Are you ready to stop, drop and ROLL? Buckle up and join us for some epic dice rolls as we teach you everything you need to know about how to play craps. We’ll cruise through basic rules, soar through all the craps tables you can try out, and even dive deeper into craps odds and payouts.
If you’ve never played craps before, you’ve definitely come to the right place. We’ll act as your trusty guide every step of the way, so you won’t have to sit at a craps table trying to figure out what roll comes next. And, to tie everything together, we’ll even give you a sneaky look into the EnergyCasino experience where you’ll get explore phenomenal slots, immersive live tables, scorching sports tournaments, and rewarding promotional offers! But we’ll save desert for last; for now, let’s unpack this stunning game.
BASIC CRAPS RULES
To give you a full picture of how the game works, let’s first dissect the basic rules and go through each and every component pertaining to how the game is played, how players place bets, etc.
GAME OBJECTIVE
To put it simply, the objective of craps is to predict the outcome of a dice roll. There are two roll phases in every game round: the Come Out roll phase (the first roll phase) and the Point roll phase. Both roll phases have different purposes. The Come Out roll phase is used to establish a point number for the next phase, whereas the Point roll phase is where all the action happens.
You will be given the option to place several different types of bets during both phases of the game, and these can either be one-roll (also known as single-roll bets, these wagers are resolved after one roll) or multi-roll wagers. When playing craps at online casinos, you’ll find a full breakdown of your betting options under the game rules, which you can access at any time.
If you’re playing a land-based game of craps, you will be required to place chips directly on the table. Online games require you to simply select one of the virtual betting chips on your screen when you place bets.
GAME ELEMENTS
There’s a lot more that goes into playing craps than simply understanding the rules. Having a good understanding of what equipment is used, the craps table layout, as well as the role of every crewperson at the craps table, will help you pick up the game much quicker.
- The Craps Table: The craps layout can be a little intimidating as you first sit down. You’ll find all your betting options displayed in front of you, separated by roll phases.
- The Dice: Any player who has played craps before would know that craps is a dice game. It features two dice, and players bet on the outcome of each roll. When playing craps at online casinos, it is obviously the dealer that rolls the dice. However, in land-based casinos, both the stickman and the shooter are permitted to touch the dice.
- The Puck: The puck is a round disk used to signify which roll phase the game is in. The word ‘ON’ is written on one side of the puck, and the word ‘OFF’ is written on the other. Before the point is established on the first roll, the puck will display the ‘OFF’ sign. With the point established, the puck will be turned over to display the ‘ON’ sign, signifying that the game is in the Point roll phase.
- The Stick: A long, curved stick is used to collect the dice after each roll and hand them to the shooter. Only the stickman can wield the stick.
TABLE PERSONNEL
Live Casinos feature one live dealer that generally oversees the game. However, land-based craps games feature several crew members that help keep the game flowing:
- The Boxman: The boxman oversees the box, which is the area of the table where the centre bets are placed.
- The Stickman: The stickman retrieves the dice after every roll using a curved stick while calling the outcomes of the rolls and passing the dice to the shooter to kick off the next round.
- The Dealers: The dealers are in charge of handling the money and the chips. In land-based casinos, they may also exchange cash for chips, help players place chips in hard to reach areas, mark the point, pay out winning bets and clear the table of losing ones. The dealers stand beside the boxman.
- The Shooter: The shooter rolls the dice for the entire table. When playing craps at a land-based table, each player gets a turn at being appointed shooter as long as that player has an active Pass or Don’t Pass bet. The roll of the dice gets passed around the table clockwise.
A TYPICAL GAME ROUND
Now that you’ve gotten an idea of what to expect as you sit down at a craps table, let’s go through what a typical round of craps looks like. Craps is one of those casino games that has a lot of terminology to pick up, but generally easy gameplay, so you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
SITTING AT THE TABLE
When playing craps online, there are a few things to note as you enter the lobby and take a virtual seat. You will find several different coloured chips displayed on your screen, each holding its own bet value. Every craps table has its own minimum bet and maximum bet, so it is important to pick a craps table that suits your bankroll.
A conventional game of craps would have a myriad of bets to choose from, although some online craps games may offer additional bets or rules to boost entertainment and help make your gaming experience more special. You can head to the ‘?’ tab for a full rundown to check these out.
