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Understanding how to play craps is more than worthwhile, as it boasts one of the lowest house edges of any casino game, even featuring a bet with a 0% house edge. Although the table may seem intimidating with its numerous betting options, the game is actually quite straightforward.
This guide provides everything you need to know, including how to play, the rules, the various bets available, and strategies to maximize your chances of winning.
How Does Craps Work: Basic Craps Rules
Craps rules are pretty simple — the shooter (player) rolls the first set of two dice on the table by clicking on the “Roll” button on the screen. The player places a wager on the sum of the two dice before rolling them. The numbers that appear on the screen can result in one of the three possible outcomes — Natural, Craps, or Point.
Natural in Craps
A natural in craps occurs when the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. This is a positive roll and is an immediate win for Pass Line bets. When a natural is rolled, the shooter not only wins that round but also gets to roll the dice again.
What is Craps in Crapping Out?
Crapping out” is when the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll. This is considered an immediate loss for Pass Line bets. However, crapping out doesn’t end the shooter’s turn they still get to continue rolling and start a new come-out roll, giving them another chance to establish a Point.
Point in Craps.
Rolling a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 establishes what’s called a Point in craps. When this happens, an “On” button is placed on the corresponding number on the table to mark it.The shooter must roll the same Point number again before rolling a 7 in order to win the round.
It’s important to note that the combination of dice doesn’t need to match the original roll — only the sum needs to be the same. For example, if the Point is set at 8 by rolling a 6 and 2, the shooter can win by rolling any combination that totals 8, such as 5 and 3, 4 and 4, or 6 and 2 again.
However, there’s a catch: if the shooter rolls a 7 before making the Point, it’s called “sevening out,” and they lose the round. This is particularly challenging because 7 is the most statistically likely total when rolling two six-sided dice.
The Role of the Dice in Craps
Dice represent the most essential factor in this game you can play at online casinos offering craps. To be more precise — two six-sided dice. You must throw both of the dice at the same time for your wager to be considered valid. The idea is to place a bet on the combined sum of both dice before you roll them. For example, if you roll a two and a three, the sum total is five.
Managing Your Chips
To get the answer to the question “how does craps work”, you must understand how chips are managed. Not only is bankroll key at any table game, but it’s also your save and grace when playing online to avoid getting carried away. All you need to do is choose a game whose betting limits fit your bankroll, select the value you want on the screen, and make the bet.
Table Crew: Dealers, Boxman, Shooter, and Stickman
Interestingly, unlike other table games, craps utilizes two dealers. Each is in charge of their side of the table, but they have the same job — get your chips, place them on the table, and pay out your winnings.
When learning how to play craps online, you’ll experience the same treatment but only with live dealer games and not regular table games.
The stickman uses their curved stick to move the dice around the table and bring them to the next player to roll them or the shooter. Although everyone around the table is known as the players, only the person next in line to roll the dice is called the shooter. The situation is different in land-based casinos, where the players do not take turns being the shooter but shoot until one sevens out.
Lastly, we have the boxman in charge of keeping the game running smoothly, handling disputes, and collecting cash if the players have not previously received chips. You probably won’t find a boxman when playing online, though.
Understanding Betting Limits and Placing Bets
There’s a difference between playing in online offshore casinos and brick-and-mortar casinos, the biggest one being in craps betting rules.
In a real casino, you must communicate with the dealer when placing bets, whether you set the chips on the pass line and “Field” and “Come” areas or not. The final move is the dealer’s as they place the chips for you. You’ll also note that craps tables have different limits, which are typically clearly posted on the table.
Online bet placing is entirely different – you must select your bet size from the minimum and maximum bet limits, ranging from a couple of cents to up to $100. Your next step is to choose where on the table to place the bet, and that’s it.
Joe YarnoldCasino & Betting Expert
Getting To Know The Craps Table
Learning how to play craps at a casino is a piece of cake, but let’s start with the basics – which is the craps table. The table itself is split into two sections depicting the same layout. This allows more players to join the table, so there’s no difference between the sides and the one you choose to stand at. However, an online craps table only has one side showcased.
You’ll notice multiple unique sections on the table, each presenting a wager you can place. You get to put your chips/wager on one of the sections, which ultimately means you’re placing a bet. The sections are as follows:
- Pass Line
- Don’t Pass Bar
- Big 6
- Big 8
- The Field
- Come
- Don’t Come
- The Place
- The Center
Each section has its own denotation, while the Center shows unique dice patterns. Each section has its own craps odds and house edge, allowing players to place different wagers.
