How to play Craps
So now that you know what craps is, it’s time to find out how to play craps online for real money. And in order to do that, we’ll need to decipher the enigma that is the craps table. If you’re new to the game, you’ll be forgiven for your utter confusion when first laying eyes on it. Because who in their right mind could ever make sense of something that looks like this:
If you bear with us, however, we’ll do our best to break it down for you and teach you how to play craps online.
How to Play Craps By the Rules
1 – The Pass Line
The Pass Line is one of the most commonly-used spaces on the table for bets, and is in play at the beginning of every round on the ‘come out roll’ – the first roll of the dice in a round of craps. Immediately prior to the come out roll, players have the opportunity to place bets on the Pass Line, and win even money should the dice roll in their favour.
A variation on the Pass Line, the Don’t Pass Line is for players who want to bet against a favourable Pass Line bet being rolled, again for even money. So, sort of like a Pass Line bet, but actually the exact opposite.
With us so far? Then let’s carry on and understand how to play craps!
2 – The Come Bet
Similar to the Pass Line Bet, the Come Bet has the same rules, although it is played in two rounds, rather than one. In the first round, Come Bets are placed on the Pass Line, as at this point, they are the same bet. If the roll happens to be 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, the bet will move to the relevant number space on the table and will stay there until the Come Bet is either won or lost.
Want to bet against the Come Bet? Then just like the Don’t Pass Bet, the Don’t Come Bet is your friend.
3 – Field
Put your money in the Field box, and you’re betting that one of the featured numbers will be rolled. Simple.
4 – Place
Want to place your bets on a specific number being rolled? The Place box is where you do it. Or, bet against one of the numbers being rolled, and put your money on a Place Bet to Lose instead.
5 – 6:8
Similar to a Field bet, although with just two numbers, the 6:8 box is for bets on either the 6 or the 8 being rolled, with an even money payout. Pretty self-explanatory really.
6 – Hardways
There’s an easy way and a hard way with everything in life, and as it turns out, with craps as well. Place a hardway bet, and you’re betting that a 4, 6, 8, or 10 will be rolled as a pair – a tricky outcome, but one that can pay off with hugely favourable odds.
7 – One Roll Bets
Last but not least, One Roll Bets are exactly that – a bet on the very next roll of the dice. Risky, but rewarding too.
Have we whet your appetite for winning yet? Then stay tuned because we’re just getting started! In part 2 you’ll find out even more about the oh-so-action-packed game of craps, from rolls, bets and odds to dice combinations too. In the meantime, study the table and learn how to play online gambling craps, get your casino account opened, and get ready for thrill-a-minute gaming like you’ve never experienced before!
Now that you’re more familiar with the game of craps, and the various spaces on the table, it’s time to learn how to play craps, start placing your bets, and winning some online craps real money! As you’ll see when you sit down to a game, there are a variety of betting opportunities available to you when you play craps, each with its own set of guidelines:
The Pass Bet
One of the most fundamental bets in the game of craps, the Pass bet is the one most often chosen by players at the beginning of each game of craps. Pass bets are made on the Pass Line during the come out roll – the first roll of the dice made in a game of craps. Roll a 7 or 11 and you win even money. Roll a 2, 3 or 12 and you lose. Roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, and you establish a ‘point’. Should this occur, the dice are rolled again until either the same point number is hit, in which case you win even money, or a 7 is rolled, in which case you lose.
Should you wish to place a Don’t Pass Bet, you will be betting against the roll of the dice, rather than with it. In this case, if the come out roll is a 2 or 3 you win; if a 7 or 11 you lose, and a 12 is a push. Should a point be established, you will win if a 7 is rolled before the point, and lose if the point comes first. As with the Pass bet, all wins pay even money.
The Come Bet
Come bets have the same rules as Pass bets, the only difference being that Come bets can only be placed once a point has been established on the Pass Line. Come bets are placed on the Pass Line on the come out roll, with the first dice roll setting the Come point. A 7 or 11 wins, while a 2, 3 or 12 loses. Any other rolls of the dice will see you win, if the point is rolled before a 7. Should a 7 be rolled before the point number is hit, then you lose.
Similarly, a Don’t Come bet is again the opposite of a Come bet, with bets placed against the roll of the dice once a point has been established. If a 7 is rolled before the point number is hit, you win; if the point number is hit first, you lose.
The Field Bet
A simple enough bet to make when you play craps, a Field bet is placed in the corresponding section of the craps table. Here you’ll be betting on the probability that a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 will be rolled. Should any of these numbers come up, you’ll be a winner.
The Place Bet
A Place bet will allow you to bet on a specific number – and should your number come up before a 7 is rolled, you’ll walk away a winner. The Place bet section on the craps table will give you the chance to put your money on a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 being rolled before a 7, with bets on the 6 and 8 paying 7 to 6, bets on the 5 and 9 paying 7 to 5, and bets on the 4 and 10 paying 9 to 5. Make a Place Bet to Lose, and you’ll be betting the opposite of a Place bet – so should a 7 be rolled before one of the Place numbers, you’ll be an instant winner.
The 6:8 Bet
Similar to a Field bet, the 6:8 bet allows you to bet on whether a 6 or 8 will be rolled. In this instance however, a 6:8 bet pays even money, while a Place bet on 6 or 8 pays 7 to 6 – so making a Place bet would see you walking away with more in your pocket at the end of the day.
The Hardways Bet
When playing craps online you can do things the easy way or the hard way – and when you make a Hardways bet, you’ll be betting a 4, 6, 8, or 10 will be rolled as a pair before being rolled as a non-pair. So, for example, a 4 rolled as a 3 and 1 is known as an Easy Four, while a 4 rolled as two 2s is known as a Hard Four. Make a Hardways bet on a 4, and you’ll be betting that two 2s will be rolled before any other combination of 4 comes up, and before a 7 is rolled as well. Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough!
The One Roll Bet
Also known as Proposition bets, One Roll bets are bets that can be resolved in a single throw of the dice. These throws can usually be found in the One Roll betting space on the craps table. The most common of these bets are Snake Eyes (two 1s), Ace Deuce (a 2 and a 1), Yo (11), Boxcars (12), and Hi-Lo (a 2 or a 12).
The Probability Conundrum
As much as you’re hoping for the dice to land one way or another, there are nevertheless a series of mathematical probabilities as to which outcome is more likely when you play craps. Familiarise yourself with the probabilities of each possible outcome occurring, and place your bets as wisely as possible.
What’s in a name?
Thought the game of craps couldn’t get any more unusual? Think again! Take a look at the names of the various rolls available, born from rhymes, history, origins and traditions over the years, and add some more colour to an already action-packed game.
Ready to rock and roll now that you know a bit more about how to play craps online? Then it’s time to get started because when it comes to enjoying the ultimate in online casino excitement, there’s no time like the present! Of course, knowing how to play craps is one thing – knowing how to win at craps is another. If you want to make sure that every roll of the dice puts you on the path to payouts, make sure you take a look at How to Win at Craps, where we’ll be sharing our top craps tips and strategies for success. Don’t miss out – your bankroll could soon see a huge boost!
