How to play Craps Online

The fast-paced game of Craps draws a great deal of attention on the casino floor as shouts of congratulations ring out as winners cheer one another on in their bid to beat the house.

With lingo that gives the game a unique edge and the Stickman calling out plays and setting the pace, newcomers find themselves drawn to this oval table like a moth to a flame as they try to make sense of the rules.

Learning how to play Craps Online is very easy and, once you know the rules, players of all ages can give the game a try at a land-based casino or online if preferred. Putting these skills into practice online offers the opportunity to play the game in the comfort and convenience of your own home.

Once you feel confident about playing Craps online, joining a table at a live casino or real-life casino will make it much easier to navigate the lingo as you place bets and play this game that can see as many as 100 decisions per hour. Here we uncover everything you need to know so that the next time you visit a land-based casino or give the game a try online, you will have a solid grasp on how to play and win.

How to play craps online – the basics

A craps table with dice and chips in the foreground, with the caption "How to Play Craps Online".

To play craps online, begin with a “Pass Line Bet” where you bet on rolling and winning on a 7 or 11 and losing on 2, 3, or 12. Alternatively, a “Don’t Pass Bet” wins on rolling a 2 or 3, ties on 12, and loses on 7 or 11. If the come-out roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the “Point Number,” and the aim is to roll it again before a 7. “Come Bets” can be placed after the point is established, similar to Pass Line Bets but for subsequent rolls, winning on 7 or 11 and losing on 2, 3, or 12. Enhance bets with an “Odds Bet,” which has no house edge, placed behind Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come bets. Playing craps online is a game of chance, aiming to roll certain numbers to win.

Played using 2 dice that have squared off edges, the game of craps online is considered to be an English variation of the game Hazard which can be traced back to the early 1800s. The squared-off edges are considered to be a vital part of the game as the cubes are manufactured with a tolerance of 1/10,000th of an inch.

Philadelphia-based John H Winn designed a table layout to include the Pass/No Pass Bets which offers an incentive for casinos to play fair. This bathtub shaped table is available in a wide range of sizes where the larger tables can hold as many as 22 spaces for bets to be placed. Full-sized Craps tables at busier land-based casinos tend to host between 18 and 20 people per game.

What bets can I place when playing craps?

When playing craps, you can place bets such as:

Field Bet

Similar to the bets that can be made at a Roulette table, the Field bet is a combination-type bet that covers some Place numbers, and other numbers not covered by the Point or Place bets. The Field bet pays double on a 2 and 12 and covers 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11

Come Bet

A Come bet is placed if you have missed the come-out roll. The next roll will count as a come-out roll for that bet, and will therefore move your bet to whichever number is “your” Point.

Don’t Come Bet

As long as the Dealer’s marker is in the “On” position, you can place Don’t Come bet which also works as Don’t Pass bets.

Hardline Bet

Hardline bets are similar to side bets in Blackjack. By betting that the dice will land with duplicate numbers like two 2’s or two 6’s, these bets are placed and kept active on the table until they win.

As you approach the table that can host as many as 22 bettors, the felt is marked with specific areas where bets can be placed.

Who are the characters at the craps table?

Larger Craps tables at brick and mortar casinos have between 2 and 4 dealers hosting at one table. The Boxman sits at the centre of the table and moves cash received by the dealers into the dropbox.

The Stickman is positioned opposite the Boxman and pushes the dice to the Shooter of that round. He is also responsible for calling the bets and setting the pace of the game as he encourages players to place their bets before the next roll of the dice.

In land-based Craps games, the Shooter who takes his or her turn to rolls the dice. A role that is rotated throughout each round, players have a choice as to whether they would like to take their turn. In the simpler online version, you automatically take on the role of the Shooter as you click the necessary buttons to play each hand.

Can I play craps online?

You can play Craps Online at reputable online casinos which are simple and very easy to understand. Simply click on your preferred spot and let the random number generator do the rest. Live Casino Craps is the perfect middle ground as you get to experience all the excitement and ambience while still enjoying the game from the comfort of your own home.

Speed is the key to the game and players need to stay on their toes to keep pace with the game, more so in the real-life casino environment. As with Roulette, you are able to place bets on multiple areas of the table and, as the roll of the dice lands randomly, this is the ultimate game of chance.

A quick look at playing craps online

The game begins with a Come Out Roll where the Shooter places their bets. Should they roll a 7, they win. When placing a Pass Bet, players hope to win by having the dice land on 7 or 11.

Landing on 2, 3 or 12 leads to Craps. Any other number becomes The Point.

Maintaining a strong etiquette is expected while playing Craps Online. Players wishing to place bets on number 7 are required to use the term, “Big Red” instead of verbalizing the number is highly respected.

