• Casino & Gaming

The Craps Table Layout Explained

Learning the craps table layout is one of the first steps to mastering the classic table game. Like many casino games, the table in craps lays out the different betting options available to you, the player. There are many bets to learn in craps, so the table layout can be tricky for new players to master.

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about the crap table layout. I will cover the layout itself, the types of bets available in craps, and tell you the best online craps casinos for new players.

Explaining the Craps Table Layout for Beginners

Craps tables are rather large, and for good reason. First and foremost, you need enough space for the shooter to actually roll the dice. Also, there needs to be enough room around the table for everyone who wants to bet on the game.

Another benefit of the size of craps tables is that there is plenty of room for the layout of the craps table to be clearly displayed. The layout includes every bet you can make and is mirrored on the other side, so you can make any bet on either side of the table. Wagers are split into two sections: self-service wagers that you place yourself and dealer-assisted bets that you ask the croupier to palace for you.

It all starts with the initial roll by the shooter. When a new shooter steps up, you have the option to bet with them or against them. You can make a pass bet to wager with the shooter, or you can wager against the shooter by making a don’t pass bet.

The shooter’s goal is to roll a natural or establish the point, and any roll other than a two, three, or 12 will accomplish this goal. A natural is a seven or 11, and automatically wins. Most other numbers will establish the point, with the exception of the craps numbers, two, three, and 12, that automatically lose.

After the point is set, you can wager on any of the other betting options displayed on the felted table. Each section corresponds to a specific wager with its own unique craps odds and winning conditions. To wager on a specific craps bet, you simply need to place, or have the dealer place, your chips in the corresponding section for that bet.

Types of Craps Bets

The biggest hurdle to mastering craps table layouts is learning all of the bets available in the game. Luckily, the wagers in craps are easy to learn if you are willing to put in the effort.

Pass/Don’t Pass Bet

• Payout odds: 1:1
• Pass bet house edge: 1.41%
• Don’t pass bet house edge: 1.36%

You can make the pass or don’t pass wagers before the shooter establishes the point, and they are among the smartest craps bets. For a pass bet, you need the shooter to land a seven or 11 before they roll a two, three, or 12. A don’t pass bet, on the other hand, wins if the shooter rolls a two or a three before they roll a seven, 11, or roll the point again.

Come/Don’t Come Bet

• Payout odds: 1:1
• Come bet house edge: 1.41%
• Don’t come bet house edge: 1.36%

The come and don’t come bets can only be made after the point is set and are both multi-roll bets. These bets line up with the pass and don’t pass bets. For the come bet, you need the shooter to roll a seven or 11, and don’t come bettors need a two or a three to win. 

Field Bets

• Payout odds: 2:1 for 2 or 12, 1:1 for other numbers
• House edge: 5.5%

Field bets are a single-roll wager that wins if a three, four, nine, 10, or 11 is rolled. An outcome of two or 12 also wins and offers higher payouts. This bet loses if the next roll is a five, six, seven, or eight.

Free Odds/Laying Odds

• Payout odds: 1:2 on 4 or 10, 2:3 on 5 or 9, 5:6 on 6 or 8
• House edge: 0%

After a pass or come bet, you will have the option to make a free odds bet or lay the odds. You wager on the shooter rolling a seven before a specified point number.

Big 6 and Big 8

• Payout odds: 1:1
• House edge: 9%

This wager is found on the corner of the craps table. To win, you need the shooter to roll or a six or an eight before they roll a seven.

Prop Bets

A collection of single-roll bets that you can make after the shooter sets the point. These bets include the 2 or 12, 3 or 11, Any 7, and any craps bets, among others.

2 or 12 Bets

• Payout odds: 30:1
• House edge: 13.89%

This single-roll wager forces you to choose between either the two or 12 coming up on the next roll. Any other outcome is a loss for the bettor.

3 or 11 Bets

• Payout odds: 15:1
• House edge: 11.11%

A bet on the outcome of the next roll is either a three or 11, whichever the bettor chooses. Any other come losses, and this bet offers 15:1 odds.

Any 7 Bet

• Payout odds: 4:1
• House edge: 16.67%

As the name implies, this wager wins if any combination resulting in a total of seven is the outcome of the next roll. Seven is the most likely outcome, so this wager only offers a 4:! Payout despite its high house edge. 

Any Craps Bet

• Payout odds: 7:1
• House edge: 11.11%

This single-roll bet only pays if the shooter “craps out.” For this to happen, they must roll a two, three, or 12 on their next attempt.

Place Bets

• Payout odds: 9:5 for 4 or 10, 7:5 for 5 or 9, and 7:6 for 6 or 8
• House edge: 6.67% for 4 or 10, 4% for 5 or 9, and 1.52% for 6 or 8

These bets can be made any time before or after the point is set. You pick the number to wager on and win if it is rolled before a seven is shown.

Buy Bets

• Payout odds: 2:1 for 4 or 10, 6:5 for 6 or 8, 3:2 for 5 or 9
• House edge: 4.76%

Buy bets are multi-roll wagers that only win if the specific number is rolled before a seven appears. The casino pays out true odds but also charges a 5% commission on these wagers.

Hardways Bets

• Payout odds: 9:1 for 6 or 8, 7:1 for 4 or 10
• House edge: 9.09% for 6 or 8, 11.11% for 4 or 10

A bet on a specific number that only wins if the total is won ”the hard way,” or with two of the same number. For example, two fives would create a hard 10.

Where Can I Play Craps Online?

As you can see, there are many different wagers you must learn if you want to truly master the craps table layout. Luckily, these secure casino sites make it easy to learn how to play craps online.

Bovada Casino

Bovada Casino offers free and paid versions of craps for its members to enjoy online. This casino is easy to use and has a great user interface, so you can easily enjoy playing craps from your desktop or mobile device. It also offers a 375% welcome casino bonus worth up to $3,750 in extra casino funds.

DuckyLuck Casino

DuckyLuck Casino is another great place for playing craps online, especially if you are a beginner. It offers free demos of its craps games and has a high-quality VIP program that craps players can take advantage of. New members can claim up to $3,000 in bonus funds with the 600% welcome bonus when they deposit with Bitcoin or another crypto. 

Super Slots Casino

Craps players should also consider signing up at Super Slots Casino for a great online experience. This site offers craps games from multiple well-respected developers, including Betsoft. It offers a variety of bonuses, including a 750% welcome bonus worth up to $6,000 in casino funds.

Craps Table Layout Explained

Learning the craps table layout can be challenging, but it is a necessary step if you want to be a winning craps player. There are many different bets for the player to learn, and each has its own winning conditions, payout odds, and house edge.

The guide above will help you learn everything you need to know about craps table layouts. I break down the most common wagers found on the craps table. Also, our guide tells you the best casinos for learning how to play craps online.