A Quick Guide on How to Quickly Get Started Playing Craps
Craps is one of the most exciting and social casino games in the pit. The game involves players taking it in turns to roll of two dice and betting on the outcomes. The game is famous for having a large number of complex bets, which may be intimidating to new players - so here you can find what you need to get started.
In this article on how to play Craps you are taken through the action of the two distinct rounds – the Come Out and the Points Round. This covers how each round works and how the key bets you are able to place during each. To finish up a couple more complex bets in the Points Round are looked at which can start adding more thrills your experience.
How to Play Craps - The Come Out Round
Craps is split into two connected betting rounds, the first being the ‘Come Out’. While online you are generally playing by yourself, in a live casino this is the first roll a player, or ‘shooter’ makes when they first receive the dice or after they win and end the previous round.
The main bet most players bet in the come out round is the ‘Pass Line’ bet. When the dice are rolled everyone who have bet the Pass Line win even money on a 7 or 11, known as a ‘Natural’ and the shooter makes another come out roll. Pass line bets lose when ‘Craps’ is rolled which is 2, 3 or 12 and this changes the shooter. Should any other number be rolled the game progresses into the ‘Points’ round and the shooter remains the same.
In the come out round there is always the option to bet on the opposite side which is the ‘Don’t Pass’. While these lose on a roll of 7 or 11 and win on a 2 or 3, if a 12 is rolled the bet is pushed, or returned to the player essentially as a tie.
The Points Round
If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 is rolled in the come out round, the game progresses to the ‘Points Round’ which is signified by the dealer placing an ‘On’ button by the number rolled. This number now becomes the ‘Point’ and in order for pass line bets to win even money this number must be rolled again. If a 7 is rolled the point is lost. For those who have taken the don’t pass bet, again the opposite occurs with a 7 resulting in a win and the point resulting in a loss.
Once the point is won or lost then the round ends and the game begins again at the come out round. When the shooter loses the point, in a live scenario the dice get passed to the next player, or if they win then they get to roll again.
Points Round Betting
The points round can generate a lot of excitement around the table and give you many chances to win. The first bet which you should take is called ‘Betting the Odds’ which increases your initial bet without giving up an edge to the house. The amount you can place here depends on table limits, which are displayed, although it is normally around 3x your initial bet. These are placed behind the pass line or don’t pass bets.
The other key bet is the ‘Come’ bet. This acts in exactly the same way as a pass line bet in the come out round, winning on a 7 or 11 and losing on a 2, 3 or 12. If another number is rolled this establishes another point, where you can bet the odds. If this point is rolled again before a 7 then you will win the bets placed here.
By continuing to place come bets you can cover multiple numbers and experience some fantastic winning streaks. This comes to an end however when all bets in play lose with a roll of 7, apart from any live come bets which win. Similar to the don’t pass bet you can always place a don’t come bet if you choose, which acts in an opposite way again.
In Summary – Craps Basics
Despite the intimidating look of the Craps table with multiple betting options, the game hinges on a handful of basic bets. These bets are also the ones that provide the lowest house edge for the casino so are beneficial for you to play.
Your main choice going to be which side to bet, the Pass Line or Don’t Pass. While they are basically the same there is a very slight advantage for you by going with the Don’t Pass, choosing the ‘Dark Side’ may cause tensions with other players if you are playing live.