Understanding the Craps Table Layout: A Helpful Guide for Players

Although you can definitely play craps without knowing the exact table layout, it’s a great thing to know about, especially if other players around the table understand it fully and you don’t. EnergyCasino is here to help you get to know the craps table layout like the back of your hand, so let’s begin!

Introduction to the Craps Table

If you’ve ever been around a physical craps table, you probably won’t be surprised that the online table resembles it quite a lot. The main betting areas (Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come, Field, and proposition bets) are clickable, so you place wagers by tapping or clicking them.

In most versions, the dice roll is either simulated by a random number generator or, in live dealer games, rolled by a real stickman on camera. Online tables often streamline the layout, removing some of the busy visuals from real tables to make it easier for beginners to find bets. Chips are selected from a menu and placed directly on the virtual layout, and winnings are calculated instantly.

Craps Table Layout and Betting Areas

There are quite a few betting areas sectioned in craps tables. Here’s an easy way to understand each of them.

Pass Line

The Pass Line is the most common pass line bet on a craps table layout and is the starting point for most players in the craps game. Placed before the come out roll, this line bet wins if the dice show 7 or 11 (winning bets) and loses if the roll is 2, 3, or 12. If another craps number is rolled, that number becomes the point, and the bet succeeds if it’s rolled again before a 7.

Don’t Pass Line

This line bet is the opposite of the pass bets. You win on a 2 or 3, lose on 7 or 11, and push on 12. After a point is set, the bet wins if a 7 is rolled before the point number. Many gamblers choose this in crapless craps variants to take advantage of lower house advantage compared to some prop bets.

Come Bets

A come bet works like a Pass Line Come bet but is made after the point is set. The next roll acts as a mini come out roll for this wager, creating its own point. Wins if that number is rolled before a 7; loses otherwise.

Don’t Come Bets

The opposite of a come bet, winning if a 7 is rolled before the new point number. Many players combine this with multiple bets or a combined bet strategy to cover more craps numbers.

Field Bets

These field bets are single roll bets placed in the marked area of the table layout. They win if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Some number bets like 2 or 12 can pay double or triple, while others pay even money. These roll bets are popular for their quick resolution but have a high casino edge.

Place Bets

These are multi roll bets where you wager on specific craps numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) hoping they appear before a 7. They offer varying payouts depending on the probability of the number. You can also make buy bets on these numbers for different odds.

Proposition Bets (Prop Bets)

In the centre of the craps table, prop bets or one roll bets are placed on specific dice combinations such as any 7, any craps (2, 3, 12), or hard way numbers like 4 (2-2) or 10 (5-5). These have a high house edge but can offer large payouts. Common single roll bets include snake eyes and any craps.

Components of Craps Table

When betting, you’ll be hoping that your craps bets reflect what happens on the table. Here are the main components of a physical craps table.

Table Layout

The green felt surface is marked with all betting areas, including Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come, Field, Place Bets, and Proposition Bets. The layout is duplicated on both ends of the table so more players can participate at once.

Side Rails and Padded Edges

Raised, padded edges surround the table, giving players a surface to rest their hands or lean on while protecting the table from damage.

Back Wall

A tall, rubber-covered wall with a diamond or pyramid texture at each end of the table. It ensures the dice bounce unpredictably when thrown.

Dealers at the Craps Table

Dealers at the craps table work together to manage the game, handle bets, and ensure rules are followed.

The floorman

The floorman supervises several tables on the casino floor, including the craps table. They oversee the game’s integrity, monitor dealer performance, handle disputes, and approve high-limit bets or unusual situations.

The boxman

The boxman sits at the centre of the table, facing the stickman, and manages the casino’s chips. They monitor payouts, watch for mistakes, and ensure players’ bets are handled correctly. The boxman also guards the chip bank and oversees the dealers’ actions.

The stickman

The stickman controls the pace of the game, using a long stick to move dice to the shooter. They announce each roll, call out winning and losing bets, and manage proposition bets in the center of the layout.

