A Beginner's Guide to the Craps Pass Line Bet
- The Bonus Box
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
Craps can look chaotic and confusing to a newcomer, with its dizzying array of numbers, terms, and bets. But at its heart, the game is beautifully simple, and the easiest way to start is by learning the most fundamental wager: the Craps Pass Line Bet.
Not only is the Pass Line the centerpiece of the game, but it is also one of the bets with the lowest house edge, making it the perfect starting point for any player looking to win.
The Come Out Roll: The Start of the Game
A new round of craps begins with the "Come Out Roll." Before the dice are thrown, you place your chips in the section on the table labeled "PASS LINE." The outcome of this first roll determines what happens next.
You Win Immediately: If the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11, you win your Pass Line bet immediately. The dealer pays you even money (1:1), and you can either take your winnings or let them ride for the next round.
You Lose Immediately: If the shooter rolls a 2, a 3, or a 12 (also known as "craps"), you lose your Pass Line bet. The round is over for you, and your chips are collected by the dealer.
A Point is Established: If the shooter rolls any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the "Point." The dealer will place a small marker on that number on the table to indicate the Point.
Establishing a Point: The Game Continues
Once a Point is established, the goal of the game changes. The shooter must now roll the Point number again before they roll a 7.
You Win: If the shooter rolls the Point number again, you win your Pass Line bet. The dealer pays you even money, and the round ends. A new Come Out roll will begin.
You Lose: If the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the Point number, you lose your Pass Line bet. The round is over, and the dice are passed to the next shooter. This event is commonly referred to as "sevening out."
The Don't Pass Bet: Betting Against the Shooter
The Don't Pass Bet is the direct opposite of the Pass Line. When you place a wager on the Don't Pass line, you are betting that the shooter will lose.
On the Come Out Roll: You win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3. You lose on a 7 or 11. A roll of 12 (or sometimes 2) results in a push, meaning no one wins or loses.
After a Point is Established: You win if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the Point number. You lose if the shooter rolls the Point number.
The Craps Odds Bet: The Best Bet in the Casino
The single best move a player can make after establishing a Point is to place an Odds Bet. Once the Point is set, you can place a side wager behind your original Pass Line bet. This is the only bet in the casino that has a 0% house edge.
The Odds bet pays out at true odds, meaning the casino has no advantage on this portion of your wager. This is why you should always "take the odds" whenever you are able to. The odds payouts are as follows:
Point is 4 or 10: Pays 2 to 1
Point is 5 or 9: Pays 3 to 2
Point is 6 or 8: Pays 6 to 5
Come and Don't Come: The Mid-Game Bets
Once a Point has been established, you don't have to wait for the next Come Out roll to make a wager. The Come and Don't Come bets work exactly like the Pass and Don't Pass lines, but you place them in the middle of a game.
A Come Bet is placed in the "Come" section of the table. The very next roll of the dice becomes its "point." If that roll is a 7 or 11, you win. If it's a 2, 3, or 12, you lose. Any other number becomes your Come Point, and the dealer moves your chips to that number's box on the table.
A Don't Come Bet is the opposite. You win on a 2 or 3 and lose on a 7 or 11. A 12 is a push.
The Come and Don't Come bets are a great way to get more action at the table by being on multiple points at once. You can also place odds on these bets, just like the Pass and Don't Pass lines.
Craps Pass Line vs. Don't Pass Summary
Conclusion
Learning to play craps begins and ends with the Pass Line bet. By simply placing your wager on the Pass Line and taking the Odds whenever a Point is established, you are playing with the lowest possible house edge in the entire casino. It's a simple, smart, and fun way to enjoy the game without getting overwhelmed by the more complicated bets on the table.
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