How to Play Craps - an in-depth How to Guide

To start your craps journey, you'll need to understand the craps table layout and crew members overseeing the game. After that, learning the rules of craps and common bets like the Pass Line and Hard 8 will help you fully enjoy this classic casino game.

How to Play Craps

Placing Initial Bets and the Come-Out Roll

Craps begins with the shooter (a player) making the first roll of the dice, called the "Come-out" roll, by throwing the dice on the craps table. If you are learning how to play craps online, here you will click the "Roll" button. 

Once the shooter (or the computer) throws the dice, the numbers can result in one of three outcomes: Natural, Craps (Crapping Out), or Point.

• If the shooter throws a 7 or 11 on the Come-out roll, it is a "Natural" and the Pass Line bet wins. 
• If the shooter throws a 2, 3, or 12 on the Come-out roll, it is "Craps" and the Pass Line bet loses. 
• If the shooter throws a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 on the Come-out roll, they establish the "Point." The dealer will mark this number on the table, but in an online game, a small button labeled "On" will appear on the number to show the established Point.

Before the Come-out roll, players can place bets like:

1. Pass Line: An even money bet that wins on 7 or 11, and loses on 2, 3, or 12 on the Come-out roll. Any other number becomes the Point.
2. Don't Pass Line: The opposite of Pass Line, winning on 2 or 3, and losing on 7 or 11 on the Come-out roll.

Establishing the Point

If the Come-out roll sets a Point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the shooter must roll the dice again and try to get the same Point number before rolling a 7.

For example, if the Point is 5, the shooter can roll a 4 and a 1, or a 2 and a 3, to make up the 5. If the shooter rolls the Point again before a 7, the Pass Line bet wins. However, if the shooter rolls a 7 before reaching the Point, it results in a "Seven-out," and the Pass Line bet loses.

Betting Options After the Point is Set

Once a Point is established, players can proceed to place additional bets such as:

1. Come Bets are akin to Pass Line bets but are placed after the Point is established. Wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12. Any other number becomes the "Come Point." 
2. Don't Come Bets: Opposite of Come Bets, winning on 2 or 3, and losing on 7 or 11. Any other number becomes the "Don't Come Point." 
3. Players can take Odds Bets after a Point or Come Point is established, enabling them to increase their wager without facing a house edge if the Point/Come Point is rolled before a 7.
4. Place Bets are wagers on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) to be rolled before a 7. Payouts vary depending on the chosen number.
5. Field Bets: A one-roll bet, winning on 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 (even money), 2 (2:1 payout), or 12 (3:1 payout).
6. Proposition Bets: One-roll bets on specific combinations like Any Craps (2, 3, 12), Aces (2), Ace-Deuce (3), Eleven (11), or Seven (7).
7. Hardways: Betting the shooter will roll a pair (e.g., 4-4 for Hard 8) before rolling a 7 or the same number the "easy way."

Players can make various bets throughout the game, aiming to predict the outcome of each roll based on the established Point and betting options.

Popular Craps Bets and Strategies

Aspects to Consider Before Picking a Craps Betting Strategy

Before you can get a plan of action together and choose the best strategy for craps, consider your budget, your level of experience and your risk tolerance. These will help you settle on the craps strategy that will work best for you. 

What is the Simplest Craps Strategy for Beginners?

There's a craps strategy for everyone, including beginners. Before using them with real money, try practicing on free games first. Here are two simple approaches for new players.

Pass Line Craps Strategy

Placing Pass Line bets is the simplest craps strategy. Players bet on the Pass Line on the come out roll. Rolling a seven or 11 wins, while a two, three, or 12 loses. 

Any other number becomes the 'point,' and the player keeps rolling. You win if the point comes up again before seven.

Don't Pass/Don't Come Craps Strategy

While the Pass Line strategy works well for both online and in-person play, the next option is perfect for online gaming. Since craps is a social game, most players bet with the shooter. However, this strategy involves betting against the shooter using a Don't Pass or Don't Come bet.

What is the Best Craps Strategy?

Players who have been playing craps for some time and have a good understanding of the ins and outs of the game may find themselves looking for the best numerical craps strategy that offers a challenge but adds in a fair dose of logic. Below, we discuss the best craps strategy that ticks these boxes. 

Craps Odds Strategy

This is another craps betting strategy where players are betting against the shooter. In this strategy, you back a Don't Pass or Don't Come bet with an odds bet, wagering that the shooter will roll a seven (or seven-out) before hitting the point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). There are more ways to roll a seven than any other number, and because odds bets pay at true odds, no house edge applies to the odds portion of the wager. 

What is the 6 and 8 Craps Strategy?

The 6/8 craps betting strategy uses Place bets on the 6 and 8, and it is popular because these bets come with a relatively low house edge. However, a player can sometimes go for extended periods without a win, and progressive versions that increase the bet after every loss can become costly quickly. No betting progression changes the house edge. 

The Press-and-Pull Craps Betting Strategy

Other betting systems can be more demanding on your budget. The Press and Pull strategy is one of the more expensive systems and relies on a winning streak to pay off, so only use it within a budget you can afford to lose. 

Should You Bet the Field in Craps?

While many players tend to stay away from field bets, this wager is often combined with other bets in the Iron Cross Strategy. No combination of bets removes the house edge.

The Iron Cross Strategy

The Iron Cross craps betting strategy involves a combination wager on two lots of numbers. Here, bettors wager the field (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12) and put money on a Place bet where a 5, 6, or 8 will land before a seven. 

Final Thoughts

Craps is a thrilling online casino real money game that offers a diverse range of betting opportunities and strategies. From the simple Pass Line bet for beginners to more advanced options like the Iron Cross Strategy, players can tailor their approach based on their level of experience and risk tolerance. 

It has been popular in the United States for the past two centuries and even appeals to traditional poker players. 

While craps may seem daunting at first, with practice and a solid grasp of the fundamentals, this game can provide an exciting and potentially rewarding experience. Whether you're a seasoned gambler or a newcomer to the world of craps, embracing the game's intricacies can elevate your overall enjoyment. Remember that no strategy overcomes the house edge, so set a budget before you play.

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