How to Play Craps Online: Basic Strategy

Psychoanalysts tell us that part of the temptation to gamble is that it mirrors the uncertainty we experience in life and resolves it. When it comes to playing craps, you don’t have to wait very long to figure out this dilemma since it involves chucking a pair of dice on the craps table. In this simple way, craps promises you one of the most exciting and intense casino experiences.

Newbie, eh?

On the face of it craps may look complicated but don’t worry, it's actually quite straightforward. All you need to bring to the table is a few key pointers. Once you get the hang of the basic strategy you are good to go. Craps offers some of the best bets with the lowest house edge! And that’s not all; it has the only bet with zero house edge when it comes to online casinos.

Now that you’re stirred up, let’s cut to the chase.

The Setup:

In a land based casino, Craps is played on a purpose built table made of felt with a diagram showing the possible bets that can be placed. The ends of the table are usually mirror images of each other, which accommodates up to eight players on each side of the table. Each of them takes their turn, clockwise, as the shooter. Online, you will see the same kind of design, but without the other players.

Entering the Game:

On the table you’ll find a craps “puck”. This acts as a marker to let you know if a game is going on. An active game will be marked by the white side up (ON). If the craps puck is showing the black side (OFF), that gives you the signal to enter a game. Next, you put out your money in cash and buy some chips. Put your chips on the rack, and put only those chips on the table that you’re betting on.

Handling the Dice:

In a real casino, at the beginning of the game, the shooter is presented with multiple dice by the stickman in order to choose a pair.

• When handling the dice, the shooter cannot pick up the dice with both hands.
• You are generally asked to pick up the pair with one hand and shoot.
• Also, do not take the dice off the table since it raises suspicion that the dice are being tampered with.
• The rule is that the dice have to hit the back wall of the table when you “shoot”.
• There are people who believe with some practice, you can improve your chances of rolling the numbers you want.

Playing the Game:

All this etiquette and conjecture is interesting, but of no concern to the online player. One of the benefits to playing craps online is faster game play on demand without the other players getting in the way! So without further ado, here is how to play:

The game of craps is played with two dice so the possible outcomes range from 2 to 12.

To Pass or Not to Pass:

Winning or losing depends on whether the bet placed by the player is a Pass Line Bet, or a Don’t Pass Bet. Pass Line bet is also called “betting right.” Another name for Don’t Pass bet is “betting wrong,” even though there’s nothing wrong with a Don’t Pass bet. These are just craps dialects.

If the bet placed by the players is the Pass Line Bet, then they are betting with the dice. If the Don’t Pass Bet is placed, the players are betting against the dice.

Come Out Roll:

The game begins with the “come out roll.” That’s when the shooter rolls the dice for the first time.

• If a 7 or an 11 is generated by the come out roll, and you are betting on the pass line, you win and get to throw the dice again for another come out roll. If you win again, you throw again. This is a ‘lose’ situation if you placed the Don’t Pass bet.
• However, if you roll a 2, 3 or a 12, and you are betting on the pass line, you lose. This is called “craps”. You are still entitled for another come out roll after craps. However, if you rolled a 2, 3, or 12, and placed the Don’t Pass bet, you win!

Rolling the Point:

If you shoot a number other than 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12, then the game begins to decide if the player wins or not. The puck is flipped over to the white (ON) side and is placed on the number that has been rolled. This is where the house edge is reduced exceedingly.

• This time you will roll the dice until you get the number 7, or the point you rolled earlier.
• If you get the point before the number 7, you win.
• But if you get a 7 before you roll the point, unfortunately, you lose.

A Little More on Craps Bets:

There are betting options that make you look like a pro. However, they have a higher house edge when compared to the basic bets. For instance, in a Pass Line bet situation you should stick to the basic bets.

• You are not only entitled to place bets when you are the shooter, but you can also place bets on the outcomes of the rolls from other players. If you see a player on a winning streak, place your bets on him. Yes, winning streaks do exist. 
• Come Line Bet is also a basic bet, which is the same as the Pass Line bet. The only difference is this bet is placed after the point is made. You win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, and you lose if its craps.
• Another bet that you can place on the craps table is the Odds Bet, which the player bets that the point would come out before the shooter sevens out.

Now you can go to any craps table in a casino, or online, and start playing. Go out there, shake, roll, and win!