Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of craps? This popular casino game may seem intimidating at first, but with the right knowledge and strategies, anyone can join in on the fun. In this guide, we will walk you through all the essential rules, strategies, and tips to help you become a pro at playing craps. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player looking to brush up on your skills, this article has everything you need to know about how to play craps.
1. The Basics of Craps
Before we delve into the intricacies of the game, let’s start with the basics. Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of a roll or series of rolls. It is played on a specially designed table with two dice and involves multiple betting options, making it one of the more complex casino games. However, don’t let its complexity intimidate you. Once you understand the basic rules and structure of the game, it becomes quite simple to play.
The Table Layout
A craps table is divided into three main sections – the left side, the center, and the right side. On the left and right sides, you will find the “Pass” and “Don’t Pass” lines, which we will discuss in detail later. In the center, you will see various betting options, including numbers, proposition bets, and field bets. The layout may seem overwhelming at first, but with a little bit of practice, you will get the hang of it.
The Shooter and Betting
One player, known as the shooter, rolls the dice during each round. Other players can also join in and place their bets on the outcome of the shooter’s roll. The game begins with a “come-out” roll, which is the first roll of the dice in a round. The shooter must hit the back wall of the table with both dice for the roll to be considered valid.
After the come-out roll, players can make their bets. The shooter has to make either a Pass or Don’t Pass bet to be able to roll the dice. Other players can also place bets on the outcome of the shooter’s roll or make their own individual bets. We will discuss the various betting options in detail later in this guide.
The Objective
In craps, the objective is to correctly predict the outcome of the shooter’s roll. The most basic bet is the Pass bet, where you are betting that the shooter will win. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win. On the other hand, if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, you lose the bet. Any other number rolled becomes the “point.” The shooter’s goal now is to roll the point number again before rolling a 7. If they manage to do so, the Pass bet wins. If a 7 is rolled before the point, the Pass bet loses.
The Don’t Pass bet works the opposite way. Here, you are betting that the shooter will lose. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, you win. If they roll a 7 or 11, you lose. If a point is established, you are betting that the shooter will not roll the point again before rolling a 7. If the shooter rolls a 7 before the point, you win.
Now that you understand the basics of craps, let’s move on to some more advanced strategies and tips to help you improve your gameplay.
2. Basic Betting Strategies
As mentioned earlier, there are several betting options in craps. Understanding these options and how to use them strategically is essential for a successful game. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular betting strategies used by players.
Pass Line Bet
The Pass Line bet is the most common bet in craps and is the first one made on the come-out roll. As mentioned earlier, this bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 and loses if they roll a 2, 3, or 12. If any other number is rolled, it becomes the point, and the shooter must roll that number again before rolling a 7 for the Pass bet to win.
One of the main advantages of the Pass Line bet is its low house edge, which stands at only 1.41%. This makes it a popular choice among craps players. However, keep in mind that the Pass bet has to be made before the come-out roll, and you cannot remove or add to the bet during the round.
Don’t Pass Bet
The Don’t Pass bet works the opposite way of the Pass bet. Here, you are betting that the shooter will lose on the come-out roll. You win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 and lose if they roll a 7 or 11. If the shooter rolls a 12, the bet is a push, and you neither win nor lose. If a point is established, you are betting that the shooter will not roll the point before rolling a 7. If a 7 is rolled, you win. However, if the point is rolled, you lose.
This bet also has a low house edge of 1.36%, making it a popular choice among players. However, since it is essentially betting against the shooter, some players may not prefer this option.
Come Bet
A Come bet is similar to a Pass bet, except that it can be made at any time during the round after the point has been established. You win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 and lose if they roll a 2, 3, or 12. Any other number becomes the “come point,” and the shooter must roll that number again before rolling a 7 for the bet to win.
One of the main advantages of the Come bet is that you can make it at any point during the round, unlike the Pass bet. However, this also means that the odds may change depending on when you place the bet. The house edge for the Come bet is the same as the Pass bet, at 1.41%.
Don’t Come Bet
The Don’t Come bet works similarly to the Don’t Pass bet. Here, you are betting that the shooter will not roll the come point before rolling a 7. You win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 and lose if they roll a 7 or 11. If a 12 is rolled, the bet is a push. This bet can be placed at any time during the round, except for the come-out roll.
The Don’t Come bet also has a low house edge of 1.36%, making it another popular choice among players who prefer to bet against the shooter.
Betting Strategies for Advanced Players
If you’re an advanced player looking for more complex betting options, here are two popular strategies worth considering.
The Iron Cross
Also known as the “No 7” system, the Iron Cross strategy involves placing multiple bets at once to cover most numbers on the table. You begin by placing a Pass Line bet and then placing chips in the field area, covering all numbers except for 7. This strategy allows you to win on every roll, except for when a 7 is rolled, in which case all bets lose.
