Craps: All About the Craps Game

Sections of the Craps Table

Craps is played on a rectangular table with U-shaped ends and high edges. The shooter throws the dice onto the table’s green felt. Players place their bets by putting chips into different cells, each corresponding to a particular type of wager. This intricate diagram of cells is called the layout, and it is essentially the same in all casinos, whether land-based or online. In the center of the table, players will find the areas for the so-called Hard Way and one-roll bets, while the ends feature sections for basic bets such as Pass Line, Come, Field, and Place bets.

Casino Staff

The next thing players should pay attention to at the craps table is the staff. Typically, there are up to four employees who stand behind the two long sides of the table. On one side is the boxman, who supervises the dealers and stands behind the bank. One dealer stands on each side of the boxman; they pay players’ winnings and collect chips from their respective halves of the table. The stickman stands across the table and is responsible for announcing the outcome of each roll, passing the dice to the next player, and managing the Proposition bets in the center of the table.

Etiquette

Craps players must follow strict etiquette because of the fast pace and complex nature of the game. In fact, craps etiquette is elaborate enough to warrant a separate guide. However, there are several basic tips for every first-time player: players should announce their bets only to the dealers, who will then place the chips; players should never take their own winnings but should wait for the staff to pay them; and players should keep their hands away from the table once the shooter is about to roll the dice. Overall, players are expected to behave respectfully at the table and avoid mentioning the number 7, as it is traditionally believed to bring bad luck.

Pass Line

This is the most fundamental bet in craps, and it wins when the dice total 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. When making this wager, players are said to bet with the dice rather than against them. The payout is even money (1:1), and if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, everyone who has placed this bet wins. If the come-out roll is 2, 3, or 12, the bet loses, but if any other number appears, it establishes a point.

This means that the bet will not be settled immediately, and the shooter must continue rolling the dice. Once the point has been established, the Pass Line wins only if the point number is rolled before a 7. If the shooter rolls a 7 before the point number, the round ends, and those who have wagered on the Pass Line lose.

Don’t Pass

The Don’t Pass line bet is the opposite of the Pass Line bet. With this wager, players bet that the shooter will lose. Therefore, players who bet the Don’t Pass win if the dice total 2 or 3 and receive an even-money payout. They lose if the come-out roll is 7 or 11, while a roll of 12 results in a push. If the come-out roll is any other number, that number becomes the point for the subsequent rolls.

Players who have placed their chips on the Don’t Pass bet win if the shooter rolls a 7 before hitting the point. They lose if the point number is rolled first.

Pass Odds

If a point is established on the come-out roll, players have the option to place an additional wager that is a multiple of their Pass Line bet, and most casinos allow multiples ranging from 1x to 100x. This wager wins if the point number appears before a 7 and loses if a 7 appears first. This bet offers a higher potential payout than the original Pass Line wager, with the exact payout depending on the point.

Don’t Pass Odds

Those who bet on the Don’t Pass can also lay odds on their wager and will win if a 7 is rolled before the point. Similar to Pass Odds, this wager is a multiple (1x to 100x) of the original bet and offers higher potential payouts, which is why many players prefer it.

Come Bet

The Come bet is very similar to the Pass Line bet because it wins and loses on the same outcomes and offers the same payout. What makes it different, however, is the timing: the Come bet can be placed only after a point has been established. With this wager, players set their own “come-out” roll and point, which are separate from the main come-out roll and the point initially established by the shooter. On its own come-out roll, this bet wins with a 7 or 11 and loses with a 2, 3, or 12. If a Come point is established, the bet wins if that point is rolled again before a 7.

Don’t Come Bet

The Don’t Come bet is the opposite of the Come bet and is also available once the point has been established. This wager wins on 2 or 3 and loses on 7 or 11. Once a point number has been established, it wins if a 7 appears before the point and loses if the point is rolled first.

Bank Craps

This is the most common variation of craps, and it is often referred to as “casino craps” or simply “craps.” Bank craps is the version available online, and much of this guide refers to it. Its origins can be traced back to the first gambling houses in Las Vegas, and from there, it became popular around the world. The house edge differs for each bet, but the figure commonly associated with the game is around 1.40%.

Crapless Craps

Crapless craps is one of the more unusual variations of the game. It does not include the Don’t Pass bet, and the rules for the Pass Line bet differ significantly. The game also carries a higher house edge of 5.38%, which is why it is not particularly popular with players.

New York Craps

New York craps can be found in many casinos around the world; however, it does not allow Come or Don’t Come bets. In addition, it uses a different table layout. The overall house edge is 5.00%.

Simplified Craps

Simplified craps is a very rare version of the game in which all standard bet types have been eliminated. Instead, players can bet only on 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12, which are numbers with relatively few possible combinations. These numbers are also among the least likely totals to appear. The house edge in this game is 2.80%.

Microgaming

Players who choose Microgaming’s Craps can enjoy smooth gameplay, easy-to-understand rules, and straightforward payouts. This is hardly surprising, considering that the company launched the first online casino in 1994 and has the knowledge and experience to develop engaging and aesthetically pleasing virtual casino games. The Isle of Man-based company is also known for the hundreds of classic and video slots in its portfolio.

Playtech

Founded in 1999, Playtech is another industry leader in the design, development, and supply of gambling software. In addition to offering craps to thousands of online players, it provides gaming and betting sites with high-quality casino platforms, online poker rooms, sports betting solutions, live dealer games, bingo, and much more.

RealTime Gaming

RealTime Gaming, or RTG, was founded in 1998 as an online casino company that provided operators with a downloadable gaming platform. Today, the studio develops colorful slots and realistic table games that can be played in a browser or as part of its downloadable casino software package.

NetEnt

NetEnt, formerly known as Net Entertainment, is one of the pioneers in the development of online casino games and comprehensive gambling software solutions. The studio was founded in 1996 in Sweden. Today, its gaming portfolio includes hundreds of online slots and live dealer games, as well as a selection of virtual table and card games such as roulette, blackjack, craps, and poker.