The two dealers

Positioned at each end of the table, the two base dealers handle all bets in front of them, pay winners, and collect losing bets. They also help explain the game to new players while keeping play smooth and efficient.

Proposition Bets on the Craps Table

Proposition bets, often called “prop bets,” are located in the center of the craps table and cover a variety of high-risk, high-reward wagers on specific dice outcomes. These bets can be either single-roll wagers, such as Any Seven, Any Craps (2, 3, or 12), and Snake Eyes, or multi-roll wagers like the hardways, where a pair must be rolled before a 7 or an easier combination of the same total.

Proposition bets typically carry a higher house edge compared to line bets, but they attract players who enjoy the excitement of big payouts and quick results. Dealers handle these bets directly, and in live games, the stickman often calls out and promotes them to keep the action lively.

Placing Bets On a Craps Table

Here’s a really quick breakdown of how to place bets at the craps table:

• Get chips – Exchange cash with the dealer and check the table minimum.
• Pick a spot – Stand at an open rail space on your side of the layout.
• Start with Pass or Don’t Pass – Place chips before the come-out roll.
• Add bets after the point – Use Come/Don’t Come, or Place/Buy numbers.
• Take free odds – Add odds behind line bets for better payouts.
• Try quick bets – Field and prop bets resolve in one roll but have a higher casino edge.
• Only the shooter touches the dice – If you roll, hit the far wall.
• Let dealers handle payouts – Take or press winnings after bets are settled.

Crapless Craps vs. Regular Craps Table

Crapless craps is a variation of the regular craps game where the main difference lies in the table layout and rules around unsuccessful bets. In regular craps, rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll means players lose on the Pass Line bet, which are called “craps” numbers. But in crapless craps, those numbers don’t cause an immediate loss—players can’t lose on the come-out roll, which makes the game more forgiving and extends play.

However, this change also shifts the odds and usually increases the house advantage, meaning casinos have a bigger edge. The crapless craps table layout reflects this by removing some of the immediate failed bets and adjusting the betting areas accordingly, giving a slightly different experience from the traditional craps table.

Casino Craps Table Rules

Here are the most important rules of casino craps:

1. Minimum Pass Line Bet – You must place at least the table’s minimum bet on the Pass Line before the come-out roll.
2. Shooter Must Use One Hand – When rolling the dice, the shooter must throw them with one hand and hit the far wall of the table.
3. No Touching Dice After Roll – Only the shooter can handle the dice during their turn; other players must not touch them once rolled.
4. Dice Must Stay on the Table – If the dice leave the table or land off the layout, the roll is invalid and must be re-rolled.
5. Payouts Follow Posted Odds – All bets are paid out according to the casino’s posted odds and payout tables.
6. Dealer Manages Bets and Chips – Only dealers can collect losing bets and pay winners; players should not handle other players’ chips.
7. Players Take Turns Shooting – The dice rotate clockwise among players after the shooter loses their bet or sevens out.
8. No Backing Bets on Don’t Pass After Come-Out – You cannot add bets behind the Don’t Pass line after the come-out roll; odds bets are allowed but not new Don’t Pass wagers.
9. Proposition Bets Are One-Roll – Most prop bets resolve on the next roll only and do not carry over.
10. Players Should Follow Dealer Instructions – To keep the game smooth and fair, players must obey dealer signals and calls during the game.

Conclusion

Once you’ve understood the craps table layout, you’ll be able to enjoy and play the game confidently. While the table may look complex at first, breaking it down into its main betting areas makes it much easier to grasp. Learning the layout step-by-step, starting with the basic bets and gradually exploring the more advanced options, helps build your knowledge without feeling overwhelmed. Practising with free online craps titles or watching live dealer streams can also speed up your familiarity. With patience and a bit of experience, the craps table layout becomes second nature, letting you focus on the fun and excitement of the game.

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