Craps Tutorial

The game of craps is easily identified at any casino because of the supposed rowdiness and noise come from the direction of the craps table. In fact, craps is very unique game with strict rules and etiquette part and parcel of the overall experience. Craps is a simple game, played with two dice on a custom-built table, however it is important for new players to learn the different kinds of bets before attempting the game.

Craps is sometimes played in the street and is less formal than the traditional casino craps. A third version of the game is played at online casinos. The rules of the game do not vary much between these three versions, although the style of play certainly does. Players will sometimes learn to play the game online and familiarize themselves with the different bets and rules before attempting the game at an offline casino. This is an excellent way to get to know how to play craps without unnecessary pressure on one’s bankroll.

It is generally accepted that craps is a spinoff of two very popular games of yesteryear – the English game called Hazard and the French game known as Crabes. It is thought that in 1124 AD, Sir William Tyre and his knights, while laying siege to the castle of Hazarth, invented a game. The game came to be known as Hazard as a play on the name of the castle. The game spread in popularity amongst the English population and various references can be found in texts dating from the Middle Ages, such as in the works by Geoffrey Chaucer.

The popularity of the game also spread to the English nobility in the 1600 and 1700s, who – in turn – introduced Hazard to French nobility. The French renamed the game Crabes and it soon immigrated across the oceans with the first settlers to the settlement of Acadia in the 1700s. It is also thought that the English settlers on the Mayflower also brought their own version of the game to American shores and the game was played in slightly different formats along the country’s coastline for many years. The African-Americans also had a hand in spreading the game across the country on the Mississippi river boats of the time.

The American John H. Winn is attributed with creating the ground rules for modern day craps. In 1907, Winn introduced new features to the game such as “Don’t Pass Bets” and his version of the game is still played in casinos today. The popularity of the game continued to gain momentum throughout the decades and became a firm favorite in casinos in the gambling capitals of the world such as Las Vegas. Today, craps is also found at online casino sites. Everything except the buzzing social vibe found around a live craps table, has been duplicated for the internet version of the game. A great advantage of online craps is that players can really get to know the game and benefit from the free software and tutorials to slowly improve their game.

Ace: The player bets that the next roll will be a 2.

Any Craps: The player bets that the next roll will be a 2, 3, or 12.

Any Seven: The player bets that the next roll will be a 7.

Back Line: The Don’t Pass line.

Betting Right: The player bets that next roll will win on Pass Line and Come bets.

Betting Wrong: The player bets that the next roll will not win on Pass Line and Come bets.

Big Eight: The player bets that an eight will be thrown before a seven is thrown.

Big Six: The player bets that a six will be thrown before a seven is thrown.

Bones: Another name for the dice in a craps game.

Buffalo: A bet placed on Any Seven and the Hardway.

Buy Bet: The player gives the house 5% commission to get paid the correct odds for a place bet.

C and E Bet: The following roll will be 2, 3, 12 or 11.

Crap: The numbers 2, 3, and 12 in a craps game.

Crap Out: If the numbers 2, 3 or 12 are thrown on the first roll.

Easy Way: When the dice rolls a 4, 6, 8 or 10.

Field Bet: The player bets that the next roll will be 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12.

Front Line: Another name for the Pass Line.

Hard Way: The player bets that the numbers 4, 6, 8 or 10 will be thrown next as doubles.

Hi-Lo: The player bets that the next roll will be 2 or 12.

Horn Bet: The player bets that the next roll be 2, 3, 11 or 12 (in multiples of four, made up with one each of these numbers).

Lay Bet: The player bets that the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 won’t be thrown before a 7 on the next throw.

Line Bet: The player bets on the Don’t Pass or the Pass Line.

Little Joe: A pair of twos in craps.

Midnight: A bet on the number 12.

Natural: The player bets that 7 or 11 will appear on the Come Out roll.

Outside Numbers: 4, 5, 9, 10

Parley: The raise of a bet.

Pass Line Bet: The player bets that the dice will win or pass.

Place Bet: The player bets that a place number will appear before the seven comes out.

Place Numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10.

Point Number: Established on the Come Out roll.

Snake Eyes: The roll of a two.

Three Way Craps: Players make a bet in units of 3.

Working: Risky bets on the next throw.

Yo: Number 11 in craps.

[ Continue to Final Part of this Craps Guide ]