Learning how to play craps isn’t as difficult as you might think. People are often steer away from playing the game because they think its too complex, but the only particularly complicated aspect is all the different types of bets that can be placed.
You don’t actually need to learn all of them to start playing and you can just stick to the simplest ones if you like.
You do, however, need to understand how the game is played.
This article will help as we cover everything you need to know to play craps in a live casino or online.
We explain the main objective of the game, the craps table, the betting layout, and the basic rules. We also introduce the different types of bets.
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Game Objective in Craps
The main objective in craps is really quite straightforward. Basically you are just betting on the outcome of the roll of two dice.
Craps is pure chance since you can’t affect the outcome in any way, but you do have the choice of several wagers. The majority of these wagers are ultimately based on what combination of dice will be rolled.
The goal in craps is therefore to try to correctly predict which numbers will come up on the next roll. This is, of course, guesswork, but it doesn’t stop the game being a lot of fun.
Craps is played on a specially-designed table that features a betting layout where players can place their wagers. In a live casino, a table would look something like this.
The dice are rolled on the table by one of the participating players, referred to as the shooter. Typically, a new player will become the shooter at the end of each round, although one player may remain as the shooter for several in a row.
Anyone at the table, including the shooter, can make wagers by placing their chips in the appropriate spot on the betting layout.
A craps table requires the attention of several casino employees. You’ll usually find the following people running a table.
The boxman is in charge of the chips at the table. He (or she) will exchange cash into chips for players and swap them for different denominations if required. He’s also responsible for supervising the dealers and generally ensuring that the game runs smoothly.
The stickman is in charge of the dice. He moves them around the table with the use of a stick (hence the name), passing them to the shooter at the start of each roll. He will also announce the outcome of each roll.
A craps table usually features two base dealers, one standing on either side. They are responsible for collecting losing bets and paying out winners. When requested to do so, they can also place certain bets on behalf of players.
The Craps Table (Online Casino)
The rules of craps are the same regardless of whether you are playing in a live setting or online. However, things are a lot simpler online. There’s no allocated shooter, as technically you are the shooter every time you play.
The diced are rolled automatically when you press the relevant button, and you place your bets by clicking in the appropriate place on the betting layout.
The following is an example of what an online craps table looks like:
Basic Rules
Each round in craps starts with what is known as the come-out roll. Most casinos will require that the shooter place a bet before making this roll on either the pass line or the don’t pass line.
If the combined value of the two dice on a come-out roll equals 2, 3, or 12, then this is “crapping out” and the round is over. Players will lose pass line bets and win don’t pass bets. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, the round is also over.
If any other value is rolled on the come-out roll i.e. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, then a point is established, equal to the value rolled, and the round continues into the next stage.
The shooter continues to roll with players betting on the outcome of each, until they roll either a 7 or the point value that has been established.
Following a roll of either 7 or the point value, the round is over and a new come-out roll is required. It’s standard practice for the shooter to pass the dice to another player if a round ends with a 7, and to stay as shooter if the round ends with the point value being rolled.
This is essentially all there is to the basic rules of craps. What makes the game more complex are all the different bets that can be placed.
The following is a list of the different wagers you can place when playing craps.
- Pass Line
- Don’t Pass
- Come
- Don’t Come
- Pass Line Odds
- Don’t Pass Odds
- Come Odds
- Don’t Come Odds
- Place Win
- Place Lose
- Buy
- Lay
- Big 6
- Big 8
- Hardways
- Field
- Any 7
- Any 11
- Any Craps
- Ace Deuce
- Aces
- Boxcar
As you can see, there are numerous different bets in craps. Please don’t let this steer you away from playing the game as you really don’t need to learn them all.
They are pretty simple overall; it just takes a little time to familiarize yourself with each one.
You can read about all these bets in more detail here.
If you’re ready to put what you’ve learned here into action, you might want to consider trying out an online casino. You can play craps at most of the top online casinos that we recommend. If you want to play for real money, you’ll get a bonus for signing up and making your first deposit. And if you prefer to just play for fun, that’s an option at most places, too. Here are some of the online casinos we recommend playing at.
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The Basics of Craps
To begin a round of craps, the shooter (the person with the dice) makes a come-out roll. If the initial roll is a seven or eleven (known as a “natural”), anyone who wagered on the “Pass Line” wins (with “Don’t Pass” bets losing).
If the first roll results in a two, three, or twelve, then anyone who bet on the “Don’t Pass Line” wins or, in the case of a twelve, has their wager pushed (with the “Pass Line” losing).
When the result is any other number, this becomes the “point.” The shooter then continues to roll, and his objective is to get the point again before a seven is rolled. Pass bets will win if he is successful, while Don’t Pass wagers are paid for unsuccessful attempts.
The first time you play free online craps, it may feel as though you’re competing in a game from another planet.
With numerous betting options and a fast pace, craps have a different feel from other casino games like video poker or blackjack. Craps can be learned easily through a bit of practice and patience.
Multiplayer Craps Online
Advantages of Free Online Craps
Playing free online craps has several advantages. Some of these include:
Quiet – While some might view the lack of crowd interaction as a negative, it can actually be beneficial to those who are still learning the basics of the game.
Solo Play – Another advantage of playing solo is the ability to move at your own pace and consult a crib sheet without getting embarrassed. If you’re unfamiliar with the game, this can be a major benefit.
Free Multiplayer Craps
Free – This one is a no-brainer, as free online craps doesn’t cost anything to play. If you’re going to sharpen your skills, why not do it when there isn’t money on the line? If you’re the type who likes to play in land-based casinos, online craps will also save you money on gas, hotel accommodations, and airfare.
Multiplayer Craps Online
Convenience – Playing online is more convenient than visiting a land-based casino, as all the games are only a click away. You won’t have to deal with casino patrons, many of whom seem to have forgotten all about social graces. There’s also the convenience of not having to walk around with a wad of cash, as all your funds are kept online and managed by the casino software.
Play Craps For Free
Once you’ve honed your skills at the free table, you’ll be ready to graduate to low or high limit craps. For now, let’s focus on the many versions of free craps.