How to Play Craps at a Casino
With basic craps rules under your belt, you can start playing online for real money now but following the simple steps below!
Create an account
On your chosen casino hit the “login” or “Sign Up” or “Register” button and complete the registration form with your details such as cell phone number, email, and address.Make a deposit
Once you complete the registration hit the “wallet” button, choose the deposit method you want, enter the desired amount and confirm the deposit.Choose a Craps Game
Most online craps casinos have a search function that you can enter craps and it will bring up all the available options. Choose a table that has limits suitable for your bankroll.Place Your First Craps Bet
Once the game loads, you’ll see chips at the bottom indicating various bet amounts. Simply select your chip and click on the desired area of the board to place your bet. In RNG games, you’ll need to manually roll the dice, unlike in live games where the roll may occur automatically.
Types of Craps Bets
Now you’ve learned “how does craps work?” The next step is to understand the different craps bets and identify which ones are most advantageous. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of all available bets along with their house edge. Remember, the lower the house edge, the better it is for you as a player.
Pass & Don’t Pass Bets
- House Edge: Pass 1.41%, Don’t Pass 1.36%
The Pass Line is located at the lower section of the table, while the Don’t Pass Line is just above it. These two sections are crucial for beginners as they represent the simplest bets when still learning how to play craps at a casino.
When betting on the Pass Line, the shooter must roll a 7 or 11. If they do, your bets win. However, your bet loses if the shooter rolls 2, 3, or 1s. If the shooter rolls any other number, your bet remains in place.
Conversely, when betting on the Don’t Pass Line, you’re betting against the shooter. That means that if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, your bet loses. Yet, if they roll 2, 3, or 12, your bet wins.
This bet comes with a house edge of 1.41%, meaning it’s more than suitable for beginners.
Come & Don’t Come Bets
- House Edge: Come 1.41%, Don’t Come 1.36%
After the Come Out roll, when the shooter establishes the Point, players can continue wagering, using bets like Come and Don’t Come – both located above the “Field” section on the table.
The Come bet requires the shooter to roll a 7 or 11, while the Don’t Come bet requires 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, the roll becomes your personal Point, meaning you have twice the chance of winning.
Players need to wait out the Pass and Come bets, as it’s impossible for them to be removed, but they can still place bets in these sections, increase their wagers, or simply withhold. Similarly, if the shooter rolls a 12 on Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets, it ends in a “Push” – meaning it’s neither a win nor a loss.
Pass/Free Odds
- House Edge: 0%
A Free Odds Bet can only be made after you’ve placed a Pass Line/Don’t Pass Line or Come/Don’t Come bet after a point or bet has been established.
The bet is placed on the same number as the point. This bet has no house edge, and its payout odds exactly match the mathematical odds of rolling the point number ( 2:1 for a Point of 4 or 10, 3:2 for a Point of 5 or 9, and 6:5 for a Point of 6 or 8).
When learning how to play the craps casino game from an expert, they will always advise you to take the Free Odds Bet, as it’s one of the only wagers in a casino game that carries no house edge. In fact, it’s better to reduce your initial Pass Line/Don’t Pass or Come/Don’t Come wager so you can allocate money to the Free Odds Bet rather than forgoing it entirely.
Place Bets
- House Edge: 6.67% on 4 or 10, 4% on 5 or 9, 1.52% on 6 or 8
A Place Bet is a straight-up wager on a specific number—usually 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10—where you win if your chosen number is rolled before a 7 appears, regardless of how many rolls it takes. Each number offers different payout odds and carries its own house edge, with bets on 6 and 8 being the most popular due to their more favorable odds.
Field Bets
- House Edge: 5.56%
Although most players believe that Field bets are the most simple to win, it’s quite the contrary. Making a Field bet means you’re betting that the shooter will roll 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11. However, basic craps rules tell us that there’s a higher chance of rolling a 7, 5, 6, or 8.
A good tip is that you can double or triple your stake if you wager that the roll will land a 2 or 12.
