Craps
Craps explained for UK players: how a round runs from the come-out roll to the point, the true odds behind two dice, and the house edge of every bet on the layout, from the zero-edge odds bet to the costly one-roll propositions.
By the BonusKing editorial team. Last checked .
How craps works: the come-out roll and the point
Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of rolls of two dice. A round starts with the come-out roll. On a Pass line bet, a 7 or 11 wins straight away and a 2, 3 or 12 (craps) loses. Any other total, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, becomes the point, and the shooter keeps rolling until either the point comes again (Pass wins) or a 7 appears (Pass loses). The Don't Pass bet works roughly the other way round. Our how to play craps guide covers each step with examples.
Every other bet hangs off that cycle. Some last until the point is settled; others, such as the field and most propositions, are decided by the next single roll.
Craps odds and house edge for every main bet
Two dice give 36 equally likely combinations. Six of them make 7, so a 7 comes up once in six rolls on average, more often than any other total, while 2 and 12 each have only one combination. Payouts below true odds create the house edge. The figures are Wizard of Odds' per-bet-resolved results from its craps house edge table (opens in a new tab).
| Bet | Pays | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Odds bet (behind Pass or Come) | True odds: 2 to 1, 3 to 2 or 6 to 5 | 0% |
| Don't Pass / Don't Come | 1 to 1 | 1.36% |
| Pass line / Come | 1 to 1 | 1.41% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
| Field (2 or 12 pays 3 to 1) | 1 to 1, more on 2 and 12 | 2.78% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7 to 5 | 4.00% |
| Field (2 and 12 pay 2 to 1) | 1 to 1, more on 2 and 12 | 5.56% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9 to 5 | 6.67% |
| Big 6 or Big 8 | 1 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 6 or 8 | 9 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Any Craps | 7 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Any Seven | 4 to 1 | 16.67% |
The spread is wider than in almost any other casino game. At £10 a bet, Pass costs about 14p on average, while Any Seven costs about £1.67.
All pages in this section
Craps strategy: where to start
The low-cost approach is short. Bet the Pass line or Don't Pass, then add an odds bet once a point is set: it pays true odds, so it carries no house edge and lowers the average cost of your total stake. Place bets on 6 or 8 are the next cheapest. Leave proposition bets and Big 6 and Big 8 alone if cost matters to you, because a Place bet on the same number pays more.
No pattern of rolls or shooter's 'hot streak' changes the odds, because each roll is independent. Our craps strategy page shows these choices with pound examples, and dice odds explains the 36 combinations behind every bet.
Online and live craps in the UK
Craps is less common at UK online casinos than blackjack or roulette, but RNG versions exist, including Evolution's First Person Craps, alongside live dice tables. Pay tables can differ between games, so check the help screen for field and proposition payouts. As a casino game other than slots, online craps must allow at least 5 seconds per round, autoplay is banned, and the £5 and £2 slot stake limits don't apply. See live craps and our craps against roulette comparison.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bet in craps?
The odds bet, which pays true odds and has no house edge, but you can only make it alongside a Pass, Don't Pass, Come or Don't Come bet. Of the bets you can make on their own, Don't Pass (1.36%) and Pass (1.41%) cost least, with Place 6 or 8 next at 1.52%. Our answer to what the best bet in craps is shows the cost of each in pounds.
What does seven out mean in craps?
It means the shooter rolled a 7 after a point was set, before rolling the point again. Pass line and Come bets with points lose, Don't Pass bets win, and the round ends. A 7 is the most likely total, with six of the 36 dice combinations, so it ends many rounds. On the come-out roll, by contrast, a 7 wins for Pass. See what seven out means.
Can you play craps online in the UK?
Yes, though fewer UK casinos offer it than blackjack or roulette. RNG versions exist, such as Evolution's First Person Craps, and some casinos carry live dice tables. Check the casino's game lobby, and read the game's help screen for its pay table and limits. UK rules require at least 5 seconds per round and ban autoplay. Our answer to whether you can play craps online in the UK has more.
Why are proposition bets in craps so expensive?
Because their payouts fall well short of the true odds. Any Seven wins 6 times in 36 rolls, true odds of 5 to 1, but pays only 4 to 1, giving a 16.67% house edge. Hardways and Any Craps cost 9.09% to 11.11%. They are one-roll or short-lived bets, so the cost builds quickly. Our proposition bets page breaks down each one.