Craps is one of the most daunting tables in the casino. The Craps table is marked up with many different sections and is played with a dice thrower while those at the table place bets on what they think the dice will show. The game is somewhat theatrical in a real casino environment, so it may not appeal to most players. However, online Craps allows you to play at your own pace and take your time. The game has many betting options, and the cons appear confusing, but once you understand the options, it’s a breeze to play.
How to Play Craps
Craps is a casino game that centres around the roll of two dice. The game features a dealer known as a ‘boxperson’ who is in charge of watching over the chips and bets, and there is also a supervisor to provide further support. This is because many players can join the game and place bets on the dice roll results, which can be somewhat chaotic. On the Craps table, there are various sections and betting options. These are bets all relating to the outcome of the dice roll. The bets range from even money to 30:1.
To place a bet, players will place chips on each section. Then, the shooter (which is just one player) rolls the dice. The aim of the game is to roll a number (a point) and then roll that same number before a seven is rolled. A ‘puck’ will be used to mark the point number on the table. If the shooter lands the number, the ‘puck’ is removed, and the shooter rolls a ‘come out roll’, which is a roll when no point is established. If the next roll lands a 4,5,6,8,9, or 10, that is the game's point. The shooter will try to land that point number again before a 7, but if a seven is landed first, the shooter loses control of the dice and goes to a new shooter. Here is a breakdown of the steps:
- Place your bets on the table
- Shooter throws the dice, and the dice value becomes the ‘point’, providing it’s not seven
- The shooter must hit that point number again before a seven lands.
- Bets are made on the outcome of each dice throw.
- If the shooter lands the seven before the point number, the dice are passed to the next player
Online Craps Rules
The rules of Craps are simple, you need to wager on the total value of the two dice rolled. The bets are placed before each roll, with multiple betting options spread out across the table. Once the dice are rolled, the bets are paid out, and the next round of betting begins. In Craps, all players are betting against the house.
Types of Bets
Craps has a variety of different bets to place, with more betting options than most table games. Here are the most common types of bets in Craps.
- Pass Line: This is the most common bet, offering a house edge of 1.41%. This is a bet on the shooting landing a 7 or 11 before a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll.
- Don’t Pass Line Bet: This is a bet on the shooter landing a 2 or 3, while a 7 or 11 would be a losing bet, and a 12 is a push. Any other number must not show before a seven, or the player loses the bet.
- Come Bet: Only available after the point on the pass line has been determined. This bet is on the shooter landing a 7 or 11 before the come point.
- Don’t Come Bet: Only available after the point has been set, this is a wager on the shooter landing a 2 or 3 before a 7 or 11; a 12 is a push. Other numbers must not land before a seven is thrown.
- The Field Bets: This is a bet on the shooter landing a 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11, with a double payout on 2 and a triple payout on 12.
- Free Odds Bets: Players can ‘lay the odds’ after a pass or come bet. This is a bet on the shooter landing a seven before a point number.
- Place Bets: This is a bet on the number that must land before a 7.
- Buy Bets: This is a bet on the shooter landing a point number before a 7.
- Big Six, Big Eight: This is a bet on a 6 or 8 landing before the 7.
- Hardways Bets: A bet on a hard 8 (4,4) landing before a 7.
- 2 or 12 Bets: This is a bet on a 2 or 12 landing, which pays 30:1.
- 3 or 11 Bets: This is a bet on a 3 or 11 landing, which pays 15:1
- Any 7 Bet: A bet on landing a 7.
Craps Table
The Craps table is busier than most other casino tables, with many sections and betting options. The table is designed to receive rolling dice, with each section a bet on what the dice will reveal. The centre section is where hard ways and one-roll bets are placed. At each end of the table, there are sections for the pass line, come bets, place bets, field bets, and other bets. Each end of the table is mirrored, which allows more players to join the game in a land-based environment and place bets.
How to Understand the Payouts
There are many different betting options in Craps, all offering varying payouts. Here is a chart to breakdown the payouts for the different bet types.
Bet | Payout |
Pass Line Odds | 2:1 |
Pass Line Odds / Come Bet Odds / Buy Bets (4 or 10) | 2:1 |
Pass Line Odds / Come Bet Odds / Buy Bets (5 or 9) | 3:2 |
Pass Line Odds / Come Bet Odds / Buy Bets (6 or 8) | 5:6 |
Don’t Pass Odds | 2:1 |
Don’t Pass Odds / Don’t Come Odds / Lay Bets (4 or 10) | 2:1 |
Don’t Pass Odds / Don’t Come Odds / Lay Bets (5 or 9) | 3:2 |
Don’t Pass Odds / Don’t Come Odds / Lay Bets (6 or 8) | 5:6 |
Place Bets (4 or 10) | 9:5 |
Place Bets (5 or 9) | 7:5 |
Place Bets (6 or 8) | 7:6 |
Field Bets (3, 4, 9, 10 or 11) | 1:1 |
Field Bets (2 or 12) | 2:1 |
Hardways (6 or 8) | 9:1 |
Hardways (4 or 10) | 7:1 |
Any 7 | 4:1 |
Any Craps | 7 to 1 |
2 Craps or 12 Craps | 30 to 1 |
3 Craps or 11 Craps | 15 to 1 |
Big 6 or 8 | 1 to 1 |
Horn Bet (3 or 11) | 3.75 to 1 |
Horn Bet (2 or 12) | 7.5 to 1 |