Proposition Bets
- House Edge: Varies from 10% to 16.67% depending on the bet
Proposition bets are made on the table’s center section by placing a wager on a single roll of the dice. Here’s how that looks:
| Bet | Wins if the… |
|---|---|
| Any 7 | Shooter rolls a 7 |
| Any Craps | Shooter lands a 2, 3, or 12 |
| Ace Deuce | Shooter rolls a 3 |
| Aces | Shooter lands a 2 |
| Boxcars | Shooter lands a 12 |
| Horns | Shooter lands a 2, 3, 11, or 12 |
These bets come with a very high house edge of 10% up to 16.7%, so are best left alone or used sparingly.
Odds & Payouts Explained
When you first learn how to play craps, understanding the payout and likelihood of each outcome is essential. Refer to the table below for a comprehensive breakdown of all craps bets.
| Bet | Payout | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1:1 | 49.29% |
| Don’t Pass Line | 1:1 | 49.29% |
| Come Bet | 1:1 | 49.29% |
| Don’t Come Bet | 1:1 | 49.29% |
| Field Bet | 1:1 (except 2 12: 2:1) | 44.44% (excluding 2 12) |
| Place Bet (4 or 10) | 9:5 | 33.33% |
| Place Bet (5 or 9) | 7:5 | 40% |
| Place Bet (6 or 8) | 7:6 | 45.45% |
| Big 6 or Big 8 | 1:1 | 45.45% |
| Hard 4 or Hard 10 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Hard 6 or Hard 8 | 9:1 | 13.89% |
| Any Craps (2 3 or 12) | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Any 7 | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Horn Bet (2 3 11 or 12) | 27:1 | 13.89% |
| Horn High (2 3 11 or 12) | Varies (High bet wins) | Varies (depends on which die is high) |
Different Types of Craps Games Online
Now that you know how craps works, you should also become familiar with the different craps game varieties before you start playing. Here’s what to expect in most online casinos:
- Simplified Craps: As the name suggests, this is a simplified version of the classic craps game, where the shooter only rolls the dice once. If the shooter lands a 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12, the players win. In case of a rolled 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, the players lose.
- High Limit Craps: A classic game of craps but with high limits of up to $1,000 or even more; an excellent alternative for high-rollers.
- Crapless Craps: If a shooter lands a 2, 3, or 12 on a Pass Line, you don’t lose in this craps version, often called Ruse or Bastard craps.
- Low Limit Craps: This is a common online version of craps for beginners with low stakes. You can place the lowest possible wagers here.
- Bank or Classic Craps: As the most common version of craps, Bank craps is often found in brick-and-mortar casinos with standard rules where you place a wager before the shooter rolls the dice.
Learn Craps: Beginner Tips & Strategy
Once you learn craps, you should also be aware of some common strategies that you can use to up your gaming style a bit. Here’s what you should pay attention to:
- Practice, practice, practice — There’s a good reason why most of the best online casinos offer free craps games. It’s so you can play craps without investing any of your hard-earned money and focus on trying out different plays, strategies, and bet types.
- Know the rules – The key rule is to learn how to play craps at a casino so you keep track of how the game progresses and don’t stray from your plan.
- Stick within your budget – Make sure you set a budget for your gaming. It’s a sure way to practice responsible gambling, so pick a table with different minimum and maximum betting limits.
- Don’t chase your losses – Although playing craps is very exciting, it’s still a game of chance, and you should also know when it’s time to leave the table. Follow your budget and intuition and avoid chasing your losses.
Joe YarnoldCasino & Betting Expert
More Guides on ReadWrite
After mastering how to play craps, you can venture off into other table games commonly found in online casinos. Take a look at our guides to playing the following table games:
Final Thoughts
Craps is widely recognized as one of the best casino games when it comes to winning potential, provided you choose your bets wisely. It’s a straightforward and easy-to-learn game, meaning even complete novices can start playing confidently after a brief period of practice.
However, we recommend you first learn how to play craps at home using free demos from online casinos before risking any money. Once you’re confident in how to play video craps, you can start betting—and remember to take advantage of the many casino bonuses available online.
FAQ
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Responsible Gambling
Note that gambling should predominantly be a fun and engaging activity and not a means of making a profit. Ensure you stay within your gambling means and pre-determined budget by adhering to responsible gambling policies.
If you feel as if you’re losing control over your gambling activities, seek help at one of the following organizations:
- Smart Recovery
- GamTalk
- National Council on Problem Gambling
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Gam-Anon® International Service
