Estimated reading time: 20 minutes
Craps is a classic online casino dice game where you bet on the outcome of a roll, or multiple rolls, of a pair of dice.
If you visit a casino, whether in person or online, you will often find the game of ‘craps’ there. This is a game that is generally a little underexposed, as it stands in the shadow of the more popular casino games.
Of course, we are talking about blackjack, roulette, sic bo, baccarat and more. Nevertheless, craps is also a game that is offered almost everywhere. If you want to broaden your horizons then the advice is to read on!
In this ‘How to Play’, we explain what craps is, what to expect from it, how to play it and additional details that apply to it. Important to know is that craps is an alternative name for the fairly well-known ‘dice’. This actually also says right away how it is played and that is with dice.
How does craps work?
Now that we have clarified what the game is played with, let’s dive deeper into how it works. Craps is played on a table where up to 20 participants can join at the same time.
The objective is pretty simple, as each participant but one places a bet on the outcome of the two dice. Obviously, it is important to guess correctly and on that basis you can win.
One of the players per round is the so-called ‘shooter’ and he or she has to throw the two dice. To ensure the throw is valid, both dice have to hit the back wall of the table. The eyes on which it finally falls will be the result. If this is correctly bet, the player who predicted this wins….
Sounds a little too simple? Yes and no. This is basically the basics of craps, but there are more options in terms of betting.
Betting options
One of the important things in craps is betting on the so-called ‘Pass Line’. Here, you bet that the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 immediately on the first roll. If that is the case, then you grab a profit. If not, then it’s not over right away.
After all, if the shooter throws between 4 and 10 (excluding 7) points in that scenario, then a so-called ‘Point’ has been established. It is then a matter of throwing again and getting the same number of points. Does this succeed? Then the bet is won.
However, the exception is that this must happen before a 7 is thrown, otherwise it is a loss by definition. The same applies if 2, 3 or 12 is thrown. This is referred to as ‘craps’ in the game and then all pass line bets are lost and the bank takes profit.
Thus, the dice are rolled several times per round, this to complete all bets, so to speak, and as a participant, you can take profit right away, in a later round or lose immediately. This makes it all the more exciting!
Other betting options
The Pass Line is one of the primary betting options, but this can also be reversed. Similarly, there is the ‘Don’t Pass Line’ option and with this, you bet on the shooter throwing a 2, 3 or 12. If that’s the case, you grab an instant win.
However, there is a risk of a point being thrown, given that that chance is much higher. In that scenario, the game is not over, but rather you hope that on the second roll a 7 is thrown.
It doesn’t stop there, because there is also the option on ‘Come’ and ‘Don’t Come’. This means that bets can be made after a point is set. The player can bet on come after the first roll resulting in point, and then it is profit in case a 7 or 11 is thrown by the shooter.
If 2, 3 or 12 is thrown, then it means loss. It should come as no surprise that “don’t come” works the other way round. You then win on a 2, 3 or 12 and you lose if 7 or 11 falls.
However, if the shooter rolls another number, then that becomes your point number. You subsequently win if that number is rolled before a 7 is rolled.
Craps Variations
After all, the aim is to gamble on the outcome of the eyes being thrown and if that doesn’t go well the first time, you can get a second chance via the Point sub-game.
The game comes with different rules, such as Come, Don’t Come, Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line and, of course, Point. Obviously, the course of the game directly affects your chances of winning, which depends on your bet or prediction.
Raise bets
Craps has a deeper layer to it and that is the profit margins that vary based on additional bets. Depending on the type, these are only available once a Point is established and once that is the case, you can raise your bet and bet on additional opportunities. We set those out below including usual profit margins.
Snake Eyes
Twice a 1 on both tiles together makes Snake Eyes. The odds of this happening are 1 in 36, putting the payout on success at 30 times the bet. However, the odds for the house are very high, making it a particularly risky bet. It can produce a good win, but the chances of it falling are very minimal.
Ace Deuce
This is a fairly simple bet, as you are then betting that the point total will be three. In this, one tile will have to have 1 and the second 2 eyes, which together makes an Ace Duece. If the bet is correct, then you can win 15 times your stake.
The odds of this being thrown are 2 in 36. Additionally, the payout is not extremely high, making it a favourable one for the house. If you win, however, there is a nice profit margin.
Yo
With this bet, you bet on 11 being thrown immediately. This is with the odds being as low as with an Ace Deuce. Again, the odds are 2 in 36, making the payout on a successful bet at 15 times the bet.
