Craps has been played around the world for centuries. The simple game of dice originated from the old European game called “Hazard,” which was played on the streets. Over time, it evolved into the craps we know today.
It’s an exciting, fast-paced game where players bet on the outcome of dice rolls. In this guide, we help you discover the basics of table games like craps. Below, we tell you more about how to play casino craps, craps rules, and understanding craps bets.
What Is Craps?
Understanding casino games like craps is easy. The shooter rolls the dice, and players bet on various outcomes, which we’ll discuss below. The gameplay is simple enough for beginners to pick up quickly. However, it requires a bit of strategy and some luck.
Craps tables in physical casinos are often the liveliest spots, where you’ll hear cheers and groans every time the dice is rolled. Online craps gameplay, delivers the same excitement, with a live chat feature.
The Objective of Craps
Players have to put in their bets predicting the number that will land on the dice. Players bet on the “pass line” or “don’t pass line” – which determine winning and losing numbers. All bets must be placed before the dice is rolled. Then, the shooter (the person rolling the dice) throws the “come-out roll” or the very first roll of the game.
You can expect these outcomes on the pass-line bets.
- 7 or 11: These are winning numbers. If a player bets on the “pass line,” they will win with this outcome
- 2, 3, or 12: Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 is called “craps”. Players who bet on the pass line lose immediately.
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: These are point numbers. The dealer marks this number on the table, and the game enters the next phase. Now, the shooter must roll the point number before a 7 to win. In case the shooter rolls a 7 before the point, he “sevens out”. This means the shooter loses control of the dice and the next player takes a turn.
The outcomes of the “don’t pass line” bets are the opposite:
- 7 or 11: These are losing numbers in the “don’t pass line”.
- 2, or 3: Rolling a 2 or 3 is an immediate win.
- 12: This outcome is called a “push” and no one wins or loses in this scenario.
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: These again become the point numbers. The shooter has to roll the point before hitting the winning numbers.
Craps also offers several side bets, where players can wager on specific number combinations.
The Layout of a Craps Table
The craps table is covered in green felt with white lettering. It’s large enough to accommodate multiple players and various betting options. You’ll see these areas on the table:
- Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line: These are the central areas where the most common bets are placed.
- Come Bet Area: This is a small, circular betting section, often located near the pass line. Come bets are made after the shooter rolls a point number. The players bet that the next roll will be a 7 or 11.
- Don’t Come Area: This is the opposite of the come bet, where players bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, or 12. The don’t come section is located near the don’t pass line.
- Field: this is a large, rectangular betting area. If you think the next number will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12, then place a field bet.
- Place Bets: These are small circles in the table centre, where you can bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). This means predicting that the shooter will roll the chosen number before rolling a 7.
These are additional sections you may find at some online casinos:
- Big 6 and Big 8: Players can bet that the next roll will be a six or an eight. This is not a common section in dice game casinos because it gives a huge advantage to the house. These are risky bets for players, so many online casinos choose to leave out this section in the craps gameplay.
- Crapless table: Crapless table doesn’t have the craps numbers (2, 3, and 12) on the come-out roll. So if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll, it won’t be considered craps. These numbers are considered as points and the game continues.
While a regular craps table is 6 feet long, large casinos have big 10 feet tables to accommodate multiple players. They also have mirrors so players can see the entire table and all the bets being placed.
When you’re playing craps, you’ll be dealing with these floor staff:
- The stickman: Controls the pace of the game and announces the numbers.
- The boxman: Oversees all the action and handles the cash. The boxman is a senior casino employee and acts as the mediator and supervisor.
- The dealer: Pushes the dice to shooters, retrieves it, and calls the game.
Always be respectful and polite to the floor staff and follow their instructions when handling dice and placing bets.
How to Play Craps: The Flow of the Game
The game starts with a buy-in where players make their bets. This is the time to decide on the pass or don’t line, sort of a calm before the storm. Once the bets are placed, the shooter rolls the come-out roll.
This is followed by the intermediate roll when a point has been established. Now, the shooter will try to hit the point so everyone at the table can win. This is when you’ll see a variety of bets, simply due to the large possibility of outcomes. As the game progresses, you’ll hear collective shouts and cries with every roll. It’s when you really start to feel the thrill of this game.
During the intermediate roll, you can adjust your bets – except for pass-line or come bets tied to a point. To pause your bet, simply tell the dealer, “Turn my bet off.” Turn them back on when you’re ready to wager again.
Some tables in physical casinos will let you make verbal bets. You don’t need to put your chips down for this. Just declare your bet, the dealer will repeat it back and it will be considered a bet. However, now most casinos are “no call” meaning verbal bets are not allowed. Players have to place their chips on the table on the number they want to bet.
