Craps Table 101 | Your Go-To Guide to Craps Table Layout

Why does the craps table seem so intimidating? This guide will simplify the layout and rules, helping you navigate the game with ease.

By mastering the basics, you’ll improve your chances at the table. Ready to turn confusion into strategy? Let’s break down the essentials of the craps table.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Understand the craps table layout.
Discover the different betting areas on a craps table.

The Basics of the Craps Table

You can’t fully master how to play craps without becoming best friends with the craps table.

The craps table is where players can bet on the outcome of rolling two dice. The unique table has its layout embellished with various markings and areas.

It may seem intimidating at first, but it is carefully designed to facilitate a wide range of betting options. Whether for simple bets on the pass line or don’t pass line or complex wagers on specific numbers or combinations, the craps table caters to both novice and seasoned gamblers who seek to play craps online.

Main Betting Areas

The main betting area on a craps table is situated along the edges of the table where players stand. The area is the main hub for most craps bets, offering various options such as the Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come, and Don’t Come bets.

The Pass Line Area

The pass line area is a primary betting zone on the craps table. When placing a pass line bet, players wager that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll.

If a 7 or 11 rolled, the bet wins even money (1:1).
If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, the bet loses.
If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, the point is established, and the bet remains active until the shooter either rolls the point again (win) or rolls a 7 (lose).

Understanding pass line bets is crucial for navigating the craps table effectively.

The Don’t Pass Line Area

The don’t pass line area is the betting area on the craps table that is opposite the pass line. To place a don’t pass line bet, players bet against the shooter, predicting they will roll a 2 or 3 on the come-out roll.

If this occurs, the bet wins even money (1:1).
If a 7 or 11 is rolled, the bet loses.
If a 12 is rolled, the bet is returned (push).
If a point is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the bet remains active until the shooter rolls a 7 (win) or the point again (lose).

Come Bet Area

The come bet area is where players can place come bets at any time. For a come bet, players wager that the next roll will be a 7 or 11.

If this occurs, the bet wins even money (1:1).
If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, the bet loses.
If a point is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the bet moves to the corresponding number box, winning if that number is rolled again before a 7.

Come bets offer flexibility, allowing players to join the game at any time.

Don’t Come Area

The don’t come area is the betting zone on the craps table that hosts the don’t come bets at any time. When placing a don’t come bet, players wager against the next roll being a 7 or 11.

If a 2 or 3 is rolled, the bet wins even money (1:1).
If a 7 or 11 is rolled, the bet loses.
If a 12 is rolled, the bet is returned (push).
If a point is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the bet moves to the corresponding number box, winning if a 7 is rolled before that number.

Field

The field area is the zone where players place field bets, betting that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.

If a 2 or 12 is rolled, the bet pays 2:1.
If a 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 is rolled, the bet pays even money (1:1).
If a 5, 6, 7, or 8 is rolled, the bet loses.

Field bets offer a low-risk option with a relatively high chance of winning, making them appealing to players seeking a more conservative approach to craps.

Point Betting Areas

The point betting area is located on either side of the center layout, near the dealers. Players can place bets here during the point phase, wagering on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) being rolled before a 7.

Options include: place, buy, and lay bets.

Big 6 and Big 8

The Big 6 and Big 8 bets are traditional craps bets, but they may not be available on modern tables. When betting on Big 6 or Big 8, players wager that the respective number will be rolled before a 7.

If the chosen number is rolled, the bet pays even money (1:1).
If a 7 is rolled, the bet loses.

These bets have a relatively low house edge, making them attractive to players. However, some modern tables may replace these bets with more advantageous options for the house, making them less common in contemporary casinos.

Place Bets

The Place Bets area allows players to bet on specific numbers — 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 — hoping they’ll appear before a 7 is rolled. Unlike some other bets, Place Bets can be made at any time, offering players a flexible way to engage with the game.

If the chosen number is rolled before a 7, the bet wins, with payouts depending on the number selected (e.g., 7:6 for 6 or 8, 7:5 for 5 or 9, and 9:5 for 4 or 10).
If a 7 is rolled first, the bet loses.

Place Bets remain active until either the selected number or a 7 is rolled, providing a straightforward, strategic option for players looking to take control of their game.

Proposition Betting Area

The proposition bets area is situated at the center of the table. It offers high-risk/ high-reward wagers and can be placed at any time. Options vary by table, but common proposition bets include hardways, any craps, horn bets, and hop bets, offering unique and exciting betting opportunities.

One-Roll Bets

One-Roll bets display dice diagrams showing specific outcomes with payouts. Dice represent exact roll results, while “4 to 1” indicates a $4 win for a $1 bet, paid if the specified outcome occurs on the next roll.

Here is a list of the typical one-roll bets:

Any Craps: Betting that the next roll will be a 2, 3, or 12.
Any Seven: Betting that the next roll will be a 7.
Snake Eyes (Aces): Betting that the next roll will be a 2 (two 1s).
Ace Deuce: Betting that the next roll will be a 3 (1 and 2).
Boxcars (Midnight): Betting that the next roll will be a 12 (two 6s).
Yo (Yo-Leven): Betting that the next roll will be an 11.
Horn Bet: A combined bet on 2, 3, 11, and 12, with equal amounts on each.
Horn High Bet: A horn bet with extra on one of the numbers (2, 3, 11, or 12).
C&E (Craps and Eleven): Located in the center of the table, betting on either a craps (2, 3, 12) or 11; typical payouts are 7:1 for craps and 15:1 for 11.

Multi-Roll Bets

Multi-roll bets are wagers that remain active for multiple rolls, resolving when a specific outcome occurs. Examples include place, come, and hardways bets.

Payouts vary, but typically offer higher odds for longer-term bets, such as:

9:5 for Place 4 and 10
7:1 for Hard 4 and Hard 10

Hardways bets are multi-roll wagers on specific pairs being rolled before a 7. They remain active until resolved, making them multi-roll bets.

Typical hardways bets include hard 4, hard 6, hard 8, and hard 10, with payouts ranging from 7:1 to 9:1, depending on the casino.

Other Proposition Bets

Other proposition bets include any 7 (betting on a 7 roll), any craps (betting on 2, 3, or 12), and horn bets (betting on 2, 3, 11, or 12). These bets are single-roll wagers with fixed payouts:

Any 7 pays 4:1
Any craps pays 7:1
Horn bets pay 27:4 or 29:4

Hop bets are single-roll wagers on a specific number being rolled, with the option to choose the exact combination of dice (e.g., 3-3 or 2-5). Players place chips in the “Hop” area and specify their chosen number and combination.

Payouts are typically 15:1 or 30:1, depending on the combination.

So, Do You Know Your Way Around the Craps Table Now?

And there you have it! The casino craps table has now no more secrets for you.

Take your time to read our guide again if you are still not 100% confident in your craps table knowledge. When you’re ready, check out some expert-recommended craps strategies to help enhance your winning chances.