Craps is a popular game, despite there not being too many variances on it available at casino sites. Here at Betnero UK, we have a handful of quality craps games, each of which allows you to experience immersive, enveloping and engaging craps gameplay. What if you’re new to the game, though? What you need is a how-to-play craps guide. That’s exactly what you’ve got right here.
We’re going to talk about craps tips and craps strategy, but we’re also going to go through craps for beginners in this guide, including how to set up bets and wager. Let’s start our craps betting guide by covering the basics, teaching you how to play.
The Basics of Craps: Rules and Gameplay
Craps is fundamentally one of several dice games you can find online. Craps rules are almost always the same, no matter which of its few variants you choose to play. The idea is that you’re betting that the shooter will or will not land specific numbers of combinations on the dice when rolled. You do not have to be the one to roll the dice to play craps; you’re just betting on the one who does. Let’s cover some of the basics next.
The Objective of the Dice Game
The goal is to predict the outcome of a pair of dice when rolled. Again, you don’t have to be the shooter (the one who rolls the dice). You simply need to bet on what will or won’t emerge on them.
Craps Table Layout
The craps table is all-encompassing. It features the many types of bets you can wager and is rimmed, so the dice don’t roll off. This is because the dice are rolled on the game mat or table. Therefore, everything you need to bet and potentially win on craps is already displayed on the digital table in front of you. Keep parts of this table, including the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line. You’ll also see Odds, Numbers, Come and Don’t Come, and we’ll touch on those in our betting section in a moment.
Gameplay Flow
The shooter rolls the dice. You, as a bettor, are simply wagering on what happens. There are various phases in the game. For instance, Craps always begins with one or more Come Out Rolls. If the shooter craps out (2, 3, or 12) or lands a Natural (7 or 11), bets are paid out based on how you wagered. If 4, 5, a 6, 8, 9 or a 10 is landed, the point number has been established.
In phase two, craps bettors are looking to wager on whether the shooter will land the established point number before a seven is rolled. Again, you’ll either win or lose based on the outcome of the shooter’s dice. Phase two also includes the introduction of a variety of proposition, odds, and place bets, and we’ll talk about those next.
Types of Craps Bets
There are generally five types of bets you need to be familiar with to play craps online. Put these to your memory, as you’ll need them. They include:
- Pass Line and Don’t Pass Bets: The opening bets consist of Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets. A Pass-Line bet will win, and Don’t Pass bets will lose if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 (a natural). Pass-Line bets lose, and Don’t Pass bets win if the online craps shooter rolls a 2 or a 3 and ties (even money) on a 12. Any other number will become “the point number”. Pass Line bets must hit the point number before a 7 to win. Don’t Pass Line bets must hit a 7 before the point is rolled.
Either way, the dice will continue to be rolled until a point number is established. This is where a host of new bets come into the mix.
- Come and Don’t Come Bets: The shooter is trying to repeat the point number before landing a 7. If you place a Come Bet in this second phase, you’ll win on a 7 or 11 and lose on 2s, 3s or 12s. If any other number lands, it becomes your Come Point, and if it appears before the shooter rolls a seven. Don’t Come bets win if 2s or 3s are rolled, tie on 12s, and lose on 7s or 11s. If any other number lands, it becomes the Come Point, and you’ll need the shooter to roll a seven before the point to win.
- Odds Bets: When a point number has been established, you can take the odds. You can bet on specific point numbers.
- Place Bets: Place bets involve betting on specific numbers to appear before the shooter rolls a seven.
- Proposition Bets: Props are based on a single roll of the die. You’re betting on the outcome of the next roll, essentially. Bets include Any Craps (2s, 3s or 12s), Aces (2), Ace-Deuce (3), 7, 11 or 12.
More advanced players can also take advantage of a few other options. These include Hardaways (pairs), Hop bets (a specific combo appearing on the dice), and Field bets. The latter wins 1:1 on 3s, 4s, 9s, 10s, and 11s, 2:1 on 2s, 3:1 on 12s, and loses on 5 through 8.
