• Craps is a dice game in which players place wagers on the outcome of the roll, or a series of rolls, of a pair of dice. Players may wager money against each other (street craps, also known as shooting dice or rolling dice) or a bank (casino craps, also known as table craps).
• The sides and bottom base of the practice table are made from one sheet of 4'x8' 1/2' plywood. It can be any type of any plywood, but birch or oak will make a better looking table and will dice will not dent as easily. The top rail of 1/2' plywood adds strength and helps maintain shape and it can be upholstered if desired.

I,m going to build a regulation 12′ craps table. I’m going to make my plans availible for purchase at a reasonable $100.00 I have researched the tables extensively. Gen contractor for 30 years and have my own cabinet shop.

If you want to learn to play craps, you should start by learning how the craps table works.

It might seem intimidating at first, but it’s less complicated than you think.

And smarts craps players ignore most of the table, anyway.

This post explains in detail for beginners what they need to know about placing bets on the craps table.

The Basics of the Craps Table

In casinos, craps is played at a table, usually one covered in green felt. The bets available are labeled on the felt. The table is also the playing surface for the game – you roll the dice on the same table where you place your bets.

Most of the best US casinos use a long table for craps – it’s 12 feet long, but it’s kind of rectangular. You’ll find smaller craps tables sometimes, but most casinos use the 12 feet long table because it accommodates more players – up to 16 people can play craps comfortably at a 12 feet long table.

The rail around the table is padded because a lot of people get tired of standing and want something to lean on. Craps isn’t like blackjack; you don’t sit on a stool at the craps table.

Each player has a rack where he can put his chips while he plays. That’s located next to the padded railing.

The green felt is considered the bed of the craps table, and it has (almost) all the bets available stenciled on it.

Also, the craps table isn’t really a flat table – it’s more like a big, rectangular bowl. This prevents the dice from rolling onto the ground. The walls inside the table are padded with rubber pyramids, which serve to further randomize the rolls of the dice.

If you’re the shooter, you’re required to roll the dice all the way to the pyramids on the other side of the table.

How the Bets Are Laid Out on a Craps Table

If you’ve never played before, you’ll think craps is too complicated because of all the different bets available on the layout.

But it’s easier than you think.

You can think of the table as having a side section and a center section. (Really, there are 2 side sections – one on either end of the craps table. They’re identical, though.)

You’ll see blocks with numbers and words in them in each section. Those are the bets you can place.

You should avoid the bets in the center section, which are the bets that the stickman will encourage you to make. I’ll explain the center section later, but for now, I want to focus on the section where you’ll be making the most bets if you’re a smart player.

The self-service bets – the bets you’re allowed to place for yourself – include the following bets:

1. Pass
2. Don’t Pass
3. Come
4. Don’t Come
5. Field
6. Big 6
7. Big 8

These are the most basic bets in craps, and they have the lowest house edge – although Big 6 and Big 8 are the worst in this batch. (On some tables, those aren’t even in the self-service area at all.)

When one of these bets wins, the dealer puts your winnings on the table next to your bet. If you leave that money on the table, it goes back into action.

The other area in the side section is the dealer’s area. Here, you need to get the dealer to place your bet for you. This area includes the point boxes:

• 4
• 5
• Six
• 8
• Nine
• 10

You’ll notice that I spelled out 6 and 9. That’s how they’ll appear on the table so that players don’t get confused about which is which.

When a shooter sets a point, the dealer puts a puck in the appropriate box to signify the point for that game. These spots serve a 2nd purpose, too – you can ask the dealer to place Buy, Lay, and Place bets for you in those spots.

Come and Don’t Come are still self-service bets, but the odds bet for those must be handled by the dealer. The dealer uses the chips you bet on Come or Don’t Come to mark the number in those numbered boxes, and they put the odds bet next to the appropriate number, too.

The Center Section Is for Prop Bets, Which You Should NEVER Make

You’ll notice that the stickman, who’s running the center section of the craps table, acts like a carnival barker or one of those loud pitchmen you sometimes run into at a flea market. That’s because his job is to sell the worst bets on the craps table to the players.

The reason these are the worst bets on the table is because the house edge for ALL these bets is insanely high.

The house edge is a statistically expected loss that you’ll see over the long run with a specific kind of bet.

The pass line bet has a house edge of 1.41%, which is relatively low for a casino game. In fact, it’s one of the best bets in the casino.

But the house edge on the bets in the center of the table is 9% or higher.

Nonetheless, here you can place bets in this section if you want to.

To do so, you toss your chips to the center of the table to the stickman and announce what bet you want to place. Try to use some skill and deftness when you do this – you don’t want to knock someone else’s chips over, for example.

When you win one of these proposition bets, the chips are paid directly to you rather than just being placed on the table next to your original bet.

Examples of Proposition Bets and Their House Edge

The hard way bets are bets on totals like 4, 6, 8, or 10.