If you’re playing craps live, you will be given an allotted time frame to place your bet. Once this time frame expires, the round begins, and the shooter rolls the dice. The white or black ‘ON’/‘OFF’ puck will indicate which round will set off. This will help players discern what type of bet to place. If the puck is black and says ‘OFF’, this indicates that the next roll is the Come Out phase. If the puck is white and says ‘ON’, this indicates that the next roll is the Point roll phase.
If you’re playing a game of craps at a land-based casino and you sit at a busy craps table, wait until the round is over to place your own chips.
THE FIRST ROLL
During the Come Out roll phase, players must predict whether the dice will land on a seven or 11 (the Pass Line bet or Pass bet) or two, three or 12 (the Don’t Pass wager). The round ends and the Pass Line bet wins if the dice total is seven or 11 (a ‘natural’); if the dice total two, three or 12 (a ‘craps’ roll), then the Pass Line bet would lose (also known as ‘crapping out’).
If the total value rolled amounts to four, five, six, eight, nine or 10, then that number becomes the ‘point’ and kicks off the next roll — the Point roll. If playing at a Live Casino, the live dealer will place a puck on the point number on the casino craps table, and the next phase will be set off with another roll of the dice.
Bear in mind that with every first roll of the dice, a new shooter is selected. The shooter will attempt to make the point before passing the dice to the next shooter.
THE NEXT PHASE
The Point round starts once the point is established. Wagers placed on the Pass Line when the point was established will remain on the table until the point number is rolled again. If the shooter makes the point, bets on Pass Line win. If the shooter rolls a seven, this indicates a losing roll during this phase, as seven is a losing number.
Odds bets can be placed alongside the Pass Line bets, which may offer a different payout depending on the point number. An Odds bet will win if the point number is rolled before a seven; otherwise, the bet loses. Once this happens, the puck will switch to ‘OFF’, winning bets are paid out, losing bets are collected, and the Come Out roll phase will begin again as the two dice are passed to the next shooter.
CRAPS BETS
The types of bets you’ll find in a typical craps game can be grouped into two categories: one-roll wagers and multi-roll wagers. How they are placed often depends on which roll phase the round is in.
ONE-ROLL BETS
One-roll wagers are bets that get resolved after one dice roll and can be placed during both roll phases. If you’ve ever seen a roulette game in action, these wagers work in a similar fashion. Some players refer to these bets as proposition bets.
FIELD BET
A Field bet involves betting on all totals of two, three, four, nine, 10, 11 and 12. Field bets can be made anytime during the game. Unlike many other bets, the Field bet is a self-service wager, meaning that players in a land-based setting are allowed to move chips onto the game field as they see fit. The bet will pay even money on three through 11 (except seven), and 2:1 on two and 12.
SEVEN BET
This one-roll bet is a combination bet that covers any rolled combination of seven, such as one and six, two and five, three and four.
CRAPS BET
The craps (also Any Craps) bet is a one-roll bet that covers any craps roll. The player wins if the shooter rolls totals of two, three or 12, and the bet pays 7:1; any other combination of dice will lose.
CRAP 2 BET
Involves betting on the total of two.
CRAP 3 BET
Pays out if the shooter rolls a total of three.
CRAP 12 BET
This one-roll bet involves betting on the total of 12.
ELEVEN BET
Pays out if the shooter rolls an 11.
C-E BET
This bet involves betting on the combination of any craps total, as well as the bet on 11. Players are awarded a different payout depending on the outcome of the roll.
Aside from these wagers, you may come across a few other craps games offering more betting opportunities, including the option to place hop bets and horn bets. Players betting online will find that these wagers are not commonly offered at most casinos.
MULTI-ROLL BETS
Multi-roll stakes do not get settled after the first roll as proposition bets do. Instead, these bets stay on the craps table until the shooter rolls a seven, or the same established point number is rolled. How these bets pay out may vary depending on the roll phase you’re in, but we’ll break it all down, including betting odds and house edges.
PASS LINE/ PASS BET
The Pass Line bet is an even-money wager that has a house edge of 1.41%, and pays out when the dice total is seven or 11. If the number rolled amounts to two, three or 12, the pass loses. During the Point roll, a win is paid out if the shooter makes the point before a seven is rolled. The Pass Line bet is available only during the Come Out phase, and the sequence starts with a “comeout roll” and a new shooter.
