How the game works
The craps table is a large, felt-covered tub designed for up to 16 players. It is symmetrical; the left and right sides are identical so players can bet from either end. The layout is divided into three main sections: the two identical “side” areas for self-service bets and the “center” area for proposition bets managed by the stickman.
The basic rules
- Self-Service Areas: You place your own bets on the Pass Line, Field, and Come.
- Dealer-Managed Areas: You must toss your chips to the dealer to place bets on the “Box Numbers” (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10).
- The Center: Only the stickman places bets here (Hardways and Props).
- The Boxman: Sits in the middle, supervising the bankroll and the dealers.
A typical hand/round
A round begins with the Come-Out roll. Players place bets on the “Pass Line” on the outer edge of the layout. If a point is established, the dealer moves a “Puck” to that number at the top of the layout. Players then fill the middle of the layout with Place bets or Come bets. The game continues until the shooter “7s-out,” at which point the dealers clear the layout and a new shooter takes the dice.
What’s different at different tables
You will occasionally see “Crapless Craps” layouts where the 2, 3, 11, and 12 are moved to the top as “Box Numbers.” You might also find “Mini-Craps” or “Tub” tables that only have one side and require fewer staff. Regardless of the size, the core betting areas (Pass, Field, Numbers) remain functionally the same.
Where to go next
For related reading, see Craps Place Bets, Craps Prop Bets, and Craps Payouts.
In Detail
The craps table layout is not just a map. It is a sales floor, a traffic system, and a psychology lesson printed in felt.
This page is about where bets sit and why the table is organized that way. On the surface, that may sound like one small corner of craps, but in a real casino it touches the three things that decide whether a player survives the table: the written rule, the payout, and the way the bet feels when chips are already in action. Craps is dangerous for beginners because a bet can feel smart, social, or lucky while still being badly priced.
The math that matters: Two dice create 36 equally likely ordered combinations. The shape of the game comes from that grid: 7 has 6 combinations, 6 and 8 have 5 each, 5 and 9 have 4 each, 4 and 10 have 3 each, 3 and 11 have 2 each, and 2 and 12 have only 1 each. The math does not care where a bet sits, but players do. Low-edge bets can look plain while high-edge bets sit in the loud center. Expected value is the grown-up way to price a bet: $EV=\sum(P_i\times W_i)-\sum(P_j\times L_j)$. If the payout is smaller than the true probability deserves, the difference is the house edge.
What it means on the felt: Understanding the layout helps you act calmly and know which dealer controls which bet. A player who understands this subject does not need to act like a robot. You can still enjoy the noise, the shooter, the stick calls, and the little rush when the dice leave the hand. The point is to know when you are paying for entertainment and when you are making a lower-cost decision.
Casino-floor truth: Craps is built to move. The table crew wants clear bets, fast decisions, and clean payouts. The layout also nudges attention toward action. The safest-looking move is not always the cheapest move, and the loudest bet is almost never the best one. Good craps play is not about predicting the next roll. It is about refusing to overpay for it.
The mistake to avoid: Do not let the center of the table hypnotize you. Also, never judge this topic by one lucky hit or one ugly loss. Short sessions are noisy. The math only shows its face over repeated decisions, which is exactly why casinos are patient and players are usually not.