Sep 03, 2019

There’s no getting around it: Craps is one of the more difficult casino games for casino beginners to learn. But it’s also one of the most exciting casino games to play, and once you get the hang of it, you don’t have to think too hard about Craps game strategy – just roll the dice and see what happens, online or live.

To make Craps a bit simpler, we’ve got a new, streamlined online Craps layout here at Ignition's online casino. The Classic game version is still available, and many online players will prefer to keep it old-school, but if you’re new to Craps, online or live, consider starting with the newer casino game version. We’re going to use this new casino game version as a reference in this online Craps guide, which explains the various Craps bets and where they can be found on the Craps table. Once you understand how a Craps table works, it becomes much easier to play Craps for real money.

The Any Craps bet is located in the center section of the table layout, which is known as the area for “proposition bets.” A proposition bet in craps is defined as a bet on the outcome of a number or group of numbers that doesn’t affect the game’s final outcome. The Odds is like a side bet in craps made after a point is thrown. It pays if the point is thrown before a seven. The odds on the Odds are exactly fair, which zero house edge. To be specific, the Odds pays 2 to 1 on points of 4 and 10, 3 to 2 on a 5 and 9, and 6 to 5 on a 6 and 8. And smarts craps players ignore most of the table, anyway. This post explains in detail for beginners what they need to know about placing bets on the craps table. The Basics of the Craps Table. In casinos, craps is played at a table, usually one covered in green felt. The bets available are labeled on the felt.

While this online Craps casino game guide will acquaint you with several of the most popular Craps bets, casino beginners may need a more in-depth Craps explanation, which you can find in our Beginners Guide to Craps.


Craps Table Basics

Before beginning to play online Craps games, it’s helpful to get a run-down of the Craps table game basics. On the welcome bar at the top of the online Craps casino game table, you can see your real money bankroll and how much you’re betting. The menu at the top left will take you to a set of online casino player controls where you can toggle the sound on and off, view the rules for Craps games, and make real money deposits. The different denominations of chips ($1 to $500) are available at the far left, along with a “REBET” button to speed up the game when you’re using a standard Craps bet size.

Where to Find the Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line

The middle section of the Craps casino game layout is where most of the magic happens. This is where you’ll find the basic line play bets, including with the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Bar. New Craps players are recommended to start with Pass Line wagers, where you’re betting on the shooter (you, in this case) to win. Drag and drop your online chips on the Pass Line, which is the bottom row on the casino Craps table. Then when you’re ready, roll the dice.

The Pass Line pays even-money if you land a 7 or 11, and loses with a 2, 3, or 12; rolling anything else results in a Point. If you establish a Point, you’ll see the ON/OFF button at the top of the layout flip to the ON side and slide across to the number you’ve rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to make it easy to remember. With Pass Line bets, you want to re-roll the Point—not a 7.

The Don’t Pass Bar is wedged between the Don’t Come Bar and the Don’t Pass Odds. This casino play bet is available only at the start of the round and pays when you land a 2 or 3 on the come-out. Rolling a 7 or 11 results in a loss, and a 12 is a push. All other numbers establish a Point Round, with the number you rolled being designated the Point number. To win your Don’t Pass bet during the Point Round, you must roll a 7; re-rolling the Point results in a loss.

Where are the Come, Don’t Come Bets?

When a Point is established, Come bets become available. This even-money bet initiates a mini round, making the next roll a secondary come-out roll. Just like with the Pass Line, if the outcome is a 7, or 11, the Come bet pays immediately. A 2, 3, or 12 results in a loss. Rolling a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 starts a Point Round for the Come bet, where you want to re-roll the Point before rolling a 7.

The Don’t Come Bar follows the same rules as the Don’t Pass Bar, and is available only during a Point Round. If you bet the Don’t Come, the next roll (the secondary come-out roll) pays if you land a 2 or 3, loses if you land a 7 or 11, and ties with a 12. All other outcomes initiate a Point Round for the Don’t Come bet, at which point, you’re hoping to roll a 7 before rerolling the Point.