DON’T PASS BET
Don’t Pass bets are also even-money wagers that are only available during the Come Out roll phase. The bet wins if a total of two or three is rolled; however, if the rolled sum is 12, the bet is pushed and returned to the player. The bet will lose if a seven or 11 appears. During the Point roll, Don’t Pass bets pay out if the roll is a seven before the same point is rolled. Don’t Pass bets have a house edge of 1.36%.
COME BET
This betting option is only available during the Point roll phase, and can be placed only after the point is established. The player wins the Come bet if seven or 11 is rolled and loses if two, three or 12 is rolled. If any other total is rolled, that number becomes the Come bet point, and the player’s bet will be placed on hold and will pay out if that same number is rolled again before a seven. The Come bet has a house edge of 1.41%.
Winning Come bets are paid the same as winning Pass Line bets: even money for the original bet and true odds for the Odds bet.
DON’T COME BET
The Don’t Come bet pays out if a total of two or three is rolled. Like the Don’t Pass bet, the Don’t Come bet has a house edge of 1.36%.
If the rolled sum is 12, the bet is pushed and returned to the player. If the rolled sum is seven or 11, the bet is lost. If any other total is rolled, this will cause the betting chips to be moved to the upper-left corner of the total to mark the point. The bet will win if a total of seven is rolled before the same point is rolled again. This betting option is only available during the Point roll phase and has no limit to the number of times it can be placed — one bet, two bets, three; it’s your pick!
TAKE ODDS BET
The Take Odds bet is only available for the Pass or Come bets that have an established point. It pays true odds of the established point against a seven and will win together with a Pass or Come bet. The maximum Odds bet that can be placed is based on the multiplier specified in the bet limits.
LAY ODDS / FREE ODDS BET
This betting option is only available for Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bets that have an established point. This bet also pays true odds against an established point and will win together with a Don’t Pass/Don’t Come betting option. Lay bets have a house edge of 0%, though just because there is no edge on the odds, the house retains its advantage regardless.
PLACE TO WIN BET / PLACE BET
This Place bet involves betting on a total of four, five, six, eight, nine or 10 rolling before a seven. Place bets have a house edge of 1.52% when the number rolled is six or eight, 4% on a rolled five or nine, and 6.67% on a rolled four or 10.
A Place bet pays 7:6 on six and eight, 7:5 on five and nine, and 9:5 on the four and 10.
PLACE TO LOSE BET
This wager involves betting on a total of seven rolling before four, five, six, eight, nine or 10.
HARDWAYS BET
The Hardways bet involves betting on any or all pairs of hardways, which include two and two, three and three, four and four, and five and five. The wager pays out if the exact pair is rolled, but will lose if any combination of seven is rolled or an easy combination of the total is rolled. This implies that, for instance, if the player places a hardway bet on four, the wager pays out if the dice show two and two but will lose if they show three and one.
The Hardways betting option has a house edge of 9.09% when a six or eight is rolled, or 11.11% when a four or 10 is rolled.
BUY BETS
Some casino craps tables will give you the option to place a Buy bet. This stake has a house edge of 4.76% and pays out true odds on a win, but you’ll have to pay the house 5% commission for that deal. Some casinos only charge commission if you win, which drops the edge to 2% on five or nine, and 1.67% on four or 10.
CRAPS ODDS CHARTS
Prepping for your next roll? Keep these craps odds charts handy before you begin placing chips.