The advantage of this system is that it gives you a higher chance of winning with each roll. However, keep in mind that the payouts for individual bets may not be as high as placing a single bet on a number.
The 3 Point Molly
This strategy involves placing three bets at once – a Pass Line bet, a Come bet, and a Field bet. The objective is to establish a point with the Pass Line bet and then place additional bets with the Come and Field bets. If all three bets win, you can either let them ride or take some profits and start again.
One of the main advantages of this strategy is its flexibility. Since you are not tied down to one specific bet, you can adjust your bets depending on the outcome of each roll. However, this also means that you have to manage multiple bets simultaneously, which may be challenging for some players.
3. Playing the Odds
In craps, betting on the odds is a popular way of improving your chances of winning. Unlike other casino games, where the house edge remains constant no matter what, the odds in craps can vary depending on the bet you make. Here’s how it works.
After a point has been established, you have the option to “take the odds.” This means that you are betting that the shooter will roll the point before rolling a 7. The odds for this bet depend on the point number. For example, the odds for the point 4 or 10 are 2:1, while the odds for 6 or 8 are 6:5.
The advantage of taking the odds is that there is no house edge, making it a favorable bet for players. However, keep in mind that this bet can only be made after a point has been established, and you cannot take more odds than the initial bet.
4. Special Bets and Strategies
Apart from the basic bets we discussed earlier, there are also some special bets and strategies that players can use to improve their gameplay. Here are a few of them.
Horn Bet
The Horn bet is a one-roll bet that involves betting on the numbers 2, 3, 11, and 12 at once. You win if any of these numbers are rolled, and lose if any other number is rolled. This bet has a high house edge of 12.5%, making it a risky option. However, some players swear by this bet and believe that it brings good luck.
Place Bets
Place bets involve betting on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) instead of just the Pass or Don’t Pass lines. You win if the chosen number is rolled before a 7, and lose if a 7 is rolled. The odds for each number vary, with 6 and 8 having the lowest house edge of 1.52%. These bets can be placed at any time during the round, except for the come-out roll.
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets are one-roll bets that involve predicting the outcome of a specific roll. For example, you can bet that the next roll will be a 2, or that the shooter will roll two sixes. These bets have a very high house edge and should be avoided by beginners.
Field Bet
The Field bet is a one-roll bet that involves betting on the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. You win if any of these numbers are rolled, and lose if any other number is rolled. The odds for this bet are 1:1, except for 2 and 12, which have higher payouts. The house edge for this bet is 5.56%, making it a relatively safe option compared to other bets with high house edges.
5. Tips for Beginners
Now that you know the rules and some popular betting strategies, here are a few tips to keep in mind when playing craps as a beginner.
- Start with the basic bets: As a beginner, it’s best to stick to the basic Pass and Don’t Pass bets until you get a good grasp of the game. These bets have low house edges and are relatively easy to understand.
- Practice online: Many online casinos offer free versions of craps where you can practice without risking any money. This is a great way to get comfortable with the game before playing at a physical casino.
- Manage your bankroll: Like any other casino game, it’s crucial to set a budget and stick to it when playing craps. Avoid chasing losses and always play within your means.
- Don’t fall for superstitions: Craps has its fair share of superstitions, but don’t let them affect your gameplay. The outcome of the dice roll is entirely random, and no amount of lucky charms or rituals can change that.
6. Common Etiquette for Playing Craps
Like any other casino game, there are some unwritten rules and etiquette that players should follow when playing craps. Here are some common ones to keep in mind.
- Know the lingo: Players often use slang terms, such as “yo” for 11 and “boxcars” for double sixes, during the game. Make sure to familiarize yourself with these terms to avoid any confusion.
- Place bets gently: When placing bets on the table, make sure to do so gently to avoid disrupting the dice rolls or affecting other players’ bets.
- Tip the dealers: It’s considered good etiquette to tip the dealers when you win. This is not mandatory, but it is a nice gesture that shows appreciation for their work.
- No late bets: Make sure to place your bets before the shooter throws the dice. Once the dice are in motion, no new bets will be accepted.
- Don’t touch the chips: Once you have placed your bet, avoid touching the chips until the outcome of the roll is declared. This is to prevent any suspicion of cheating or tampering with the bets.
Conclusion
Craps is an exciting and dynamic game that offers players multiple betting options and strategies. As a beginner, it may seem overwhelming at first, but with a little bit of practice and understanding of the rules, anyone can learn how to play craps. Remember to start with the basic bets, manage your bankroll, and follow the etiquette, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a craps pro. So get ready to roll the dice and have some fun!