Craps has a reputation for being the most intimidating table in the casino. Walk past one and you will see players shouting, chips flying across the felt, and a dealer moving at what looks like impossible speed. The truth is far friendlier. Craps offers some of the lowest house edges in the entire building, and the core rules can be learned in about fifteen minutes. Read more about this at casinos accepting muchbetter.
For Canadian players, the game is widely available in land-based casinos from Windsor to Vancouver, and dozens of regulated online platforms now host live dealer craps tables in Canadian dollars. Understanding the basics first makes the experience far more enjoyable.
The Two Phases of Every Craps Game
Every craps round revolves around a single shooter and two distinct phases: the come-out roll and the point phase. Confusing the two is the most common mistake beginners make, so it pays to separate them clearly in your mind.
During the come-out roll, the shooter throws two dice. If the total is 7 or 11, pass line bets win immediately. If the total is 2, 3, or 12 , known as craps , pass line bets lose. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the point, and the game shifts into the second phase.
Once a point is established, the shooter keeps rolling until either the point repeats , which pays pass line bets at even money , or a 7 appears, which ends the round and clears the table. That is genuinely the whole cycle.
Statistics matter here. The probability of rolling a 7 on any given toss is 16.67%, the highest of any total, which is why the number carries so much weight. The chance of establishing a point on the come-out roll sits at roughly 66.7%.
Which Bets Are Worth Your Money
Not all craps wagers are created equal, and the gap between them is enormous. The pass line and don’t pass line carry a house edge of just 1.41% and 1.36% respectively. Compare that to the any 7 bet, which hands the casino a 16.67% edge , more than ten times worse.
Odds bets deserve special attention. After a point is set, you can place an additional wager behind your pass line bet that pays at true odds with zero house advantage. A 4 or 10 pays 2:1, a 5 or 9 pays 3:2, and a 6 or 8 pays 6:5. Most Canadian casinos cap odds bets at 3x or 5x, though some online operators allow 100x.
Place bets on 6 and 8 are reasonable middle-ground options with a 1.52% edge, while the field bet (2.78%) and hardways (9% to 11%) should generally be avoided by newcomers.
| Bet | House Edge | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1.41% | 1:1 |
| Don’t Pass | 1.36% | 1:1 |
| Odds Bet (6/8) | 0% | 6:5 |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% | 7:6 |
| Any 7 | 16.67% | 4:1 |
Etiquette and Practical Tips for New Players
Craps runs on chips, not cash, so exchange your money at the table or cage before playing. When you join mid-game, wait for the come-out roll to finish before placing bets, and never touch the dice with both hands , dealers insist on one hand only.
Canadian casinos typically set minimum bets between $5 and $15, making craps accessible even on a modest budget. Stick to the pass line plus odds for your first several sessions. This combination keeps the house edge below 1%, which is better than almost any slot machine or roulette wheel can offer.
Finally, tell the dealer you are new. In our experience, they will happily explain the layout, and most tables are far more welcoming than the noise suggests.