Craps can be one of the most entertaining games in the casino. Ever seen a bunch of people cheering together around a craps table? The beauty of the game is that when a player is on the roll, everybody playing at that table can win! This is because everybody is betting on the same roll of the dice. So you just have to spot a lucky player, and play with him/her.

• Sep 19, 2019 Craps rolls are one of the most interesting events that happen on the Casino floor. This Craps strategy guide for beginners helps you understand the ins and outs of the pass or come bet.
• Craps is a dice game in which the players make wagers on the outcome of the roll, or a series of rolls, of a pair of dice. Players may wager money against each other (playing 'street craps') or a bank (playing 'casino craps', also known as 'table craps', or often just 'craps'). Because it requires little equipment, 'street craps' can be played in informal settings.

Everyone has to make a Pass Line bet to shoot craps at a casino, and this is actually a pretty good bet, with a house edge of only about 1.41%. However, a better bet is a Don’t Pass Line bet. With this bet, you are betting with the house, that another player is going to lose money.

Read our Craps Bonus page to find the best casino’s where you can clear a casino bonus while playing Craps.

History of Craps

Games with dice have been around for thousands of years, some even date from the Roman Empire. There are also known storys about the Indians who used square bones to force decisions. The craps game originates from a game that was played in England during the 18th and 19th century; the game ‘Hazard’. This game became very popular in France around the year 1800 and they gave it the name Craps.

The basics of Craps

At first glance Craps seems to be a rather complicated game, which is because of the many betting options the game offers. But if you study the rules closer, it appears to be a very easy game. For every round of betting two dice have to be thrown, and players get a chance to bet the amount of pips that will be thrown. Betting is done at a table such as the one shown on the right here.

The standard opening bet has to be placed on the ‘pass line bet’ (number one in the picture). This bet is placed before the first role of the dice and is called the ‘come out roll’. In case the total value of the pips of the two dice is 7 or 11, the player wins, for a total value of 2, 3 or 12 the players looses. Every other value will become the ‘point’ and will be marked with the ‘ON’ button in the corresponding box. The player will now throw again until he/she throws the ‘point’ number again (player wins) or he/she throws a seven (players looses). The bet can not be replaced/removed in between, the player has to roll over and over again until a seven or the point number is thrown.

Other betting options

Next to the ‘pass line bet’ there are several other betting options that will be discussed now.

Pass Line Bet (1)

Has just been described. Player will be payed twice the wager.

Don’t Pass Line Bet (2)

This bet is the opposite of the Pass Line Bet. In case you throw a two or a three, you win. In case of a seven or eleven, you loose. A twelve will make a tie and you will get your bet back, this is called a ‘push’. Every other number will become the point number. When the player next throws a seven he/she will win. In case the point number is thrown first, the player looses.

Opposite to the Pass Line Bet the Don’t Pass Line Bet can be modified/removed in between.

Come Bet (4)

The Come Bet is the same as the Pass Line Bet, with the only difference that no opening roll is required.

Don’t Come Bet (5)

The Don’t Come Bet is similar to the Don’t Pass Line Bet, with the only difference that no opening roll is required.

Odds Bet (3)

With the Odds Bet you can raise your earlier bet on the (Don’t) Pass Line or (Don’t) Come Bet. This can be a maximum raise of three times the wager.

Field Bet (6)

With a Field Bet you gamble that the next role will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. For every 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 the bank will pay you double your bet (1-1), for every 2 or 12 the bank will pay you three times the bet (2-1). Every 5, 6, 7 or 8 will make you loose your bet.

Place Bets (7)

There are two kinds of ‘place bets’. A place bet is betting on a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 before a seven is thrown. A ‘place bet’ is placed at the bottom of the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 box. A ‘place lose bet’ means betting on a seven before a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. A place lose bet is placed in the top of the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 box.

Buy Bet (8)

A buy bet is similar to the Place Bet. Difference is that the win odds are exactly similar to the chances you get. Because the bank has to have an edge you will have to pay 5% of your winnings to the bank. Another option is to place a ‘Place Lose Bet’ which in turn is similar to the Don’t Lose Bet.

Big 6 and Big 8 Bet (9)

Betting on the Big 6 is betting that a six is thrown before the seven. Betting on the Big 8 is thinking that an eight will be thrown before a seven will appear. Winning the bet will get you twice your bet.

Any Craps (10)

Craps Betting Rules Poker

The ‘Any Craps’ bet will let you win if the next roll is a 2, 3 or 12. This bet will pay you 7 times your bet.

Hardways (11)

This one is betting on the combination of the dice. The picture says it all.

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The game of Craps has been around for quite some time and has come a long way to become as popular as it is today. It is a game focused on a pair of dice and unlike some other table games, one cannot win by bluffing. Craps is considered a game where the outcome is based solely on players' luck.

Although the game seems easy at first, it can be more complicated than one expects as the rules and odds of winning are different from any other game you might have played.

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The entire process of becoming an expert in playing craps begins with a thorough understanding of all dice combinations as well as the odds. The first important rule to remember is that the combinations determine the odds as well as the payout.

