BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO CRAPS

A Quick History of Craps

Many gaming historians believe the game of craps developed out of an old English dice game (Hazard) that French settlers brought to New Orleans with them in the early 1800s. It evolved into a street game in America, played on pavements and back streets, before casinos codified the rules.

Craps is a casino floor favourite today and nowhere is this more evident than in Las Vegas, where cheers and shouts will often be heard around the craps tables. Digital and live dealer versions are available at online casinos as well, to bring the excitement to your screen.

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How Craps Works (Game Flow)

Two six-sided dice are used in the game of craps. Players wager on the roll,or a series of rolls made by the shooter.

Step 1: Come-Out Roll

·     The come-out roll begins the game.

·     If the shooter throws 7 or 11: Pass Line bets are winners.

·     Shooter rolls 2, 3, or 12: Pass Line bets lose (called craps).

·     Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes the point.

Step 2: The Point Phase

·     Once a point is established, the shooter continues to roll.

·     If the point number is rolled again before a 7, Pass Line bets win. (seven out).

·     If a 7 is rolled before the point number, Pass Line bets lose. (seven out).

That’s the whole game flow! Everything else is just variations of these bets.

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Beginner-Friendly Bets

Pass Line Bet (The Core Bet)

Put your chip on the Pass Line, if you do so before the come-out roll.

·     Wins on 7 or 11. Loses on 2, 3, or 12.

·     Point is on, wins if point is rolled before a 7.

·     House edge: about 1.41%.

It is the most beginner-friendly place to make your first bet.

Don’t Pass Bet (The opposite of the other bet)

·     Win if the come-out roll is 2 or 3.

·     Push (tie) on 12.

·     Loses on 7 or 11.

·     After a point is established, wins if a 7 is thrown before the point.

·     House edge: about1.36%.

Odds Bet (best bet in the Casino)

After a point has been established, you can place an Odds Bet behind your Pass or Don’t Pass bet.

·     This wager has a house edge of zero, and it is paid at true odds.

·     Example: If the point is 6, the odds pay 6:5. Ifit’s 4, odds pay 2:1.

·     If you can afford it, always take Odds Bets.

Come Bet (Like a New Pass Line)

Functions exactly the same way as a Pass Line bet, but after a point is established.

·     Establishes its own mini-point.

Don’t Come Bet

·     Just like Don’t Pass, but laid after the point is established.

Other Bets (Beginner Warning)

·     Field Bet: One-roll bet on 2, 3, 4, 9,10, 11, or 12. tempting, but the house edge is bigger.

·     Place Bets: Bet that a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or10 will come up before 7.

·     Proposition Bets (centre of the table):These are one-roll bets (for example, Snake Eyes and Yo-11). Fun, but terrible odds. Beginners should avoid.

Craps Odds & House Edge (simplified view)

·     Pass Line: 1.41%

·     Don’t Pass: 1.36%

·     Come/Don’t Come: Same as above

·     Odds: 0% (true odds)

·     Field: 2.7–5.5% depending on payouts

·     Proposition bets: Up to 16%

Best long-term play? Properly stick to Pass Line + Odds.