Craps Tutorial - How to Play Craps

Craps History

Evidence suggests Craps may have originated and evolved during the ancient Roman Empire. While in camp Roman soldiers used to carve the knuckles of pigs into cubes and would toss them over their shield. The term “To Roll the Bones” originated from this game. Other theories claim Craps originated in the Middle Ages with the people in the Arabian deserts as they used to play a game that was quite similar to Craps called Hazard or Azzahr.

The definitive rules of this game were founded in the early 1700′s by Montmort. The roll that had the lowest value was referred to as crabs. While many believe this is where Craps got its name from, others believe the word evolved from Crapeaud, which is the French word for toad. Other theories claim the French were trying to reclaim the game as their own and they took the English word Crabs and spelled it in French as Crabes. In the 1700′s, the game succeeded in crossing the Atlantic Ocean and reached Acadia, the French Colony.

In 1755, the French lost their colony and the people of Acadia relocated to Louisiana. They brought the French game Crabes to Louisiana, but the game had changed to Creps or Crebs. By the year 1842, Craps started to be the dominant term and is still the name that is prevalent to this day.

During World War II, the Street version of the game became very popular and was played by the soldiers who used their blankets as the gaming surface. There was no wall to stop the dice from rolling out so they used blanket rolls to prevent it.

It is also important to note that the Craps version in modern America was brought by in Bernard Xavier Philippe, who was not only a politician but a gambler too. His version of Craps had a flaw that allowed players to exploit the game by taking advantage of the wagering system or by using fixed dice. This problem was fixed by John H Winn who introduced a new wagering option: “Do Not Pass”. This wagering option is used to this day at any casino that offers craps to its players around the world.

How to Play Craps

As mentioned before, there are two types of Craps, we are going to discuss the gaming procedure of the most commonly played Craps version, Casino or Bank Craps. This version is played at casinos, this is why in this game, players will place wagers against the casino. The payoffs of the game may differ from one casino to the next.

In this game, players will take turns in rolling the dice. As previously mentioned the player throwing the dice is called “The Shooter”. Before the shooter throws the dice, players will place their chips on the bets they want. They will find the different bets on a piece of green cloth; this piece of cloth has different available bets printed on it. Players can therefore easily place their chips on the bets they want to wager on. Players can usually go ahead and place their chips but there are some wagers that require players to ask the croupiers before putting them.

In order for a Craps player to get the chance to throw the dice as the shooter, he has to be active at the table by placing bets on either the Pass line or the Do Not Pass line wagers. These bets are also sometimes referred to as Right & Wrong or Win and Don’t Win bets.

Players will roll the dice and keep passing it on in a clockwise direction. The player who is throwing the dice, the shooter, will roll his dice until he loses by getting a 7 or until his round is completed. The dealer in this game, also known as the Stickman is the person who represents the casino. He is called a Stickman because he uses a stick to collect the chips and move the dice around. The Stickman will present the shooter with 5 different dice and the shooter chooses 2 of them. The remaining dice will be placed in a bowl.

There are numerous bet types that can be placed at the Craps table; we are going to discuss the most common one below, the Line Wager. The line wager contains two bets; they are called the Pass Line and the Do Not Pass line wagers. The first one is a bet that the shooter could win.

If the first roll which is also referred to as the come out dice roll lands on either a 7 or an eleven, then the dice shooter will win. If the dice is equal to 2, three, or 12, then shooter will lose. On the other hand, if the dice has any other outcome than the ones mentioned, this value will be called “Point”. In this case, the shooter will have to throw the dice again.

If he succeeds in rolling the point value before rolling a 7, he will win but if he rolls a 7 before he rolls the Point value, he will lose. The other bet is called the Do Not Pass wager, it is the exact opposite. Both bets pay 1:1.

Craps Rules

The rules at the Craps table include the wagers and the payouts. Apart from these basic rules, there are also some other unwritten rules that casinos implement at the Craps table. If you are a new player, after getting to know the basic payouts, rules and gaming procedure, you should also get to know these etiquette rules because you will be expected to abide by them at any casino.

Some of these rules are concerned with the security of each casino, including the following:

1. You are not permitted to handle the dice with both your hands. This includes shaking the dice in your hands before you throw them. Players are also expected to keep their hands on the surface of the craps table while they are handling the dice.

2. The shooter is required to throw the dice so they hit the other side of the table. Rolls that do not reach the other wall of the Craps table are called Mellenberg Rolls. Some casinos allow these rolls if they get past half the distance to the other wall. Any dice rolls that do not get past half the distance will have to be repeated because these short rolls can be controlled to somw extent.

3. Players should toss the dice on the table. Not slide them.

4. If the thrown dice by some chance hits other players or the hand of the dealer and still lands on the table, it can be counted provided that the players have not interfered with the rolled dice. Some casinos may deem these as no rolls and request the player re-roll the dice.

