Understanding the Point Number in Craps
The point number is one of the most important concepts in craps. It determines the central objective of a Pass Line wager after the initial roll and helps players understand what happens during the main part of a shooter’s turn.
For someone new to craps, the terms “come-out roll,” “point,” “point number,” and “seven-out” can initially seem confusing. Once the sequence is understood, however, the basic process becomes much easier to follow.
In standard craps, the point can only be one of six numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. A point is established when one of these totals appears on the come-out roll. After that happens, the shooter continues rolling until either the point is rolled again or a 7 appears. For a Pass Line bet, rolling the point first wins the wager, while rolling a 7 first loses it.
Understanding this sequence is useful because the point affects several common craps wagers, including Pass Line bets, Odds bets, Come bets, and Place bets.
What Is the Point in Craps?
The point is a number established during the come-out roll.
The two dice can produce totals from 2 through 12. During the come-out roll, a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 establishes the point.
For example, suppose the shooter rolls a total of 6 on the come-out roll. The 6 becomes the point.
The dealer normally places a puck or marker on the 6 position of the table to show everyone that the point has been established. The marker changes from “OFF” to “ON.”
From this moment, the game enters a different stage.
The shooter continues rolling until one of two important outcomes occurs:
The point is rolled again: Pass Line bets win.
A 7 is rolled first: Pass Line bets lose, and the shooter is said to have “sevened out.”
Other dice results can occur between these two outcomes without immediately resolving the Pass Line wager.
What Is the Come-Out Roll?
The come-out roll is the first roll of a new round for the Pass Line.
Before the come-out roll, the puck is in the “OFF” position. This tells players that there is currently no point established.
The outcome of this first roll determines what happens next.
If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, a Pass Line bet wins immediately.
If the shooter rolls 2, 3, or 12, the Pass Line bet loses.
If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point.
For example:
Come-out roll: 8
The 8 becomes the point.
The puck moves to the 8.
The shooter continues rolling.
The Pass Line wager now waits for either an 8 or a 7.
This simple transition from the come-out roll to the point phase is the foundation of standard craps.
Which Numbers Can Become the Point?
There are six possible point numbers in conventional craps:
4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
The numbers 2, 3, 7, 11, and 12 cannot become the point during a standard come-out roll.
The six point numbers can be grouped into three pairs:
4 and 10
5 and 9
6 and 8
These pairs have mathematical similarities because they have the same probability of being rolled with two standard dice.
For example, 4 and 10 can each be produced in three combinations. The totals 5 and 9 each have four combinations, while 6 and 8 each have five combinations.
That difference becomes important when understanding how frequently different point numbers are established and how difficult they are to make before a 7 appears.
What Happens Once the Point Is Established?
Once a point has been established, the shooter continues rolling.
Suppose the come-out roll is 5.
The 5 is now the point.
The shooter could roll 4, 8, 6, 10, or several other totals without immediately resolving the Pass Line bet.
The important outcomes are the point itself and 7.
If the shooter rolls 5 before 7, the Pass Line bet wins.
If the shooter rolls 7 before 5, the Pass Line bet loses.
The sequence then returns to a new come-out roll after the point is resolved.
Wizard of Odds describes this as the shooter continuing to roll until the same point or a 7 appears.
What Does “Seven Out” Mean?
A “seven out” occurs when the shooter rolls a 7 after a point has already been established and before that point is repeated.
For example:
Come-out roll: 6
Point: 6
Next rolls: 4, 9, 5, 8
Next roll: 7
The shooter has sevened out.
For Pass Line players, the Pass Line wager loses.
The point is then removed, and a new come-out roll begins.
The phrase “seven out” is specific to the situation where a point is already established. A 7 on the come-out roll is different: under standard Pass Line rules, a come-out 7 wins the Pass Line bet rather than ending a point.
Why Is the Point Important?
The point determines what number the shooter is trying to roll again.
Before a point exists, the Pass Line bet has immediate outcomes on the come-out roll.
After the point is established, the Pass Line wager enters a longer phase where the point and 7 become the critical outcomes.
This creates the characteristic rhythm of craps:
Come-out roll → point established → rolls continue → point or 7 → new come-out roll
Understanding this sequence makes the table much easier to follow.
Example of a Point of 4
Imagine the shooter begins a new round.
