Craps Dice Game Rules – How to Play Casino Craps and Win

Accessing the craps game online is easy, playing as a new player is not so easy. Here in this player's guide to the craps dice game rules, you will be able to learn the gaming rules and how the betting works when playing. It looks complex but with this guide and some practice, you'll be fine.

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How to Play Casino Craps

If you have never played or even seen a craps table before, then our guide will introduce the rules of play to you and hopefully calm any doubts you might have of playing. Yes, there is no escaping the fact that craps is a game that will need to be learnt and practiced before heading straight to a real money game and putting your finances on the line.

Craps is a game somewhat similar to roulette. You are predicting the outcome of a dice throw that will be won if you guessed the right number it is to land on. Therefore, there are many ways to bet and win during a game of online craps.

The game is played in sections, there are a number of different approached in betting and if you play craps online, the game is available as a live feature or as a virtual machine.

How to Play Craps Dice Game

To learn how to play craps dice game you will need to add patience to your approach. There are many free demo games online that will help when learning how to play craps. Though the game's fortunes are based on the roll of the dice to overcome the house edge which varies between 0.48% and 1.47%, you must know about the field bets that are open to players first before you start playing.

Now, playing virtual machines is different from playing live. There are moves and features within the live game that simply cannot be replicated in the virtual machines. This is due to half of the moves being done by the onlooking participants in the game, as there can only be one shooter within a solo virtual craps game.

Breaking Down the Moves in Craps

  • The first move is classed as a come-out roll performed by you the player and 'Shooter'.
  • You will throw two dice which must bounce on the far end of the craps table.
  • There are three potential outcomes from this roll that judge the next move.
  • The Natural: If you land a 7 or an 11 total. This means you win and roll again.
  • Craps: If you land 2, 3 or a 12. This means you lose, but the round isn't over.
  • The Point: Rolling a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. The dealer will mark the point (the number you rolled) with a disk. After the point mark is set, you will roll again. If you hit the same number, you win. If you roll a 7, then you lose as so the round ends.

This is how you shoot craps, so what comes next in the importance of the game are the betting options that you can place to help win real New Zealand dollars.

Craps Betting: Popular forms of betting

Pass Line: This is the bet you are hoping to land a 7 or 11 to win the round. This is the simplest bet to make for a player. If rolling a craps, then you lose. The pass line and the come-out roll work hand in hand. With virtual online craps, you will only bet on bet on the pass.

Don't Pass Line: This bet works the exact opposite way as the pass line bet. This is a bet that goes against the shooter. Therefore, you are hoping a craps is rolled to be able to win this betting round.

Come Bets: This is a betting option that can only be placed once the rounds point has been established. In this instance, you are hoping for the come bet to win, that the Shooter rolls a 7 or 11. The come bet loses should the Shooter land either a 2, 3 or a 12.

Don't Come Bets: The bet works the opposite of the come bet, therefore, you will be betting against the shooter. Therefore a 2,3 or 12 is required to win. Should a 7 or 11 be rolled, then your don't come bet loses.

Odds Bets: The odds bets option is a side betting feature of the game that is placed after any of the initial bets listed above. You do this by adding extra wagers of chips behind your original bet. During the pass line or come bets, this side bet is referred to a 'take odds' bet. If this is placed after a don't pass or don't come bet, this is referred to as a 'lay odds' bet.

Craps Dice Rules for Single Roll Bets

When it comes to craps dice rules for single bets the options are limited but simple. These bets can be made during any point of the game and on any area of the craps table layout. You will be focusing on the section that offers the images that refer to the dice combinations. This is like placing a bet on a single number in roulette. The principle is the same with a single roll bet, judging what number will be rolled. The house edge for this betting option is high given the many combinations a dice can have. Though this bet is unadvised by craps experts, the option is still available should you feel lucky.

Betting Rules for Multi-Roll Bets

Place Win and Place Lose: These bets don't provide much in odds. Your options for selecting these bets come down to the numbers of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. Should you opt to bet on a Place bet, then you need a bet on any of these numbers to land before a 7 is rolled to win. Alternatively, you can opt for the Place Lose be, whereby, you are hoping a 7 is rolled first.

Buy and Lay Bets: With a Buy bet you are opting for the number of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 to land at any moment in the round of the game. Should this be the case before a 7 is rolled, then you will win. The Lay bet is the opposite of this, like a don't pass or don't come bet would work. Should the number 7 land before any point number, then you will win.

Big 6 and Big 8 Bets: You will find these betting options in the corners of the game's table. Should you place a bet on Big 6 or Big, then you are hoping one of these land before the shooter is able to roll a 7 on the dice.

Hardways: This betting option covers all possible outcomes of a roll where the dice form matching pairs but only specifically to totals of 10, 8, 6, or a 4. For example, 2 and 2 = 4 and 5 and 5 = 10.

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Summary: Exploring the Game

The core of the craps rules is simple. You make your roll and you either achieve a win or a loss. After that you either progress into the next section of the game or not. It's all dependent on throwing the dice and because of this there really are no strategies, certainly not for the games that feature online. Craps rules and strategy do not come together and if you were to come across any guide on craps rules and strategy, it would be wise to dispose of the advice because it just cannot happen.

The Payout

A look at the craps rules and payouts within the game:

Bet

  • Pass Line/Come Bet: 1 to 1
  • Don't Pass/Don't Come: 1 to 1
  • Pass Line
  • Numbers 4 or 10: 2 to 1
  • Numbers 5 to 9: 3 to 2
  • Numbers 6 to 8: 6 to 5
  • Don't Pass/Don't Come
  • Numbers 4 or 10: 1 to 2
  • Numbers 5 to 9: 2 to 3
  • Numbers 6 to 8: 5 to 6

Field Bets

  • Numbers 3 / 4 / 9 / 10 or 11: 1 to 1
  • Numbers 2 or 12: 2 to 1

Place Bets

  • Numbers 4 or 10: 9 to 5
  • Numbers 5 to 9: 7 to 5
  • Numbers 6 to 8: 7 to 6

Hardways

  • Pair making 6 or 8: 9 to 1
  • Pari making 4 or 10: 7 to 1

Single Bets

  • Any 7: 4 to 1
  • Any Craps: 7 to 1
  • 2 Craps or a 12 Craps: 30 to 1
  • 3 Craps or 11: 15 to 1
  • Horn Bet for a 3 or 11: 3.75 to 1
  • Horn Bet for a 2 or 12: 7.5 to 1
  • Big 6 or Big 8: 1 to 1

FAQ: Top Questions on Craps Answered

How do you play craps and win?

The outcome of winning is dependent on who you bet before the dice are thrown. You can either bet with the shooter or you can bet against them. There are no strategies in craps that can help the outcome with the game being in a digital format.

How do you play craps at a casino?

In a real land-based casino the rules are no different as explained above. If you are not the shooter, you can participate with the optional bets to root for or against the shooter.

Can you play craps at home?

If you want to set up your own craps game at home it can easily be done. Street craps being the perfect example. You only need the following: • Dice • Flat surface • Something the dice can rebound back off. These simple things are enough to play craps at home or outside.

Daniel chapman

Daniel Chapman is our Editor-in-Chief. A man of many talents, he has been with OCNZ for the past three years. He graduated from the University of Waikato with a Master of Arts degree, so he knows what he is doing when it comes to ensuring that all of the content we publish is epic.

Still think you need to get some practice in? Check out our Craps Rules guide below:

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