Craps Table Layout

From Dice to Bets: The Ultimate Craps Table Layout Guide

7 min

A recent survey found that 7 out of 10 craps players get confused by the table layout, causing them to lose money. But guess what? Knowing the craps table layout is key to winning. Our expert guide is here to clear up the confusion and help you play better. After all, intelligent betting isn’t just about luck—it’s about really getting the game. Let’s help you play smarter and win more!

Decoding the Craps Table: What You Need to Know

The size and finish of a casino craps table depend on the type of game you are playing. Still, the standard features are very much the same. Online craps casinos in our experts’ selection provide two main types of craps in their gaming catalogues: classic and live.

The classic versions are based on Random Number Generators, while the live craps games share the same layout with their land-based casino. One of the scariest things for any player is the dice layout’s complex appearance. Still, don’t let that put you off.

It is easier to learn the craps layout if you break it down into smaller pieces. Your starting point when analysing the board is its centre. All proposition bets are found there.

Some UK players may swear by their payout potential.

However, we need to remind you that such bets have a high house edge, meaning that your odds are poorer and that the casino wins those bets more often, on average.

Your best craps betting options

Your best bet choices are the Free Odds and Pass Line because not only is the house advantage lower, but losses are typically less frequent with this type of bet. Check the casino’s game list if you choose a no deposit bonus from our top-notch selection. Some online casinos may not have your preferred craps version.

Visual Guide: Anatomy of a Craps Table

The Craps Table Layout - Craps table diagram

How wide is a craps table layout?

A dice layout is about 3,5 to 4,5 feet wide.

Other elements of a craps table explained

  • Padded rail: This rail runs at the top edge. It is padded so that players may lean on it.
  • Chip rack: This is next to the rail, where the players store their chips. They are separated into different sections, so every player has their own rack.
  • Drink rail: This runs around the board’s perimeter and is where players can put their drinks so they don’t spill onto the board.

What is the standard length of a casino craps table?

The standard length of a dice layout is around 11ft and 10 inches. Suppose you want more realistic dice gameplay. In that case, you should use our experts’ listing and find a new or used dice table for sale. Options vary, but you’ll indeed find one that fits your budget!

The numbers talk: Craps Table Betting Odds

Bet Type Payout
Pass or Come Line Bet 1:1
Don’t Pass / Don’t Come Line Bet 1:1
Numbers 4 or 10 2:1
Numbers 5 or 9 3:2
Numbers 6 or 8 6:5
3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 1:1
2 or 12 30:1
3 or 11 15:1
Any 7 4:1
Any craps (2, 3 or 12) 7:1
Hard Hop 30:1
Easy Hop 15:1

Pass/Don’t Pass bets

Pass Don’t Pass bets

Here, you wager on the shooter to pass (or not) by rolling out a natural (7 or 11) or winning the point.

Come bets

Come Bets

You win if you roll a natural (7 or 11).

Don’t Come bets

Don't come bets

You win if the dice outcome is 2, 3 or 12.

Props Bets

Props Bets

These are one-roll bets that you can place on any roll. You can bet on the shooter rolling a:

  • 7
  • Craps
  • Ace Deuce (3)
  • Aces (2)
  • Boxcars (12)
  • Horn (2, 3, 11 or 12)

Place Bets

Place Bets

Bet on any number. Suppose you roll that number before a 7. In that case, you win.

Field Bets

Field Bets

You lose on any 5, 6, 7 or 8 rolls.

Big 6 and Big 8 Bets

Big 6 and Big 8 Bets

You bet on the shooter rolling a 6 or 8 before a 7. If you want a deeper understanding of your odds, our street craps rules guide will hit close to home! You’ll improve gambling results if you update your craps vocabulary and understand the game’s origin.

Behind the Game: Staff Member Roles At the Craps Table

Craps Table Staff

There are several different dealers involved in a game of craps, four in total:

  • The floorman
  • The boxman
  • The stickman
  • The two dealers

Meet the Floorman: The Game’s Watchful Guardian

The Floorman is the game’s manager. In some casinos, he’s responsible for supervising more than one table at once.

He can approve credit for players and observe the players’ overall conduct.

