The pass line

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The pass line is the most fundamental bet in craps; almost every player at the table bets on it. If you only understand one bet in craps, it should be this one.

The pass line bet is put on the the pass line itself on a come out roll. You can tell it is a come out roll if there is a black laminated marker on the table that says "off." If the come out roll is a 7 or 11, then you win even money. If the come out roll is a 2, 3, or 12, then you lose. If any other total is rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that total is called "the point." The dealer will turn over the marker that says "off" to the white "on" side, and place it on an area of the table with that number, to help the players remember what the point is. Then, the shooter will roll the dice until he either rolls that same point again, or a seven. If a seven comes before the point, then you lose. If the point is rolled first, then you win even money.

Do not make a pass line bet after the come out roll. This is allowed but is highly ill advised because the value of a pass line bet is diminished after the come out roll.

The house edge on the pass line is only 1.41%, which is not bad compared to most other bets on the table and other games in the casino.