| Updated: October 1, 2024Craps is an exciting casino game, in which players roll a pair of dice and bet on the outcome. It is a game of pure chance but playing it does involve skill and knowledge, and when played correctly, it offers one of the lowest house edge rates in the history of casino gambling. But it was not created overnight – craps has existed for centuries in some form or another and its rules have changed and gradually developed into the sophisticated game we know today.
Fast-paced and offering tons of wagering options for players, it is one of the most popular games of chance alongside roulette and it is featured in the largest casinos around the globe. This dice game comes with seemingly complex rules and extremely rapid gameplay that may easily overwhelm some casino enthusiasts. In reality, craps is much simpler than it looks and players can quickly learn the basics once they start off with the fundamental bets.
In the following sections, beginner players will find the most important information about craps – its rules, types of bets, and even some of the strategies developed by professional craps players. We have also tried to explain the mathematics behind craps in the simplest way possible, as well as the differences between the variations of the game. Like with all other casino games, craps can be played online, so we have also included a quick introduction to several software developers who have excelled in designing high-quality, user-friendly versions of craps.
Craps Table Layout and Etiquette
Due to the rapid placing of bets, craps is often difficult to understand for bystanders. In order to learn the game, they should first take a look at the craps table and make themselves familiar with the fundamentals.
Sections of the Craps Table
Casino Staff EtiquetteSections of the Craps Table
Craps is played on a rectangular-shaped table with U-shaped ends and high edges. The dice are thrown on the green felt of the table by the shooter. Players make their bets by placing chips into different cells, each corresponding to a particular type of bet. This convoluted diagram of cells is called a layout and it is basically the same in all casinos, land-based or online. In the center of the table, players will find the layouts for the so-called Hardways and for One-Roll bets, while the ends of the table have sections for basic bets such as Pass Line, Come, Field, Place bets, and others.
Casino Staff
The next thing players should pay attention to the craps table is the staff – typically, there are up to four employees that stand behind the two long sides of the table. On one side, we have the boxman, who supervises the dealers and stands behind the bank. There are two dealers who stand at either side of the boxman and pay winnings to the players or collect chips from their respective half of the table. The stickman is across the table and he is responsible for announcing the outcome of each roll, for passing the dice to the next player, and for managing the Proposition bets in the center of the table.
Etiquette
Craps players must follow a strict etiquette, required by the fast pace and complex nature of the game. In fact, the craps etiquette is so elaborate that it certainly deserves to be described in a separate guide but there are several basic tips for every first-time player – players only announce their bets to the dealers, who then place the chips accordingly; players never take their winnings but wait for the staff to pay them out; and players should also make sure to keep their hands away from the table once the shooter is about to roll the dice. Overall, players are expected to act respectfully at the table and never mention the number 7, as this is believed to bring bad luck.
Fundamental Bets in Craps
The player who is the shooter in the new round is required to place one of the two basic bets in craps – either the Pass Line or the Don’t Pass bets, which will be explained in detail below. For the rest of the players at the table, these bets are optional. Sometimes, betting on the Pass and the Don’t Pass is called “win” and “don’t win” or “right” and “wrong” betting. Don’t win or wrong bettors are considered to play with the casino and against the other players.
Pass Line Don’t Pass Pass Odds Don’t Pass Odds Come Bet Don’t Come BetPass Line
This is the most fundamental bet in craps and it wins when the dice land on 7 or 11 in the come-out roll. When making this wager, players are said to bet with the dice and not against it. The payout is even (1:1) and if the shooter tosses 7 or 11, everyone who has placed this bet wins. If the come-out roll is 2, 3, or 12, the bet loses but if any of the other numbers appear, it establishes a point.
This means that the bet will not be settled immediately and the shooter must continue tossing the dice. Once the point has been established, the Pass Line wins only if the point number lands before a 7. If the shooter rolls 7 before the point number, the round ends and those who have wagered on the Pass Line lose.
Don’t Pass
The Don’t Pass line bet can be easily described as the exact opposite of the Pass Line – with this wager, players bet that the shooter will lose. Therefore, those who have bet the Don’t Pass win if the dice fall on 2 or 3 and receive an even payout. They lose if the come-out roll is 7 or 11 and if the dice land on 12, this is considered a push. Once again, if the come-out roll is any other number, it becomes the point for the following rolls.
Those who have placed their chips on the Don’t Pass bet then win if the shooter tosses 7 before the point. They lose if the point number comes out first.
Pass Odds
If a point is established on the come-out roll, players have the option to make a bet that is a multiple of the Pass Line and most casinos allow multiples of 1x to 100x. This wager wins if the point number appears before 7 and loses if 7 is first. The best thing about this bet is that the payout here is much better than when betting on the Pass Line and it varies, depending on the point.
Don’t Pass Odds
Those who bet on the Don’t Pass can also lay odds on their bet and will win if 7 lands before the point. Similarly to the Pass Odds, this bet is simply a multiple (1x-100x) and pays better, which is why it is preferred by many players.
Come Bet
The Come bet is very similar to the Pass Line as it wins and loses at the same outcomes and it offers the same payout. What makes different, however, is the timing – the Come bet can be placed only once a point has been established. With this wager, players set their own “come-out” roll and their own point – they are separate from the main come-out roll and point established initially by the shooter. In its own come-out roll, this bet wins with 7 or 11 and loses with 2, 3, or 12 but wins with the point number after has been established.
