.
By default, no. Odds on Come bets are "off" during come-out rolls unless you specifically tell the dealer "working." If a 7 hits on the come-out, your Come bet loses but the odds are returned. You can always call your odds "on" or "off" between rolls.
Both bet that a number rolls before 7. Place bets pay modified odds (like 7:6 on 6/8). Buy bets pay true odds but charge a 5% commission. For 4 and 10, Buy bets are better (4.76% vs 6.67% house edge). For 6 and 8, Place bets are better (1.52% vs 4.76%).
Yes. Per Missouri Gaming Commission approval (Correspondence #95363), Argosy can operate with one boxperson, one stickperson, and one dealer on one end when business levels or staffing warrant it. Maximum 6 players at the open end.
Players can place bets on behalf of the dealers as a tip. These follow the same rules and payouts as player bets. Common practice is to place a dealer bet on Pass Line or hardways when you're winning. It's appreciated but never required.
Without the "bar 12" rule, Don't Pass would have a player advantage. The push on 12 (or 2 in some casinos) creates the small house edge of 1.36%. It's how the casino maintains an edge on what would otherwise be an even-money proposition.