What is Craps?

Craps is a popular dice game found in many casinos worldwide. Players bet on the outcome of the roll, or a series of rolls, of two dice. The game is known for its fast pace and the variety of betting options available. Understanding the basics of how to play Craps can enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of this classic casino game.

History

The history of Craps is fascinating and complex.It is generally accepted that the game originated from Hazard, an English dice game that has been around since at least the 14th century.

Hazard gained popularity in French taverns during the 17th century, where it became known as “crabs,” referring to the lowest dice rolls. 

In the early 19th century, the game made its way to America, especially to New Orleans, where it was simplified and given the name “craps.” 

The introduction of the “Don’t Pass” betting option by American dice maker John H. Winn at the beginning of 20th century marked a crucial turning point in the history of the game. This innovation addressed issues with fixed dice and laid the foundation for the modern craps layout used in casinos today. 

During World War II, American soldiers played the game in their spare time, which contributed to the game’s rise in popularity. Craps was a common game in American casinos after the war and eventually became well-known abroad.

How to Play Craps

Craps is a dynamic dice game that captivates players with its fast-paced action and variety of betting options. Understanding the rules and strategies can enhance your enjoyment and potential success at the table. Below, I’ll delve into the game’s betting options and gameplay mechanics.

Betting

Bets are made by players on how the dice will roll. In the “come-out” roll, which starts the betting process, players can put a Pass Line bet, staking that the shooter will roll a 7 or an 11, giving them an instant victory. On the other hand, the Pass Line wager loses if the roll is 2, 3, or 12. Any other number that is rolled—four, five, six, eight, nine, or ten—becomes the “point.” Before a seven is rolled, the goal then changes to rolling the point number once again. Players can also place Come Bets, which work similarly to Pass Line bets but can be placed after the point has been decided.

Additional betting choices include Proposition Bets, which are usually one-roll wagers on particular outcomes, and Place Bets, in which players place bets on particular numbers being rolled before a 7. For efficient bankroll management and smart craps play, it is essential to comprehend the different betting possibilities and the odds that go along with them.

Gameplay

A craps rules consist of rounds, with the dice passing clockwise around the table. The player rolling the dice is known as the “shooter.” Each round consists of two phases:

1. Come-Out Roll:
   • The shooter makes the initial roll.
   • A roll of 7 or 11 results in a win for Pass Line bets and a loss for Don’t Pass bets.
   • A roll of 2, 3, or 12 (known as “craps”) results in a loss for Pass Line bets and a win (2 or 3) or push (12) for Don’t Pass bets.
   • Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) establishes the “point.”
2. Point Phase:
   • The shooter continues to roll the dice.
   • The objective is to roll the point number again before rolling a 7.
   • Rolling the point results in a win for Pass Line bets; rolling a 7 (“seven-out”) results in a loss for Pass Line bets and ends the round.
   • Don’t Pass bets win if a 7 is rolled before the point number.

Players can place various bets throughout the game, each with its own rules and payouts. 

Craps table

I can provide you with a detailed overview of the craps table layout, which is essential for understanding the game’s flow and placing bets effectively.

A standard craps table is a large, rectangular surface with raised sides designed to accommodate multiple players, often up to 24. The table features identical betting areas on both ends, allowing more participants to engage simultaneously. The layout is separated into multiple areas, each is intended for a particular kind of wager.

Key betting areas of the table:

1. Pass Line and Don’t Pass Bar: Located along the outer edge of the table, these areas are for Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets, fundamental wagers in craps.
2. Come and Don’t Come Boxes: Situated near the center, these boxes are designated for Come and Don’t Come bets, which function similarly to Pass and Don’t Pass bets but are placed after the come-out roll.
3. Place Bets Area: This section allows players to bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) being rolled before a seven.
4. Field Bet Area: Marked with “Field,” this area is for single-roll bets on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
5. Proposition Bets Section: Located at the centre of the table, this area includes various high-risk, high-reward bets like “Any Seven,” “Hardways,” and “Horn” bets.

A typical craps table is managed by a team of up to four casino staff:

• Boxman: Sits behind the casino’s bank, overseeing the game, managing chips, and handling player transactions.
• Stickman: Stands opposite the boxman, controls the dice with a long stick, announces the outcomes, and manages the proposition bets.
• Base Dealers: Positioned on either side of the boxman, they handle bets, payouts, and assist players with their wagering decisions.

