Craps might seem like one of the most intimidating games in the casino. The chips fly in every direction. Players bark bets–often in a language of their own–at the dealers. It's fast and overwhelming for a beginner. And the roars. Who can miss the roars?
So how do you play craps? Whether online, or in person, understanding the rules and basic strategy of this wildly entertaining and exciting table game will quickly transform you from a novice to the one leading the cheers you won't find anywhere else in the casino.
In this craps 101 rules and strategy primer, we will simplify the complex and varied wagers that can be a lot to digest.
Craps rules determine how a typical round of dice shooting happens. Craps rules are easy to learn, though the game has a lot of slang and terminology which might cause issues for beginners. Craps also has a lot of different bets, so a tutorial is needed when learning to play craps. As a beginner, there are only a few bets you need to know about when learning to play craps. The most common bet on the craps table is the Pass Line bet. It is on the outside of the table and creates a somewhat border around the layout. This bet is saying that the dice are going to 'pass', meaning win.
Craps wagers are divided into line bets, single-roll bets and multi-roll bets. So how do you get started?
Line Bets
Line bets are the simplest bets in craps, all paying even money. These bets are the pass, don't pass, come, and don't come.
The pass bet is placed before the come-out roll and is rooting for the shooter to win. If a 7 or 11 is rolled on the come-out roll, the pass line wins. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 come out, the pass line loses. Once the come-out roll lands on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, that number is the point. The pass bet wins if the shooter rolls that same number again before rolling a 7. If the shooter rolls 7 before the point, the pass bet loses.
Scenario 1: You place $10 on the pass line. The shooter rolls 7. You win $10, and you keep the same amount on the pass. The shooter rolls 12, and you lose $10 (now you're even). You reup $10 on the pass and the shooter rolls 6, which is now the point. The shooter rolls 11, 5, 8 and 3 in consecutive rolls, but you had no action on any of those. The next roll is a 6, so you win $10 on your $10 pass bet.
Once you get the hang of the pass bet, you're home free, and the game starts to slow down and make sense. Just betting the pass line is enough to get comfortable at the table and relish in the excitement. But of course, there are so many more options.
You can be a 'wrong bettor' and wager on the don't pass line, playing against the shooter (and with the house). The don't pass bet is the opposite of the pass line, in that if a 7 or 11 rolled on the come-out roll the bet loses, and if a 2, 3, or 12 comes out the bet wins. Once the point is established, the don't pass wins if 7 is rolled before the point.
Pro tip: Be warned that playing the don't pass may earn you the evil eye in the casino, as you're betting against most of the other players at the table.
The come bet is the same thing as playing the pass line, except it is placed after the come-out roll. You'll basically establish your own point and the rules remain the same–you must roll your point before a 7.
Lastly, you guessed it, the don't come is the opposite of the come bet. The bettor wagers against the shooter on the don't come bet.
Single-roll Bets
Single-roll bets are placed at any time, for one turn. Examples of single-roll bets are any craps (2,3, or 12), which pays 7:1, and any 7, which pays 4:1.
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Pro tip: Even though any 7 is a wildly popular craps wager, it's generally considered a sucker bet because of the high house edge, and should probably be avoided.
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Another bet in craps is the field where the bettor wagers on the shooter rolling a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Field bets only pay out 4:1 1:1 but include multiple combinations and gives the player better chances of winning.
More specific rolls in craps can yield much higher payouts if the player is ambitions enough.
The yo bet refers to the 11 and pays out 15:1. A new player may be confused when they hear the common cry of C and E, but it simply stands for craps plus 11, effectively two bets in one. An eleven bet pays out at 15:1 and the craps half of the bet pays out 3:1.
Ace-deuce, otherwise known as three craps, is betting on a 3 roll and pays 15:1. Rolling snake eyes (two 1s) or boxcars (two sixes)—the 2 and the 12 bets–each pay 30:1. There's also a combination bet–the high-low--that pays 15:1 on either 2 or 12.
Last of the single roll bets is the horn which is a combination of the 2, 3, 11 and 12, which pay the same as if you bet them separately.
Pro tip: The most dizzying time at the table is prior to the come-out roll, where many of these single-roll bets are shouted out and chips are tossed. Plays like the horn-high yo (horn bet, plus a little extra on the 11) and the high-low yo (2, 12, 11) prove there's virtually no limit to the combination of bets you can place.
Multi-roll Bets
Multi-roll bets are wagers that stand until either your number is called, or the shooter rolls 7.
Big 6and Big 8 are very simple. You're betting that the dealer will roll 6 or 8 (whichever you're playing) before rolling a 7. It pays 1:1. Hard way bets are placed on the double combination of the dice (for example, 4-4 is hard 8). Hard way 4 and 10 pay at 7:1, and hard way 6 and 8 both pay out at 9:1.
