Craps Tutorial

Players wager on the outcome of two dice that are played on a special craps table that has a unique layout.

The players play against the house.

In traditional craps, there are usually four attendants around the table – the boxman (who handles the chips); two base dealers (who accept bets on both sides of the table); and the stickman (who declares the outcome of the roll).

The dice are rolled in turn. The roller is called the shooter and this task is passed on to the next player when the dice turn up certain numbers.

Before the shooter rolls the dice, the players make a prediction on the outcome of the next throw.

Bets can be made for one throw or for a series of throws.

Winning predictions are paid out according to the casino’s payout table.

When do the dice pass onto the next player who becomes the shooter?

Each roll of the dice begins with what is known as a come out roll. If the come out roll appears as 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12 then the round ends although the shooter still does not change over. If numbers other than these appear, then those numbers become what is known as the Point in the game. Rolling continues until either the point or a seven is thrown. The round ends if a seven is thrown, although the shooter still remains with his task. The shooter only hands over the job to the person on his left when he throws a seven. This is known as a seven out. When the new shooter takes the position, he is offered five dice to choose from and the chance to test them by bouncing them off the wall, to avoid the introduction of rigged dice into the game.

There is wide variety of ways in which players can bet around the craps table. Getting familiar with the different bets can take time and practice, but it is worth it in the end to enjoy craps to its fullest.

Generally, betting in craps is twofold. Players either bet on the immediate outcome of the next roll, or they bet over a series of rolls.

The Ace Deuce bet, for example, has players betting that the next roll will result in a 3 being thrown, while a Craps bet has players betting on 2, 3 or 12. Another bet in this category would be the Yo bet which predicts an 11 being thrown.

The second kind of bet involves betting on the outcome of a series of throws and these bets are usually placed before the first throw of the dice. If players bet on the Pass Line, they are essentially saying that a 7 or 11 will not appear in the come out roll. However, if craps numbers appear in the come out roll, players will lose on this bet.

Despite the rowdiness and appearance of haphazardness around a craps table, it is well known that playing craps requires a strict sense of etiquette and respect for other players. The following rules should be applied at all times:

The dice should be handled with one hand only.

The dice should be thrown so that they bounce off the wall on the far side of the table.

Dice should never be thrown above eye level.

Avoid non-throwing areas on the craps table.

Playing online craps does not mean that players can hide behind the anonymity of the internet and act rudely. Courtesy and politeness should be shown to fellow casino players at all times and chat features should never be abused with spamming, insults or cursing.

Because craps is a game that is played against the outcome of the dice, there does not exist a strategy that can change what numbers the dice land on. However, players can take a number of steps to make their playing more worthwhile in the long run.

Establish a pattern of play and try to adhere to it over time. This will help your odds of winning.

To make your bankroll last longer, try to stick to the more basic bets (Don’t Pass/Pass and Come/Don’t Come).

Raise your bets steadily as you win, but remember to lower them when you are on a losing streak.

The two best bets in the game are the Line Bet and the 6 or 8. They have a house edge of less than 1.5 %, making them an excellent choice for players.

Bets in the center of the layout come with a whopping 16% house edge. You’d be wise to avoid them in you were watching the state of your bankroll!

Avoid tables with high minimum wagers if you can’t afford them.

Craps is an exciting game and can be even more exciting if played in tournament form. Craps tournaments are a great way to meet new friends and practice your game, while standing in line to win some great cash prizes. Although the basic rules of these tournaments are similar to traditional craps, there are certain differences that should be kept in mind:

Tournaments come with prizes at the end. Some tournaments, such as the buy-in kind require that players pay an entry fee and this is pooled to make up the prize money. Free craps tournaments have a guaranteed sum at the end, usually put up by the casino.

Read the terms and conditions. Some tournaments may give the impression that they are free but the small print may state otherwise.

Ditto for the rules. It is essential to understand the rules of every individual tournament entered. Do not assume that all tournaments are the same.

Players have the responsibility of checking out certain information such as the reliability of the online site (if the tournament is being played on the internet) as well as the number of participants. A high number may bring down your chances of winning.

Remember that you are playing against other opponents and NOT against the house. In this case, the success of other players becomes the main factor of the tournament. It is important to keep tabs on them and plan accordingly.