Craps

If you ever visit a casino in Las Vegas and see a table with a real buzz about it, with crowds gathering and loud cheering, it is most likely to be from a Craps table. Craps is one of the most atmospheric games in the casino.

Traditionally one of the busiest casino tables, Craps is the type of game that causes everybody to feel excited - even the people who are only gathered around the table to observe the action, without actually placing a bet. The hype that Craps got from being promoted in certain movies and popular TV shows is far from being unjustified. One only needs to join the crowd for a split second to realise what all the fuss is about. Skittish players have no place at the Craps table - the level of commotion, cheering and extravagance can be quite overwhelming. Craps is larger than life, in every possible sense of the word.

History of Craps

Craps we know today is a reductive version of Hazard, a game that originated in Western Europe. In 19th century, Hazard travelled across the ocean and made its way straight to the New Orleans, where it was introduced to the wealthy and decadent Louisiana land orders by none other than Bernard de Marigny, a figure that was central to the evolution of this game and the birth of Craps as we know it today.

Received poorly by the gambling parlours patrons of the upper class, Hazard continued its journey across the continent, gaining popularity among players of the so-called “lower-class” and changing the name to Craps along the way, which is actually an incorrect pronunciation of the word crabs - a term now replaced with the phrase “snake eyes”

The basic rules and bet types in Craps

The rules of Craps are pretty straightforward although things may seem a bit tricky thanks to the table layout and the number of available bets. One glance at the Craps table is enough to intimidate any beginner but once you get the hang of it, playing will become as fun as a roller-coaster ride.

The game starts with the players placing their bets, followed by the initial dice roll, called the Come Out roll, which is performed by one of the players.. If the total of the two dices is 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12, the round is completed, whereas the dice roll that results in 4 to 6 or 8 to 10 totals (called the Point) will kick start the follow up dice rolls, until a number 7 or another Point number land the table.

There are plenty of bets to choose from in Craps, the most popular duo being Pass and Don’t Pass, which can be obligatory in some casinos. This means that the players are required to wager on these two bets before the Come Out roll. Pass bet wins on 7 and losses on 2, 3 and 12, while Don’t Pass wins on 2 and 3 and losses on 7 and 11 - the total of 12 will result in a tie.

Come and Don’t Come are quite similar to the two bets described above, except that they come after the Point value is rolled.

Next in line are Odds, further divided into Pass & Don’t Pass Line Odds and Come & Don’t Come Odds. Pass Line Odds bet wins on a Point value and loses on a 7, which is the opposite of Don’t Pass Line Odds. Come/Don’t Come Odds bets work in the exact same way, except that they are placed after the first roll has established the Point.

Place Win and Place Lose are another two wagers that the player submits later in the game, after the Come Out roll. The first option, Place Win covers the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, excluding the 7, which logically means that the bet will be lost if that particular number is rolled. Place Lose covers only the 7 and loses on all other numbers of the sequence.

Buy/Lay bets are more specific and by choosing one of them, the player will either wager that a specific number will be rolled before the total of 7 (Buy) or vice versa – that the roll will result in 7 (Lay). With Big 6 and Big 8 the players obviously wager on the totals 6 and 8, while the probability of landing a pair is covered by Hardways.

Field bet covers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and offers two different payout rates, 1:1 on 3, 4, 9, 10 & 11 and 2:1 on 2 & 12.

Finally, Proposition bets have the highest payouts and these include any 7, any 11, any Craps (2, 3, 12), Deuce (3), Aces (2) and Boxcar.

Where to play Craps

Literally everywhere, from Palazzo and Venetian in Las Vegas to the refined Lyon Vert in France. Of course, there is no need to travel across the world for a game of Craps as you can easily find an online casino that hosts a Live Dealer Craps table.

Free Craps Online

Crap is one of those games that everybody loves once they learn how to play it. With our free craps online version, learning the game is really easy. Much better to learn the game when there is no money at stake.

As well as free craps online, we have several other casino games too. Some of those are listed below. All of the free and no download required to play.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best bets in Craps in terms of house edge?

The Pass Line and Don't Pass bets carry a house edge of around 1.41% and 1.36% respectively, making them among the best value wagers in the casino. The Odds bet – placed behind the Pass or Don't Pass bet after the Point is established – has zero house edge, the only such bet in Craps. Proposition bets at the centre of the table carry the highest house edge and are generally avoided by experienced players.

Can I play Craps for real money online?

Yes, Craps is available for real money at online casinos worldwide, both in standard digital format and as a live dealer experience. The game requires no physical skill to throw the dice since the outcome is determined by a random number generator online. Playing the free version first is strongly recommended to become familiar with the many bet types before wagering real money.

How does the Come Out roll work in Craps?

The Come Out roll is the opening dice roll of each Craps round. A result of 7 or 11 is a natural – Pass bets win and Don't Pass bets lose. A result of 2, 3 or 12 is Craps – Pass bets lose, while Don't Pass bets win on 2 and 3 but push on 12. Any other result (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10) establishes the Point, and the shooter continues rolling until either the Point or a 7 comes up.

What is the difference between Pass and Don't Pass in Craps?

The Pass bet wins when the Come Out roll is 7 or 11, and loses on 2, 3 or 12. Once a Point is set, it wins if the Point is rolled again before a 7. The Don't Pass bet is essentially the opposite: it wins on 2 or 3 on the Come Out, pushes on 12, loses on 7 or 11, then wins if a 7 appears before the Point is repeated. Both carry similar low house edges.

What are Hardways in Craps?

Hardways are bets that a specific even number (4, 6, 8 or 10) will be rolled as a matching pair before it is rolled any other way or before a 7 appears. For example, Hard 8 wins only if two fours appear, but loses if the 8 comes as 5-3, 6-2 or if a 7 is rolled. Hardways pay higher odds than Pass bets but carry a significantly higher house edge.

Why is Craps considered one of the most exciting casino games?

Craps generates an electric atmosphere because multiple players can bet on the same dice outcome simultaneously, creating shared wins and collective excitement at the table. The variety of bets, the physical act of rolling the dice and the loud communal energy when a hot shooter is on a run make Craps one of the most social and theatrical experiences in any casino.