Place betsare placed on any number—4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10–and their odds differ based on how many combinations can equal the number wagered. Place bets on 6 and 8 pay out at 7:6; the 5 and 9 pay out 7:5; the 4 and 10 pay 9:5.
Summing up
Learning craps can be difficult, but certainly not impossible. Even a novice can get a handle on the game with some effort and repetition starting with the simpler bets and then expanding. Learning and practicing in an online casino is a great way to get comfortable with the rules. Now that you know the basics, go get rolling, and don't crap out.
Craps is known for being one of the easiest games to learn on the entire casino floor. Not only that, but it provides some pretty favorable odds to gamblers of all skill and experience levels.
While the learning curve might not be as significant as it is with other games, there are still a number of strategies that can help take your success up a notch. If you're new to the game, it's important to understand the basics and put them into action.
In this article, I'll lay out the top 7 strategy tips for craps beginners.
1 – Bet the Right Way
One thing that can get lost in a gambling strategy (somehow) is the importance of not just playing the game the right way, but betting the right way as well. For this particular game, betting the right way means something additional.
When it comes to craps, play the pass and come bets with the table. These are the bets which are widely thought to be the best because of the low house edge, and are well-suited for beginners who aren't as familiar with the game.
The most popular bet for craps is a pass line bet which has a house edge of only 1.4%. What you need to know is that you only have four ways to lose, so your odds are quite favorable.
2 – Look for the Right Shooter
Think dice rolls are completely random? You might be surprised to learn that some shooters have developed ways to take at least some of the unpredictable nature out of their roll.
For Example
Players who shake and roll the dice in their hands prior to their throw probably don't have much control over the outcome.
The yo bet refers to the 11 and pays out 15:1. A new player may be confused when they hear the common cry of C and E, but it simply stands for craps plus 11, effectively two bets in one. An eleven bet pays out at 15:1 and the craps half of the bet pays out 3:1.
Ace-deuce, otherwise known as three craps, is betting on a 3 roll and pays 15:1. Rolling snake eyes (two 1s) or boxcars (two sixes)—the 2 and the 12 bets–each pay 30:1. There's also a combination bet–the high-low--that pays 15:1 on either 2 or 12.
Last of the single roll bets is the horn which is a combination of the 2, 3, 11 and 12, which pay the same as if you bet them separately.
Pro tip: The most dizzying time at the table is prior to the come-out roll, where many of these single-roll bets are shouted out and chips are tossed. Plays like the horn-high yo (horn bet, plus a little extra on the 11) and the high-low yo (2, 12, 11) prove there's virtually no limit to the combination of bets you can place.
Multi-roll Bets
Multi-roll bets are wagers that stand until either your number is called, or the shooter rolls 7.
Big 6and Big 8 are very simple. You're betting that the dealer will roll 6 or 8 (whichever you're playing) before rolling a 7. It pays 1:1. Hard way bets are placed on the double combination of the dice (for example, 4-4 is hard 8). Hard way 4 and 10 pay at 7:1, and hard way 6 and 8 both pay out at 9:1.
Place betsare placed on any number—4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10–and their odds differ based on how many combinations can equal the number wagered. Place bets on 6 and 8 pay out at 7:6; the 5 and 9 pay out 7:5; the 4 and 10 pay 9:5.
Summing up
Learning craps can be difficult, but certainly not impossible. Even a novice can get a handle on the game with some effort and repetition starting with the simpler bets and then expanding. Learning and practicing in an online casino is a great way to get comfortable with the rules. Now that you know the basics, go get rolling, and don't crap out.
Craps is known for being one of the easiest games to learn on the entire casino floor. Not only that, but it provides some pretty favorable odds to gamblers of all skill and experience levels.
While the learning curve might not be as significant as it is with other games, there are still a number of strategies that can help take your success up a notch. If you're new to the game, it's important to understand the basics and put them into action.
In this article, I'll lay out the top 7 strategy tips for craps beginners.
1 – Bet the Right Way
One thing that can get lost in a gambling strategy (somehow) is the importance of not just playing the game the right way, but betting the right way as well. For this particular game, betting the right way means something additional.
When it comes to craps, play the pass and come bets with the table. These are the bets which are widely thought to be the best because of the low house edge, and are well-suited for beginners who aren't as familiar with the game.
The most popular bet for craps is a pass line bet which has a house edge of only 1.4%. What you need to know is that you only have four ways to lose, so your odds are quite favorable.
