Table of Contents:
- History and origins of craps
- Examining the gameplay in details
- Best strategies and tips
- Designing and building your own craps table
- Frequently Asked QuestionsÂ
- How Do You Play Craps? Historical Background of the GameÂ
To answer “what is craps?”, it is first necessary to visit New Orleans, where, in 1805, a young gambler from Louisiana, Bernard de Marigny, was trying to familiarize locals with a new game he recently brought from London. It was called hazard (or hasard), and, according to some sources, dated back to the age of Crusades.Â
De Marigny changed the answer to “how to play craps?” by making a 7 the central number of the game. He was forced to simplify the rules and make working class the target audience for craps, as the local nobility didn’t favor the new game. This decision turned out to be extremely successful, spreading craps along the Mississippi River.Â
Over a significant period of time, craps had been associated with unfair gambling. All along the 19th century, no one knew how to make craps tables and dices, which led to the spread of unfair dice. The problem was solved by John H. Winn, a dice maker from Philadelphia, in 1907. He introduced the modern layout of the craps table, which is still used today.Â
How to Play Craps at Casino? Explaining Main Rules of the Game
So, how do you play craps? First of all, it’s important to mention that there are 2 versions of the game – casino craps and street craps. This article will focus on the casino version, which involves gamblers playing against the house.Â

Each round in craps begins with placing the players’ wagers on dedicated areas on the table. Curious how to bet craps? Just tell one of the dealers that you would like to make your bet. After all the wagers are placed, gamblers start rolling (or “shooting”) the dice, commonly, with the dice being passed to the left. The player starts with making a “come-out” roll, which would either bring them an instant win or set a target for future rolls.Â
Anyone searching for “how to play casino craps” should know the list of possible rolls’ outcomes. They are summarized in the table below:
Pass line bet | Don’t pass line bet |
Wins if the come-out roll was a 7 or 11 | Loses under the same conditions |
2, 3, and 12 lose instantly | 2 or 3 wins |
Any other roll sets a target | 12 is a push. The bet is neither won nor lost |
If the target point is rolled before a seven, the player wins. Otherwise, the player loses. | Directly opposite – a seven rolled out before the target wins. |
How to Win at Craps? Reducing the House Edge as Much as Possible
So, how to win at craps? Statistics reveal that the house edge in craps exceeds 1.36% on both pass and don’t pass bets, even though they are paid out at 1-to-1. This means that in the long run, players have no chances to beat the house and would always end up losing money.Â
Many gamblers utilize various betting strategies in an attempt to beat the house. Searching for “how to play craps and win” would probably return methods such as dice control or the Martingale system, but there is no proven evidence of their successful implementation. Â
Looking for Personalized Experience? You Might Want to Know How to Make Craps Accessories Then!
Before starting making your own craps table, make sure that there is enough space in your lodging, as the common table is approximately the size of a bathtub. Any “how to make a craps table” instruction also mentions that you would need a large piece of wood, fabric (commonly felt) for the layout, and proper instruments for woodwork.Â