How to Play Craps Online – Craps Rules & Guide for Beginners

Learning how to play craps online is easy if you have a simple grasp of the rules. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know to get started with online craps. We even have some tips on basic online craps betting strategies.

What is Craps? How the Game Works

Craps is a basic dice game that can be played online or at a land-based casino. Where you choose to learn how to play craps isn’t as important as doing it the right way. This involves familiarizing yourself with the sequence of play, the betting table, and the odds.

Let’s look at the playing sequence first. To get the game going “the shooter” must make the “come-out roll.” When you play at online casinos, this duty falls on the random number generators, similar to online slots.

Because craps is a communal game, players can bet on the same section and win or lose together. The most popular bet in craps is the Pass Line bet. This bet wins if the come-out roll is either a 7 or 11 and pays out even money.

However, if the outcome is a 2, 3, or 12, you lose. All other dice totals become a “Point” on the craps table. When betting on a point, you will win if the same number (the point) is rolled again before a 7 comes up.

There are many other bets you can make at this stage, such as Odds, Field, Come, or Don’t Come. You must understand these bets before you play because they determine the house edge and the odds you are dealing with.

The craps betting table is divided into sections, each representing a type of bet that you can make. Most players are very familiar with the Pass Line bet and that it pays even money (1/1) when you win.

However, the biggest payouts in online craps come from prop bets that can win you up to 30x your wager. However, we will show you why you must stay away from these bets.

How to Play Craps Online

Let’s examine how to play casino craps online. Remember that online casinos always have instructions and helpful tips on how to play craps for beginners.

1. Pick a Casino

Select a casino that has virtual and live craps online variants, as well as free-play games that you can use to practice. In addition, the best craps casino must offer a worthwhile welcome bonus that you can use when you are ready to play for real money

2. Open a Casino Account

Enter your details and register a new account. For registration, online casinos usually require your full name and email address.

3. Select a Craps Game

Choose a craps game that you want to play. Some online gambling sites will offer a demo version that you can use to familiarize yourself with the game. Utilize this free-play feature and only play for real money when you are completely comfortable with the craps rules.

4. Place your Wager

Select the coin value and click on your preferred wager on the craps table. There are a range of minimum and maximum bets which are displayed on the table graphic.

5. Throw the Dice

Click on the dice symbol on the craps table to take your first throw.

6. Set the Point

The point value depends on the outcome of your throws. If the first total is anything other than 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12, you will have to set a point. Once a point has been set, a marker is placed at the corresponding point in the center of the table.

7. Placing Your Next Bets

You can now make your next bets. These can be the Come or Don’t Come, but the best craps bet you can make are the Odds bets. We will explain why in the following sections.

8. Set the New Point

Throw the dice again to establish another point on the betting table. As long as you don’t throw a 7, you can cover more place numbers on the craps table to increase your chances of winning.

Types of Craps Bets & House Edge

When learning how to play craps online, you must understand that bets come in two types: single-roll and multi-roll. Single-roll bets are active for one dice roll, while multi-roll bets remain valid until a player wins or loses the bet.

Single-roll bets include Field bets, which involve wagering on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12, and prop bets, which focus on specific numbers.

Multi-roll bets, on the other hand, continue until a winning or losing condition is met. Point bets are a good example of multi-roll bets, as they remain valid until the point or 7 is rolled.

Single-Roll Bets

Multi-Roll Bets

Best Bets in Craps

We’ll begin our free tips on how to play craps with a list of the best bets to make. Here are some low-house-edge bets with favorable odds to point you in the right direction.

Pass Line

The Pass Line bet has a house edge of 1.41% and pays even money. You win if you roll a 7 or 11, and lose if the throw is 2, 3, or 12. Everything else becomes a “Point” number.

Don’t Pass Line

Here you win if the shooter rolls a 2 or a 3, and lose if the result is a 7 or 11. The Don’t Pass Line bet is almost exactly the opposite of the Pass Line bet. But rolling 12 results in a tie. All other outcomes create “Points.”

Odds Bets

Odds bets are the closest you will come to true odds playing craps in a casino: they have almost zero house edge. These include Odds bets on the Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Don’t Come, and Come.

Place Bets

You make place bets only when a Point has been determined. These bets are made on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. The wager wins if you roll any of the mentioned numbers before a 7 comes up.