But they only pay off if the shooter rolls that total “the hard way.”

This means that a total of 4 must be a pair of deuces, a 6 must be a roll with of both 3s, an 8 must consist of a couple of 4s, and a 10 must be made up of 5s.

The payout for a hard 6 or hard 8 is 9 to 1, and the payout for a hard 4 or 10 is 7 to 1.

The house edge for the hard 6 or hard 8 bet is 9.09%.

The house edge for the hard 4 or hard 10 bet is 11.11%.

I often suggest that many gambling writers make too much of a fuss about the house edge on casino games, but this is one instance where it’s a big deal.

You’re looking at a statistical advantage for the casino that’s 10 times as great on one bet over the other bet.

You should pay attention to that, for sure.

Just skip the proposition bets.

You’ll have just as much fun at the craps table, you’ll probably stay in action longer, and you’ll have a better chance of going home from the craps table a winner.

How to Get Used to the Craps Layout

The best way to get used to the game of craps is to play at an online casino, like those recommended on this site. All the casinos listed here offer free-to-play versions of their casino games. You play for “play-money” chips.

The big advantage of doing this is that you’re not risking any real money when you’re playing these free craps games.

It’s much better to learn without risking money if you can.

Conclusion

You need to know how the craps table and its layout work if you want to stand a chance at winning when shooting dice.

The best way to do that is to practice on a free game after reading through this quick tutorial.

The most important advice I offer in this post, though, is to stay away from those bets in the middle of the table. The house edge is just too high on those.

How To Build Your Own Practice Table

New & Improved
Upgraded Practice Table With Shooting Station

Looking for Dice Layouts, Chip Rail and Corners for your table find them here.
Before you start your pactice table, maybe refresh your knowlege of the game with Free Craps Lessons?

Practice Table Construction (updated 05/30/02)

Materials: (total cost about $200)

Tools:

General Info

The sides and bottom base of the practice table are made from one sheet of 4'x8' 1/2' plywood. It can be any type of any plywood, but birch or oak will make a better looking table and will dice will not dent as easily. The top rail of 1/2' plywood adds strength and helps maintain shape and it can be upholstered if desired. It is important to make the table solid. Making the bottom base a single layer reduces cost but compromises authenticity.

By purchasing the plywood at a Home Depot or Lowe’s they will make some of the cuts for you. Two cuts are free. Have the sheet split lengthwise with one side 24' wide. Split the 24' wide strip in two pieces giving 2 - 24'x47 15/16' pieces (you lose 1/8' for saw blade). Depending on size requirements the bottom base could be trimmed to 47 1/2' as shown in the drawing or left at 47 15/16' width. The other piece would be ripped lengthwise twice to make a 9 1/2' x 96' piece and an 11' x 96' piece.

Bottom Base

Attach the two 24'x47� ' pieces together using six to eight 1�' #10 flathead wood screws from the bottom side only. Be sure that the screw heads are flush. Layout the 14�' radius corners and cut with a hand held jig (saber) saw. A router can be used to smooth the edges with a 3/8' round over bit top and bottom. The routing is not essential but it makes the felting easier. Do not cover base with felt until the sides are constructed. When covering with felt an under layer of flannel (purchased from a fabric store) reduces the hardness and makes the surface more like casino conditions.

The banquet table legs are 28' in length. Cut 3' to 3�” off the bottom using a tubing cutter of hack saw. Mount the legs, with the screws provided, to the base about 6' in from the edge. Make sure that the smooth surface (no screw heads) of the base is up.

Side Boards

Cutting of the kerfs, which allow the side board to bend around the corner, is accomplished by setting the saw to a depth of 1/16' less than the thickness of the plywood. Try a couple of test cuts on some scrap or the ends to make sure the cut does not go completely through the plywood . If the depth becomes equal or greater than the thickness of the plywood it will ruin the project. Layout the kerf lines 1' apart (�' or 3/4' makes a smoother turn but is a lot more work). Use a straight edge guide to cut the kerfs with a hand circular saw or a radial arm saw. The radial arm saw, if you have one, makes the job much easier. Make sure that there is a rigid board under the entire length of the side board when cutting as the side board will break at the kerfs if there is no support. The ends should not be cut to length until the board is wrapped on the bottom base and marked and cut.

There are two side boards. The outside side plywood is wrapped around the bottom base with the kerfs facing inward towards the bottom base and with the edge of the outside side flush with the underside of the base. Placing waxed paper around the edge and on top of the base will keep glue in its place. Wetting the smooth surface of the plywood with a spray bottle, where the kerfs have been cut, helps bending. Clamps or temporary nails hold the outside side plywood in place against the base. Do not drive nails all the way in as they will be removed when the inside side board is glued into position.

