Craps Game Rules
Craps game is one of the most exciting and dynamic ones that are popular today in online and offline casinos in Australia and around the world. It gathers players around the table and they are all absorbed in a single goal – to see the right numbers on the dice.
Although the process of the game is quite simple, at first glance it will definitely seem complicated and confusing for a beginner: especially considering all the available bets and options for the dice to fall out. Therefore, in this guide we have collected all the important information that will help you understand how to play craps and all the new terms, as well as a couple of common strategies to improve your chances of a positive result.
What is Craps Game and How to Play It
Craps is a truly old-school game that has a rich and eventful history. It appeared in England under the name Hazard, then a similar format can be traced in France under the name Crabes. And later it was brought to the United States, where it quickly began to gain popularity.
More and more people learned how to play craps, the rules became simpler and more unified, and already in the 19th century, almost every city in the United States could play this format. And the center was New Orleans. Now the game is widespread both in Australia and in all other countries, and even more punters are studying this entertainment on various online casino sites.
Two Main Phases in Craps Casino Process
The game itself is not very hard – there are two dice and there are players, and they bet on what will end up on these dice. Beginners may be confused by the variety of available bets and unclear shouts from the dealer, but in practice everything can be quickly figured out without any problems.
First, you need to understand that according to craps rules there are two key phases in the gameplay:
This is the start of the round, and the first roll of the dice occurs here. It is an important moment, since this is where the tone of the future game is set. And in case of failure, everything can end immediately without even normally starting.
Several possible outcomes of this stage:
- Winning rolls. There are several options for the numbers to roll out, when the winners of the round are immediately determined and the stage ends. It can be 7 or 11 (called "natural") or 2-3-12 (called as the game itself).
- Point establishment. In this case, it is important which number falls out, because it becomes the main one for the next stage.
According to the craps rules, the game does not always reach this stage, as sometimes it can end immediately after the first roll of the dice. If the shooter still managed to set the Point, then he has the main goal – to roll the same number again (and do it before the dice show the number 7).
What are the possible outcomes here?
- Rolling the Point number. The shooter was successful and was able to repeat his result from the first phase. The lucky ones get their payouts and this is the end of the round.
- Sevening out. The dice show the number 7, and this also ends the round. The winners are calculated, and the dice go to the next craps player. And everything starts all over again.
It is important to understand the difference between these two stages in order to analyze when it is best to make certain moves. The second phase usually lasts longer, and here craps experts can make Come Bets or Odds Bets if they wish. If all this sounds complicated, do not be intimidated, because you can start with the simple basics and move on.
Main Terms for Playing Craps Game
In any game, before starting, it is important to understand new terms that may be unfamiliar to a beginner. If you want to learn how to play bingo or keno, or want to try your hand at roulette for the first time, then without knowing the rules and specific expressions, it will be quite difficult for you. The same is true here.
So our team has collected for convenience several key points from the craps game terminology.
Term | Description |
---|---|
Come-out roll | start of the round, the very first roll of the dice |
Point | the number that was set in the first phase and which the shooter will now try to repeat |
Pass line bet | that the shooter will win |
Don’t pass bet | that the shooter will fail to win or to achieve his goal |
Come bet | a special one on the shooter's victory that is placed after the first stage |
Don’t come bet | a special one on the shooter's loss that is placed after the first stage |
Odds bet | an additional one that increases a player's craps odds and his potential payout |
Seven out | when a 7 is rolled after the Point is established and the round ends |
Hardways | on a specific pair of dice |
Many users are interested in the fact how to play craps online, because initially this game was born offline and is more associated with it. We will tell you right away that today this will not be a problem at all, and you will have a decent choice of titles. Popular online casino software developers develop high-quality games that can then be found in many casino resources. We especially liked two titles: by Nucleus and by Play n GO. In the second one, you can even choose the desired style of play – Classic, Modern or Vintage.
Understanding the Craps Table
No matter where the punter decides to play, online or offline, before the start of the game he will see a special craps table where everything will happen. And for those who see it for the first time, everything here can be absolutely incomprehensible. And if you add the dynamic course of the game here, it can become scary. However, as soon as you understand the basic bets, everything will be clear.
