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Craps Rules – How to Play Craps

Ruth | February 9, 2023 | Updated on: July 31st, 2023

Recently updated on February 9th, 2023

craps rulesBefore you can play craps for real money, understanding the craps rules will be beneficial to you and your bankroll. The basic rule when it comes to rolling dice is simple – roll them until they come up with seven on any one number. If you get a 7 then you win! If you want to learn more about the different ways to place bets at craps tables, check out our guide.

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Basic Craps Rules

The objective of online craps is to guess the outcome of the dice and make a bet on it. Craps is a game of chance, which has two distinct parts to the game. The shooter will make a Pass Line bet, followed by all the other players making bets.

In land-based casino, the shooter will roll dice onto the craps table. When playing online, you will press the “roll” button. The shooter’s first roll is known as the come-out roll, and it is the first part of the game.

If the dice lands on a 7 or an 11, it is known as a natural, and you win. You will then have to roll the dice again. The second outcome that you can get in the first part is Craps. Here the dice would have landed on a 2, 3 or 12. Either of these numbers mean that you lose. However, that is not the end of round, as you will have to roll the dice again.

The game will then move into its second part which is called the point phase. Here if you roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, it is the point. A puck will be placed on top of that number on the table. You will then roll the dice again and hope to hit the same number or 7 to win.

How to Play Casino Craps Rules and Strategy

As the game is played in two parts, there is a bit more that goes into it than what we have explained above. Below we go into detail with both parts.

1. Come Out Roll

This is where each game of craps starts. The come-out roll is the first time the shooter will roll the dice. There are two betting rules allowed at this stage. Namely the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets. In order to truly understand craps, you have to understand both these betting options.

Craps Rules Pass Line

  • 2, 3, or 12 – players with a pass line bet will lose, and it will be the end of the game. A new game will start with a new come-out roll and shooter.
  • 7 or 11 – This is an automatic win, and the next round will have a new shooter and a new come-out roll.

Craps Don’t Pass Bet

  • 2 or 3 – if the dice lands on these numbers, it’s an automatic win.
  • 7 or 11 – landing on these numbers is an automatic loss.
  • 12 – you get your bet back as this is a push.

2. The Point

To establish the point in craps, the dice will have to land on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. Any of these numbers establishes a point, and no one will win or lose their bets in the come-out roll. This is where the game gets interesting. If you had made a pass-line bet, it will remain.

The aim here is to roll the point before you roll a 7. If that happens, your pass line bets will pay 1 to 1. But if a 7 is rolled before the point, all pass line bets lose.

Should the dice land on any other number than the 7 or point, you will have to roll again. This continues until the point, or a 7 is rolled. Once the point has been established, you can start making other craps bets.

Basic Craps Rules

Craps Bets

Apart from the pass line and don’t pass bet, there are many other bets that you can make. The most popular include the come and don’t come bet.

Both these bets can only be made after the point number is rolled. Essentially, the Come bet predicts that the shooter will land on seven or 11 before the point number.

Similarly, to the Don’t Pass bet, the Don’t Come bet is the reverse of the come bet. When a craps player wagers on the Don’t Come Bet, you are betting on the shooter rolling the point number before landing on a seven or 11.

There are several other bets such as field bets, proposition bets, place bets, any seven, big 6 and 8, hardway’s and more.

Craps Rules for Beginners

New players looking to play craps online, we created a step-by-step guide on what is needed to get started. From finding the right casino site to deciding on your bankroll, we explain it all.

1. Find a Craps Casino and Game that Matches your Gameplay

There are plenty of casinos that offer craps games. Finding the casino that best suits your needs is important. From game variety, banking options, odd and payout information. Not all casinos are the same therefore doing some research is not a bad idea.

2. Decide on Your Bankroll

Before committing to a game, make sure that you have decided on how much of your bankroll you can commit to multiple gaming sessions. This will give you an idea of how much you can afford to lose without destroying your funds. Set a budget and stick to it.

3. Check the Games Betting Limits

Most internet casinos allow you to adjust the betting limits in the game. You can choose between the low stakes or high stakes. You have to set these limits before the game starts. Again, you set these limits depending on your budget and what you can afford.

4. RTP Percentage of the Game

Similar to checking the odds of a game, looking at the RTP is just as beneficial. Craps games carry a 98.64% return to player rate at most casinos. If the casino you are playing does not have a similar RTP, you may want to look for a different casino.

5. Remember the Craps Rules Explained and Basic Etiquette

There are several game nuances that you have to remember. For starters, you should only make your bets when the dealers is taking bets. Secondly, you can’t make an induvial bet on one die. Thirdly remember that even if you aren’t the shooter, your bets can win or lose.

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