How to Play Craps

How to Play Craps: The Basics

Craps rules can be intimidating at first as it is one of the more complex casino games out there. It is important to understand the basic of craps. We’ll break a game of craps into two parts:

• Come Out Roll
• The Point

The come out roll is when a new shooter rolls the dice. If the roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point and we begin the second part. In the first part, craps allows for pass line and don’t pass bets to be made. 

On the point, the shooter’s goal is to hit the point before rolling a 7. If a 7 is rolled, all pass line bets lose. If the roller hits a point, pass line bets are paid. If the shooter rolls a number other than the point or a 7, the shooter continues to roll until they hit the point or a 7.

To sum it up if a point is set, we want that specific number to roll before a 7. If no point is set, we want a 7 or 11 to roll for a pass line bet while 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 sets the point and a 2, 3, and 12 loses. 

Learn How to Play Craps Step-by-Step

The objective of craps is to predict the outcome of the dice and bet on it. Both online craps and offline craps are games of chance, so knowing the rules of the game and when to make which wager is essential. The return to player (RTP) of online craps is 98.64% which adds to its popularity.

Here is how an online craps game plays out step by step:

Craps Bets

So now you know generally how the flow of a craps game works. The next step is to understand each of the wagers. Here are the most common bets for online craps:

Craps Table Layout

The craps table is one of the most complex tables you’ll see at a casino. There are so many wagers and dice combinations, that the table is often very difficult to understand for first-time players. But, once you get a hand of the craps wagers, you can start to understand the table layout.

Like with roulette, you’re placing your chips on the desired wager. The Pass Line and Don’t Pass sections are pretty self-explanatory, and the Come wager is similar. Then, as you get into more specific bets, the boxes get smaller. Place bets are at the top of the table, while the One Roll wagers are in the center.

The House Edge in Craps

House edge is the advantage the casino has over the player. With craps, the house edge changes depending on the bet you make. 

A good rule of thumb is to go with the negative bets since the house edge tends to be lower. Pass/don’t come bets have a house edge of 1.41% while don’t pass/don’t come bets have a house edge of 1.36%.

Odds Bets

Odds bets are unique in the way they affect the house edge. The more you bet, the more the house edge decreases. It is essential to be aware of how much you are betting on a single bet. Odds bets pay as follows:

• For a point of 6 or 8, payback is 6 to 5
• For a point of 5 or 9, payback is 3 to 2
• For a point of 4 or 10, payback is 3 to 1

For negative odds, inverse payback (5 to 6 instead of 6 to 5) is available. The house edge decreases as more bets are made on the original wager. Here is how the house edge is affected with each wager:

Place Bets

Place bets tend to be popular with not so terrible paybacks. However, the house edge increases as the payback increases. Here is a chart showing how the house edge changes:

Buy Bets

Buy bets are not as popular but a buy bet will give you fair odds. Buy bets are not preferred because of the commission. The house edge on commissioned games is 4.67%. Here is a chart showing the payback of buy bets:

Hardway Bets

Hardway bets are enticing thanks to the high payout chance. The house edge of hardway bets are significantly higher than other craps betting options. Here is how the house edge varies on hardway bets:

Single Roll Bets

Sing roll bets are popular amongst beginner online craps players for the high-risk, high-reward mentality. The house edge of singe roll bets is the highest across all the craps bets. Here is how you can expect the house edge to change with each single roll bet:

Tips for How to Play Craps

If you’re trying to improve your craps game, here are a few tips you should follow:

Stick to Low House Edge Bets – The Pass Line, Come, and Odds bets have low house edge, making them good for new players. If you like action, the Place bets on 6 and 8 are reasonable options with a slightly higher house edge.

Use the Come Bet + Odds – If you understand Pass Line with odds, the Come Bet with odds is a natural progression. A Come Bet acts like a new Pass Line bet on the next roll. Once it moves to a number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), you can take odds behind it just like your Pass Line bet. This approach allows you to cover multiple numbers with odds, which can pay off during long hot rolls.

Set Win/Loss Limits – Craps can be fast-paced and emotional, leading players to chase losses or give back big wins. Before you play, set a limit:

• Win goal: Example – Quit if you’re up 50% or double your bankroll.
• Loss limit: Example – Walk away if you lose 25-30% of your bankroll.

RNG vs Live Craps Online

Most online craps games are powered by Random Number Generators (RNG). These programs produce huge sequences of large string numbers each second, on a continual basis. The precise number at the time you click the play button will dictate the result. However, a few online casinos (mainly in Canada), offer games with live dealers. Here are the pros and cons of playing RNG vs live craps.

RNG Craps Games

Pros

• You can play at your own pace, without having to wait for the other players to make their betting decisions.
• They are available at several online casinos, and you can often choose from a few different RNG craps games, with different betting limits and slight rule tweaks.
• The best RNG craps games offer smooth gameplay, and the RNG programs are independently tested to ensure accurate, fair results.

Cons

• They are less immersive and sociable than live dealer craps games, as you cannot interact with other players and share the thrill of winning together.
• Some players prefer seeing the game play out in real time, without having to rely on RNG programs.

Live Dealer Craps

Pros

• They allow you to interact with the dealer and your fellow players, which often creates an upbeat, convivial playing experience.
• You never need to worry if the RNG is working correctly, as you can watch each round play out live on the screen.
• Live dealer craps from Evolution Gaming offers flexible betting limits, which should be suitable for most players.

Cons

• Very few live dealer casinos offer craps, and there is only ever a single game from Evolution, so your options are limited.
• You cannot speed up or slow down the game as you see fit, as the dealer needs to keep the action moving at a steady pace for all of the players at the table.

Responsible Gambling

Online casino craps is meant to be an enjoyable hobby, but it can easily become an addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with gambling addiction, be sure to use the resources below to get help:

• National Problem Gambling Helpline 
• Gamblers Anonymous 
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline 
• The Responsible Gambling Council 
• Responsible Gaming Regulations and Statutes Guide 

Play Craps Online With Confidence

Now that you understand the basic rules, wagers, table layout, and general strategy for craps, it’s time to put your skills to the test.

We’d recommend starting out with a free or demo version of craps at one of our recommended online casinos. These games give you around $1,000 in bankroll to use playing craps, and it’s a great way to test out bets, strategies, and get acquainted with the game.

When you’re ready, you can always switch into real money mode to start playing craps for cash.