Craps is an exciting game that combines luck and strategy, making it appealing to players of all levels. From its beginnings in casual settings to its popularity in casinos and as street craps outside them, it has a fascinating history.

In our step-by-step guide, we’ll simplify craps, making it easy for you to understand. By the end of this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to play with confidence, whether it’s at a physical casino or online. Let’s dive into the world of craps together!

How to Play Craps

Craps is a classic casino game known for its simplicity, making it accessible whether you’re at a traditional casino or playing online. To get started, the key bets to know are the “passline” and “don’t passline” wagers. However, there are over 40 additional craps bets that can be more complex, and experienced players often explore them for a deeper experience.

For those aspiring to become craps pros, a comprehensive guide is invaluable. But if you’re eager to jump right in, here’s a concise guide to playing craps online:

Getting Started With Craps Online

1. Select a Casino: Browse and choose from top online casinos. Many offer free play options for beginners to familiarize themselves with the game.
2. Register an Account: Sign up with your chosen platform. To ensure faster payouts later, promptly provide any requested documentation. If available, make use of welcome or deposit bonuses.
3. Launch the Craps Game: Each online casino boasts a range of craps games catering to diverse players. Pick one that appeals to you.
4. Set Your Stake: Decide on your betting amount, which can be adjusted throughout the game.
5. Commence with the Come-Out Roll: As the game begins, the ‘Off’ disk indicates a fresh start. This is your opportunity to wager on the pass line during the come-out roll, which is the game’s initial roll.
6. Determine the ‘Point’: A 7 or 11 during the come-out roll is an instant win (‘natural’). Conversely, a roll of 2, 3, or 12 means a loss (‘craps’). Any other number becomes the game’s ‘point’, guiding your subsequent bets.
7. Engage in Betting: Once the disk flips to ‘On’, it signals the continuation of the game. You can place bets until a 7 is rolled, providing multiple chances to accumulate winnings.
8. Roll the Dice: Click the designated button to release the dice onto the table.
9. Evaluate Your Standing: The system will highlight the dice outcomes and reveal if you’ve secured any winnings.
10. Persist in Playing: A craps round concludes only when a 7 or the set point is rolled. Keep the dice rolling and bets flowing.
11. Reap Your Rewards: After each round, decide whether to initiate another betting round, explore a different craps variant, or cash out your earnings.

Craps Betting Explained

Craps is a dynamic dice game where strategy meets luck, making it a favorite for both beginners and seasoned players. Delving into its core, understanding the fundamental bets is crucial to play with confidence.

Kicking Off with the Come-Out Roll

Every round of Craps sets into motion with the come-out roll, signified by a black “OFF” puck. During this phase, the primary focus is on the Pass Line, encircling the game’s layout. Players find delight when they roll a 7 or 11, as it’s a win. However, a 2, 3, or 12 spells disappointment. But the game’s real intrigue is when another number (like 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, as it becomes the game’s ‘point’.

Amplifying the Stakes with Pass Line Odds

Once the ‘point’ emerges, players can raise the stakes. By placing an Odds bet alongside their Pass Line bet, they engage in one of the most player-friendly moves in the casino, given its zero house advantage. The spot to make this wager is unmistakable – right behind the Pass Line bet, indicated by a white circle. As for the limit? Players can venture up to five times their original Pass Line wager.

Side Bets and Beyond

Beyond the primary moves, Craps unfurls a treasure trove of betting possibilities. Players can, for instance, back a number of their liking to roll before a 7. The reward? It’s contingent on the number they root for.

• Buy Bets: This is akin to upping the ante. Players can ‘purchase’ enhanced odds on their chosen number, hoping it surfaces before a 7. But remember, while the payout can be alluring, a small commission is the casino’s due.
• Come Bets: A sibling of the Pass Line bet, but with a twist – it’s made post the establishment of a point. Its dynamics mirror the Pass Line, with the same thrill and payout.
• Don’t Come Bets: As the name suggests, it’s the nemesis of the Come Bet. Rooting for a 7 before the ‘don’t come point’ is the game here.
• Don’t Come Odds Bets: This is the counterpart to the standard Odds bet, aligned with the Don’t Come philosophy. Payouts? They can be as unpredictable as the roll of the dice, often being the reverse of the Pass Line Odds. 

Conclusion: Roll the Dice and Win at Craps

Craps isn’t just a game—it’s an exhilarating blend of strategy, luck, and anticipation. Every game of Craps starts with the come-out roll. It’s the game’s way of setting the tone, signaled by the black ‘OFF’ puck. The heartbeat of Craps is the Pass Line bet. Its outcome can be instantaneous with the come-out roll or may require a few more throws, all depending on the ‘point.’ Players can elevate their game by making an Odds bet alongside their Pass Line bet. It’s a gem in the casino world that has zero house edge.