Complete guide to craps

Craps is a casino dice game that is incredibly popular in the United States. When visiting Las Vegas, it won’t be long before you come across craps. Of course, you don’t have to travel that far to get to know this game, as you can also play it in many online casinos in Belgium.

History

Craps may be a lesser known game in our regions, but it has a fascinating history.

Craps is a derivative of the dice game hazard that was popular in England in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was brought to the US by the wealthy landowner Bernard de Marigny.

The word craps comes from the word “crabs” which the lower class pronounced incorrectly. Crabs was the name for a roll of 2 or 3 at hazard, which were losing numbers. 

In the early days, Pass was the only possible bet. The game let you choose your own main number between 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Bernard wanted to make the game easier and chose only one option: 7. He also added 12 to the losing numbers.

However, the game was not a success in his own circle. He therefore introduced the game to the lower class, where it was more appreciated.

Before 1907, casinos were using special dice to reduce the chances of winning. John H. Winn, a dice maker from Philadelphia, introduced the Don’t Pass bet, which forced casinos to use fair dice, thereby also adding an important element to the game.

Americans often played Craps during the Second World War. After the war, it was also increasingly played in casinos in the US and the Caribbean. It was only after 1960 that the game spread to casinos in Europe, Macau and Australia, which made it a global success. Today, you can also play craps online.

Basic rules

Everything here revolves around two dice. You play against the bank on a table with raised edges. The players bet on a shooter’s dice results. 

Let’s briefly summarize the rules of the game:

Outcome of the first throw	Consequences of the throw
11 or 7	All players who bet on a win receive their bet.
2, 3 or 12	The thrower (shooter) loses and the bets against the shooter win.
4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10	This is called the point and the shooter must make sure that they roll this number again before rolling a 7.

The shooter keeps rolling until they lose, then their left neighbor becomes the new shooter.

Note: Because the shooter plays with a slight disadvantage, the bets that have been placed against him are not paid out in most casinos if the first throw is a 12. Sometimes it’s 2 instead of 12, sometimes it’s both of these options. In these situations it is better not to bet against the shooter.

Gaming table

The gaming table has raised walls to throw the dice without losing them. Shooters are required to hit the far wall with the dice when throwing them. Those walls are often covered in a pyramid-like texture to make the dice bounce unpredictably and reduce cheating.

Players choose how they want to bet by placing their chips on the betting layout.

Croupiers

There are usually four croupiers per craps table:

• The boxman manages chips and supervises the game.
• Two base dealers collect and pay bets on their respective half-table.
• The stickman takes care of the bets in the center of the table, announces the results of each roll and moves the dice from player to player.

During quieter hours or in smaller casinos, the table may have fewer dealers. There are usually still at least two.

Shooter

This is the person who throws the dice. They can only manipulate the dice with one hand.

The shooter may roll the dice more than once. They can continue to roll the dice until they lose. Then, the person to their left becomes the new shooter. Other players can bet without being the shooter.

Sometimes a high roller in a big casino may want the table all to themselves. In that case, there are no other players or spectators and the high roller is the only shooter.

Betting options

Here are some of the most common bets in craps:

Pass/Don’t Pass Line

Pass means the shooter wins. This happens when:

• The shooter rolls 7 or 11 on the first try, or
• The shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 on the first try, then rolls this number again before rolling a 7.

Don’t Pass means the shooter loses. This happens when: 

• The shooter rolls 2, 3 or 12 on the first try, or 
• The shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 on the first try, then rolls a 7 before rolling that number again.

These two bets are opposites. 

Note: Depending on the casino’s specific rules, Don’t Pass bets may not be paid out if the result is 2 and/or 12.

Come/Don’t Come

This betting option only becomes possible when a “point” is reached in the game, so after a roll of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10.

A Come bet will give the following results: 

• If the shooter rolls 7 or 11, the bettor wins.
• If the shooter rolls 2, 3 or 12, the bettor loses.
• If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the “Come bet point”.
  • If the shooter rolls that number again before a 7, the bettor wins.
  • If they roll a 7 before rolling that number again, the bettor loses.

A Don’t Come bet will give the following results:

• If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12, the bettor wins.
• If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the bettor loses.
• If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the “Don’t Come bet point”.
  • If the shooter rolls that number again before a 7, the bettor loses.
  • If they roll a 7 before rolling that number again, the bettor wins.

Similarly to Pass/Don’t Pass, these two bets are opposites. 

Note: Depending on the casino’s specific rules, Don’t Come bets may not be paid out if the result is 2 and/or 12.

Odds bet

The Odds bets are placed in addition to Pass, Don’t Pass, Come or Don’t Come bets after the point is made. They pay at true odds, which means the casino has no advantage.

Place bet

Choose a number out of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. Pick “Win” if you think it will be rolled before a 7 or “Lose” if you think it won’t be.

Buy and Lay bets

Buy  and Lay bets are almost identical to Place bets, but they pay true odds. However, you need to pay a 5% commission on these bets:

• For Buy bets, it’s based on the amount you bet. 
• For Lay bets, it’s based on the amount you win.

Field bet

With this option, you bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. You win every time the shooter rolls one of those numbers. 2 and 12 pay double.

If the shooter rolls 5, 6, 7 or 8, you lose.

Hard Way bet

Hard Way bets are bets on 4, 6, 8 or 10. The catch is that they have to be made of two identical dice: 4 is 2 x 2, 6 is 2 x 3, 8 is 2 x 4 and 10 is 2 x 5.

Any 7/Any 11

With Any 7, you bet that the next roll will be 7. With Any 11, you bet it will be 11.

Big 6 and Big 8

If you take a closer look at the gaming table, you will also see the Big 6 and Big 8 betting options. The name says it all: You bet on the shooter rolling a total of 6 or 8 before a 7. This bet isn’t recommended by experienced players.

Any Craps and Horn bets

With the Any Craps bet, you bet on multiple numbers at the same time: 2, 3 and 12.

With the Horn Bet, you bet on one more number, 11, so you’re betting on 2, 3, 11 and 12 at the same time.

Strategy and tips

You now have insight into all the rules and betting options of the game. The strategy that we explain below can increase your chances of winning, but it is and remains a game of chance. Whichever strategy you follow, in the long term the house has the advantage.

Always start with a Pass Line bet

If you have never played Craps before, it is understandable that you are afraid of losing. You therefore want to make your bet safer.

That is why you can choose from the following betting options:

• Pass Line
• Don’t Pass Line

Beginners often choose the first option. The shooter simply has to win for you to win as well.

Pick Field bets

Field bets are a good recommendation to distribute your chances of winning. It’s a bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 at the same time. You win every time the shooter rolls one of those numbers, and you even win double if they roll a 2 or a 12.

Stick to your budget

Establish a budget before playing and stick to it. Never bet more than you are willing to lose.

Tipping

It’s very common to tip the dealers in craps. In fact, it’s almost expected of players. They can do so by giving the dealers chips directly or by splitting the winnings from a bet with the dealers.

It’s also possible to tip other players.