Craps Table Bets
| Bet Name | Bet | |
| One-Roll Wagers | Field | 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 2, 12 |
| Seven | 7 | |
| Craps | 2, 3, 12 | |
| Craps 2 | 2 | |
| Craps 3 | 3 | |
| Craps 12 | 12 | |
| Eleven | 11 | |
| C-E | 2,3,12,11 | |
| Multi-Roll Wagers | Pass Line/Pass | 7 or 11 before 2,3,12 |
| Don’t Pass | 2,3,12 before 7 or 11 | |
| Come | 7 or 11 after come point | |
| Don’t Come | 2 or 3 before 7 or 11 | |
| Take Odds | Point number before 7 | |
| Lay Odds | 7 before a specific point number | |
| Place to Win | A number rolled before a 7 | |
| Place to Lose | A number rolled after a 7 | |
| Hardways | Both dice to show the same number |
Craps Bet Payouts and Odds
| Bet Name | Bet | Payout | House Edge | |
| One-Roll Wagers | Field | 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 | 1:1 | 2,78% |
| 2, 12 | 2:1 | 5,56% | ||
| Seven | 7 | 4:1 | 16,67% | |
| Craps | 2, 3, 12 | 7:1 | 11,11% | |
| Craps 2 | 2 | 30:1 | 11,11% | |
| Craps 3 | 3 | 15:1 | 11,11% | |
| Craps 12 | 12 | 30:1 | 11,11% | |
| Eleven | 11 | 15:1 | 11,11% | |
| C-E | 2,3,12 | 3:1 | 11,11% | |
| 11s | 7:1 | 11,11% | ||
| Multi-Roll Wagers | Pass Line/Pass | 7 or 11 before 2,3 ,12 | 1:1 | 1,41% |
| Don’t Pass | 2,3,12 before 7 or 11 | 1:1 | 1,36% | |
| Come | 7 or 11 after come point | 1:1 | 1,41% | |
| Don’t Come | 2 or 3 before 7 or 11 | 1:1 | 1,36% | |
| Take Odds | 4, 10 | 2:1 | 0% | |
| 5, 9 | 3:2 | 0% | ||
| 6, 8 | 6:5 | 0% | ||
| Lay Odds | 4, 10 | 1:2 | 0% | |
| 5, 9 | 2:3 | 0% | ||
| 6, 8 | 5:6 | 0% | ||
| Place to Win | 4, 10 | 9:5 | 6,67% | |
| 5, 9 | 7:5 | 4,00% | ||
| 6, 8 | 7:6 | 1,52% | ||
| Place to Lose | 4, 10 | 5:11 | 6,67% | |
| 5, 9 | 5:8 | 4,00% | ||
| 6, 9 | 4:5 | 1,52% | ||
| Hardways | 4, 10 | 7:1 | 11,11% | |
| 6,8 | 9:1 | 9,09% |
Odds for Pass and Come Bets
| Bet | Odds | House Edge |
| Pass or Come | 1x | 0,80% |
| Pass or Come | 2x | 0,60% |
| Pass or Come | 3x | 0,50% |
| Pass or Come | 3x, 4x, 5x | 0,40% |
| Pass or Come | 5x | 0,30% |
| Pass or Come | 10x | 0,20% |
| Pass or Come | 20x | 0,10% |
| Pass or Come | 100x | 0,02% |
Odds for Don’t Pass and Don’t Come Bets
| Bet | Odds | Payout | House Edge |
| Don’t Pass/ Don’t Come | 1x | Varies with point | 0,70% |
| Don’t Pass/ Don’t Come | 2x | Varies with point | 0.5% |
| Don’t Pass/ Don’t Come | 3x | Varies with point | 0.3% |
| Don’t Pass/ Don’t Come | 3x, 4x, 5x | Varies with point | 0.3% |
| Don’t Pass/ Don’t Come | 5x | Varies with point | 0.2% |
| Don’t Pass/ Don’t Come | 10x | Varies with point | 0.1% |
| Don’t Pass/ Don’t Come | 20x | Varies with point | 0.07% |
| Don’t Pass/ Don’t Come | 100x | Varies with point | 0.01% |
Odds for Place Bets
| Bet | Payout | House Edge |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 1,52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4,00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 6,67% |
Odds for Buy Bets
| Bet | Commission | Payout | House Edge |
| Buy 6 or 8 | 5% | 6:5 | 4,67% |
| Buy 5 or 9 | 5% | 3:2 | 4,67% |
| Buy 4 or 10 | 5% | 2:1 | 4,67% |
| Buy 6 or 8 | Winners only | 6:5 | 2,27% |
| Buy 5 or 9 | Winners only | 3:2 | 2,00% |
| Buy 4 or 10 | Winners only | 2:1 | 1,67% |
Odds for Craps Bets
| Bet | Payout | House Edge |
| 2 | 30:1 | 13,89% |
| 12 | 30:1 | 13,89% |
| 3 | 15:1 | 11,11% |
| 11 | 15:1 | 11,11% |
| Any 7 | 4:1 | 16,67% |
| Any craps (2, 3 or 12) | 7:1 | 11,11% |
| Hard hop | 30:1 | 13,89% |
| Easy hop | 15:1 | 11,11% |
CRAPS VARIANTS
Whether you play craps at a land-based casino or online, you’ll find several different intriguing casino craps games to try out! The foundation of each craps game will be the same, featuring the same rules, but what makes these tables so fascinating is all the different betting terms, odds and features included in the games.
