Learn to Play Casino Craps: Flat Bets and Pass Line Bet

Be smart, play smart, learn how to play casino craps the right way!

The most basic craps bets are the Pass Line and Don't Pass. These bets are common in that each is a "Flat" bet, which means the bet is typically made before a new game starts and before a point is established. Also, the Pass Line and Don't Pass bets can have an Odds bet, which is an additional bet on or against the point number after the point is established. Other Flat bets are the Come and Don't Come, which are made after a point is established. All these bets are defined later, but the point here is simply to define "Flat" bet so you'll know the term when you hear it.

The Pass Line bet is a Flat bet typically made prior to a come-out roll. If you walk up to the table and see an OFF puck, you know a new game is about to start and you can get in on the action by making a Pass Line bet. The Pass Line is the long, curved section along the edge of the layout closest to where the players stand. It's clearly labeled as, "PASS LINE," typically in white letters. The Pass Line is sometimes called the "front line." (You'll occasionally hear the stickman's banter, "Winner, winner, front line winner.") The Pass Line on the layout goes around the entire edge of the table where the players stand so any player in any position can easily reach it.

The table minimum and maximum bets are defined by the placards on the inside of the table next to each dealer. For example, if you see a red placard defining a $5 minimum and a $2,000 maximum, that means your Pass Line bet must be at least $5, but can't be more than $2,000. The Flat Pass Line bet is a self-service bet, which means you make this bet yourself by physically placing your chip(s) on the Pass Line. Generally, the only time the dealer makes a Pass Line bet for you (i.e., physically puts the chip(s) on the Pass Line) is when you ask for change and tell the dealer to put some of it on the Pass Line. For example, suppose you want to make a $5 Pass Line bet but all you have are green $25 chips. After you have the dealer's attention, drop a green chip in the Come area and say, "Five on the line, please." The dealer knows exactly what you want. He changes the $25 chip for five $5 chips and makes the Pass Line bet for you by putting a $5 chip on the Pass Line directly in front of you. Then, he puts the four remaining $5 chips in the apron in front of you. Make sure you pick up the four remaining chips from the apron and place them in your chip stack so the dealer doesn't think you're making a $25 Pass Line bet instead of only a $5 bet.

Now you know! Remember, learn how to play casino craps the right way.

W. Enslen is a reliability engineer who routinely works with statistics. Having played and analyzed casino craps for 30 years, he has compiled his winning secrets in a new Ebook, which you can sample at Learn to Play Casino Craps. Be smart, play smart, and learn to play casino craps in reality instead of a Fantasyland of false hope.