By Alex Bennett · Updated
The vibrant and often boisterous craps table can seem intimidating at first glance, a complex tapestry of numbers, symbols, and betting areas. However, understanding the craps table layout is the fundamental first step to enjoying the game and making informed decisions. This guide breaks down each section of the table, demystifying its purpose and helping you place your bets with precision, transforming potential confusion into strategic advantage. Mastering this layout is less about memorizing every single possibility and more about grasping the core areas that drive gameplay.
At its heart, craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of the roll, or series of rolls, of two six-sided dice. The most popular and widely recognized version of craps is played on a long, felt-covered table, typically operated by one or more dealers who direct the action and pay out winners. The table is divided into distinct betting zones, each corresponding to different types of wagers. While variations exist, the fundamental structure remains consistent, allowing players to quickly learn the essentials.
The Core Betting Areas: Pass Line and Come Bets
The most prominent betting areas on any craps table are associated with the “Pass Line” and “Come” bets. These are the foundational wagers that most players engage with, and for good reason – they are central to the flow of the game. The Pass Line bet is placed on the betting area directly in front of the player, before the game’s “come-out roll” (the initial roll of the dice to establish a point). If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, Pass Line bettors win. If it’s a 2, 3, or 12, they lose. Any other number rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the “point,” and the game continues.
Once a point is established, the shooter continues to roll. The objective for Pass Line bettors is for the shooter to roll the established point again before rolling a 7. If the point is made, Pass Line bets win. If a 7 is rolled (known as “sevening out”), Pass Line bets lose. The “Come” bet functions similarly to the Pass Line bet but can be made at any time after a point has been established. When a Come bet is placed, the next roll of the dice determines the “come point.” If that roll is a 7 or 11, the Come bet wins. If it’s a 2, 3, or 12, the Come bet loses. Any other number becomes the come point for that specific bet.
Crucially, once a point (either the Come-out point or a come point) is established for these bets, they are visually represented by tokens placed on corresponding “point boxes” at the top of the table. This clear visual cue helps players and dealers alike track the active wagers and their associated numbers. Understanding the basic mechanics of the Pass Line and Come bets is the absolute bedrock of navigating the craps table effectively.
The Don’t Pass and Don’t Come Bets: A Contrarian Approach
Complementing the Pass Line and Come bets are their opposing counterparts: the “Don’t Pass” and “Don’t Come” bets. These wagers are placed on the betting areas marked “Don’t Pass” and “Don’t Come,” typically located at the opposite end of the table from the Pass Line area. Players who make these bets are essentially betting against the shooter. On the come-out roll, a Don’t Pass bet wins on a 2 or 3, pushes (is returned) on a 12, and loses on a 7 or 11. If any other number is rolled, it becomes the point.
Once a point is established, Don’t Pass bettors win if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point. If the point is rolled before a 7, the Don’t Pass bet loses. The Don’t Come bet operates similarly but can be made at any time after a point has been established. The next roll determines the “don’t come point.” A 2 or 3 wins, a 12 pushes, and a 7 or 11 loses. Any other number becomes the don’t come point. The objective for Don’t Come bettors is for a 7 to be rolled before the don’t come point is rolled again.
These bets offer a lower house edge than their corresponding “betting with the shooter” counterparts, making them attractive to more experienced or statistically-minded players. While they involve betting against the general sentiment of the table, they represent a valid and statistically sound strategy within the game of craps. Understanding these “dark side” bets adds another layer to your strategic repertoire.
Proposition Bets: High Risk, High Reward
Beyond the core bets, the craps table is riddled with “proposition bets,” often located in the middle section of the table, directly in front of the stickman (the dealer responsible for handling the dice). These are one-roll bets where players wager on specific outcomes of the very next roll. They typically offer much higher payouts than the Pass Line or Come bets but also carry a significantly higher house edge, making them a more speculative proposition.
Examples of proposition bets include betting on “Any Seven” (pays 4-to-1, but a 7 is rolled 16.67% of the time, so the house edge is substantial), “Any Craps” (betting on a 2, 3, or 12, paying 7-to-1), and specific hardways bets (e.g., rolling a specific pair, like two 4s, before any other combination or a 7). The “Any Craps” bet, for instance, has a house edge of around 11.11%, whereas the “Any Seven” bet has a house edge of approximately 16.67%. The hardways bets can have varying house edges depending on the number, but they are generally quite high.