The Point is the number that will need to be rolled again in order for the Shooter to win even money. Dice valued at 7 turns the table on its head once the Point has been established.

How to play live dealer craps online

A craps table with a croupier looking at a screen on the left and a player looking at a croupier on screen on the right accompanied by an online chat interface.

To play live dealer craps online, a bet placed by The Shooter on the “Don’t Pass” line sets the game in motion. All other players are invited to place the same bet, or bet against them should they feel so inclined. As they roll the dice for the first time or make the Come Out Roll, it is important that both dice hit the back wall of the table.

If you have placed a bet on the Pass Line, and the dice lands on 7, or 11, you will receive double the winnings.

In the event the dice lands on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 or 11, the Point is set and bets can be placed. Essentially, players predict which number will land before the next 7 is rolled.

Bets can be placed at any time after the Come Out Roll and stakes can be adjusted with the roll of each dice.

Live dealer Craps brings all the excitement and high energy to the comfort and safety of your own home. As the action is streamed in real-time by means of high definition cameras, you can watch the roll of the dice from a few angles once you have placed your bets.

Online craps gives you a wide range of betting options and a very easy way to manage your bankroll. Join high stakes games should you feel comfortable to do so but enjoy a similar camaraderie at more budget-friendly options too.

What are the betting odds of craps online?

The betting odds of craps online are Place Bets and Odds Bets which have a similar house edge, dependent on the number selected for the bet:

  • Place bets on numbers 6 and 8 for a payout of 7:6 has a house edge of 1.52%
  • Place bets on numbers 5 and 9 for a payout of 7:5 has a house edge of 00%
  • Place bets on numbers 4 and 9 for a payout of 9:5 has a house edge of 6.67%

“Don’t Pass” Bet

Has a house edge of 1.36% and relies on the Come Out Roll to total 12 which leads to a Push.

“Come” Bet

This betting position has a house edge of 1.41% and can be made at any time except during the Come Out Roll.

“Don’t Come” Bet

When placed together with an Odds Bet, this combination has a house edge of 1.36%.

“Field” Bet

The most lucrative of all the betting options as long as the dice lands on any number except those between a 5 and 9, this bet has a house edge of around 2,27 – 5.56% if the dice lands on a 12.

Now that you know which betting option will yield the best results, you are fully equipped to place bets and win while playing Craps.

What do I need to know about playing craps?

Step 1 – Know the rules – Understanding where you place your bets and how that will impact on the outcome will go a long way to make the game an enjoyable one.

Step 2 – Place your bets – Using the rules you have learned, use a bit of strategy to place bets on more than one area to ensure you have a greater chance at winning. As each bet requires its own stake, managing your bankroll carefully will ensure the game stays within your budget limits.

Step 3 – Roll the dice and hope for the best – Craps is a game of chance so it is up to Lady Luck to decide on whether you win.

The Rules

The rules of craps are simple. With the single dealer and the random number generator, all you need to do is place your bets and let the outcome of the dice add winnings to your balance. Online casino software game providers have made the online game of Craps as simple and easy as playing the Pokies.

Whether live casino is your preferred format or standard games are more your forte, the rules of online craps couldn’t be easier to understand.

Strategic Plays

A light bulb lit on a craps table in a casino.

Even though Craps is a game of chance, there are certain strategies that have been established by experts with years of experience. While the strategies are excellent guidelines of what to do in a number of situations, the roll of the dice will ultimately decide on whether or not they will bear the expected results. Here are 5 strategic plays to try out:

The Iron Cross

If the Point is 5, 6 or 8, place a Field Bet. When you then place bets on numbers not covered by the Field Bet or the Point, you will win as long as the dice doesn’t land on 7.

3 Point Molly

Once the Point is established, place 2 Come Bets on 2 numbers you think are likely to come up on the next roll of the dice. Should one of those numbers win, move your bet to another number and continue this trend as needed.

Inside 22

Place Inside Bets on the numbers 5, 6, 8 and 9. Win if the dice lands on any of those numbers.

Playing the Don’t Pass Line

By placing bets on the Don’t Pass Line, there is a chance for you to win while everyone else loses. There is a lower house edge here which means there is a greater opportunity for a win.

Stacking the Pass Line

During the Come Out Roll, this is a great place to start winning while you wait for the Point to be revealed. Use this opportunity to make a wise decision about how much to wager and start the game off on the right foot.

These strategies will make for an exciting game where wins are possible with strategic betting and intelligent choices.

Practice is the only way to become more comfortable with the game so why not try a demo game or two to try out these skills? Once you have gained more confidence, playing Craps for real money will give you the chance to win real money as you place bets from as little as $1 while honing your skills.