Craps Guide for Beginners
Betnero UK players who are new to craps want to take things easy. Craps is a UK gambling game with many different types of bets, but they are all somewhat similar, with only subtle changes required to land a win or lose. Therefore, take note of the following instructions to help you get started:
1 – Start with Simple Bets
Try to stick to the Passline and Odds Bets. These have relatively low risks associated with them compared to other bets. Your odds of landing Passline bets are decent compared to other options, and at least with Odds, you’ll be able to gauge the probability of success before betting.
2 – Understand Table Etiquette
If you decide to play live craps at Betnero UK, we have some advice for good table etiquette. Firstly, you need to understand the terminology so you aren’t left out. Craps has lots of vocabulary to learn. For instance, did you know that you’re not “supposed to say seven”? Never lose your patience or become frustrated with the shooter if you lose your bet. Try to avoid making late bets, too, as this tends to rub both other players and live dealers the wrong way if you do it regularly.
3 – Practice First Person Craps
Before you dive straight into the live casino experience with First-Person Craps, we recommend playing in a more peaceful, less stressful environment. After signing into Betnero UK, you can play our online craps table games for demos. This will allow you to practice craps and hone your craps skills before you head to the tables with real money bets.
Advanced Craps Strategies
As you play more regularly and get better at craps, you may find yourself eager for strategies and advice tailored towards more experienced players. While there are no such things as guaranteed winning craps strategies, there is definitely the odd thing you can add to your craps strategy to make yourself a better player at Betnero. Here are three things to consider:
1 – Dice Setting and Control
Not that this one will do you much good when playing at Betnero, but it is a skill you can take to the real craps tables in land-based casinos. Known as Dice Setting, this skill involves “setting” the dice and quickly chucking them down the table. Also known as craps Dice Control, the idea here is that the shooter can control the outcome. While there is a small dedicated community claiming to be able to do so, the concept requires so much control and precision that few believe it can really be done.
2 – Bankroll Management
Bankroll management is certainly something you can do when playing with Betnero UK. In fact, we’d encourage you to do so, as it is part of gambling responsibly at our casino. We encourage you to use our responsible gambling tools to set deposit and wager limits. When you do decide to sit at the table, keep your bets organised and structured. Don’t go in over your head. Also, check the table limits before playing, as you don’t want to end up at a high-limits table by accident.
3 – Combination Betting
Also known as “hopping”, this involves betting on multiple bets (see our line on hops bets above) on specific combinations, effectively allowing you to cover risks. Another way to cover your risks is to place selected odds and Pass Line bets. There are other examples out there, and the amount you can reduce risk in your betting strategy depends on the types of bets you wager.
Online Craps and Craps First-Person at Betnero
Betnero UK is one of the few casinos that provides you with a guide to playing online craps and Craps: First-Person. We want you to be successful and to help this legendary land-based casino game become ever more popular with UK players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I make a Pass Line bet?
You need to place a Pass Line bet before the Come Out Roll. Place your chips on the Pass Line bet marker. If a 7 or 11 is rolled, the Pass Line bet wins. If another number (aside from 2, 3 or 12) lands, then the game moves onto the point phase.
Is craps the only dice game in online casinos?
Absolutely not. We’ve chosen to focus on this game in our how-to-play craps guide because it is a casino classic. However, you can also expect to play Sic Bo, amongst others. Most of these games can be played as RNG/online games or live dealer releases, such as Live Dice or Lightning Dice.
What is the house edge in craps?
That will ultimately depend on the craps game you choose to play. In most craps games, house edges are based “per bet”. For instance, Pass Line bets have a house edge of 1.41%, while Don’t Pass bets are set to 1.36%.
Can I play craps on my mobile at Betnero?
Absolutely. All our online casino and live dealer games are optimised to run well on mobile devices. Just first up Craps First-Person or an online craps game at our site on your mobile phone or tablet to get started.
“Betting is strictly for players aged 18 and over. Please gamble responsibly. For support and more information, visit BeGambleAware.org.”