Q&A for How to Play Craps

You place odds behind the line after a point has been established by the shooter in the come-out roll.

A C and E bet is a one-roll bet that wins if the next roll is 2, 3, 12 (the C: Craps) or 11 (the E: Eleven). It has an unusual payout: it pays 3:1 if a 2, 3, or 12 rolls or 11:1 if the 11 rolls. It has a house edge of 11.11%.

Six and 8 are generally 5x odds, so on a $5 bet you can place odds up to $25. Four and 10 are usually 3x, so up to $15 for them. Finally, 5 and 9 are usually at 4x, so up to $20 for those numbers.

That depends on the next roll of the dice. If it is a 7 (any 7: 6-1, 5-2, 3-4), you will receive $40 plus your $10 bet back, so $50. If any other number shows, then your $10 will be collected by the house.

A roll of an eleven (11), which can only be rolled with a 6 and 5 with the two dice.

No, a "Don't come" bet cannot be placed when the button indicates "OFF" This means that a new hand is starting. Only once a point has been established and the button has been flipped to "ON" and placed on a point may you place a "Come" or "Don't come" bet.

The dice have to total that number. So if you bet on 5, and the dice are a 5 and 2 (total 7), you lose.

"Don't Come Bar" - best odds on come out roll. Won't make many friends that way, because you're going against all the shooters, unless they are playing the same bet as you.

Once the point is set you can bet on the numbers. If the shooter hits the point, then your bets will be "off," meaning you can't lose them if a 7 is rolled before the next point is set. Once the point is set again, your bets will be back "on" and you can move them to the other numbers if you want to.

There isn't a legal way to roll a 7 every time. It's a matter of chance. That's how the game is supposed to be.

You will generally place the same amount as the pass line bet, but these days many casinos will allow you to play as much as 10x the amount of the original bet. You can also play less than the amount of the original bet, as long as it meets the minimum of the table. Seriously, though, you should be doing the opposite: betting the minimum on the pass line, then betting more on the odds. The odds bet is the only one on the table that pays absolute true odds with no % take to the casino.

The true odds for numbers 5 and 9 are 3:2 when playing the pass/come. In order to get the full payout, you must bet an even number. For example, a $10 bet pays $15, whereas a $9 bet pays $13.50. Since the casino doesn't have $0.50 chips, you will only get the $13, and the casino keeps the change.

A come bet is the same as the pass line bet ,and money can be removed only when it is won. It is a contract bet and only pays even money. It's the worst bet on the table and the most often made.

Correct. Your odds bet must match the minimum bet of that table just like your pass/don't pass bet.

Yes. The previous bet is complete and paid off. The new wager takes its place.

You can take away both don't pass and don't come bets. The reason for this is because the odds favor the casino so much. Keep in mind that the rules may vary a little between casinos, so some may discourage you from removing bets. Generally though you have the right to do so before the dice are thrown.

A put bet is basically a pass line bet placed after the come-out roll. It is rarely done today, but it's still an option when you're at the table. Look for the play disk on the table to be flipped to "on."

The craps check is a one-roll side bet that pays 7:1 odds. You bet that 2, 3, or 12 come up, aka the craps numbers. This bet is often done in conjunction with line and come bets, and it usually isn't worth doing.

The Horn bet is a bet on 2, 3, 11, and 12. You are betting each number separately and for one roll only. If the 2 or 12 is rolled, it pays 30:1. If the 3 or 11 is rolled, it pays 15:1. Generally, you bet in multiples of 4 so each number gets an even amount bet. If you win one, you lose the other 3. So, if you throw in a $5 bet, then the extra $1 can be bet on one of the 4 numbers (e.g. Horn High Yo means that you want the extra $1 on the 11).

The dealer will set the winnings in a stack in front of you. It's up to you to pick them up. The dealer will leave your bet as is, but you can tell him to "take it down" and he will return your bet. Alternatively, you can "press it" to double your bet, and you will get a small amount of profit given back to you.

Just give the dealer the appropriate amount of odds and set it on the table - if he's paying attention, he'll place the odds on top of your come bet automatically. If he doesn't, just say, "Odds on #".

Always place an even amount of odds if 5 or 9 is the point - it pays 3:2. There are others that the dealer can tell you whether even or odd is required.

No, these bets aren't meant to be switched mid-game, but check with the dealer to make sure. What you can do is remove don't pass and don't come bets entirely before a roll.

Yes. If the roll is 2 or 3, you win the Don't, but lose the Pass (break even). If the roll is 7 or 11, you win the Pass, but lose the Don't (break even). If a 12 is rolled, you lose the Pass and tie the Don't (lose half). If a point is established, then choose to bet the odds on either Pass or Don't, but not both (or you will gain nothing, but lose more).

A pass line bet can be placed on the come-out (first) roll only. You can also increase your pass line bet when a point is established, but it's best to put an odds-on bet instead.

Drop usually refers to a player making a bet, dropping out from a game, or the house taking a cut, especially for a jackpot. It's not a term that is commonly used in craps, so there may have been another reason why they took your stake away, or they made a mistake.

Line and come bets are meant to be in play the entire time. Chances are the dealers and stickperson won't let you remove an odds bet. However, always ask just in case.