Physical features you can find:

• Back Wall: The vertical walls at each end are covered with a rubberized surface embedded with small pyramid shapes, designed to randomize the dice rolls and ensure fair play.
• Chip Racks: Grooves along the top edges of the table walls where players can store their chips during the game.

Types of wagers

Understanding the various how to win at craps line bets is essential for effective gameplay.

Line bets

How to play craps dice line bets has an important place. These fundamental wagers that players place on the outcome of the shooter’s roll. 

Pass line

Placed before the come-out roll, it wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. It loses if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled. The point is determined by rolling any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). To win, the shooter must roll the point number again before rolling a 7. The house edge for this bet is approximately 1.41%.

Don’t Pass

The Don’t Pass bet is the opposite of the Pass Line bet. Here, you’re betting against the shooter. On the come-out roll, it wins if a 2 or 3 is rolled and loses if a 7 or 11 appears. A roll of 12 results in a push. Once a point is established, the bet wins if a 7 is rolled before the point number. The house edge for this bet is slightly lower, at about 1.36%. 

Pass odds

After a point is established, players can take odds on their Pass Line bet by placing an additional wager behind the original bet. This odds bet pays true odds: 2:1 if the point is 4 or 10, 3:2 for 5 or 9, and 6:5 for 6 or 8. Importantly, this bet has no house edge, making it advantageous for players

Don’t Pass odds

Similarly, players can lay odds on a Don’t Pass bet after a point is established. This involves placing an additional wager behind the original Don’t Pass bet. The payout is the inverse of the Pass Odds: 1:2 if the point is 4 or 10, 2:3 for 5 or 9, and 5:6 for 6 or 8. Like the Pass Odds, this bet offers true odds with no house edge.

Come bet

A Come Bet is similar to a Pass Line bet but is made after the come-out roll. It wins if the next roll is a 7 or 11 and loses if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled. If any other number appears, that number becomes the Come Point. To win, the Come Point must be rolled again before a 7. The house edge is approximately 1.41%.

Don’t Come bet

The Don’t Come Bet is the opposite of the Come Bet and is also placed after the come-out roll. It wins if the next roll is a 2 or 3, loses on a 7 or 11, and pushes on a 12. If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, that number becomes the Don’t Come Point. The bet wins if a 7 is rolled before the Don’t Come Point and loses if the point is rolled first. The house edge here is about 1.36%.

Multi-roll bets

These are wagers that might require one or more additional rolls before a result is known, and they might not be settled on the initial roll. The majority of multi-roll wagers have the potential to occur in which the shooter makes a point before the multi-roll wager’s result is determined. Until the subsequent point is determined, these wagers are frequently regarded as “not working” on the following come-out roll, unless the player declares the wager to be “working.”

Place

You bet on a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to be rolled before a 7. Place bets on 6 and 8 pay 7:6, on 5 and 9 pay 7:5, and on 4 and 10 pay 9:5. These bets can be adjusted or removed at any time.

Buy

Similar to placing bets but paying true odds, with a 5% commission charged on the bet amount. For example, a buy bet on 4 or 10 pays 2:1. Some casinos charge the commission only on winning bets, slightly reducing the house edge.

Lay

The opposite of buy bets; you bet against a specific number, wagering that a 7 will be rolled before your chosen number. Lay bets pay true odds minus a 5% commission on the potential winnings. For instance, laying against 4 or 10 pays 1:2

Put

Less common, these are pass-line bets made after a point is established, allowing you to immediately take odds. Put bets can offer advantages when combined with high odds multiples but may increase the house edge if not used strategically.

Hard way

You bet that a specific double (e.g., 4-4 for a hard 8) will be rolled before a 7 or any other combination totalling that number. Hard 6 and hard 8 typically pay 9:1, while hard 4 and hard 10 pay 7:1. These bets carry a higher house edge.

Big 6 and Big 8

You bet that a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7. These bets pay even money (1:1) but have a higher house edge compared to placing the 6 or 8, which offers better payouts. Experienced players often avoid Big 6 and Big 8 bets due to their unfavourable odds

Single-roll bets

Single-roll bets, also known as proposition bets, are wagers resolved in a single dice roll. These bets are typically placed in the centre of the craps table and are managed by the stickman or dealers. They offer higher payouts but come with a significant house edge, making them riskier choices for players.