The come-out roll is 4.
The 4 becomes the point.
The shooter rolls again.
Suppose the next results are:
6 → 8 → 5 → 9 → 4
The shooter eventually rolls the 4 before a 7.
The Pass Line bet wins.
The point is then cleared, and the next roll becomes a new come-out roll.
Now imagine the sequence instead is:
6 → 8 → 5 → 7
The 7 appears before the 4.
The Pass Line bet loses, and the shooter has sevened out.
The difference is entirely determined by which of the two relevant numbers appears first.
Example of a Point of 10
Now consider a come-out roll of 10.
The 10 becomes the point.
The shooter continues rolling.
Numbers such as 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 can appear without resolving the Pass Line wager.
If another 10 appears before a 7, the Pass Line wins.
If a 7 appears first, the Pass Line loses.
This example also illustrates why not every roll after the point is immediately significant to the Pass Line wager.
What Happens When the Point Is Rolled?
When the shooter rolls the established point before a 7, the Pass Line bet wins at even money.
The point is then turned off, and the game moves back to a new come-out roll.
Suppose the point is 8.
The shooter rolls:
4 → 10 → 5 → 8
The 8 completes the point.
The Pass Line wager wins.
The next roll is once again a come-out roll.
This cycle can repeat throughout the shooter’s turn.
What Happens When a 7 Appears?
If a 7 is rolled after a point has been established, the Pass Line wager loses.
The point is removed, and the shooter’s turn ends under standard craps rules.
The dice then pass to the next shooter.
This is why “seven out” is an important term for new players.
A 7 can be favorable on a come-out roll for a Pass Line player but unfavorable after the point has been established.
The timing of the 7 matters.
The Difference Between a Come-Out 7 and a Seven-Out
These two situations are easy to confuse.
A come-out 7 occurs when there is no point established. For a Pass Line bet, it is an immediate win.
A seven-out occurs after a point has been established. The 7 appears before the point and causes the Pass Line wager to lose.
The dice total is identical in both situations.
The difference is the stage of the game.
This is one of the most important rules for a first-time craps player to remember.
How the Point Relates to the Pass Line
The Pass Line is the most fundamental bet in standard craps.
During the come-out roll, it wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12, and establishes a point on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
Once the point exists, the Pass Line bet wins if the point is rolled before 7.
The standard Pass Line house edge is about 1.41% under conventional rules.
For beginners, the main lesson is not the percentage itself but the sequence of events.
The point changes the conditions of the Pass Line wager.
The Point and Odds Bets
After a point is established, a player who has a Pass Line bet can generally place an additional Odds wager behind it.
The Odds bet is connected to the established point.
The payout depends on which point has been established:
| Point | Standard Odds Payout |
|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 |
| 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 |
| 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 |
These are the mathematically fair odds on the Odds portion under standard craps rules.
For example, if the point is 6, the Odds bet pays 6:5 if the 6 appears before a 7.
If the point is 4, the Odds bet pays 2:1 when the 4 is rolled before a 7.
The casino can restrict the maximum amount that can be placed as Odds.
Why 6 and 8 Are Different From 4 and 10
The point numbers are not equally likely to appear on any single roll.
With two dice, 6 and 8 each have five possible combinations.
Five and 9 each have four combinations.
Four and 10 each have three combinations.
This means 6 and 8 are more frequently rolled totals than 4 and 10.
The standard Odds payouts reflect these probabilities. A point of 4 or 10 pays 2:1 because those totals are less likely to occur than 6 or 8.
Understanding this relationship helps explain why the payouts are not identical for every point number.
The Point and Come Bets
Come bets introduce another layer to the point concept.
A Come bet is placed after the initial come-out roll and behaves similarly to a Pass Line bet, but it establishes its own point if the next roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
For example, suppose the table’s main point is 6.
A player places a Come bet.
The next roll is 9.
The Come bet now has a point of 9, even though the table’s main Pass Line point remains 6.
This means multiple point numbers can be active for different bets.
The distinction can be confusing at first, but each Come bet effectively creates its own separate point cycle. Wizard of Odds describes the Come bet as functioning like a Pass Line bet outside the come-out roll, with its own point and potential Odds wager.
Can There Be More Than One Point?
Yes, depending on the bets being made.
There is only one primary table point for the Pass Line, shown by the puck.