Apply wood glue to inside surface (kerf side)of the outer side. Carefully bend the inside plywood side (kerf of inside plywood facing the kerf of the outside plywood) into position. Clamp or screw using 1�” #10 screws, the inside plywood to the outside plywood (from the inside). Allow adequate time to dry.

The excess sides may now be trimmed with a saw even with the bottom base.

An optional 2' high plexiglass fence added to the front of the table will keep the dice confined to the practice table. I have found it keeps the dice from bouncing off the table when your friends toss the dice. A precision shooter would never make a shot with that much rebound. The plexiglass starts just above the base. Drill holes in plexiglass and attach with 2 1' #6 round head screws.

Top Rail

Cut out the top rail from the �' plywood using a jigsaw. Align on top of the sides and attach using 1�” #10 screws. You can upholster the top rail with 1' foam and vinyl if desired.

Chip rails can be purchased at http://www.casino4you.com/

Felt

Place the flannel on the base (make sure screw heads are on the underside) and staple. Apply the felt over the flannel and attach using a stapler. Start with the straight edge and stretch and staple.

Diamond Rubber

Attach the rubber centered between the curved portions. Use a rubber adhesive as it is a silicone flexible adhesive that will not become brittle.

Shooting Station for Practice Table Construction

Tools:

The sides and bottom base of the shooting stand table are made from one sheet of 4'x8' 3/4' plywood. The top rail of �' plywood is for the rail padding we lean against so much. Optional chip trays are shown but not described. Email me for details on the chip tray if you want to go to this detail.

By purchasing the plywood at a Home Depot or Lowe’s they will make some of the cuts for you. Two cuts are free. The cutting diagram will help.

Station Bottom Base

Attach the two 24'x36' pieces together using 1�' #10 flathead wood screws from the bottom side only. Be sure that the screw heads are flush to avoid marring any surface you set the table up on. A router can be used to do a 3/8' round over on the top and bottom. Cut 3' to 3�” from each leg of the banquet table legs using a tubing cutter (a hacksaw will work but is a lot more work and the result is not as smooth).

Next attach the banquet table legs. Place them about 6' from the ends of the base and attach with screws provided with the legs.

The base must be covered with felt prior to installing the side. Stretch and staple to the station base.

Side Boards

Sandwich the �' x 36' (9� “ and 11' high) side boards and use 1�' #10 flathead wood screws from the 9�' side to secure the two pieces. Be sure that the screw heads are flush.

Place the sandwiched plywood side board on the felted base and attach with 3 2' #10 wood screws.

Attach the �” plywood, 6�' wide top cap to the side boards using 1�' #10 wood screws. You may add chip rails if you desire. Chip rails are made out of 1' thick mahogany. It takes some woodworking skill to make the chip rails.

The �” x �' x 38' piece must be glued to the �' x 3�' x 38' plywood before the corners are rounded. After this step apply 1' foam over the top and front of the plywood. Staple the vinyl upholstery fabric to the rail for a casino like rail rest.

Happy Shooting

DiceSetter.com

Kerf detail

Quick and Dirty Practice Table

Supplies:

14’ x 5’ Sheet of 1/2 inch plywood or particle board

12’ x 3’ Sheet of masonite

172” x 48” sheet of felt

1Twin size foam mattress pad (twin size)

1Can of spray paint

1Can of spray adhesive

Tools:Circular saw
Drill
Hammer
Staple Gun

Time:
Approximately 2 hours.If you spray paint the mattress pad, perhaps do this step the evening before.

Cost:
If you don’t have to buy power tools, this will cost around $29.

Construction:

• Cut foam mattress pad into a 12” x 6 ‘ length.Spray paint to desired color (optional)
• Cut plywood to be 4 feet wide by 3 feet deep for base.
• With left over plywood, cut another piece of plywood 4’ long by 12.5” high for the back wall.
• Cut 2 masonite sheets 15” long by 12.5” high for side walls

• Drape felt over plywood.Cut to size such that there is about 2” extra around the perimeter of the plywood.Staple felt to the edges of plywood, keeping it taught.
• Screw back wall to the base
• Screw side wall masonite pieces to the base.Make sure that they overlap to the back wall plywood. Screw masonite side pieces to back wall as well.
• Place mattress pad on the table, inside the 3 walls.You will be able to make curved corners.Once you have the fit that you like, spray adhesive on the inside of the back and side wall pieces AND on the back of the mattress pad.Secure into place.Let dry.

<img src='../images/home1.jpg' alt='home1.jpg (123936 bytes)' width='310' height='234' '='>

Options: You can purchase REAL craps table felt with all the markings and REAL back wall pyramid rubber from http://www.gamblersgeneralstore.com .It will significantly increase the cost of building the table.

Here's the practice table Ray built. A beautiful piece of work!

How Do You Make A Craps Table

(under construction)

(finished practice table)

How To Build A Craps Table By Bone Thrower

Here is a picture of the practice table Big Lou constructed!