Ready to make a Come and Don’t Come bet? On the online Craps casino game board, look below the black puck that says OFF for the Don’t Come Bar. You can drag and drop chips onto the rectangle to wager on it. As for the Come bet, look right above the field for the row that says Come. Drop chips anywhere on that row during a Point Round. At Ignition, the allowable betting range is $1-$100 for individual Craps bets, including Come bets.

Where to Find Big 6 and Big 8 Bets

The Big 6 and Big 8 bets are located at the bottom-left corner of the Craps casino game table. These are two separate bets that pay even-money if you land a 6 or 8 (depending on which bet you take) before rolling a 7. These online Craps play bets are available once a Point is established.

Where to Find Odds Bets

With zero casino house edge attached, the play odds are the best Craps bet in the online house. These are available only during a Point Round, and bolster your Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet. When you get Pass Odds, they pay when you roll the Point, and lose when you roll a 7. With Don’t Pass Odds, they pay when you roll a 7, and lose if you re-roll the Point. The real money payout depends on the Point number.

Where to Find Place to Win and Place to Lose Bets

Place to Win and Place to Lose bets become available during the Point Round and can be removed after any roll. Place to Win involves choosing a Point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that you think will be rolled before a 7. Place to Lose involves choosing a Point number, and hoping that a 7 is rolled before that Point number.

The Place to Win and Lose betting rectangles are immediately above and below the Point numbers on the online Craps casino game board. Grab an online play chip and hover it over the top of the number, and you’ll see Place to Lose pop up; Place to Win will appear when you hover just below any of the Point numbers.

Where to Find Buy and Lay Bets

Buy and Lay online play bets are the same as Place to Win and Place to Lose except for the payout. Once a Point is established, you can Buy a number, which means you’re betting that the number purchased will be rolled before a 7. Laying a bet involves choosing a Point number and betting that a 7 will be rolled before that chosen number is rolled. Both bets pay at true odds, but charge a 5% commission at the time of purchase.

To take a Buy bet, drag and drop chips on the rectangle between the Come Bar and the Place to Win rectangle. When you hover over it, you’ll see BUY followed by whichever number you’re buying. As for the Lay bet, it’s in the rectangle above the Place to Lose area.

Where to Find Field Bets

Between the Come Bar and the Pass Line, you’ll see a rectangle that says FIELD. In the rectangle, there are numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12, with DOUBLE written over the 2, and TRIPLE written over the 12. These are your Field bets.

A Field bet is a single-roll wager on one of the numbers included in the field being rolled next. It pays when a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is the next roll, and loses if a 5, 6, 7, or 8 is rolled next. If a 2 is rolled, the real money payout is doubled, and if a 12 is rolled, the real money payout is tripled. All other winning Craps play numbers result in a 1:1 payout.

Where to Find Proposition Bets

The Proposition bets are found in the bottom-right corner of the Craps play table, and they include both single-roll bets, which are resolved with a single roll of the dice, like Yo (11) and Any Craps (2, 3 or 12), and multi-roll bets, like the Hardway bets.

The Hardway online play bets are when you a roll a number with two identical dies. For example, rolling a 6 the hard way means rolling two Threes. Rolling 8 the hard way means rolling two Fours. Rolling 8 with a Five and Three is rolling it the easy way. You must roll the selected number the hard way in order to win; if you roll a 7, or roll the selected number the easy way, you lose. You keep rolling until one of these outcomes is achieved.

All other Craps play bets in the Proposition Bet section are single-roll bets that pay if you land the selected number on the next roll. Just drag and drop any number of Craps casino chips, up to the maximum $100, on the space that represents the bet you want to place, then hit the Roll button.

You’ll get a better understanding of how these Craps casino bets work by playing Craps in Practice Play mode for free. The more you understand the game, the more fun Craps is to play, so roll the bones and let us know what you think.

Understanding the Craps odds and bets that you can place is vital to ensuring you don’t lose all your money or embarrass yourself in a live game.

You might hear people shouting all types of lingo and vernacular terms such as “Horn Bets” or “Lay 10” which often confuse or put off even the biggest casino degenerates.