These bets are characterized by their quick resolution, happening on a single roll of the dice. While they can lead to exciting, albeit infrequent, large wins, they are generally not recommended for players looking to maximize their playing time or minimize the house’s advantage. They are best reserved for brief, high-stakes flurries of action rather than as a core betting strategy. The complexity of their placement and the diverse odds make them an area for caution.
Field Bets and Other Side Wagers
Often situated at the top of the table, spanning across the numbers 2, 3, 12, and 11, is the “Field Bet.” This is another single-roll bet where players wager that the next roll will be one of these specified numbers. The Field Bet typically pays even money on 3, 4, 10, and 11, but pays double (or sometimes triple) on the 2 and 12. The presence of the 3 and 11 as losing numbers is implicit in the betting area. The house usually has a slight edge, often around 2.78% if double odds are paid on 2 and 12, effectively making it a reasonable proposition amongst the riskier bets.
A worked example of a Field Bet calculation: Imagine you place a $10 bet on the Field. The next roll is an 11. You win even money, receiving $10 profit plus your original $10 stake back, totaling $20. If the roll is a 2, and the Field pays double on 2 and 12, you would win $20 profit plus your $10 stake, for a total of $30. However, if the roll is a 5, a 6, a 7, or an 8, you lose your $10 bet. The specific payouts for 2 and 12 can vary between casinos, so it’s always wise to check the table rules.
Other side bets, often found on the sides or edges of the main layout, include “Aces” (betting on seeing two Aces appear on the dice), “Bar” (betting on a specific combination, like a 1-2 or 2-1), and “Boxcars” (betting on two sixes). These are generally high-edge propositions and are rarely employed by strategic players. Their inclusion on the table adds to the visual complexity but offers limited value for the discerning craps player.
The Crap Table Layout: A Visual Summary
The craps table layout is a symphony of carefully arranged zones. At each end, you’ll find the mirrored sections for Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come bets, along with their corresponding point boxes. The long middle section is dedicated to the stickman and houses the proposition bets, including “Any Seven,” “Any Craps,” and the various hardways. The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 are prominently displayed as point boxes, where tokens are placed once a point is established. The Field Bet occupies a large area at the top.
Understanding the physical layout allows for quicker decision-making. For instance, knowing that the Pass Line area is at one end and the proposition bets are in the center helps in orienting yourself. The dealers work from the middle outwards, managing the flow of bets and dice. The distinct visual separation of bet types ensures that even amidst the excitement, players can identify where to place their wagers. The vibrant colors and clear numbering are designed to guide players through the game’s evolving stages.
There are also “odds” betting areas. Once a point is established, players can place additional bets behind their Pass Line or Come bets, or in front of their Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bets. These “odds bets” are crucial because they are the only bets in craps that carry no house edge whatsoever. For every dollar bet on the Pass Line or Come, players can bet a multiple (e.g., 2x, 3x-4x-5x, 10x, 100x) of their original bet as an odds bet. The odds paid on these bets reflect the true probabilities of the numbers, offering the best value in the casino. For example, if a point is 4 or 10, true odds are 2-to-1; if it’s 5 or 9, true odds are 3-to-2; and if it’s 6 or 8, true odds are 6-to-5. Taking full advantage of odds bets is key to minimizing the house advantage on these foundational wagers.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Craps Table Layout
What are the main areas of a craps table?
The primary areas include the Pass Line and Don’t Pass betting zones at each end, the Come and Don’t Come betting zones, the proposition bet area in the middle handled by the stickman, the point boxes for numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, and the Field Bet area at the top.
Where do you place a Pass Line bet?
A Pass Line bet is placed in the betting area marked “Pass Line” at the end of the table before the come-out roll. This is one of the most common starting bets for new players.
How do you win a Don’t Pass bet?
A Don’t Pass bet wins if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3. It pushes on a 12. If a point is established, the bet wins if a 7 is rolled before the point number on subsequent rolls.