If it is a self-service table, you’ll have to manage your own bets and winnings. When the shooter loses control of the dice, it passes on to the next player clockwise and the game continues.
Pro tip: Keep an eye on your chips and make sure to remove them as soon as you win. The game moves fast, and if you don’t remove them in time, the dealer may assume you’re doubling your stake. You don’t want to hear “If it lays, it plays”.
Types of Bets in Craps
There are several types of bets in the craps rules suitable for both beginners and advanced players:
1. Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line Bets
These are simple bets where you have to predict whether the shooter will roll a 7 or 11, or do the opposite in case of the don’t pass bet.
2. Come and Don’t Come Bets
These are similar to pass and don’t pass lines. Come and don’t come bets are made after the point is established. Come bet wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled and loses when a 2,3, or 12 is rolled. The outcome of the don’t come bet is the opposite.
3. Odds Bets
This is an additional bet that players can take to predict the outcome of a number before a 7 is rolled. For example, this is the most common odds bet on the craps table.
- 4 and 10 = 2 to 1
- 5 and 9 = 3 to 2
- 6 and 8 = 6 to 5
Odds bets eliminate the house edge, offering payouts that match the true odds..
4. Place Bets
Bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) in the intermediate stage when a point is established.
5. Lay Bets
A lay bet is the opposite of a place bet. Essentially, you are betting the place bet to lose. This means players bet on number 7 to appear before other numbers.
6. Field Bets
Bets on which number will roll next. The field includes 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. Players lose the bet on the remaining numbers. Note that this bet pays even money on all numbers except 2 and 12. The odds for these two numbers vary depending on the casino, but generally, 2 pays 2 to 1, and 12 pays 3 to 1.
7. Hard Bets
Bet that the two numbers rolled on the dice will be the same. The possible outcomes for this bet are even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. For example, if you bet on a hard 8, the outcome should be two 4s and not 5-3 or 6-2.
8. Proposition Bets
These are side bets like:
- Any 7: Bet that the outcome of the next roll will be a combination of 7, ie 4-3, 5-2, or 6-1. According to probability, there are 6 ways to win this bet and 30 ways to lose. So, it’s not the best bet in terms of edge.
- Any Craps: Bet that the outcome will be a combination of the craps numbers 2,3 and 12. This means the dice will roll a combination of 1-1, 6-6, 1-2, or 2-1. There are 4 ways to win this bet and 32 ways to lose.
- Yo 11: This bet wagers that the dice combination will be 11, ie 6-5 or 5-6. There are 2 ways to win this bet and 34 ways to lose.
- Horn Bet: This is also called the craps-11 bet. This wagers that the sum on the next roll of the dice will be 2, 3, 11 or 12.
- World Bet: The numbers 2, 3, 11, 12, and 7 are called world numbers. This bet is a combination of horn and any 7 bet. It covers the horn numbers 2, 3, 11, and 12, as well as the any seven bet of a seven combination.
Understanding Craps Bets: Best Bets for Beginners
For those new to craps, the pass line and come bets are straightforward and less risky. Explore the proposition and place bets once you become familiar with the craps gameplay.
Common Terms in Craps
These are some more terms you’ll hear when playing craps:
- Ace Deuce: Rolling a 3
- Aces: Rolling double 1s
- Ballerina: Rolling double 2s
- Colour up: When a player changes small chips to larger chips of bigger denomination. For example, the 10 chips are red, and 100 chips are orange. So when the player exchanges the 10s for 100s, they “colour up”.
- Come out roll: The very first roll that starts off the game.
- Crap out: Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll.
- Even money: An even money bet pays 1:1.
- Fever five: Rolling a combination of 5, such as 2-3, 4-1, 1-4, 3-2
- Hop: A single roll bet, where players bet on a specific dice combination.
- Natural: Rolling a 7 or 11 on the come out roll
- Parlay: Taking all your winnings and adding it to the next bet.
- Whirl: Another term for the world bet.
How to Play Casino Craps: Tips for Beginner
The best craps strategy for beginners is to place bets with the lowest house edge and highest odds. Though putting money on a potentially big payout is tempting, playing a basic bet like the pass or don’t pass line, come bet, or odds bet is much more practical.
Beginners should consider the house edge before placing bets. The lower the house edge, the higher the winning probability. Keep in mind that these bets usually have smaller payouts. The pass, don’t pass line, and the come, don’t come bets are some of the safest bets for beginners as these offer a wide range of outcomes.
Decide beforehand the amount of money you are comfortable betting. As a rule of thumb, you should not wager more than 1% of your bankroll on each bet. So if you are playing with £100, each bet should be £1. Whether you’re following a slot machine guide or a roulette guide, stay away from strategies like progressive betting or Martingale, where players increase their wager on every losing bet. Focus on small bets to avoid draining out your bankroll.
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