How To Play Craps: Rules for Beginners And Odds

Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of a roll. It's a social game at its core and a highly unpredictable nature. If you enjoy chance-based games and the thrill of the unknown, craps is definitely worth a try. To make sure your initial experience is pleasant, we highly recommend you familiarize yourself with the rules before diving headfirst. This article contains all the information you will need to have a smooth start.

How To Play Craps

In a typical online game, the process looks something like this:

1. Bet Placement: Players place their bets on various outcomes of a dice roll, such as the pass line, the don't pass line or specific numbers.
2. Dice Roll: A shooter rolls two dice. The outcome determines whether players win or lose their bets.
3. Point Establishment: If the initial roll is a 7 or 11, the shooter wins. If it's a 2, 3, or 12, the shooter loses. If it's any other number, that number becomes the "point."
4. Point Roll: The shooter continues to roll the dice until either the point is rolled again (win) or a 7 is rolled (lose).
5. Betting on Come-Out Roll: Players can also place bets on the come-out roll, which is the first roll of a new game.

Basic Rules To Remember

Craps is a dice game that has been played for centuries. It's a game of pure chance, where the outcome of each roll of the dice determines whether a player wins or loses. The game revolves around a single player, known as the "shooter," who rolls two six-sided dice. The shooter's goal is to establish a "point" and then roll that point again before rolling a 7. If they succeed, they win. If they fail, they lose.

The Point System

When the shooter rolls the dice, the outcome can be:

• Natural: A roll of 7 or 11 on the first roll, which results in an immediate win for the shooter.
• Craps out: A roll of 2, 3, or 12 on the first roll, which results in an immediate loss for the shooter.
• Point: If the shooter rolls any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes their "point."

Once a point is established, the shooter must continue rolling the dice until they either roll their point again (a "hit") or roll a 7 (a "craps out"). If they hit their point, they win. If they craps out, they lose.

The Pass Line Bet

The most common bet in craps is the "Pass Line" bet. Players bet that the shooter will win. If the shooter rolls a natural on the first roll, they win. If they roll craps out, they lose. If they establish a point, they win if the shooter hits the point before craps out.

Other Bets

There are many other bets that players can make in craps, such as betting on specific numbers, combinations, or whether the next roll will be over or under a certain number. However, these bets generally have higher house edges than the Pass Line bet.

Odds

Craps offers various odds for different bets. The Pass Line and Don't Pass Line bets have the lowest house edge. Betting on specific numbers or combinations has higher house edges. The odds of hitting a specific number are lower than the odds of hitting a point. Field bets and proposition bets offer even higher house edges but also potentially higher payouts.

Bets

Craps has a variety of possible bet placements, each with its own odds and payouts. Here are a few common types:

• Place Bets: These bets are placed on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). You win if the number is rolled before a 7. The odds vary depending on the number.
• Proposition Bets: These are bets on specific combinations, such as rolling a pair, a specific number combination, or a certain sum. They offer higher payouts but also have higher house edges.
• Field Bets: You bet on whether the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The payout varies depending on the number rolled.
• Other Bets: There are many other bets available, such as the Come Out bet, the Don't Come bet, and bets on specific craps combinations. Each bet has its own unique rules and odds.

Hardaways

Hardways are bets on rolling a specific pair of dice with equal numbers. For example, a hard 6 is rolling two 3s, while a hard 8 is rolling two 4s. These bets have higher payouts than regular place bets but also higher house edges, making them riskier but potentially more rewarding. If you live for the thrill, this might become your go-to betting option

Hop Bets

Hop bets are a type of proposition bet in craps. You bet on a specific number being rolled on the next two rolls, with the first roll being the number itself and the second roll being the number's complement (the number needed to add up to 7). For example, a "hop 5" bets on rolling a 5 followed by a 2. These bets have high house edges but also offer high payouts as well.