Here’s a table summarizing common single-roll bets I analyzed:

Bet Name	Description	Payout	House Edge
Any Seven	Wins if a 7 is rolled on the next throw.	4:1	16.67%
Any Craps	Wins if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled.	7:1	11.11%
Aces (2)	Wins if a 2 (snake eyes) is rolled.	30:1	13.89%
Twelve (12)	Wins if a 12 (boxcars) is rolled.	30:1	13.89%
Ace-Deuce (3)	Wins if a 3 is rolled.	15:1	11.11%
Yo (11)	Wins if an 11 is rolled.	15:1	11.11%
Hi-Lo	Wins if a 2 or 12 is rolled.	15:1	11.11%
Horn Bet	A combined bet on 2, 3, 11, and 12. Pays according to the number rolled; losses on others.	Varies	Varies
Field Bet	Wins if 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled; 2 and 12 often have higher payouts.	1:1 (2:1 or 3:1 for 2 and 12)	5.56%

As an experienced iGaming expert, I advise players to approach single-roll bets with caution. While they add excitement to the game, relying heavily on them can deplete your bankroll quickly due to the unfavourable odds.

Player bets

To improve their gaming experience, players can place a variety of side bets when playing craps. The Fire Bet and Bonus Craps bets are two well-liked choices.

The Fire Bet is a side wager placed before the shooter begins their roll. It anticipates that the shooter will successfully establish and win multiple unique points during their turn. The bet pays out based on the number of distinct points made:

• Four unique points: Pays 24 to 1
• Five unique points: Pays 249 to 1
• Six unique points: Pays 999 to 1

It’s important to note that only the first instance of each point number counts toward the Fire Bet. For example, if the shooter makes the point of 10 twice, it only counts once for this wager. 

Bonus Craps introduces three additional proposition bets:

• All Small: Betting that the shooter will roll all the numbers from 2 through 6 before rolling a 7.
• All Tall: Betting that the shooter will roll all the numbers from 8 through 12 before rolling a 7.
• All or Nothing at All: Betting that the shooter will roll all the numbers from 2 through 6 and 8 through 12 (i.e., all numbers except 7) before rolling a 7.

These bets must be placed prior to the come-out roll of a new shooter. The payouts are as follows:

• All Small: Pays 35 to 1
• All Tall: Pays 35 to 1
• All or Nothing at All: Pays 176 to 1

I got such conclusions that these wagers offer attractive payouts, they also carry a higher house edge, making them less favourable for players seeking to maximize their odds.

Multiple different bets

Players can place multiple bets simultaneously to diversify their wagers and potentially increase their chances of winning. This approach allows for a combination of bets with varying odds and payouts, catering to different risk appetites and strategies.

For instance, a player might bet on the Pass Line while also placing a Come bet. If the shooter establishes a point, the player can take odds on both the Pass Line and Come bets, enhancing potential payouts. Additionally, placing bets on the 6 and 8 can further diversify the craps strategy, as these numbers have a higher probability of being rolled.

I recommend managing your bankroll effectively when engaging in multiple bets. While this best craps strategy can lead to more frequent wins, it also increases the total amount wagered, which can deplete your funds if not monitored carefully. 

Working and not working bets

Understanding the distinction between “working” and “not working” bets is crucial for effective gameplay. A “working” bet is active and can result in a win or loss based on the outcome of the next roll. Conversely, a bet that is “not working” remains on the table but is inactive, meaning it won’t be affected by the upcoming roll.

Pass Line and Come bets are always working, regardless of whether a point has been established. Other bets, such as Place and Buy bets, typically work when a point is established and not when the point is off unless the player specifies otherwise. Lay bets are generally always working, even if a point hasn’t been established unless the player requests otherwise.

Players have the flexibility to control the status of their bets. At any time, you can ask the dealer to make a bet “not working” by placing an “Off” button on it, indicating it’s inactive. This allows you to keep your chips on the board without risking them on the next roll. Similarly, you can request a bet to be “working” by having an “On” button placed on it, making it active for the upcoming roll.

Betting variants

In order to diversify their bets and possibly improve their chances of winning, players might place many bets at once. For instance, a player might bet on all hard ways and the horn simultaneously. If one bet wins, dealers often use the winnings to replenish any losing bets automatically. For example, if a hard 8 (which pays 9:1) is rolled, the horn bet loses. The dealer may return $5 to the player and use the remaining $4 to reinstate the horn bet. If players prefer not to have their bets replenished, they should inform the dealer to take down any or all bets.