In craps dice game the table is rectangular and divided into several sections with numbers and inscriptions.
There are such main zones there:
- Central section. Dedicated to bets with high risks and high payouts (so beginners should not look here).
- Field zone. And here are simple and clear bets with small risks. So if you are just learning how to play craps, then it is better to choose this section.
- Side zones. These sections are mirrored on both sides to allow players from all sides of the table to bet at the same time (this came from offline). This is where the Pass Line and Come Box are located, as well as their opposites.
- Place Bet area. This can be compared to live bets in sports, since here the action occurs already in the second phase of the craps game after the come-out roll.
- Additional areas. This includes Big 6 and Big 8 bets. However, we would not recommend choosing them, since they really have a high house edge compared to other available options.
How to Play Craps and Win
As in every casino game, there will be no single strategy that could guarantee a win in any situation 100%. However, we have prepared several recommendations and tips for both craps enthusiasts and craps experts, which can help on the way and make the process more understandable.
Recommendations for Beginners
- Start with the Pass Line Bet. This is the most common and simple bet, and it is the one you should master first. Here is the rule: placed before the come-out roll, it wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 in the first phase or throws the point number in the second. It has a small craps casino house edge, so it is a safe option, and is usually chosen by most punters.
- Use the Odds Bet. This can be done after the point is established in the second phase. This is an additional bet, and what is important is that it pays at true odds, that is, there is no house edge. Therefore, it is always worth choosing the maximum craps odds that are available. However, do not forget about your bankroll and responsible gambling principles.
- Avoid Proposition Bets. This variation is best left to experienced professionals with huge bankrolls. When looking at the craps table, this can be tempting due to the large payouts, but there is also a high house edge (which can be as high as 16 percent!).
In general, the rule is this: if you are a beginner, then stick to simple and understandable craps game bets. When you master them at a high level, then gradually you will be able to go further.
Craps Strategy for Advanced Players
If you have been playing this game for quite a long time and can safely call yourself an experienced craps player, then various advanced strategies and tactics that have been developed over the years may be interesting and useful for you.
We have selected three popular craps strategies and will tell you a little about them for general understanding:
- 3-Point Molly Strategy. There is one main condition for using it – to have an impressive bankroll and not be afraid to risk it. The main thing here is the distribution of risks across multiple bets and taking maximum odds. As they say, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket".
- Iron Cross Strategy. Many craps experts love this betting option, which is designed to win on every roll of the dice except 7. However, here you need to understand that the payouts will generally be small. But if a seven rolls out, you can lose everything. So this approach may not be a profitable option in the long run.
- Hedge Betting in сraps gambling. The approach here is based on using multiple bets to reduce risks – that is, betting on both possible outcomes at the same time. This can minimize losses, but at the same time you limit your potential winnings. This is good for protecting your bankroll over the long term.
Where to Practice Craps Game Rules
FAQ
This is the name of the built-in mathematical advantage of the casino against players, which ensures profit in the long run. In craps dice games, this varies depending on the type of bet. For example, for the most popular pass line bet, house edge is relatively small and is 1.41%. And this means that on average, the player will lose $1.41 for every hundred dollars bet over time.
No, this game is based on random dice outcomes and RNG and is not rigged in itself, regardless of whether the player uses a computer or mobile gadgets such as smartphones and tablets. An important factor is the choice of a reliable and licensed casino platform, then users can count on fair conditions and well-deserved payouts.
There is no single strategy in this game that can guarantee regular wins, because it is based on random dice rolls that are impossible to predict. However, there are certain approaches to making bets that can help beginners, for example, choosing those with a low house edge (Pass Line, Don’t Pass, etc).
Yes, these variants have become increasingly popular lately and can be found in many new online casinos. This format is streamed in real time from a studio or casino hall, and players have the opportunity to contact a live dealer. So it is a combination of the convenience of playing from anywhere and the atmosphere of a real establishment with a social aspect.