The development and evolution of craps has come through a number of steps over time. The game is said to be derived from Hazard, an English game but the influence of French gamblers is said to have driven the game forward. The first modern US version of the game was developed in New Orleans.
This game was a huge success but it was found that there ways to manipulate the outcome. This led to the introduction of the “Don’t Pass Line” option, developed by John Winn, which resolved this issue and gave birth to the modern craps that people are familiar with.
How to Play Craps
When it comes to playing craps, there is so much to take in that many players find themselves being bamboozled by the array of options. A good casino will hardly be upset by this, so it is important that players develop their knowledge and understanding of the game at a good rate.
Although there are many ways to play craps, it is often best to start with the Pass Line bet and once you are confident with that you can start to focus on other aspects of the game. In craps, all of the players can have a shot of rolling the dice if they want. You don’t need to be rolling the dice to be in place, everyone wins or loses whether they roll or not.
With regards to numbers, it is important to note that all of the numbers in craps refers to the total rolled by the dice. If a 3 is mentioned, it is not in reference to a 3 being rolled on a dice, it refers to the sum of the numbers rolled on the two dice amounting to 3.
The Pass Line bet is the standard bet in craps and it is the one that most players play. It is a simple bet but it is also a bet that carries a minimal house edge. Players that like to have statistics on their side when betting will appreciate the house bet.
Once the betting period for the game has begun, players wishing to make the Pass Line bet should place their chips on the area marked Pass Line. The first roll of the dice is the Come Out roll.
- If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win.
- If the shooter rolls 2, 3 or 12, you lose.
- If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, this moves the game into the point round. The dealer will place a marker on the number that was rolled on the board and this number is now the point.
- If the shooter rolls the point again, you win.
- If the shooter rolls a 7, you lose.
- If the shooter rolls any other number apart from the point or the shooter, play continues until the point or 7 is landed upon.
This is all a player needs to make Pass Line bets when playing craps but obviously there is a lot more to craps than just the Pass Line bet. It is possible to make a Don’t Pass Line bet and if you understand the Pass Line bet, you will have no problem in understanding the Don’t Pass Line bet. It follows the exact same approach as the Come Out roll and point elements but the outcomes are reversed.
If you place a Don’t Pass Line bet, on the Come Out roll, you are looking for the shooter to roll a 2, a 3 or a 12. If the shooter rolls any of these numbers you win. If the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11, you lose.
Similarly, when it comes to the point round, if the shooter rolls the point again, players who made a Don’t Pass Line bet, lose. If the shooter rolls a 7, players who made a Don’t Pass line bet win.
Players can make an Odds On Pass Line bet, which comes into play after a point has been rolled. This wager sees players making an additional bet which pays out at various odds, depending on what the point is. To win a Odds On Pass Line bet, the shooter must roll the point before they roll a 7. If the point is 4 or 10, the payoff is 2:1. If the point is 5 or 9, the payoff is 3:2. If the point is 6 or 8, the payoff is 6:5.
There is also the Come Bet, which can only be placed after a point has been determined. It is the same as the Pass line bet but only available after a point has been determined.
There are also proposition bets to look out for with craps, including:
- Any Craps bets where a player wins if a 2, 3 or 12 is thrown
- Any 7 where a player wins if a 7 is rolled
- Eleven, where a player wins if an 11 is rolled
- Ace Deuce, where a player wins if a 3 is rolled
- Boxcars or Aces where a player wins if a 2 or 12 is rolled
- Horn Bet, which is akin to a bet being placed on 2, 3, 11 and 12 at one time. If one of these numbers is rolled, you win and the other bets are lost.
Craps Tips & Strategy
It should be noted that many people follow the Martingale system or utilise the gamblers fallacy approach when placing bets during craps. In theory, both of these systems would lead to success but in practical play, they are as unreliable as any other system or method.
This means that craps strategy often comes down to common sense. Choosing the games with the lowest house edge, such as the Pass / Don’t Pass Line bets and the Come / Don’t Come bets, will minimise the house advantage, increasing the likelihood of a triumph for the player. Over time, the house advantage will prevail but in short periods of play, it is possible for players to make quite a large sum of money.