Playing Craps Online

How to Play Craps

With more and more casino patrons learning how to play craps, there’s little doubt as to the game’s popularity.  Also known as Bank Craps, the game uses a special table and two standard dice.  Players tend to be very vocal, and anyone passing near a craps table is likely to hear lots of clapping and cheering.  If someone is just learning how to play craps, they may also let out their share of four-letter words.

The Rules of Craps

While the rules of craps aren’t difficult, there are a number of things that you’ll have to remember.  Still, playing the game a few times will help make you familiar with the most important rules.

When a game is underway, players line up around the craps table.  Most tables can comfortably accommodate around 20 players (while also leaving room for the stickman, boxman and two dealers).

Each player at the table will eventually get a chance to roll the dice (unless they choose to pass).  When doing so, the player must only handle the dice with one hand, and the dice must hit the wall on the opposite end of the table.

If the dice are thrown so hard that they fly off the table, the dice will be inspected before being put back in play.  The house may also choose to replace the dice in accordance with the rules of craps.  Under normal circumstances, dice are replaced after about eight hours of use.

Each new game of craps begins with what is called the “Come Out” roll.  A roll of 2, 3 or 12 is called “craps,” and all players lose their pass line bets (and win for don‘t pass bets).  A 7 or 11 is called a “natural,” and players win for pass line bets and lose for don’t pass bets.  If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 is rolled, then this number becomes the “point.”

The shooter must now try to roll the point again before a seven comes up.  Succeeding in this results in a win for anyone who wagered on the pass line (and a loss for those who bet on the don’t pass line).  Getting a seven first results in a loss for the pass line and a win for the don’t pass line.

If the shooter makes his point, then he makes a new Come Out roll.  If he gets a seven (also known as “seven-out”), he passes the dice to the next clockwise player.

Betting in Craps

Betting in craps is very diverse, and most players never take advantage of all the options available to them.  Still, in the interest of teaching you how to play craps, the options are listed below:

- Odds on Pass Line Bet - After a point has been rolled, this bet can be made by taking odds.  Each point carries a different payout, and the point must be rolled again prior to a seven coming up.  A point of 5 or 9 pays 3:2, a point of 6 or 8 pays 6:5 and a point of 4 or 10 pays 2:1.

- Odds on Come Bet - This is essentially the same as the Odds on Pass Line wager.  The only difference is that you take the odds on the Come Bet instead of the Pass Line Bet.

- Come Bet - This bet is made only after the point on the pass line has been established.  After placing your bet, the come point will be established by rolling the dice.  The player wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled and loses if a 2, 3, or 12 comes up.  If any other number comes up, then it is considered the point.  For the player to now win, the point must be rolled before a seven comes up on the dice.

- Yo - The player wins if the shooter rolls an 11.  Normally pays 15:1.

- Field Bets - These wagers, according to the rules of craps, are good for only one roll of the dice.  You win on a roll of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12.  You lose on a roll of 5, 6, 7 or 8.  Most winnings pay out at even money, although a 2 pays at 2:1 and 12 pays at 3:1.

- Big Six, Big Eight - The player wins if a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7.  Winning bets pay out at 1:1.

- Don’t Come Bet - Players learning how to play craps online may be unaware of this betting option.  The reverse of the Pass Line bet, the player wins on a 2 or 3 and loses on a 7 or 11.  Once a point has been established, you need the dice to come up 7 to win.  Since you’re betting against the shooter, this can sometimes make you unpopular with the other players at the craps table.

- Don’t Pass Line Bet - The reverse of the Pass Line Bet when betting in craps.  Player wins on a 2 or 3 and loses on a 7 or 11.  If a point is established, then a 7 must come up first for the bettor to win.  Once again, the player is betting against the shooter on this type of wager.

- Any Craps - Considered a proposition bet, it can be made at any time.  Player wins if a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled.  Pays 8:1.

- Any Seven - Player wins if a seven comes up on the next roll of the dice.  Pays 5:1.

- Eleven - Player wins of an 11 comes up on the next throw of the dice.  Pays 16:1.

- Ace Deuce - If a 3 comes up on the next toss of the dice, then the player gets a payoff of 16:1.

- Aces or Boxcars - If a 2 or 12 comes up on the next roll of the dice, the player gets paid at 30:1 odds.

- Hard Ways - The player selects a number when making this bet (4, 6, 8 or 10).  To win, the player needs that number to come up the hard way (10 the hard way would be a pair of fives, six the hard way would be a pair of threes).  This needs to occur before the number is rolled the easy way and a seven is thrown.

- Horn Bet - Serves as a wager on 2, 3 11 and 12 (all at the same time).  If one of these numbers is rolled, then the player wins.