Most casinos use red dice although you can also come across green or blue ones. Even if you have never played Craps before, you should notice that all dice are transparent. This way, it is easier for the casino staff to identify any imperfections and substitute the dice with another one with the aim of ensuring game fairness.

There are five important figures in a game of Craps, the Boxman, the Shooter, the Dealer, the Stickman, the Bettor.

Every Craps table has “on” and “off” stages. When a table in an Off stage, it means that the shooter has not rolled the “come-out point” yet. Players are not allowed to place bets on the “pass” or “don't pass” line when the table is in Off stage. The table is in an Off stage when the shooter repeatedly rolls 7, 11, or craps numbers 2,3, 12.

The table is On when the shooter rolls a number different from the aforementioned ones. Players are allowed to place their bets.

When you sit on the Craps table, you have to put your money in the Come bet area. The dealer will take the money and give you the respective number of chips in exchange.

The dealer is not allowed to take money directly from your hands. If you run out of chips but you would like to continue playing, you can just put more money on the table and the Boxman will give you more chips.

In case someone is rolling when you join the table you are not allowed to place bets until the shooter rolls a 7. When the new shooter is about to take over, you can place your bet.

Dice Combinations

Nowadays, the dice used in casinos have a really fine shape. They resemble a perfect cube and each of the sides is approximately ¾'.

The cube has six equal sides and each of them has a certain number of spots representing numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively.

If you take a single dice and drop it onto the table so it falls randomly, the chance of hitting a particular number, for example, 3, is 1 in 6 or 5 to 1. In other words, the probability of hitting another number is five times higher than the probability of rolling out 3.

When you throw two dice, the numbers that can result are 11.

Let's presume each dice has six sides, which makes for 36 possible combinations. These combinations will total one of the aforementioned 11 numbers. For example, if both dice come up with 1 spot, that makes a total of 2. In case one of them comes up showing 3 and the other one 4, that makes 7. In point of fact, the combinations that total 7 are more than any other. You have 6 chances to roll out dice totaling seven (1-6, 6-1, 2-5, 5-2, 3-4, 4-3).

Odds

Odds are defined as the probability of one thing happening although it is not certain as to whether it will happen or not. What determines the odds of the bets, the payouts as well as all bets on the layout are the dice combinations as well as their probability of occurring.

However, you have to be informed that regardless of the bet on the layout, the house always has an advantage over the player except for the bet type known as “free odds”. The latter bet is available on all casino games although it is not likely to appear on the layout. Anyway, the free bet is the only bet where the casino does not have an advantage over the player and it definitely needs to be exploited.

Playing Craps Basics

Craps Betting Odds

All Craps tables that are available for players have their betting limits displayed. It is possible for some notes to be displayed on plastic cards inside the table. They are intended to show the minimum and maximum bets applicable to a certain table.

Although players are attracted mainly by the low limit tables, casinos usually raise the betting limits when the tables are fully occupied.

You are advised to carefully select the table that matches your bankroll criteria and feel comfortable during your gameplay.

When the table is open for new bets, the Stickman takes a tray of between 5 and 9 dice and the player who is on his left side rolls them out. Depending on “shooter's” roll, the bets are collected or paid out.

Craps Betting Rules Card Game

If you are the player sitting immediately on Stickman's left, but you are unwilling to roll the dice, you can politely reject the offer and the Stickman will move to the player next to you. All players on the table will be given a chance to shoot. The dice proceeds clockwise and the shooter is supposed to pick up two of the dice from the tray. The remaining dice are taken back to the tray.

Craps Betting Systems

When the shooter throws the dice, it needs to be thrown to the opposite end of the table. In order to ensure the fairness and randomness of the roll, at least one of the dice must bounce off the angular-shaped wall. The shooter is supposed to roll the dice with one hand only. The shooter must throw the dice in the air rather than sliding it across the table. According to statistics, if one of the dice is thrown to the end of the table, the outcome cannot be controlled or predicted.

In case your shot is short, the Boxman might still allow it to count, but the player, supposed to be a shooter after you, will be reminded that the dice must reach the opposite end of the table.

In case the shooter after you also registers a “weak” shot, the Boxman will remind the rules once again and if the short shot practice continues, the Boxman has the right to disallow rolls.

You are supposed to make the so-called “line” bet and its amount must be at least the minimum bet set for that table. The “line bet” is required for shooting the dice. It is made on the pass or don't pass line.

Many players who do not have enough experience in playing craps, ask why is the line bet necessary?

If the player does not make a line bet and has only one ”standard” bet on the table, they might lose that bet and leave the game. However, the other players might be in the middle of their gameplay and their profits may depend on the rolls of that shooter.

If the player has a line bet at risk he/she is more likely to complete the game. The shooter throws the dice until he rolls a seven after an established point.

If you intend to play craps at a land-based casino, you can visit it at any time. The best casinos have at least one Craps table open round the clock. The more players come to the casino, the more craps table become available.