Craps

Craps Online - How to Play

Craps is a table game that is very popular in casinos, both online and land-based. It's a dice game where two dice are used to decide the outcome of each round.

Crap was originally called Hazard and first played in the United Kingdom in the 14th century. Later Hazard became popular in France and got the name Crapaud, which means Toad, rumor says it was because the craps players were sitting on the streets like Toads while playing craps.

Another country, this time the USA, started playing Crapaud but renamed it to Craps, which has been the name since 1830. The rules of Craps are slightly different from the original Hazard, with more wagering options.

To put it short, Craps is a popular casino game that involves players betting on the outcomes of rolls of a pair of dice. In this guide, we will help you understand and enjoy the game.

The Best Online Craps Casinos

How to Play Craps Online - An Overview

Craps is a lively casino dice game based on the roll of two dice. The game is played in rounds, with players betting on the outcomes of the rolls. The heart of the game lies in predicting the numbers that will appear on the dice.

Online Craps brings the thrilling experience of traditional casino Craps to your computer or mobile device. The rules and betting options mirror those of live Craps, but the game is operated by software that ensures a fair and random outcome.

The Basics of Craps

  • Objective: The main objective of Craps is to predict the outcome of the roll of two dice.
  • Players: Although any number of people can play, only one player – the "shooter" – rolls the dice at a time. The other players at the table place bets on the outcomes of the shooter's rolls.
  • The Table: The Craps table is specially designed with areas for different types of bets. Players place their chips on the sections of the table corresponding to the bets they want to make.

Rules and Gameplay for Online Craps

  1. The Come-Out Roll: The game starts with the come-out roll. In online Craps, you’re typically the shooter every round. Rolling a 7 or 11 wins on Pass Line bets, while 2, 3, or 12 loses. Any other number sets the point.
  2. The Point Phase: If a point is established, you aim to roll that number again before a 7 to win. Rolling a 7 before the point number results in a loss for Pass Line bets.
  3. Betting: Online Craps offers a variety of betting options. Apart from the primary Pass Line and Don't Pass bets, there are Come, Don’t Come, Place, Field, and various proposition bets. Each bet has different rules and payouts, accessible within the game for easy reference.

How to Play Online Craps

By understanding these basics, you can start enjoying Craps with confidence and gradually learn the more intricate aspects of the game as you play.

  • Choose a reputable online casino that offers Craps. Our top-recommended online craps casinos are listed in this article.
  • Learn the layout of the online Craps table; it mimics the traditional setup but includes user-friendly features like bet descriptions and odds.
  • Place your bet by clicking on the chip value you wish to bet and then on the area of the table where you wish to place your bet.
  • Roll the dice by clicking the relevant button. The outcome will appear instantly.
  • The software will automatically determine wins and losses, and your balance will be updated accordingly.
  • Use the game’s options to repeat your bet, clear the table, or place new bets.

Initial Tips for Playing Craps Online

✅ Understand the Rules: Familiarize yourself with the basic and advanced bets in Craps.

✅ Practice with Free Games: Many online casinos offer free versions of Craps. Use these to practice and develop your strategy without risking real money.

✅ Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget for your gaming session and stick to it to avoid unexpected losses.

✅ Learn the Odds: Knowing the odds of each bet can help you make informed decisions and stick to bets with the best chances of winning.

Keep reading as we delve deeper into all the facets of the game of Craps.

The Rules of Craps

As mentioned, Craps is a table game played with two dice. When wagering on Craps you bet on different number combinations. The goal with craps is to establish points, one point is the sum of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 of the two dice. Players stand around a table, the craps table, and once all players have placed their bets the player on the left-hand side of the dealer chose two dice.

There should always be 5 dice to chose from. Only players betting on Pass Line or Don’t pass are allowed to throw the dice. The dice are thrown towards the opposite side of the craps table. If you win and how much you win is decided by the sum of the numbers shown on the dice.

ON and OFF mode

The game always starts in OFF mode and the “puck” is showing OFF until the game goes into ON mode in which case the dealer turns the puck to show ON. Once all bets are in place the dealer hands the dice to the player who then throws the dice to start the game.

Off Mode

Off Mode means that there are no points established. The starting/first throw in OFF mode is called “Comeout Roll”. There are 8 types of bets that can be made in OFF mode. 

Wagering types in OFF mode
Pass LineHorn Bet
Don’t PassOver/Under 7
FieldSeven
Any CrapsC/E

On Mode

As soon as the dice show a sum of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 the game moves into ON mode as those numbers generate a point. In ON mode players have a few more betting options:

Wagering types in ON mode
Pass LineAny Craps
Don’t PassHorn Bet
FieldHardways
ComeOver/Under 7
Don’t ComeAny Seven (Seven, Big Red)
Place bet (Total sum of the two dice)C/E

Types of Bets

Pass Line Bets

These bets start with the Comeout roll and are directly paid out 1 to 1 in case the dice roll shows a 7 or 11. The bet is directly lost in case the roll is a 2, 3 or 12. All other outcomes 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 will prolong the pass line betting sequence and the number shown will the object of the game. Your pass line bet is won or lost depending if the seven (lost bet) or the object number (winning bet) is rolled first independently on how many turns it will take for this scenario to happen. 

Example: Comeout roll shows 6. In the following turns the dice rolls 5, 8, 11, 10 and then a 7 which means you lost the bet. In case a 6 would have shown before the 7 the Pass Line bet would have been successful. 

Come Bets

Come bets are identical as Pass Line bets with the only difference is that they are made once there is a point, i.e the game is in ON mode. Come bets are won and lost in the same way as Pass Line bets – 7 or 11 (win), 2, 3 or 12 (loss) and any other number becomes the point for your come bet.

One thing to keep in mind is how the numbers can affect your come bet and pass line bet differently even though they are basically the same. For example if the dice roll shows a 7 your come bet will result in a win while a 7 would result in a lost pass line bet. 

Don’t Pass and Don’t Come

These are the opposites to Pass and Come bets. You are betting for the pass and come bets to be losing which would result in a don’t pass or don’t come scenario = Winning bet for anyone who bets on don’t pass or don’t come. 

7 and 11 would result is a lost bet. 2 and 3 are winning bets and 12 gives you even money back. Any other number becomes the point and continues to either that number or a 7 is rolled. Rolling a 7 would be a winning bet and the other number a lost bet. 

Betting on don’t pass and don’t come in a land-based casino is usually not as fun as betting the Pass or Come for one simple reason, you are rooting for the thrower and pass and come bets players to lose (basically going against the crowd). 

Place Bet

Place bets are perfect if you do not want to wait for the shooter to set a pointer on the comeout. Place bets are betting on that the shooter will roll the number you are betting on before he rolls a 7.
Place bets payback is

  • 7-6 odds on 6 or 8
  • 7-5 odds on 5 or 9
  • 9-5 odds on 4 or 10

The Field

Field bets usually pay even money but pay 2-1 if the roll is 2 or 2-1 and sometimes up to 3-1 if the roll is 12. You win on any roll that shows 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.

Any 7

Bet on a 7 to show on the roll and if it does you are paid 4-1. 

Any Craps

This bet is paid 7-1 if any of the following numbers are shown – 2, 3 or 12.

Horn Bet

A horn best is a bet on 2, 3, 11 or 12 where the 2 and 12 pays 30-1 and the 3 or 11 pays 15-1.

Hardways

A hardway bet is a bet on that the two dice will show the same value. You can for example bet on two fours and your bet will be won only if two fours are shown. 

Craps Table

The craps table can at first look at bit complicated as just looking at the table is not self explanatory unless you know how the game is played and how the different wager types work. Compared to a Roulette table or a Blackjack table Craps is a more complex game but once you master Craps we can assure you will get hooked. 

Craps

The Craps Table Layout

The table layout is symmetrical, allowing players to place bets from either side. The middle of the table is where proposition bets are placed and are managed by the stickman. The sides are mirrored to accommodate players around the table and contain the main betting areas:

  • Pass Line: This is the most common area for bets. Players place their chips here to bet on the shooter's (the person rolling the dice) come-out roll. Winning numbers on the come-out roll are 7 or 11, while 2, 3, or 12 will lose.
  • Don't Pass Line: This area is directly opposite the Pass Line. Bets here win if the come-out roll is 2 or 3 and lose if it's 7 or 11. A roll of 12 results in a "push," meaning the bet neither wins nor loses.
  • Come and Don’t Come Bets: Similar to the Pass and Don’t Pass bets but placed after the point has been established. The Come area is designated for these bets.
  • Field Bets: This area allows players to bet on one particular roll landing on one of the numbers in the field (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12).
  • Place Bets: Players can bet on specific point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to be rolled before a 7. These areas are usually in the upper section of the layout, above the Pass Line.

The Center Section:

This area is managed by the stickman and contains proposition bets, which are bets on specific dice combinations or totals. This includes hardways (rolling a double that makes up the point, like two 3s for a 6), any 7 (betting the next roll will be a 7), and craps numbers (betting the next roll will be a 2, 3, or 12).

Craps Odds

Knowing the odds is always a good start before putting your money at risk. 7 is the most likely outcome in a roll with two dice. The best way to demonstrate this is to roll one dice at a time. The 7 will always be a potential outcome no matter what the first dice shows. 

Examples:

  • First dice shows 5. Any number from 2-5 and 12 are excluded as a potential result after rolling the 2nd dice.
  • First dice roll shows 2. Any number from 2 and 9-12 will be excluded from any potential outcome after the 2nd dice is rolled.
  • 7 will therefore in average be shown on 1/6 rolls (16,70%).
Dice Roll Sum and Probability
22,70%813,90%
35,50%911,10%
48,30%108,30%
511,10%115,50%
613,90%122,70%
716,70%  

Craps Payout

The payouts in Craps vary depending on the type of bet placed. Here are some of the common bets and their corresponding payouts:

Bet or Wager TypeTrue OddsPayoutHouse Edge %
Pass Line or Come Bet251 to 2441 to 11.414
Don’t Pass or Don’t Come Bet976 to 9491 to 11.402
Pass Line/Come Bet/Buy Bets (5% Commission)
Numbers 4 or 102 to 12 to 14.760
Numbers 5 or 93 to 23 to 24.760
Numbers 6 or 85 to 65 to 64.760
Don’t Pass/Don’t Come Bet/Lay Bets (5% Commission)
Numbers 4 or 101 to 21 to 22.440
Numbers 5 or 92 to 32 to 33.230
Numbers 6 or 85 to 65 to 64.000
Field Bets
3,4,9,10, or 111 to 15.500
2,122 to 15.500
Place Bets
Numbers 4 or 102 to 19 to 56.700
Numbers 5 or 93 to 27 to 54.000
Numbers 6 or 86 to 57 to 61.520
Hardways
6 or 810 to 19 to 19.090
4 or 108 to 17 to 111.100
One Roll Bets
Any 75 to 14 to 116.900
Any Craps8 to 17 to 111.100
2 Craps or 12 Craps35 to 130 to 113.900
3 Craps or 11 Craps17 to 115 to 111.100
Horn Bet(3 or 11)3.75 to 1
Horn Bet(2 or 12)7.5 to 1
Big 6 or 81 to 19.090

Strategy Tips for Playing Online Craps

By implementing these strategies, you can improve your gameplay, extend your playing time, and increase your chances of winning at online Craps.

✅ Stick to the Best Bets: 

The Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets offer some of the lowest house edges in the game. Following these with Come and Don’t Come bets keeps the house advantage low. These bets are not only simple but also offer a good chance of winning, making them excellent choices for beginners and experienced players alike.

✅ Take or Lay Odds: 

Once a point is established, you can take odds if you placed a Pass Line or Come bet, or lay odds if you have a Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet. These odds bets pay at true odds, meaning there is no house edge. Adding odds to your initial bet reduces the overall house edge on your total wager.

✅ Avoid Proposition Bets: 

While proposition bets can be tempting due to their high payouts, they come with significantly higher house edges. Avoid these unless you’re playing purely for entertainment and can afford to lose the bet.

✅ Keep Emotions in Check:

Online gambling should be fun, not a source of stress. Don’t chase losses or bet more than you can afford. If you find yourself getting frustrated or angry, take a break and come back when you’re more level-headed.

✅ Understand the Game:

 Take time to learn the rules, betting options, and odds of online Craps. Knowledge is power, and understanding the game will help you make better betting decisions.

FAQ

What is online Craps?

Online Craps is a digital version of the classic casino dice game. Players bet on the outcome of the roll of two dice. It combines the traditional rules of Craps with the convenience of playing from any location via a computer or mobile device.

Is online Craps different from live Craps?

The fundamental rules and bets are the same, but online Craps is played in a virtual environment. There are no physical dice; instead, a Random Number Generator (RNG) determines the roll outcome to ensure fairness. Online games may also proceed at a quicker pace since there are no physical chips to manage and less interaction with dealers or other players.

How do I start playing online Craps?

To start playing, choose a reputable online casino that offers Craps. Create an account, make a deposit, and navigate to the Craps game. Most platforms will allow you to play for real money or practice with free or demo versions.

Can I play online Craps for free?

Yes, many online casinos offer free or demo versions of Craps. These versions allow you to learn the game and try different strategies without risking real money.

Are online Craps games fair?

Legitimate online casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to determine the outcome of each roll, ensuring the game is fair and random. For peace of mind, play at licensed and regulated online casinos with positive reviews and fair gaming certifications.

What are the best bets in online Craps?

The best bets for beginners are the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets due to their low house edge. More experienced players might explore Come and Don’t Come bets, as well as taking or laying odds, which also offer a low house advantage.

Can I play online craps for real money?

Yes, you can play online Craps for real money at various licensed and regulated online casinos. Ensure you understand the game's rules and set a budget before playing to ensure a responsible and enjoyable gaming experience.