2 – Look for the Right Shooter
Think dice rolls are completely random? You might be surprised to learn that some shooters have developed ways to take at least some of the unpredictable nature out of their roll.
For ExamplePlayers who shake and roll the dice in their hands prior to their throw probably don't have much control over the outcome.
On the flip side, some players roll exactly the same way each time and have a higher probability of getting a winning outcome.
When you walk into the casino and are looking for the right table to start placing bets, do your best to find someone who looks like they're in relative control of the throws they're making. It sounds like a small thing, but any time you can take measures to reduce unpredictability in gambling, it's worth taking advantage of the opportunity.
3 – Manage Your Bankroll
You might not be as experienced as some of the other players at the table, but it only takes discipline, not skill or experience, to effectively manage your gambling bankroll.
If you're unfamiliar, your bankroll is the pool of money that you've set aside for the sole purpose of gambling. Most experts recommend only betting a small, predetermined percentage of that bankroll on any one play. You can determine the percentage for yourself, but keeping it between 5% and 10% is most effective.
Remember that it's crucial, especially when you're just starting out, to think of gambling as a long-term game. Trying too hard to hit the jackpot and betting huge amounts of money is a good way to drain your bankroll and put you in a bad financial position. Casino wheel.
4 – Be Wary of Prop Bets
In craps, there are a number of advanced betting combinations that can result in huge payouts. However, in order to use these to your advantage, you need to have a pretty solid grasp on how the game is played.
In my opinion, if you're new to craps, it's in your best interest to stay away from these prop bets and stick to something that you understand. Prop bets have a much higher house edge than regular bets, and the added risk means that if you aren't making the correct plays, you could just be giving money away to the casino.
Not only do you need to be aware of the odds on prop bets, but they also require you to have a significant level of knowledge in regards to the board layout and gameplay process. To make things even more complicated, there's a specific etiquette preferred when making these bets as well.
I'm not saying that prop bets should be totally off your radar forever, but it's best to observe others utilizing them before you start throwing down your money hoping for a big win.
5 – Practice Online
Nobody likes to feel like they don't know what they're doing – especially when surrounded by a bunch of strangers who do know what they're doing. Unfortunately, the only way to get experience is to go through the learning curve, as uncomfortable as it may be.
Throughout most of history, this has meant that beginner players had to positon themselves at the table right next to the experts, and let their inexperience shine. However, in today's world, there is another option that has helped countless beginner gamblers: online gaming.
The best part of online casinos is that they provide users with a place to hone their skills, without the social embarrassment or anxiety that comes with being new to the game.
Even more beneficial is the fact that there are plenty of sites that don't even require you to risk any money in order to learn.
Before you visit a casino and start wagering your hard-earned money, make sure you know what you're doing. Find a free online site that allows you to learn the game, then move on to a low-limit, real money online casino, and then you'll be ready for the real thing.
6 – Don't Listen to the Dealer
I don't actually mean you should tune him or her out, but rather you should not fall victim to their appeals to increase your bet.
Dealers, although they might be technically impartial, still work for the casino. The more money they're able to collect from their table, the better they look when being evaluated by their bosses.
During your time at the craps table, you'll likely hear dealers encourage players to 'bet hardways,' which is a prop bet in which you need equal numbers on the dice to add up to a certain number. For example, a 5-5 is the 'hard way' to make a 10.
These bets do have a nice payout if you hit, but the odds of that happening are unlikely, and don't fit into the strategy of someone who is looking to play conservatively and learn the game.
The bottom line is, if the dealer suggests you do something, politely decline and continue on with betting the odds.
7 – Learn the Etiquette
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As I mentioned earlier in the article, there is a certain etiquette to prop bets. There is also a larger set of 'unspoken rules' that you'd be wise to follow if you want to fit in.
First, it's important, regardless of which game you're playing, to tip your dealer. This should be a pretty standard practice at any casino. Simply put, don't leave the table without showing the dealer a little appreciation by way of a tip.
The second, and much less obvious craps etiquette practices involves the number seven…as in, don't say the number out loud.
In fact, it's considered so unlucky that if you do say it, people will even leave the table. If you must bring it up, some refer to the number seven simply as 'devil.'
Finally, it should be noted that craps is a fast-paced, action-packed game. One easy way to make the table mad is by shooting slowly or generally slowing down the speed of the game. This is why it's so important to know what you're doing before you step up to the table.
Conclusion
Craps can be one of the best games for less experienced gamblers because of the low house edge. With that being said, it's important that you don't try to get too fancy with your plays until you truly understand how the game works.
Practice your skills online before heading to the casino, and keep these tips in mind when you're ready to play. If you manage your money and stick to the appropriate plays, you could be walking out with some extra cash in your pocket.
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