However, Come bets can establish additional individual points.
For example, the table’s main point might be 8 while a player’s Come bet has established a 5.
The shooter can continue rolling, and both wagers can be affected by future results.
This is one reason experienced craps tables can appear complicated.
A beginner does not need to participate in every available wager. Understanding the main point and Pass Line sequence first is enough to learn the basic game.
The Point and Place Bets
Place bets also involve the six numbers commonly associated with points: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
A player can place a wager directly on one of these numbers without first making a Pass Line bet.
The Place bet wins if the selected number is rolled before a 7, subject to the specific rules of the wager.
Standard Place payouts differ by number. Place 6 and 8 pay 7:6, 5 and 9 pay 7:5, and 4 and 10 pay 9:5.
This makes the point numbers important beyond the Pass Line.
Point Numbers and Probability
Understanding probability can make the point system easier to appreciate.
There are 36 possible combinations when two standard six-sided dice are rolled.
A total of 4 can be produced in three ways:
1+3, 2+2, and 3+1.
A total of 5 can be produced in four ways.
A total of 6 can be produced in five ways.
The same pattern occurs in reverse for 8, 9, and 10.
A 7 has six possible combinations, making it the most frequently occurring total with two standard dice.
This is why the 7 is particularly important in the point phase.
Wizard of Odds’ probability calculations show how the chance of making each point before a 7 differs according to the point number.
Is One Point Number Better Than Another?
From a probability perspective, the point numbers behave differently.
Six and eight are rolled more frequently than four and ten.
However, a higher frequency does not automatically mean that a player should assume a particular point will be favorable in every situation.
Different craps wagers have different rules and payouts.
For example, an Odds bet on 4 pays differently from one on 6 because the probabilities are different.
The correct way to understand a point number is to consider both its probability and the specific wager attached to it.
Why the Point Changes the Table’s Appearance
Before a point is established, the puck is marked “OFF.”
After a point is established, the puck is turned “ON” and placed on the corresponding number.
This visual marker helps everyone at the table identify the current point.
For example:
OFF → come-out roll → 5 → ON 5
The shooter now has a point of 5.
If the 5 is rolled before a 7, the point is made.
If 7 appears first, the shooter seven-outs.
The puck then returns to “OFF” for the next come-out roll.
Can the Point Change Without Being Made?
The primary point does not simply change because another number is rolled.
Suppose the point is 6.
The shooter rolls 5.
The point remains 6.
The shooter rolls 9.
The point remains 6.
The shooter rolls 10.
The point remains 6.
Only when the 6 or 7 appears does the Pass Line point cycle resolve.
A new point can then be established on the following come-out roll.
This is a useful distinction for beginners who may initially think that every new roll creates a new point.
Craps Variations Can Change the Point Rules
Standard craps is not the only version available.
Some casino variations modify the normal come-out rules.
One example is Crapless Craps, in which 2, 3, 11, and 12 can also become point numbers rather than immediately producing the standard Pass Line win or loss outcomes. Wizard of Odds notes that in Crapless Craps, every total other than 7 can establish a point on the come-out roll.
This is an important reminder that players should check the exact rules of the table.
A game labeled craps may not necessarily use every rule found in conventional craps.
Common Point-Number Mistakes
One common mistake is thinking that a point is automatically established on every roll. It is not. The point is established during the appropriate come-out roll when the result is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
Another mistake is treating every 7 as a loss for Pass Line players. A 7 on the come-out roll actually wins a standard Pass Line bet.
Players also sometimes confuse the main table point with a point established by a Come bet. These can operate independently.
Finally, beginners may assume that rolling another number changes the point. Once established, the main point remains until it is made or lost through a 7.
A Simple Point-Number Example
Consider this complete sequence:
Come-out roll: 8
The 8 becomes the point.
Roll: 5
Nothing happens to the Pass Line point.
Roll: 9
The point remains 8.
Roll: 6
The point remains 8.
Roll: 8
The point is made.
The Pass Line bet wins.
The puck moves to “OFF.”
The next roll is a new come-out roll.
Now imagine the same beginning:
Come-out roll: 8
Point: 8.
Roll: 5
No resolution.
Roll: 4
No resolution.
Roll: 7
Seven-out.
The Pass Line bet loses.
The shooter’s turn ends.
