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Arguably one of the most thrilling table games around, hitting the craps table is a borderline necessity for anyone hitting the casino. Thanks to its easy-to-understand rules and prominence in movies and film, craps is an extremely popular casino game.
With online casinos becoming a go-to betting option for users all around the country, online craps is quickly becoming just as popular as its in-person counterpart. In fact, online craps is the table game many gamblers will hit up first anytime they are signing up with a new online casino.
Learn Craps Online in 5 Minutes
Upon first glance, the craps layout can look overwhelming. However, after a few minutes of explanation and a practice round or two, it’s a pretty easy game to pick up and play. At its core, craps is one of the simplest casino games out there.
The easiest way to think about craps is there being one “main bet” and several “side bets.”
The start of a craps game begins with a “Come Out Roll.” This is the first dice roll of the game and is indicated by a black puck in the corner of the table labeled “OFF.”
The main bet of the game is called the “Pass Line.” During the Come Out Roll, the Pass Line bet finishes as a win if you roll a 7 or 11. The Pass Line bet loses if you roll a 2, 3, or 12. If a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 10 is rolled, that number becomes the “Point,” and the game can advance to the next dice roll.
| Come Out Roll Outcome | Pass Line Result |
|---|---|
| 2, 3, 12 | Lose |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 | Becomes the Point |
| 7, 11 | Win |
Once the Point has been established, the Come Out Roll ends and the aforementioned black puck flips to ON. The goal of the game now changes. Your Pass Line Bet now wins if you roll the Point number before rolling a 7, and your Pass Line bet loses if you roll a 7 first. At this stage of craps, the only two numbers that matter are the Point number and 7.
Winning Pass Line bets are paid out 1:1. Once your Pass Line bet is settled, the black puck flips back to OFF and a new craps game starts with another Come-Out Roll.
In addition to the main Pass Line bet, players can also place side bets. The most popular side bet is a Place bet. After a Point is established, simply put your chips on the numbers of your choice and if that number is rolled before a 7, you’ll win that side bet.
Additional side bets include Field bets, Come bets, Don’t Come bets, and Hardline bets. All of these side bets are in play once a Point has been established following the Come-Out Roll.
Craps Odds Explained
When it comes to understanding craps odds, one of the most important factors is taking into consideration the house edge. This is the casino advantage for each bet that you can place.
For Pass Line bets and Don’t Pass line bets, the payout is 1:1 with a house edge of roughly 1.4%. With these being the simplest bets you can place while playing craps, you’re getting favorable odds.
Once you start getting into side bets after the Point has been established, the payouts start ranging from 1:1 all the way up to 30:1. House edges can get as high as 16.9% on some of these side bets.
The wide range of payouts on side bets can make it easy for an experienced craps player to rake in the winnings. However, beginners shouldn’t get too involved with them at the start. Sticking to the Pass and Don’t Pass bets, and a side bet or two, is a great way to start out.
How to Play Craps Online for Beginners
Playing craps online is largely the same as playing craps in person. The game takes place on a table, allowing the user to place bets and side bets as they desire.
When playing craps online, your screen will look similar to the image above. Your current balance can be found at the bottom of the screen, along with your current bet amounts. Each chip represents a different bet total.
There are two main sections to a craps layout—the side sections and the center section. The side sections contain all of your starting bets like Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line, while the center is exclusively side bets.
To place a Pass Line bet, the user places their chips on the section labeled “PASS LINE.” The same goes for Don’t Pass Line bets.
Come bets are made by placing chips in the large area labeled ‘COME” in red text. Field bets are performed by placing your chips in the section titled “FIELD.” Field bets pay double on a 2 or 12, and covers 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11.
Place bets are performed by placing chips on any of the larger numbers toward the top of the screen. This is a bet on any of the remaining numbers after a Point has been established.
The center section of the table (top of the screen) contains the remainder of your side bet options. Hardway, Any 7, and craps are just a few more betting options you can place.
Lastly, Big 6 and Big 8 bets are also available via the Big 6 and 8 portion of the table. Not all craps layouts include this option as they have a high house edge, making them a rather risky bet for players.
Craps Strategy for Beginners
The baseline for any beginner craps strategy is sticking to the simplest bets on the table. By playing the Pass and Don’t Pass bets, your only betting on the outcome of the initial dice roll and the house edge is extremely low. Sticking to these bets is a great way to get in on the fun without risking a ton of money.
As enticing as they may look, avoiding the big flashy bets in the center of the table is also recommended. These bets have an extremely high house edge and are designed to win the casino money.
Last but not least, placing an “Odds Bet” is one of the best ways to gamble in across all online casino games. The house edge is 0.0% on a craps odds bet, making it extremely user-friendly.
Once a Point is established after placing your Pass/Don’t Pass bet, you can bet on a specific number to be rolled before they land on a 7. The zero house edge on an odds bet makes using it one of the best craps strategies available.
Where to Play Craps Online for Real Money
The best online casinos to play craps include:
The following states have legal real money online casinos currently up and running: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware.
Make sure to check out our online casino bonuses page to get an excellent signup offer in your legal casino state.
How to Play Craps Online FAQs
What are the basic rules of craps?
Craps is a dice game where you are betting on the outcome of rolls. The first bet you can place is a Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line bet. After this initial round, a Point is potentially set, and more side bets can be placed on the ensuing dice rolls.
How do I place a bet in craps?
You place a bet in craps by moving your chips into the desired section of the craps table. Each section of the table is labeled so you know what you're wagering on.
What is the difference between the Pass Line bet and the Come bet?
Pass Line bets are placed before the dice roller establishes a Point, whereas Come bets are placed after a Point is established.
Can I play craps online for free?
There are free online craps games that you can use to practice with. Once you are comfortable with the table layout and rules, you can upgrade to real money online casinos like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and others.
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