Basics of Craps

Online craps is an exhilarating casino game offered by most online gambling sites.

Craps is a dice game that involves gambling on the luck of the role. This casino game is fast-paced and exciting, and can make either a casino or online gambling experience unforgettable.

You have probably seen craps being played whether you know it or not. Have you ever seen a group of people crowded around a table screaming and cheering? That's craps. Craps has appeared in television and movies for years. It highlights high-rollers while allowing the mild betters the opportunity of gambling on the same rolls.

Craps may be one of the most popular casino table games, but it can also be one of the most intimidating. Craps involves a complex betting system that can scare many newcomers away. No one wants to look stupid or anger people by holding up the game. Lucky for you, online gambling sites allow you to play online craps from the comfort of home which can be much less intimidating.

Below we explain the basic rules and summarize the most common bets of craps. These simple descriptions of rules and betting will give you the tools to play online craps at any online gambling site. You can also check out our craps strategy guide for in-depth tips and advice to increase your odds of winning.

Craps Rules

Craps is a gambling game of dice found in many casinos and online gambling sites.

Craps players take turns rolling two dice, while the other players gamble on the rolls. The game is played in rounds. To begin each round, the player rolling the dice (called the "shooter") makes an initial "come-out roll."

If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11
it is a win
If the come-out roll is a 2, 3 or 12
it is called "craps" and it is a loss
If the come-out roll is any other number
This number becomes the "point." The shooter continues to roll the dice until either the point is rolled again or a 7 is rolled.

Basic Craps Bets

There are many online craps bets and some of these bets can get pretty complicated.

It is not necessary to know all of these online craps bet to play the game. However, there a few crap bets that every online craps player should know. These craps bets apply to both the casino and online craps.

Line Bets

Below is a table summarizing the four basic lines bets of online craps. The descriptions beneath the table explain each of these craps bets in detail.

Basic Craps Bets

1. Pass Line Bet

The pass line bet is one of the most basic bets of online craps, and one of the most popular. This craps bet provides the basis of many other online craps bets. The pass line is shared by nearly every craps player, which adds to the excitement and camaraderie this casino game provides. If the bet loses, everyone is in the same boat. If the bet wins, everybody wins and the cheering is through the roof.

The pass line bet is based on the come-out roll. If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, the bet automatically wins. If the come-out roll is a 2, 3 or 12, the bet automatically loses. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) establishes the point, and the round continues.

If a point is established, the shooter continues to roll the dice until either the point is rolled again or a 7 is rolled. If the point is rolled again before a 7, the pass line bet is won. If a 7 is rolled before the point is re-rolled, the pass line bet is lost.

2. Don't Pass Bet

This craps bet is the opposite of the pass line bet, hence the name "Don't Pass." The don't pass bet automatically wins if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3 (a 12 is a draw). If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, the bet automatically loses.

If a point is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), a player who bet don't pass wins if a 7 is rolled before the point is rolled again. If the shooter rolls the point again before rolling a 7, the don't pass bet is lost.

Betting the Don't Pass Bet in craps is considered unconventional and is often frowned upon. This craps bet has been termed "betting the dark side," because you are betting against the rest of the table. If your don't pass bet wins the other craps players just lost. Of course if you're playing online craps from the convenience of home, you can bet however you want.

3. Come Bet

A Come Bet is just like a Pass Line Bet, except it is made after the come-out roll. Identical to the pass line bet, if the roll the come bet is made on is a 7 or 11, the bet automatically wins. If this roll is a 2, 3 or 12 the come bet automatically loses.

If any other number is rolled, the bet is placed on a box representing that number. At this point the bet once again resembles the pass line bet. If this established number is rolled before the shooter rolls a 7, the come bet wins. If a 7 is rolled before the established number is re-rolled the bet loses.

4. Don't Come Bet

The Don't Come Bet is the opposite of the Come Bet, hence the name "Don't Come." The don't come bet is also placed after the come-out roll. This craps bet automatically wins if the roll it is made on is a 2 or 3 (a 12 is a draw). If this roll is a 7 or 11 the don't come bet automatically loses.

If the shooter rolls any other number, it is treated the exact opposite of the come bet. The bet is placed on the box representing the number, and wins if a 7 is rolled before that number is rolled again. The don't come bet loses if the number is re-rolled before a 7.

These are some of the basic gambling bets of online craps. We recommend you get used to these basic craps bets first before you venture some of the more complex ones. These four craps bets will allow you to play at the craps table at any online gambling site.

Online craps can be exciting, exhilarating, and possibly one of the most entertaining games of the gambling sites. It provides an atmosphere in which nearly everyone is cheering together, hoping for the same rolls of the dice. Craps in the casino and online craps both offer a fun environment that is sure to meet any gambling fancy.

If you think you're ready to push your luck for a larger payout, check out our Advanced Craps Betting page to learn some of the more complicated online craps bets. We also rank the best craps sites whenever you're ready to start playing online.

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Many casino craps players also enjoy these exciting online gambling games. To learn more about any of these games simply click one of the links below.