The basic knowledge of how to play craps is the most essential part if you do not want to struggle and truthfully learn how to play craps. Craps is probably the most common gambling game with dice.
People play craps in almost all American and in some British, Australian, and Asian casinos and gambling houses. The version has many different names as bank craps, casino craps, or Las Vegas–style craps. After 1960, a few casinos began offering craps, and throughout the years, online casinos extended the game’s spread globally.
History of Craps
Craps is one of the oldest games in the world. The game developed in ancient Egypt and Paris. The origin of craps is not known, but people believe the meaning of the game is an unwinnable combination. One of the game’s interpretations is that craps comes from an English game called Hazard, played in the Middle Ages. According to this version, in 1125, its inventor, Sir William De Tir, used it to entertain his troops during the capture of the Arab fortification called Hazarth.
Another version states that the origin dates to those same Middle Ages when the Arabs played it with cubes and numbers and named it Azzahr. This game crossed many borders, travelling alongside merchants and different countries, and it is worth a try to feel the magic of an ancient game. Modern craps blasted in popularity during World War II, which brought most young American men of every social class into the military. The game evolved since Americans began to play and enhance the game, and the optimal rules have stayed since then.
Craps Rules
In this section, we will explain the basics you need to know about how to play craps and start confidently.
Start of Craps
At the start, rules might seem challenging as the game has plenty of phases and wagers. With time, as you understand how to play craps, the game will be easier to play. Craps does not require you to calculate anything. You only need to bet and wait for the outcome. People play this game on the big table with a lot of stuff on it. The player must throw two dice.
How Can you Play Craps
Craps is played by the players at the table in turn – with two hexagon dice with different amounts of points on the flanks. The player grabs two hexagon dice and starts to shake them. After the player willingly throws them, the numbers on the upper sides of the dice count only. Then, they add the numbers together, and we get an outcome. One of the game’s best traits is space for betting, and the players can bet up to ten times. The principles are similar in roulette because it is possible to bet on a red or black, even, or odd.
How you Can Bet?
The player can bet on Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line, analogically, whether you win or not. These are worthy bets because the probability of winning is one in two. The same characteristic applies to Come and Don’t Come bets. If you wage on these bets and Odds Bet, it will be an outstanding result. The main goal is to get the needed combination at any point of the game, as different digits might pop up. The player can get from two to twelve points in total from two hexagon dice.
Detailed Intel
The craps table is laid out specially. In the same way as in the game Hazard, thanks to its unique layout – the players can bet. The game consists of rounds, but the number of them and time duration may vary, depending on the results of the rolls. There are bets you can make only before the start of the first round. Next, we roll the dice. When the total sum of 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 rolls, the round ends. After this, the croupier pays out the bets and removes them.
Then, the round will be the first one again, and you will throw the dice again. When the total sum of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 (the Point) rolls – a special chip (puck) is placed on the field with this number, with ON written on top. It means that the Point is determined, and the round will continue. There is a tradition to sum up all results after each throw. Later, they will roll until the same Point or when the seven is rolled, and afterwards, the round will be considered completed. Then, the chip will have OFF written on top, and again, the throw will become the first in the next stage.
Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Craps
As we mentioned, craps is hard at first, so let us review the things and errors you must avoid when playing.
Little Understanding of the Rules
The most enthusiastic players imagine that their luck can compensate for their lack of knowledge. However, like in any strategy game, you must comprehend all the rules to become a fine player. One of the reasons why the rules are not well known may be the vocabulary, as they are often in English or another foreign language.
Even if you do not master the language used at the table but are familiar with the main terms of the game, you will be able to function well. You also have the option to better understand the game by watching other players play. Although the games require you to understand them well, we must never forget that amount of good luck that can define a good result.
Bad Bets
Starters believe the house gets a lot of edge in every game, but this is an incorrect presumption. The craps house has the tiniest edge of all the casino games. Nevertheless, before you place your chips, you should understand that this rule applies only to Pass Line/Don’t Pass Line bets where the house has an advantage of 1.41% and 1.36%, respectively.
There are also bets where the house has a much larger advantage, such as the big six and the big eight, where the casino has a 9.1% advantage. Unless the bettor is sure of his craps strategy and luck, a player should avoid this betting type. For example, the best way to make money playing craps online is to have a solid plan that includes betting on odds that are in favour of the players and avoiding betting in favour of the casino. It is not that complicated after all.
Lack of Agility or Poor Connection
In a land-based casino, rounds have a specific duration that the players who place their chips and roll the dice can determine. However, the house can also do it and not only pay out the winning bets or remove losing bets. In an online game, this delay is not present, and it makes the game much more dynamic. Consequently, it requires more attention and agility from the player. To do so, you must have a stable connection to avoid the risk of a sudden disconnection because it causes a lot of frustration.
Terminology of the Game
Here are all the most significant terminological terms of craps so that you can hop right away and play more smoothly.
Leading player (Shooter)
The player who throws the dice.
Come-Out throw
The first throw the shooter makes before establishing a Point. This roll attempts to claim the Pass Line bet by rolling an elven or seven.
Pass Line Bet
It is a loss if the Come-Out roll rolls 3, 12, or 2. The shooter repeats the Come-Out throw. If another number spins – the Point is placed. Point is the number 5, 4, 6, 9, 8, or 10 that the leading player must throw to collect the Pass Line Bet.
Make a Point
After setting the Point, the shooter throws it out again, and after the Point is set, the second throw of the Point takes away the Pass Line bet. Number 7 loses, and the additional numbers do not affect the wager.
Box Cars
The shooter has thrown two sixes.
Craps Out
The shooter on the Come-Out throw tossed 12, 2, or 3.
Want to Master Craps?
If you want to improve in this game, do not forget to examine the article on how to play craps more confidently, applying the best craps strategy. However, you can also check out other games like Blackjack or Texas’em Poker.
