Of all the games on a casino floor, craps tables are perhaps the wildest and filled with the most excitement. For years, online casino software developers struggled to bring the magic of this prestigious game to the live casino format. They succeeded – and live dealer online craps are some of the most innovative new technologies in the industry.
All that’s left to do is figure out how to play craps. The game is notoriously unfriendly to beginners, but don’t worry. With the Live Casinos Craps tutorial, you’ll be playing like a pro in no time.
Some variants of craps offer additional betting options specific to the table. Be sure to read the game’s rules and paytable before playing.
Different live casino software developers had different ideas about how to adapt Craps for online play. That’s why online craps tables may have slight differences in gameplay. With that in mind, we’ll start how craps works in general.
Craps is a casino game in which the players try to predict the outcome of rolling a pair of dice. When playing at a casino, you’ll be wagering against the house. In each round, one player is designated as the “shooter.” That’s the player who is throwing the dice.
Every round of craps starts with a Come-Out roll. It’s a simple roll that has 3 possible outcomes:
In the Point phase, the shooter continues rolling the dice until they get the same number as in the Come-Out roll. It doesn’t have to be the same combination of dice as in the first roll, though. As long as the sum total is identical, the shooter wins.
However, if one of these subsequent rolls shows a 7, the round ends and the shooter loses.
What we just explained is not that hard, is it? Well, this game is notorious for its wide range of betting options. If you want to play craps online or otherwise, you’ll need to know what these bets do. It’s essential to understand how craps betting works before playing.
Also, it’s important to understand that craps is a “community” game, so to speak. In a land-based casino, everyone at a craps table is playing and not just the shooter. However, the outcomes for one player directly affect everyone else. This aspect may or may not work differently in live online craps games.
The Pass Line bet in craps is a wager placed on whether the shooter will win the round or not. It’s arguably the most basic bet in craps. The Pass craps bet wins if the shooter wins by rolling a Natural or winning the Point phase.
On the flip side, the Don’t Pass bet wins if the shooter loses by rolling 2 or 3 in the Come-out phase or a 7 in the Point phase.
However, if the shooter rolls a 12, both Pass and Don’t Pass bets push. This means that the full stake for the bet is returned to the players who placed them.
The Pass Line bet can only be placed before the Come-Out roll. Once a Point has been established, you can no longer bet on Pass and Don’t Pass.
Both Pass and Don’t Pass typically pay 1:1.
The Come bet is similar to Pass Line in many ways. However, it can only be made after the Point has been determined.
Come and Don’t Come bets also pay 1:1.
The live dealer craps table also contains a number of other multi-roll wagers.
The bets we covered above are all multi-roll wagers. This means they stick around until they are resolved, no matter how many rolls are required. However, the following bets are all single-roll. This means that the next roll of the dice always resolves them.
Please note that while the above craps bet list is comprehensive, it’s not absolute. Different casinos sometimes implement other additional bets that are usually explained in the rules.
Also, craps boasts a huge number of game-specific terms and lingo. Some of these are quite fun, and understanding them can be a great way to step up your craps game. Check out our Craps glossary page to catch up on all the terminology.
Playing craps live is based around a complex table layout of available wagering options. Players can make multiple bets with each round and each roll of the dice. That’s why understanding how live craps bets work is the key to success.
Currently, you can only play craps online for real money with two software providers – Evolution and Vivo Gaming. There are some off-shoot dice games, but these two are the best multiplier online craps games around.
Again, note that the traditional way of playing craps had to be adapted for live dealer casinos. The execution can be different. For instance, there is typically no active “shooter”, and the dealer performs this role instead. Be sure to read our review for the game for specific guides on how to play craps live online.
You can find quick suggestions for online casinos to play craps below. Moreover, you can find our reviews and ratings for the best live craps games and casinos here.
That concludes our beginner’s guide to craps at live casinos. You should now know everything you need to know about the basics of craps.
If you want more guides on how to win craps, however, there is more. For instance, check our live craps strategy guide and our tips for playing craps.
Milos Markovic
A former English language primary school teacher, Milos Markovic began his writing career as a freelance sports journalist, eventually switching lanes completely and rising to become Editor-in-Chief at Serbia’s largest sports site, Sportske.net. His work in sports journalism led to collaborations with FIFA, where he reported from the sidelines of Serbian national team games during World Cup qualifiers. This experience paved the way for him to contribute to international publications, including The Guardian.
View more from authorLuka Jestrovic
Crazy Time Stats, Results, and StrategyMilos Markovic
Join LeoVegas’ Christmas Exclusive Studio CelebrationMilica Markovic
Join €3,000 Crazy Cash Show at Mr GreenLuka Jestrovic
Sweet Bonanza Candyland Stats, Trackers, and StrategyMilos Markovic
Low Stakes Live Blackjack Games with Real DealersMilos Markovic
Blackjack Early Payout - What Is It and How to PlayMilos Markovic
Explaining The Soft 17 Rule in BlackjackLuka Jestrovic
Evolution Launches Stock Market Live in the USLuka Jestrovic
Shoot to Score - Guide to Dice Control in CrapsYou’ll be the first to know about our latest offers, exclusive bonuses, tips and promotions. Well, you know what to do...