Come and Don’t Come Bets

If you are familiar with the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets, you will have no issues with Come and Don’t Come. They work the same, even the payouts and house edges are similar. The only difference is that Come and Don’t Come bets are made after a point has been established, and the betting section is at the center of the table.

Worst Craps Bets

Now you know how to play craps and which bets to make, what about what you need to avoid? We’ve got you covered with some of the lousiest online craps wagers to make.

Any 7

Arguably one of the worst bets in craps, the Any 7 is a single-roll bet where you win only by rolling a 7. This bet has a massive 16.67% house edge and pays out just 4/1.

Betting on 2

This bet is another long shot that is best avoided. The chance of this bet penning out is 35/1 but it only pays 30/1 if you roll a 2. Betting on 2 has a 13.89% house edge, which makes it one of the worst bets you can make at the craps table.

Betting on 12

This is an exciting way to win; hitting the double six and walking away with massive wins. But betting on 12 is just as bad as betting on 2. You have dismal odds of rolling a 12 and contend with a massive 13.89% house edge.

Playing Live Craps

There is something about playing on the casino floor that just makes live craps more exciting. The action is wild and there is a thrill of joining fellow players at the craps table when the dice fall the right way.

You should understand that there are some differences between live craps and RNG craps. For instance, in live craps, there is a designated shooter, and this role rotates clockwise as the game progresses. In online craps, however, you are always in control of the dice: simply place your wagers and roll the dice.

Live Craps vs Online Craps

Play Free Craps Games

The best online casinos always have free craps games that you can check out. There’s zero risk to your bankroll, plus you get to learn the rules and best bets to make. It’s just like learning online roulette strategies for free.

Many top casinos have virtual and live craps online games in their lobby. In free-play RNG games, you can log in and play with site credits for fun. You’re ready to go with real-money craps online when you’re comfortable with the rules and wagers. Here are some of the best free craps games you can play today.

5 Best Online Craps Strategies

Here are some free craps tips and strategies to help you learn how to play craps and get the most out of your online experience.

#1 Know How to Play Craps Before You Start

There are different types of craps bets available that can affect how you play. Do some research and understand how the craps table works before you hit the casino. You can also read up on our full online casino game guides.

#2 Bet the Pass Line

The Pass Line craps strategy is one of the easiest to learn. You bet with the shooter and the winning bet is a 7 or 11 on the Come Out roll. This bet pays even-money (1:1) and carries a low house edge of only 1.41%.

#3 Bet the Don’t Pass Line

Known as part of “dark side strategies” at the craps table, the Don’t Pass Line bet is wagered against the shooter. Here you’ll want either a 2 or a 3 to Come Out before a 7 or 11. All bets are a push if a 12 is rolled.

#4 Make Use of the 6/8 Wager

Besides the number 7, the numbers 6 and 8 have greater odds of being rolled. The 6/8 is a progression betting strategy that dictates that you must make a place bet on 6 and 8. The bet wins when these numbers are rolled and you must then pull the winnings and take the same bet. If it loses, double your wager and retake the bet.

#5 Know When to “Press And Pull”

You don’t want to be using your money to place bets if you can help it. The ‘press and pull’ strategy says that you press your bets when a point bet lands, and only pull after the fourth visit. This means the bulk of the money you are using to press comes from winnings only.

Money Management in Craps Online

Now that you have a set of viable strategies under your belt, it’s time to consider how to manage your bankroll. Whether you are playing blackjack, slots, or casino card games, manage your bets wisely. Here are 5 quick tips to get you started at the craps table.

#1 Set Limits

Craps is a fast-paced, highly exciting casino game. However, make sure you don’t spend more than you can afford. Start by setting bet and session limits at the craps table, then stick to them, whether you are a high roller or not.

#2 Have a Goal in Mind

You have an idea of what a successful betting session looks like before you start playing. This may be a set amount of money that you know you are happy with if you reach it in winnings. Stick to this goal when you reach it.

#3 Play Only With What You Can Afford to Lose

Set aside money that you can comfortably spend on craps. This is the total budget available for online games and if you reach this amount, stop.

#4 Review Your Plan if Needed

It is not enough just to have a plan, you must review it periodically to ensure that it still meets your overall goals. This might mean setting lower limits for yourself to minimize losses.

#5 Learn When to Step Back

After a win or lose, it is important to practice responsible gambling. Craps is a game of chance and at times luck is just not on your side.

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