The first time I tried online craps, I stared at the betting layout for five minutes before making a wild guess. I lost $50 in about eight minutes flat.
Craps looks complicated with its crowded layout and weird terminology. But once you get it, it’s one of the best casino games. Here’s what took me months to learn, simplified for you.
Sports enthusiasts should explore Ladbrokes betting for its extensive live wagering options across numerous sports categories. This user-friendly platform features real-time odds updates and specialized promotions, like Multiboost for multiple selections.
What Is Craps?
Strip away the fancy table, and craps is just betting on dice rolls. Two six-sided dice get tossed, and you wager on what comes up.
Why play it? The house edge can be as low as 1.4% on the right bets – much better than slots or roulette.
Online craps removes the pressure of a crowded table. No one is rushing you or watching your decisions, just you against the random number generator.
How a Round Works
Every round starts with what’s called the “Come-Out Roll.” This first roll sets everything in motion.
After the dice land, three things can happen:
#1: Natural (7 or 11)
Roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out, and Pass Line bets instantly win. Round over, new game begins.
Hit a natural my first few minutes playing online, thought I’d discovered some magical system. The rush was real.
#2: Craps (2, 3, or 12)
Roll 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out, and Pass Line bets lose immediately. They call this “crapping out” (now you know where the name comes from).
The first time this happened, I thought I’d done something wrong. Nope – just the cruel math of dice.
#3: Point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10)
Here’s where it gets interesting. If any of these numbers shows up on the come-out roll, that number becomes “the point.”
Now the goal changes: the shooter must roll that same point number again before rolling a 7. If the point repeats first, Pass Line bets win. If 7 appears first, Pass Line bets lose.
It took me several sessions to really understand this flow. Once it clicked, the game became much more enjoyable.
The Only Bets Worth Making
The craps table has dozens of betting options. Most are sucker bets with terrible odds. Here are the only ones worth your money:
Pass Line Bet
The foundation of craps. Win if the come-out roll is 7 or 11, lose if it’s 2, 3, or 12. If a point gets established, you want to see that point number again before a 7 appears.
House edge: 1.41%. Solid bet.
Don’t Pass Line Bet
The contrarian play. You’re betting against the shooter. Win on come-out rolls of 2 or 3, lose on 7 or 11. A roll of 12 pushes (tie).
If a point gets established, you want to see a 7 before the point repeats.
House edge: 1.36%. Mathematically, it’s slightly better than Pass Line.
Odds Bets
The unicorn of casino bets – zero house edge. After a point is established, you can place an “odds bet” behind your Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet.
These pay true odds, giving the house no advantage whatsoever. Place the maximum odds allowed every time.
Took me way too long to understand the value of odds bets. Don’t repeat my mistake.
Between craps sessions, many sports bettors enjoy simpler games like Lucky 88 slot machine which doesn’t require complex betting strategies or odds calculations, providing a more relaxed gaming experience without the strategic pressure of dice games.
How I Started Winning
After losing too much money learning the hard way, here’s what turned things around:
Stick to Low-Edge Bets
Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come. That’s it. Ignore everything else.
Made the mistake of trying fancy proposition bets like “Any 7” once. The big payouts looked great until I learned the house edge was a brutal 16.7%.
Always Take Maximum Odds
This is the secret most beginners miss. Once a point is established, put as much as allowed on the odds bet behind your original wager.
Some online casinos offer 3x, 5x, or even 10x odds. Higher is better – these bets have zero house edge.
Practice Free First
Most online casinos let you play craps in demo mode. Spend time there before risking real money.
My biggest regret was jumping straight into real-money play without understanding the rhythm of the game.
Bottom Line
Craps rewards players who stick to basics and avoid flashy bets. Focus on the Pass Line with maximum odds, and you’ll have one of the best mathematical chances in the entire casino.
What part of craps still confuses you?
