Intro

Craps is typically played on a layout that is symmetrical lengthwise down the table with each half split in two by the center layout. The table numbers are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, and play against the 7. This is where most of your betting action is played. Both ends of the table are the same and it doesn’t matter which end of the table you choose to play. All play is on the roll of the dice whether you are the shooter or not.

THE BETS

PASS :
The Pass Line bet is probably the most common and popular bet on the table. The bettor at the beginning of a “come-out” roll places the bet. The “come-out” is when no point is established on the table and the shooter is throwing to establish the point. The marker is turned OFF, or black side up. When the marker is turned “ON” or white side up, it is placed on the point established by the shooter. The bet on the pass line is paid even money for a roll of 7 or 11 on the come-out. It loses on a 2, 3, or 12. To win the point, the number must be re-rolled before the roll of a 7 to win the bet, and it is paid even money. In other words, you have two chances to win the pass line bet, one with the 7 and one against the 7. 

DON'T PASS :
The don’t pass works opposite of the pass bet. 7 or 11 is a loser, 2, 3, or 12 is a winner, although most casinos will push on the 2 or 12. Once the point is established, a 7 is a winner for the don’t bettor. Repeating the number is a loser. This bet pays even money like the Pass Line bet.

COME :
The come bet is placed by the bettor and is like a pass line bet, but is used once the point is established (table marker is in the “ON” position (white)). The bet is paid even money for a roll of 7 or 11. It loses on a 2, 3, or 12. Otherwise it is moved to a table number and must be re-rolled before the roll of a 7 to win the bet.

Don't Come :
The don’t come bet is just the opposite of the come bet. See the don’t pass description above for explanation of winning and losing rolls.

Free Odds :
The odds bet is placed behind the pass or come bets once the point is established and will pay the true odds of the dice roll for that table number. Remember that in this case it is the odds against the 7.  There are 6 ways to roll the 7 with two dice. There are 5 ways to make the 6 or 8, 4 ways to roll the 5 or 9, 3 ways to roll the 4 or 10. On any one roll of the dice the odds are 6 to 1 that you will roll a 7. 6 to 5 is paid on the 6 or 8, 3 to 2 is paid on the 5 or 9, and 2 to 1 is paid on the 4 or 10. Many casino tables allow double odds which means you may make an odds bet up to twice the original pass/come bet. Some casinos are going the way of making the odds bets have equal payouts for each of the numbers. This is setup in the pattern of 3, 4, 5 times odds meaning 3 times odds on the 4 or 10, 4 times odds on the 5 or 9 and 5 times odds on the 6 or 8. Ask the dealer which odds the table is playing.

Field :
This is a one-roll bet and is placed by the bettor at any time. The field is a bet on the range of numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Usually the 2 and the 12 pay double but some casinos will pay triple on the 12. To win the field bet, any roll of the numbers just mentioned will pay even money. A roll of 5, 6, 7, or 8 will lose the bet.

Place Bets :
At any time the bettor may make a “place bet” on any of the table numbers. This bet is placed by the dealer and is won any time the number is rolled prior to the 7. The bet remains on the table until either the player calls it down or the 7 is rolled. This bet is similar to the Free Odds bet in that it pays more than even money, but not as good as the Free Odds bet. 7 to 6 is paid on the 6 or 8, 7 to 5 is paid on the 5 or 9, and 9 to 5 is paid on the 4 or 10.

Big 6, Big 8 :
This bet is the same as placing the 6 or 8. However, it only pays even money but the bettor can bet the minimum table currency (I.e $1 on a $1 table).

Hardways :
The hard ways in the middle of the table consist of the numbers 4, 6, 8, and 10. These bets are not one-roll bets. Rather the bet remains on the table until you call it down, or the number is rolled the “easy” way, or a 7 is rolled.  The bet is won when the number is rolled as shown by the pattern on the table layout. For example, the hard 4 would be a dice roll of 2-2, the hard 6 would be 3-3, and so on. The bet wins if rolled in this manner.

Any Craps :
This is a one roll bet and wins if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, otherwise the bet loses. The payout is 8 for 1 (7 to 1).

Two or Twelve:
A one roll bet that pays 30 for 1 (29 to 1) if the number bet is rolled.

Three or Eleven (YO) :
A one roll bet that pays 15 for 1 (14 to 1) if the number bet is rolled.

Any Seven:
A one roll bet which pays 5 for 1 (4 to 1) if the seven is rolled.

Horn:
The horn covers all one roll middle bets 2, 3, 11, and 12. The bet is split between the numbers evenly to the nearest dollar. A $5 horn bet should call out the number with which you want the extra dollar, such as “$5 horn high eleven”.