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What are the most basic bets you can make in the game of craps? When do you make them, and how? Let’s find out.

A new game starts with the “come-out roll” (i.e., the first roll of a new game). Before the come-out roll, you must decide whether you want to bet “with” the dice or “against” them. Betting with the dice means you want the come-out roll to show a 7 or 11. It also means if a point is established on the come-out, then you want the shooter to roll the point number again before rolling a 7. Betting against the dice means you want the come-out roll to produce a 2 or 3 (a 12 on the come-out is a push). It also means if a point is established on the come-out, then you want the shooter to roll a 7 before rolling the point number. Prior to the come-out roll and the start of a new game, you bet with the dice by making a Pass Line bet, or you bet against the dice by making a Don’t Pass bet.

As we learned in my previous article, Fundamental Premise of the Game, the come-out roll can produce one of three possible outcomes: 1) The game immediately ends if a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 appears; or 2) If the shooter establishes a point, the game ends when the shooter rolls the point number again before rolling a 7; or 3) If the shooter establishes a point, the game ends when the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point number.

If you bet the Pass Line, you immediately win if the come-out roll shows a 7 or 11. You immediately lose if the come-out shows a 2, 3, or 12. The Don’t Pass bet is almost the exact opposite of the Pass Line bet. If you bet the Don’t Pass, you immediately win if the come-out shows a 2 or 3, and tie if a 12 shows. You immediately lose if the come-out shows a 7 or 11.

Regardless of whether you bet the Pass Line or Don’t Pass, if the shooter rolls a point number on the come-out (i.e., 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the game continues and the shooter keeps rolling until she rolls either the point number again or a 7. In terms of the Pass Line and Don’t Pass, all other numbers are meaningless for that game. If you bet the Pass Line and the shooter establishes a point on the come-out, then you win if the shooter rolls the point number again before rolling a 7; whereas, you lose if the shooter rolls a 7 before the point number. The Don’t Pass is the exact opposite. If you bet the Don’t Pass and the shooter establishes a point on the come-out, then you win if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point number; whereas, you lose if the shooter rolls the point number before a 7.

The Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets are even-money bets. That means if you win, then you win the exact amount you bet. For example, if you make a $5 Pass Line or $5 Don’t Pass bet and you win, then you win $5.

Depending on the town and casino where you play, the minimum required bet can be as little as $3 or as much as $25. For example, an out-of-the-way casino in Biloxi might have a $3 minimum craps table; whereas, a swanky casino resort in the middle of the Vegas Strip might not have anything less than a $10 or even a $25 minimum table. When making a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet, you must bet at least the table minimum. Each table has a placard that defines the table minimum and maximum bets.

The Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets are “self-service” bets, which means you make these bets yourself (i.e., you don’t need the dealer’s help). Before the come-out roll and the start of a new game, you physically place your chip(s) in the Pass Line or Don’t Pass line on the table layout directly in front of you so the dealer knows the bet is yours. If the table is crowded, make it easy for the dealer to know which bet is yours by placing your bet directly in front of where you stand at the table. If you win on either the Pass Line or Don’t Pass, the dealer places your winnings directly adjacent to the chips you used to make your bet. It’s your responsibility to pick up your winnings prior to the next come-out roll and the start of the next new game. If you don’t pick up your winnings because you’re not paying attention, then the dealer assumes you’re doubling your bet for the next game. For example, if you make a $10 Pass Line bet and the shooter rolls a 7 on the come-out roll, you win and the dealer places $10 in chips directly adjacent to your original $10 bet. If you don’t pick up your $10 winnings, the dealer assumes you’re doubling your Pass Line bet for the next game to $20. Don’t forget to pick up your winnings unless you intentionally want to double your bet.

The Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets are the most basic bets in the game of craps. Other bets are a bit more complicated because they have odds associated with them. Don’t shy way just because there’s math involved! It’s as easy as counting to five, so don’t fear the math. If you do, you’ll miss out on the most exciting game in the casino.

Bill Enslen is a reliability engineer who routinely works with statistics. Having played and analyzed casino craps for 30 years, he has compiled his winning secrets in a new ebook, The Secret to Craps: The Right Way to Play. He doesn’t offer false hope or prey on your blazing desire to beat the casino. Instead, he explains the reality of the game and how to optimize your fun without losing your shirt. Without fully understanding the game and the truth behind the numbers, you’re vulnerable to believing bizarre claims that you can consistently beat the casino. The plain truth is that you can’t and won’t. Don’t be a sucker. Be smart, play smart, and learn craps the right way. For more information, and to read a sample chapter about the absurdity of dice control, visit his site at Learn to Play Craps.