5. At some casinos, players will be able to call bets. Calling bets means they can start placing bets while they are waiting for their chips — they will call the bet and place it when they get the chips. Casinos that don’t allow such bets will have the words “No Call Bets” printed on the table of the game. This rule is designed to maintain clarity and ensure fairness for all players at the table. The practice of calling bets varies depending on the casino's policies and can often be tied to local regulations and traditions within the history of gambling worldwide. Understanding these nuances can help players navigate different gambling environments with confidence and ease.

6. Casinos have the right to ask Craps players to leave the table at any given time without having to give any specific reason.

7. Do no toss chips on the craps table. Place them slowly.

8. Whenever players are offered to be the shooter, they are allowed to hand it to any other players at the table.

9. When players place service bets, which are bets that the dealers place on their behalf, they should tip them.

10. Players will tip dealers by throwing the tip on the table and saying “For the Boys” or “For the Dealers.” It works both for male and female dealers.

Understanding and knowing the odds of the dice to get a certain outcome is the essence of Craps. If you are going to place real money wagers at a Craps table, it is essential for you to remember these odds. First of all, you will have a slight disadvantage when you place the Pass Line wager: the odds of winning are 970 out of 1980 times. In other words, the edge of the house for this wager equals 1.414 percent.

You can find the different bets that can be found at casinos, as well as their odds and the house advantage of each wager illustrated below:

The Pass Line wager has odds of 251 to 244, which is why players will be paid even money for this bet. The house advantage for this bet equals 1.414 percent. A Do Not Pass wager has odds of 976 to 949. It also pays even money and the house advantage equals 1.404 percent.

For Pass Line Bets:

– Betting on four or ten has odds of 2 to 1 and it pays out on the same rate, 2:1.

– Betting on five or nine has odds of 3 to 2 and it pays out on the same rate, 3:2.

– Betting on six or eight has odds of 6 to 5 and it pays out on the same rate, 6:5.

All of these bets have the same house advantage that is equal to 4.76 percent.

For Do No Pass Line Bets:

– Betting on four or ten has odds of 1 to 2 and it pays out on the same rate, 1:2. The house advantage is equal to 2.44 percent.

– Betting on five or nine has odds of 2 to 3 and it pays out on the same rate, 2:3. The house advantage is equal to 3.23 percent.

– Betting on six or eight has odds of 5 to 6 and it pays out on the same rate, 5:6. The house advantage is equal to 4 percent.

For Field Bets:

– Betting on 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 pays 1:1

– Betting on 2 or 12 pays 2:1

All of these bets have odds of 5:4 and has a house advantage that is equal to 2.78%.

For One-Roll Bets:

– Any Seven has odds of 5 to 1, pays 4:1 and it has a house edge of 16.9 percent.

– Any Craps has odds of 8 to 1, pays 7:1 and it has a house edge of 11.1 percent.

– 2 and 12 Craps have odds of 35 to 1, pays 30:1 and it has a house edge of 13.9 percent.

– 3 and 11 Craps have odds of 17 to 1, pays 15:1 and it has a house edge of 11.1 percent.

British casinos are tightly regulated and they offer better payouts on some of the best.

Craps Strategy

Craps is a dice game in which players will entirely either win or lose depending on the outcome of the dice. There isn’t any skill or decision making involved in the game — it is purely based on luck. There are no strategies or techniques to this game either. Despite that, there are some betting tips that can help players minimize their losses and increase their odds.

If you are a beginner, it is better to stick to the Pass Line Bet because the house edge of this wager equals 1.41 percent. The rest of the Craps bets at the table offer worse odds, so this is the best bet for new players. Although the Do Not Pass offers better odds as it has a house edge of 1.36 percent, it is frowned upon because you will be betting against the shooter and people will not appreciate that. It is safer to bet on the Pass Line wager because you wouldn’t want to antagonize and cross the shooter for a small 0.05 percent advantage.

Craps Dice Probability Chart

The best bet in craps after the first roll is the odds bet. Once a point is determined, players will be able to place an additional wager that is a multiple of the pass line bet. The multiple differs from one casino to another, but the most common is 2X. The best thing about the odds bets is that it pays according to their true odds, which means the house has a 0% advantage; players should always place these bets.

Stay away from the proposition bets. These bets are settled in one roll.

Although the dealer might tempt you to place these bets, you should not because they have the highest house advantage.

Players are also advised to tip the dealers at the Craps tables. This is not a bribe — in no way can the dealer interfere or affect the outcome of the dice. On the other hand, they can guide you and help you throughout the game. Dealers rely on these tips and they are a great part of their salary. Tipping the dealer will create a repoire and you will receive invaluable advice that will help elevate the level of your game.

Players should also read about the etiquette and learn the unwritten rules of Craps are. Some casinos will give players the boot and request that they leave if they are not following and abiding by these etiquette rules. You can find out more about these rules at the “Rules” section of Craps on this website.

Lastly, players are advised against taking tips from other players at the Craps table, no matter how tempting it might be, because the other players will not always give the correct advice.