Don’t Come Bet
As you have probably guessed, the Don’t Come bet is the opposite of the Come bet it is also available once the point has been established. This wager wins with 2 or 3 and loses with 7 or 11. Once a point number has been established, it wins if 7 appears before the point and loses if the point lands first.
- Craps History: How Craps Evolved from Ancient Times to 21st Century
- Craps Table and Etiquette
- How to Play Craps: Basic Rules
- Dice Combinations and Probabilities in Craps
- Understanding the Game of Craps: Odds and House Edge
- The Line Bets: The Basic Wagers in Craps
- Multi-Roll Bets in Craps
- Craps Proposition Bets
- Basic Craps Strategy
- Craps Variations
- Craps Side Bets
- Advantage Play and Cheating in Craps
- Online Craps: Top Software Providers
- Betting Patterns and Tactics to Win in Craps
- Progressive Betting Systems for Craps
- Bankroll Management Tips for Craps Players
Craps Variations
Over the past few centuries, the game of craps has developed significantly and different versions of it have appeared across the world. Nowadays, there are not many variations and most casinos offer the same rules and payouts, which are considered as a standard.
Bank Craps Crapless Craps New York Craps Simplified CrapsBank Craps
This the most common variation of craps and it can be found as “casino craps” or simply “craps”. Bank craps is the game you can play online and, in fact, much of this guide refers to it. Its origins could be traced back to the first gambling houses in Las Vegas and from there, it was popularized around the world. The house edge for every bet is different but overall, it is around 1.40%.
Crapless Craps
Crapless craps is probably one of the weirdest variations of this game. It does not have the Don’t Pass bet and the rules for the Pass Line bet are very different. This variation has a higher house edge at 5.38%, which is why it is not particularly popular among players.
New York Craps
New York craps can actually be found in many casinos around the world but it does not allow Come and Don’t Come bets to be placed. In addition, it uses a different table layout Here, the overall house edge is 5.00%.
Simplified Craps
Simplified craps is a very rare version of the game where all the standard types of bets have been completely scrapped. Instead, players can bet on 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12, i.e. the numbers, where there are just a few possible combinations. Of course, these are also the numbers that are the least likely to land. The house edge in this game is 2.80%.
Major Developers of Online Craps
Most of the large casino software development companies have released their versions of online craps. Typically, these games follow the standard rules of Bank Craps and are almost identical in terms of gameplay and payouts. Certain content providers, however, have created craps versions of exceptional graphics quality, smooth gameplay, and user-friendly design.
Microgaming Playtech RealTime Gaming NetEntMicrogaming
Players who choose to play Craps by Microgaming can rely on smooth gameplay and easy-to-understand rules and payouts. This is hardly a surprise considering the fact the company launched the first online casino back in 1994 and has the knowledge and experience to develop intriguing and aesthetically pleasing virtual casino games. The Isle of Man-based company is also popular for the hundreds of classic and video slots within its portfolio.
Playtech
Founded in 1999, Playtech is yet another leader in the design, creation, and supply of gambling software. Along with bringing craps to thousands of online players, it provides gaming and betting sites with high-quality casino platforms, online poker rooms, sports betting solutions, live dealer games, bingo, and many more.
RealTime Gaming
RealTime gaming or RTG started in 1998 as an online casino company which provided operators with a download-based gaming platform. Today, the studio develops colorful slots and realistic table games that can be played in-browser or as part of their casino software package for download.
NetEnt
NetEnt, formally known as Net Entertainment, is one of the pioneers in the development of online casino games and complete gambling software solutions. The studio was founded in 1996 in Sweden and today, its impressive gaming portfolio includes hundreds of online slots, live dealer games, as well as fantastic virtual table and card games such as roulette, blackjack, craps, and poker.
Craps Strategy
It is a common misconception that because craps is a game of chance winning or losing is up to your luck. Those who rely simply on “luck” without understanding the rules and probabilities of the game usually leave the craps table bankrupt. This can be avoided by simply applying some simple strategies when playing craps.
Basic Strategy for Craps Betting Patterns Betting SystemsBasic Strategy for Craps
The best way to optimize the time spent on the craps table is simply placing the bets with the lowest house edge. These are the Don’t Pass and the Don’t Come bets laid with odds – the higher the odds, the better. Laying the maximum odds (100x) reduces the house edge to nearly 0%. Knowing the rules and the etiquette at the craps table is also recommended while more experienced players may also use combinations of bets that provide a good balance between coverage and bet size.
Betting Patterns
The combining of bets is a successful tactic known as betting patterns. As some casinos do not allow odds on the Don’t Pass bet, players can combine this wager with one or two Don’t Come Bets. Another good pattern is placing a Don’t Pass bet with two Don’t Come bets, a Field bet, and Lay bets on 4 and 10.
Betting Systems
Betting systems or betting progressions are quite popular among gamblers, especially in games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. They do not involve a complex strategy for playing but a method for increasing or reducing the bet size, depending on whether you win or lose. Positive progressions require players to increase the bet size as they win, while negative progressions say the stakes must be increased after a loss. Popular progressive systems are the Martingale, Paroli, Labouchere, and D’Alambert.