Craps Game Guide

Introduction to Craps

If you’re feeling bored with classic poker or blackjack, craps offers a thrilling alternative. At first glance, its rules and lingo may seem complex, but once you grasp the basics, the game becomes engaging and fun. After a few rounds, you’ll likely begin to experiment with various craps strategies—from safe bets like the “Pass Line” to riskier plays such as the “snake eyes” wager. However, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the game before jumping in. This tutorial will walk you through the table layout, rules, types of bets, and basic strategies, ensuring you're ready for your first craps game in no time!

How to Play Craps

To begin, let’s cover the basic rules. Craps starts with a player rolling the dice, known as the “come-out” roll. This roll can have three outcomes:

• Natural (7 or 11): An instant win.
• Craps (2, 3, or 12): An instant loss.
• Point (any other number): The round continues.

If the shooter rolls a point, that number is marked, and the shooter must roll the dice again, aiming to hit the point before rolling a 7. Rolling a 7 before the point means the shooter loses, and the round ends. The variety of possible rolls in between these outcomes is where different bets come into play.

Common Craps Bets

• Pass Line: Bet that the shooter will roll a natural or hit the point before rolling a 7.
• Don’t Pass Line: Bet that the shooter will roll a 7 before hitting the point.
• Come/Don’t Come: Similar to the Pass/Don’t Pass bets but placed after the point is set.
• Proposition Bets: High-risk, high-reward bets that are active for a single roll, such as betting on “snake eyes” (rolling two 1s).

Craps Rules

While the Pass and Come bets are straightforward and remain active for the entire round, more advanced bets like proposition bets come with higher risks but larger rewards. Some notable proposition bets include:

• Any Seven: Betting that a 7 will be rolled.
• Snake Eyes (2) or Boxcars (12): Bets on specific roll combinations.
• Hard Ways: Bets on specific doubles, such as two 2s to make a 4.

Additionally, there are other bet types like Place Bets (betting on a specific number before a 7) and Big 6/Big 8 Bets (betting on a 6 or 8 being rolled before a 7).

Craps Strategy

When starting out, it’s best to stick to the safer bets. The Pass Line and Come Bets are your best options for minimizing the house edge, which is as low as 1.40%. More experienced players might experiment with riskier bets, but beginners should avoid proposition bets due to their high house edge. Place bets and Field bets can also be worthwhile options depending on the game.

Different Types of Craps

Craps comes in various forms, such as Crapless Craps where 2, 3, and 12 don’t result in an immediate loss, or High Point Craps, where 11 and 12 are automatic wins. While these variations can be fun, the classic version remains the most widely played.

Tips for Beginners

• Watch a few rounds before joining to better understand the game flow.
• Avoid Proposition Bets unless you have extra chips to spare.
• Be cautious with Don’t Pass/Don’t Come Bets, as they can sour the mood at the table.
• Start with basic strategies and gradually explore more advanced ones as you get comfortable.

Glossary of Craps Terms

• Shooter: The player rolling the dice.
• Come-out Roll: The first roll in a betting round.
• Pass/Don’t Pass Bets: Betting for/against the shooter.
• Proposition Bets: High-risk bets active for a single roll.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I play Craps online?
  Yes, many online casinos offer craps variations with table layouts similar to real casinos.
• Can I use a bonus to play Craps?
  While there may not be specific bonuses for craps, some casinos offer deposit bonuses that can be used in the game.
• Is Craps a fair game?
  Yes, both in physical and online casinos, craps is based on random dice rolls, ensuring fairness.