It’s essential to understand that while placing multiple bets can make the game more engaging, it also increases the risk. Each bet has its own house edge, and combining several bets doesn’t necessarily improve overall odds. Therefore, players should consider their strategies and risk tolerance when placing multiple bets.

Additionally, I found out that managing multiple bets requires attention to detail. Players should keep track of their wagers and communicate clearly with the dealer to ensure their intentions are understood. This approach helps maintain the flow of the game and prevents misunderstandings.

Craps Terms

Here’s a breakdown of key terms:

Pass Line

A fundamental bet placed before the come-out roll. It wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 and loses on a 2, 3, or 12. If another number is rolled, it becomes the point, and the bet wins if the point is rolled again before a 7.

Don’t Pass Line

This bet is the opposite of the Pass Line. It loses on a 7 or 11 during the come-out roll and wins on a 2 or 3; a 12 results in a tie. Once a point is established, the bet wins if a 7 is rolled before the point is repeated.

Come Bets

Placed after the come-out roll, these bets function like Pass Line bets. They win on a 7 or 11 and lose on a 2, 3, or 12. Any other number becomes the “come point,” which must be rolled again before a 7 to win.

Don’t Come Bets

Also made after the come-out roll, these bets are the opposite of Come Bets. They win on a 2 or 3, lose on a 7 or 11, and tie on a 12. If another number is rolled, it becomes the “come point,” and the bet wins if a 7 is rolled before this number repeats.

Odds

Additional bets placed behind Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bets. They are paid at true odds, reducing the house’s edge. For Pass/Come bets, payouts are 2:1 on points of 4 or 10, 3:2 on 5 or 9, and 6:5 on 6 or 8. For Don’t Pass/Don’t Come bets, the payouts are the inverse.

Place Bets

Wagers on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that the number will be rolled before a 7. Payouts vary: 9:5 for 4 or 10, 7:5 for 5 or 9, and 7:6 for 6 or 8. These bets can be made at any time and can be removed before the next roll.

Field Bets

One-roll bets that win if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled. Payouts are even money for 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11, 2:1 for 2, and 3:1 for 12. They lose if 5, 6, 7, or 8 is rolled.

Proposition Bets

Single-roll bets are placed in the center of the table. They include wagers like Any Craps (betting that 2, 3, or 12 will be rolled), which pays 8:1, and specific doubles like Aces (betting on a roll of 2), which pays 31:1. These bets typically have higher payouts but also a higher house edge.

Hardaways

Bets that a specific double (e.g., 4-4 for a hard 8) will be rolled before a 7 or before the number is rolled in any other combination. Payouts are 8:1 for hard 4 or 10 and 10:1 for hard 6 or 8.

Hop Bets

One-roll bets predicting a specific combination of the dice on the next roll, such as a 6 and 3. Payouts are 15:1 for easy combinations and 30:1 for hard combinations (doubles). These bets are high-risk due to their specificity.

Variants

As an experienced iGaming expert, I’m often asked about the various craps variants that have emerged over time. Each brings its own unique twist to the traditional game, offering players diverse experiences and challenges.

Bank Craps

Bank Craps, commonly referred to simply as “craps,” is the standard version found in most casinos worldwide. In this variant, all bets are placed against the house, and the game uses a specialized table layout. The house edge for Pass and Don’t Pass bets is approximately 1.4%, making it a popular choice among players.

Crapless Craps

Also known as “bastard craps,” Crapless Craps eliminates the possibility of losing on the come-out roll with a 2, 3, or 12. However, this adjustment increases the house edge to about 5.38%, making it less favourable for players seeking better odds.

New York Craps

Predominantly played on the East Coast of the United States, New York Craps features a different table layout and does not allow Come or Don’t Come bets. Players focus on betting directly on box numbers like 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. This variant carries a higher house edge of around 5%.

Simplified Craps

As the name suggests, Simplified Craps offers a more straightforward version of the game. Players win by rolling certain numbers (2, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12) and lose with others (5, 6, 7, 8, or 9). While easier to understand, this variant comes with a higher house edge of approximately 2.8%.

Die Rich Craps

Die Rich Craps is a unique variant that uses a single die instead of the traditional pair. This alteration leads to different rules and betting options, providing a fresh experience for players looking to try something new.