The Boxman’s Role: Ensuring Fair Play and Resolving Disputes

He sits and watches the action unfold at one particular table. His role is to follow the other dealers and observe how and how much each player wagers.

As well as observing, he is in charge of exchanging chips for money.

If a dispute arises, his job is to mediate and settle the issue.

The Stickman: Controlling the Dice and the Game’s Pace

He is called the stickman because his role is to move the dice around the table with his long specific stick. He very much controls a dice round’s pace.

At the start of the game, the stickman moves three sets of dice to the shooter and asks them to pick one.

After each throw, the stickman returns the dice to the shooter. He also calls out the numbers and effects of some of the bets. The stickman is also in charge of organising the centre bets.

Duo at Work: The Dealers’ Crucial Roles

There are another two dealers, and their role is to communicate with the players and collect and pay off the bets made on each side of the board.

They keep bets well organised, collect any losing bets and pay out winning bets.

Step-by-Step: Navigating a Casino Craps Game

Playing at a Casino Craps Table

  1. Players must request casino credit, usually by throwing cash at the board.
  2. In UK live casinos, this step is equivalent to making a deposit and claiming a bonus, then accessing the relevant live craps room.
  3. The player will then be given the appropriate value of chips by the boxman, who counts out the funds from the casino bankroll.
  4. In online settings, your funds are credited automatically.
  5. The chips are given to the dealer, who then hands them to the player.
  6. You can easily see how the online casino industry can do without all these intermediaries in the interest of more straightforward gameplay.
  7. The game’s first roll is the come-out roll, with three possible outcomes: a natural, craps or point.

New UK players should read our in-depth player guides to get familiar with the online casino environment and its rules.

  1. A natural is when you roll a 7 or 11. If this happens, you win and get to roll again.
  2. Crapping out is when you roll a 2, 3 or 12. You lose, but the round isn’t over yet, and you roll again.
  3. If you roll any number between 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, it’s called a point.
  4. In a live casino, the dealer marks your point (the rolled number) on the table.
  5. You must then roll the dice again and hope for the same number.

It doesn’t have to be the same dice combination. If you get the same number, you win the round.

For this reason, it may be easier if you first learn Craps odds and payouts before you start betting at a Craps table.Your feedback is crucial to us responding to all your questions, which is why we prioritise it. Leave us your queries and impressions in the comment section below!

Final Throw – Reflecting on the World of Craps

Craps is more than just rolling dice; it’s a game of strategy, luck, and understanding the nuances of the table. While the layout and roles might seem complex at first, with time and practice, it becomes second nature. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. So, take a deep breath, trust the process, and enjoy the thrill of the game. With the right knowledge and a bit of patience, you’ll soon find yourself playing with confidence and, hopefully, winning more often!

F.A.Q

Who invented craps?

By most accounts, the game was invented by Sir William Tyre in 1125.

What are the main components of a dice layout?

Each end has Pass Line, Come, Place, Field and other wagers sections. The centre section features the Hardways and One Roll bets. The board's ends are mirror images of each other.

What are the dimensions of a casino craps table?

The playing surface is around 11ft 10 inches long and about 4 feet wide. With the padded rest, it reaches approximately 15ft by 5ft.

Who is in charge of what happens in dice?

It is run by the boxman, two base dealers who stand on each side of the boxman and the stickman.

What is the outer edge of the felt table layout in craps called?

The outer edge of the felt is the padded rail. The outermost bet imprinted on the table is the pass line.
Anca Iamandi
AuthorAnca IamandiSenior Author & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Anca's analytic skills developed in Generative Linguistics allow her to bring you clear and concise gambling-related content. Her texts will help you understand casinos, bonuses, fees, and rules and forget about all the gambling myths that pull you down. She's a strong advocate of safe gambling.

Tudor Turiceanu
ReviewerTudor TuriceanuCEO & Chief Editor at CasinoAlpha

Tudor Turiceanu uses his multiple systematic skillsets to oversee and coordinate the CasinoAlpha project. He assists the authors in creating a transparent gambling niche for users. As a CEO and Chief Editor with broad knowledge, Tudor knows the importance of transmitting confident advice.