CRAPLESS CRAPS
Crapless Craps, also referred to as ‘Never Ever Craps’ or ‘Ruse Craps’, was created with the idea that the player could never lose a Pass Line bet when rolling a two, three or 12 in the Come Out roll phase. The version of casino craps is majorly played in the state of Mississippi in the United States, but you might be able to spot it headlining a few Live Casinos.
The game of craps is already considered to have the lowest house edge out of all casino games, but this dice game offers even better odds than your average craps table. For this reason, though, it is not a game that is easy to come by.
HIGH POINT CRAPS
High Point Craps is also pretty favourable for players. This is because the craps number two and three are completely ignored when they appear during the Come Out roll phase. If the rolled number is a two or a three, then the two dice are returned to the shooter and thrown again. A win is paid out if an 11 or 12 is rolled. Any other total will be used as the point; the player will be required to roll a total larger than the point established in order to win the game round.
ONLINE FIRST PERSON CRAPS
Can’t step foot into an actual casino floor but want to learn how to play craps? No problem! Head to an online casino (EnergyCasino is a great choice), and play craps online instead.
First Person Craps acts as the perfect starting point for all the online craps newbies out there. Instead of rolling against a dealer, you’ll go up against a computer that does all the shooting for you. First Person Craps also has many of the same rules as other craps tables, but the gameplay is a lot simpler, which is why so many new players tend to start their craps journey with this casino game first.
To put the cherry on top, First Person Craps is also available in the demo mode, where you will get to try and test every feature for free! Demo availability may vary depending on your jurisdiction.
CRAPS LIVE
If you’re looking for an experience almost identical to the real thing, then Craps Live is an excellent choice. Developed by Evolution, Craps Live is the Live Casino version of the timeless craps game. As you enter, you’ll find a lavish studio decked out in the most high-tech mechanics. You’ll also benefit from HD video streaming, so it’ll almost feel like you’re actually in the studio!
The best part is, Evolution also included a few unique features that you won’t be able to find elsewhere:
- My Numbers — This mechanic keeps track of all number combinations and payouts, which will come in handy when forming a strategy. Players can also place bets directly through this feature.
- Easy Mode — If you’re tired of First Person Craps but are still a little shaky on the game rules, you can give Craps Live a go in Easy Mode. This gaming mode was designed to cater to beginners who want to play the game with fewer bet spots. Players will also benefit from a smaller betting grid with the simplest betting spots available.
- Tutorial — Sometimes, the best way to learn how to play craps is by diving right in, but with real money on the line, that isn’t always so easy. With the tutorial, players will be able to try and test the gameplay without depleting their bankroll — kind of like the demo mode in online slots. It is super interactive, super entertaining and features the same rules, with one exception: players won’t be able to win actual money as they play the game. But, if there’s any feature that will help you boost your craps knowledge, it is definitely this one. Access the tutorial by simply clicking the shirt and tie icon found on the user interface.
- Statistics — The statistics board is a dynamic game feature that constantly updates with other players’ real-time bets and results. This board also includes the top five dice totals players have bet on, as well as the top five bet spots players have placed their chips on. You can choose to place the same bet as other players if you’re still not up to speed with your betting options.
- Dealer Assist — If you head to the ‘Settings’ menu, you’ll find the Dealer Assist mechanic that will tell the dealer to keep your winning bets on the craps table, ready for the next round.
PLAY CRAPS AT ENERGYCASINO
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For any additional tips and tricks on how to play craps, hop over to our blog for all things craps, including strategies, betting systems and even craps etiquette. We won’t teach you how to win, but with our guiding hand, you’ll learn how to play craps in no time! Win or lose, you’ll always have fun playing craps online at EnergyCasino.