THE ULTIMATE
CRAPS GUIDE

Craps is arguably one of the most iconic casino games, whether you’re playing offline or online. It’s recognisable from the shouts of anticipation as the rolling dice determines your fate. Want to know more? Find out the following in our exclusive craps guide…

  • How to play craps plus unmissable tips
  • The different odds explained
  • Understand the game’s terminologies
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Craps is what movie-magic casino moments are all about. When the spectators wait for the dice to land, their unwavering collective gaze makes it feel as if time has stood still.

How to Play Craps

How to Play Carps

Playing craps is simple. The aim of the game is to successfully predict the outcome of the dice as they roll across the table. Before the dice are rolled, you make the Pass/Don’t Pass bet, regardless of whether you’re the shooter.

The shooter will try and roll a 7 or 11. If they do, the Pass Line bet wins. If they roll a craps 2, 3, or 12, the Don’t Pass wins and the Pass bet loses. Anything else rolled establishes the point and that must be rolled before a 7 for the Pass Line bet to win.

If the Pass Line wins, it’s considered a new Come Out roll. If the Don’t Pass Line wins, the shooter switches out.

NEAT TIPS FOR ACING CRAPS

  • Always take the “Odds” bet. There’s no house edge so any payout is a true representation.
  • Steer clear of the daring “Field” bets until you’re more experienced.
  • Place two Come bets.
  • Make smart bets and avoid risky ones like Big 6 or Big 8.

Different Types of Craps Bets Explained

It might seem like all you need to do is choose a number and bet on that. However, if you want to play well, choose the bets with a good house edge.

  • Pass Line: This is the most basic bet you can make and one of the best with a house edge of 1.41%. It’s an even bet so you’ll get back whatever you wager. It’s considered a bet going with, rather than against, the dice.
  • Don’t Pass: Works oppositely to the Pass Line bet and has a house edge of 1.36%.
  • Odds Bet: After the point has been established, you can make further bets which have no house edge beyond the pass line! The odds are as follows: 4 & 10 2/1, 5 & 9 3/2, and 6 & 8 6/5.
  • Come: Once the point has been established, you can place chips on the Come area of the table. This will make the next roll - unless a 7, 11, 2, 3, or 12 - your Come point. If that rolls again, before any of these numbers, you’ll win. If he rolls a 7, you’ll lose this and your Pass Line bet.
  • Don’t Come: Betting against the player that a 7 will roll before your Come point number. The opposite of the Come bet.
  • Field Bet: One of the riskier bets whereby you bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, or 12 by putting chips in the Field section. If a 5, 6, 7, or 8 rolls, you lose.
  • Big Six/Big Eight Bet: You bet that a 6 or 8 will roll before the 7.
  • Hardway Bet: When you bet that the dice will show the same numbers as one another.

CRAPS TERMINOLOGY

Hanging around the craps table, you’re bound to read or hear some unfamiliar lingo cropping up. To save yourself the confusion, swot up on some of the most common terms for numbers.

  • Yo: 11
  • Snake Eyes: Double 1s staring up at you like snake eyes
  • Little Joe (from Kokomo): 4 split as a 3 and 1
  • Jimmy Hicks: 6
  • Skate and Donate: 8
  • Centre Field: 9
  • 10 the Hard Way: Double 5s
  • Natural Winner: 7 or 11
  • Boxcars or Midnight: Double 6s

Frequently Asked Questions