Like the Ace Deuce, it’s a bet that mainly pays the house some dividends and shouldn’t be employed too often, as the chances of picking up a profit are quite low.
Boxcars
Like Snake Eyes, the odds of this falling are 1 in 36, as both dice have to end in 6. This creates a point total of 12 and if this is the case, then the bet will be paid out times 30. Despite the fact that even with this outcome the odds of winning are low, it is a very popular betting option that is often employed in the game.
Field Bet
One of the most common and safe bets, as the odds of winning here are 5 in 4, since you are betting that the outcome will be 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11. As a result, the payout is also one to one and cannot necessarily be called a lucrative bet. That said, it is a safe way to enjoy the game for longer.
Big Red
This bet is also very common and you then bet that the shooter throws 7 on his next shot. Since there is a 6 in 36 chance of this number being thrown, it is a common result on a throw.
As a result, the payout is four times the bet, which can make it a reasonable amount. However, the probability of the house winning is almost 17%, which is a peak. This means Big Red is not necessarily the best choice. Indeed, it is a popular option, but statistically it is a pretty poor bet.
Multi Roll bets in Craps
In this article, we take a closer look at additional betting options during a game. Finally, we look at so-called ‘Multi Roll’ bets, which is also among the betting options at a game.
This is a way of gambling that goes a step further and is therefore especially recommended for experienced players. This is because the winnings can be very substantial, but can also include a lot of losses. After all, it is and will always be gambling and you are dependent on how the stones are thrown by the shooter.
Below we list the most important Multi Roll bets, giving you a total overview of all the possibilities.
Hard Way
If you bet on this, you are betting that both stones show the same eyes. Think 2 to 2, 3 to 3, 4 to 4, and so on. The reason it is called ‘hard’ is because the chances of both dice showing the same number of eyes are very small.
If you gamble on a Hard 8, you have to have two 4s. The chances of falling that way are significantly smaller than any other combination however. Think of combinations like 5 + 3 or 2 + 6. The chance of two four’s falling is 1 in 36 and if you win, the payout is 7:1.
However, know that this can be played over an entire game, as it is a ‘multi’ bet. Is a 7 thrown? Then you immediately lose your bet.
Easy Way
The opposite of the Hard Way just described. Here you are also betting on a certain number, but whereas with Hard Way it has to be identical eyes, this is not the case with Easy Way. In other words, if you bet on an Easy Way 6 and a 1 + 5 falls, you grab a profit.
The payout is somewhat variable and is very low, partly because this is not usually offered in the casino. Your bet is valid for several rounds when playing, but you lose it right away if a 7 falls.
Place Bet to win/to lose
You can place this bet throughout the game and what you bet on will be 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. The key is to throw the chosen number before a 7 falls and if so, you grab a win.
The amount is a bit variable from casino to casino and if you choose the ‘lose’ option, then you are betting the opposite way and the key is to roll a 7 just before one of the numbers indicated.
Fire Bet
This is a rather unusual betting option, but a very interesting one because it can yield a lot, but is risky at the same time. In a Fire Bet, you bet on the shooter throwing a set of the same numbers several times, but with different eyes.
The moment this happens, the dealer will mark the total number with a ‘Fire’ marker. This is done on the basis of the Points that are set and this can be done with 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. If three of these numbers are set as a Point, then the fourth Point should also be made. When that indeed turns out to be true, then a Fire Bet will allow you to grab 24 times your stake.
If even a fifth Point is made, it increases to a payout of 249 times your stake. When this is gambled correctly, and six Points are reached, the payout increases to 999 times your bet.
When throwing a 7, however, the Fire Bet is over immediately. The subsequent payout can vary somewhat from casino to casino. Therefore, pay close attention to whether the fire bet is offered, how it is played and what the payout is.
Given it is such a risky gamble, the odds of winning are very small. Therefore, it is mainly experienced players who brave the dangers. However, the group that gambles on this is small. Therefore it is mostly not an option in most (online) casinos.
Frequently Asked Questions about Craps
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What is the difference between live craps and online craps?
Like online blackjack and online roulette, you play online craps solo – the croupier has been replaced by a computer program. The outcome of each game is determined by RNG software. Online craps playing rounds are generally faster because, as a player, you don’t have to wait for your fellow players’ throws.
Other Questions?
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