Craps table etiquette: how to fit in at a busy table
Craps is a fast, social game with its own manners. Buy in between rolls, keep your hands out of the way when the dice are thrown, use one hand to shoot, and never say "seven" out loud while a point is on.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Drop cash on the felt between rolls | Hand cash to the dealer mid-roll |
| Throw with one hand | Switch hands or hide the dice |
| Hit the back wall | Toss short or off the table |
| Tip the crew with a bet | Leave without a word after a hot roll |
Key numbers
Etiquette in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- Wait until the dice are back in the middle before placing bets or buying in.
- Keep fingers and drinks off the rail area during the roll.
- Saying "seven" is taboo for many players while a point is on.
- Tipping often means placing a bet for the dealers.
Cheat sheet
Moments that matter
Glance the pips — compare in one second.
1Come-out
Buy in and make line bets before this
2Point set
Puck goes ON; add odds now
3Seven-out
Dice pass to the next shooter
4Hard 8
Celebrate, then wait for payouts
The craps crew
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Boxman | Supervises the table and the bank |
| Stickman | Moves the dice and calls the rolls |
| Base dealers | Take and pay bets on each end |
| Floor supervisor | Handles disputes and ratings |
Busy tables have all four; quiet ones may have fewer.
Buying in
Put cash on the felt and say "change only" or "color in" before the shooter has the dice. The dealer will pass it to the boxman and give you chips.
Never hand cash directly to a dealer during a roll, and never place cash on a bet spot unless you mean it to play.
Tipping options
| Method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Hard way for the dealers | Bet a hard way and say "for the boys" |
| Line bet for the dealers | Place a bet on the pass line for the crew |
| Toke at the end | Hand chips to the dealer when you leave |
Dealer bets win or lose like yours.
Shooting the dice
When it is your turn, pick two dice from those the stickman offers. Throw them with one hand so they hit the back wall. Do not take long to set them.
If a die leaves the table, the stickman will call "no roll" and offer new dice. Saying "same dice" is a common superstition.
Sequence
Joining a table
Step 01
Find an open spot
Check the minimum sign.
Step 02
Buy in between rolls
Cash on the felt.
Step 03
Make a pass line bet
The simplest start.
Step 04
Watch a few rolls
Learn the rhythm.
Step 05
Ask questions
Dealers are usually happy to help.
Superstitions
Many players avoid saying "seven", and some dislike when a new player buys in during a hot roll. Few of these customs affect anything, but following them keeps the table friendly.
Don’t-pass bettors are common and legal. Some players call them the dark side, but there is nothing wrong with betting that way.
Floor rules
Etiquette terms
Know before you sit
- Color up
- Exchanging small chips for larger ones.
- Toke
- A tip for the dealers.
- No roll
- A throw that does not count.
- Hands up
- A warning to move hands before a throw.
Etiquette by the numbers
| Situation | Typical practice |
|---|---|
| Cash drop | Place bills on the layout, never hand them to the dealer |
| Throw | Both dice must hit the back wall |
| Hands | One hand to throw the 2 dice |
| Toke | Many players tip $1–$5 on a bet for the crew |
| Late bets | Wait until the stickman says the dice are in play |
| Buy-in | Commonly 10 to 20 times the table minimum |
Practices vary by casino; ask the dealer.
Common mistakes
- Buying in mid-roll
- Wait for the dice to return to the stickman.
- Throwing with two hands
- Use one hand for the whole throw.
- Arguing payouts loudly
- Ask the dealer quietly; the boxman will check.
- Leaving bets on after leaving
- Pick up all bets before you walk away.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.
Open a casino page
Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Basics
When can I buy in at craps?
Between rolls, when the dice are in the middle of the table. Drop cash on the felt and tell the dealer.
Why should I not say seven?
Many players see it as bad luck while a point is on. It is a superstition, but players take it seriously.
Do I have to shoot?
No. You can pass the dice to the next player by telling the stickman. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
02At the table
What does "hands up" mean?
The stickman wants hands clear of the table before the throw, so a die does not hit them.
How should I tip craps dealers?
Many players bet for the dealers, such as a hard way or a pass line bet "for the boys".
What if my throw misses the back wall?
The stickman may warn you or call it a no roll. Aim for the pyramids at the far end.
03Style
Is it rude to bet don’t pass?
No. It is a legal and low-edge bet. Some players tease the dark side, but it is part of the game.
Can I use my phone at the table?
Keep it off the rail and away from the dice. Many casinos ask players not to film the game.
Is craps etiquette the same online?
Online games have no crew or superstitions, but the betting order and rules are the same.
Sources
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Research library on casino games and gambling
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- Wizard of Odds — Craps Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules, odds and house edge
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER