Craps

While craps is one of the more difficult casino games to learn, it is equally one of the most entertaining of all gambling games, and can be enjoyed by one or many players. With its myriad of betting options, this is a game that keeps players coming back for more. We review top craps casinos.

For centuries the popular game of craps has been enjoyed in casinos all over the world from London to Las Vegas, and far more recently at online casinos too. Thought to have its roots in an Old English game called 'Hazard' over 900 years ago, craps has evolved and stood the test of time, and continues to entertain gambling fans the world over. And even though craps is one of the more complex casino games to learn, with its many rules and betting options, once you know the basics, it's a game that is likely get under your skin forever.

List of 11 Online Casino Bonuses that allow Craps

So on to craps rules. Craps is played on a table with two six-sided dice. The game is dependent on the outcome of the dice which are thrown by one player at a time. This player is called 'the Shooter'. In craps, the number of players is only limited by how many can squeeze around the table. The basic premise of craps is that you can bet for or against the Shooter. Every craps table is laid out with a variety of different betting options that you can wager on.

Here are the most common craps bets:

Pass Line Bet - Whatever wagers are made on these bets will dictate what the 'Come Out Roll' will be, which is what a new Shooter's first throw of the dice is called. Players who have placed Pass Line Bets win instantly if the Shooter throws a 7 or 11, and lose instantly if the Shooter throws a 2, 3, or 12. However, if the Shooter throws a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, that number is known as the 'Point'. The Shooter must then keep rolling the dice until they either throw a 7 or the Point. If the Point is thrown before a 7, all Pass Line Bets win. If a 7 is thrown before the Point, all Pass Line Bets lose. These bets pay 1:1.

Don't Pass Line Bets - This bet is the opposite of a Pass Line Bet. If you wager on the Don't Pass Line and the Come Out Roll is 2 or 3, you win instantly. But if the Come Out Roll is 7 or 11, you lose. If the Come Out Roll is 12, the bet is a 'Push' or tie, which means you get your bet back. If a number other than 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 is thrown, it becomes the Point. You win with a Don't Pass Line Bets if the Shooter throws a 7 before the Point, and lose if the Shooter throws the Point before a 7. Note that Don't Pass Line Bets can be reduced or removed while the Shooter is rolling for the second time. These bets pay 1:1.

Come Bets - These bets are very similar to Pass Line Bets. You can place Come Bets after the Point has been set by a Come Out Roll. Come Bets win if the Shooter's next throw is 7 or 11, and lose if the Shooter's next throw is 2, 3, or 12. A roll that shows 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 becomes the 'Come Point'. Come Bets always win when the Shooter throws the Come Point before a 7, and vice versa. Come Bets cannot be reduced or even removed. These bets pay 1:1.

Don't Come Bets - These bets are very similar to Don't Pass Line Bets. You can place Don't Come Bets after the initial Come Out Roll. Once the Point has been set, Don't Come bets win if the Shooter's next roll is 2 or 3 and lose if it is a 7 or 11. A 12 results in a Push. A 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 become the Come Point. Don't Come bets win if the Shooter throws a 7 before the Come Point, and vice versa. Don't Come bets can be reduced or removed. These bets pay 1:1.

Less common craps bets:

Place Bets - These bets are valid only after the Point has been set. So you can bet on a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 and provided the number you bet on is thrown before a 7, you'll win. If a 7 is thrown first, you lose. If you bet on 4 or 10, you'll get paid 9:5; bet on 5 or 9 and you'll get paid 7:5, and bet on 6 or 8 and you'll get paid 7:6. You can cancel a Place Bet whenever you want.

Field Bets - These bets are only valid for a single throw of the dice. You win if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 is thrown. You lose if a 5, 6, 7 or 8 is thrown. With Field Bets, 12 pays 3:1, 2 pays 2:1 and 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 pays 1:1.

Big Six, Big Eight Bets - As their name suggests, you win if with these bets if a 6 or 8 is thrown before a 7. Big Six and Big Eight Bets pay 1:1.

Proposition Bets - These bets can be made at any time and are all single throw bets:

  • Any Craps: Wins if a 2, 3 or 12 is thrown. Pays 8:1
  • Any Seven: Wins if a 7 is thrown. Pays 5:1
  • Eleven: Wins if a 11 is thrown. Pays 16:1
  • Ace Deuce: Wins if a 3 is thrown. Pays 16:1
  • Aces or Boxcars: Wins if a 2 or 12 is thrown. Pays 30:1
  • Horn Bet: Wins if 2, 3, 11 and 12 are thrown. The payoff depends on the number rolled. When one of the numbers wins, the other three bets are lost.

In terms of craps strategy, here a few golden rules that you would be wise to follow: When starting out, stick to the simpler Pass/Don't Pass' and 'Come/Don't Come' bets until you are comfortable enough to attempt more complex bets. When on a winning roll, increase the size of your bets. When on a losing roll, reduce the size of your bets. If you want to make a big splash and 'go for broke', concentrate your wagering on the high-odds bet rather than the lower-odds bets.