This simple example captures the central role of the point.
Understanding the Point Before Learning Other Bets
Craps has many different wagers, but a beginner does not need to memorize them all immediately.
The point is the foundation for understanding the Pass Line and Odds bets. Once that sequence is comfortable, concepts such as Come bets, Place bets, Don’t Pass, and other wagers become easier to understand.
Learning the point first can also make a crowded craps table feel less confusing.
Instead of trying to follow every chip on the layout, a new player can focus on one question:
What is the current point?
Once that is clear, the rest of the game becomes easier to follow.
Responsible Craps Play
Understanding the point number explains how the game works, but it does not create a way to predict the next roll.
Dice outcomes remain uncertain.
A point of 6 does not guarantee that the shooter will roll another 6, and a point of 4 does not guarantee that a 7 will appear next.
Players should avoid treating the point as a signal that a particular outcome is “due.”
It is also sensible to decide on a gambling budget before playing and choose table limits that fit within that budget. A longer point cycle can involve multiple rolls, but more rolls do not guarantee a favorable result.
Craps should be approached as entertainment rather than as a dependable source of income.
Final Thoughts
The point number is the central feature of the main phase of a conventional craps round. It is established when a come-out roll produces 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. Once established, the shooter continues rolling until either that point appears again or a 7 appears first.
For a Pass Line player, making the point before a 7 wins the wager, while a 7 appearing first produces a loss. The point also determines the payout on an Odds bet and plays an important role in Come and Place bets.
The six possible point numbers are not equally likely on an individual dice roll. Six and eight have five combinations each, five and nine have four, and four and ten have three. The different probabilities help explain the different payouts associated with various point numbers.
For first-time players, the most important thing is to remember the sequence:
Come-out roll → point established → point or 7 → new come-out roll.
Once this pattern becomes familiar, one of the most confusing parts of craps becomes much easier to understand.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the point number in craps?
The point is the number established when a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled during the come-out roll.
2. Which numbers can become the point?
The standard point numbers are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
3. What happens after the point is established?
The shooter continues rolling until the point is rolled again or a 7 appears.
4. What happens if the point is rolled before a 7?
A standard Pass Line wager wins if the established point is rolled before a 7.
5. What is a seven-out?
A seven-out occurs when a 7 is rolled after a point has been established and before the point is made.
6. Does a come-out 7 lose the Pass Line bet?
No. Under standard craps rules, a 7 on the come-out roll wins a Pass Line bet.
7. Can 2 become the point?
Not in conventional craps. In standard rules, 2, 3, 11, and 12 have immediate come-out outcomes rather than becoming point numbers.
8. Can 12 become the point?
Not in standard craps. Some variations, such as Crapless Craps, use different point rules.
9. Does the point change after every roll?
No. Once established, the point remains the same until it is made or a 7 ends the point cycle.
10. What does the puck show?
The puck indicates whether the game is on a come-out roll or whether a point has been established.
11. Why are 6 and 8 common point numbers?
With two dice, 6 and 8 each have five possible combinations, making them more likely to appear on an individual roll than 4 or 10.
12. What are the standard Odds payouts for point numbers?
Standard Odds payouts are 2:1 on 4 and 10, 3:2 on 5 and 9, and 6:5 on 6 and 8.
13. Can a Come bet have its own point?
Yes. A Come bet can establish its own point when an eligible number is rolled after the Come wager is placed.
14. Can multiple points exist at the same time?
The main Pass Line point is singular, but separate Come bets can establish additional individual points.
15. Do Place bets use the same point numbers?
Place bets commonly apply to 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, which are also the standard point numbers.
16. Is a point of 6 guaranteed to appear again?
No. The point may be rolled again, or a 7 may appear first.
17. Is a point of 4 more likely to be rolled than a point of 6?
No. A 6 has more possible dice combinations than a 4, so it occurs more frequently on an individual roll.
18. What happens after a point is made?
The Pass Line point is resolved, the puck returns to the “OFF” position, and the next roll becomes a new come-out roll.
19. Can craps variations use different point rules?
Yes. Some variations modify the conventional rules. Crapless Craps, for example, allows additional totals to become points.
20. Why should beginners learn the point first?
The point is central to understanding the Pass Line, Odds, and several other craps wagers. Learning this sequence makes the rest of the table much easier to understand.