Thankfully, the rules of Craps are actually quite simple even if it takes time to learn the jargon. Make sure to read all information on this page, before You play craps for money.

We can predict the odds of any particular number coming up on a roll and why the craps rules are made how you will see.

For example: the odds for you to roll a 4 on your next roll are 11 to 1.

You can figure this out by taking the number of ways a four can be made with two dice (with a one and a three, a pair of twos, or a three and a 1) compared to the number of combinations that two dice can make, which is 36.

So we have a 3 in 36 chance, or 1 in 12 chance that a 4 will come up on any given roll. To express these odds as ‘against’, you would say the odds against rolling a four are 11 to 1 (think of it as 11 non 4’s to one 4 for a total of 12 rolls). The calculation we’ve just done determines the ‘true odds’ of rolling a 4.

As many of you may know, the casino doesn’t like to pay back its players with ‘true odds’, it prefers to alter them.

Craps rules, like so many other casino game rules, pay back odds which guarantee the house a profit in the long run. Say for instance you were to place a bet on ‘any sevens’, meaning you’re betting that the next roll will be a seven.

The odds against hitting a seven on the next roll are 5 to 1 (you can calculate that out the same way we did for 4), which means that if you bet one dollar and win, you deserve to win 5 bucks, but the casinos only pay you 4.

Craps

Most bets in most games at the casino have been altered in this way. In fact, this is exactly the phenomenon that gives the casino a house edge in many situations.

We’ve covered all the major types of bets and odds you receive here.

Understanding Craps Odds

For instance, odds can be related either as 2-1 or 2 to 1, where a 1 credit bet returns 2 credits. In other words, 2 to 1 odds returns the original 1 credit bet and a 1 credit profit.

The Best Craps Bets

The best bets in craps are the pass line bet, taking the odds, the don’t pass bar, the come bet, and placing the 6 or the 8. Let’s look at each:

Craps table odds explained

Pass Line

This is the most basic and popular of bets when playing Craps. It has one of the lowest house edges (1.41%) and it is very simple to place. Betting on the pass line bet or betting “with the dice” is the most common bet in craps and you will see many players or shooters choosing it.

A pass line bet requires you to place chips on the “Pass Line” section of the table. If the shooter’s come out roll is a 7 or 11, you win even money (1:1). However, if the come out roll is 2,3 or 12 (craps) you lose.

If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) it’s called the point. The shooter continues to throw the dice until he/she roles a 7 or the Point. If the point is rolled first, you win even money. If the 7 is rolled first you lose your bet.

Interestingly, in a game of Crapless Craps, the ability to lose a Pass Line bet to craps on a come out roll is removed – hence the name “crapless” craps. This improves your odds of winning by removing the house edge and increasing your expected value.

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Don’t Pass Line

You can also bet on the “Don’t Pass” line, which is basically when you are betting or laying the shooter on his first roll. This is simply the opposite of the pass line bet and is also known as betting against the dice.

To make this bet place your chips in the narrower section just beyond the pass line labelled don’t pass.

If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 (Craps) than you win straight away (1:1 even money). If a 7 or 11 is rolled before the Point is scored you lose. A 12 is considered a Push (draw) and normally you can relinquish this bet.

If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10) this is established on the point number. After this happens you’ll win your money back if a 7 is rolled before the Point number, and lose if a 7 comes first.

Taking the Odds

After the point has been established, you can make an additional bet known as Taking the Odds or Pass Odds. You are betting on the Point number being rolled before a 7. The pay out odds are normally displayed on the Casino craps table.

The odds vary for different numbers based on the likelihood of them being rolled.

Normally, the payouts are as follows:

  • 4 pays 2:1
  • 5 pays 3:2
  • 6 pays 8 pays 6:5
  • 9 pays 3:2
  • 10 pays 2:1
Craps odds explained

The odds bet is the best bet you can make in the game of craps, because the house has no built-in advantage. Free odds bets are paid back at true odds, so when you’re making these bets the casino has no house edge whatsoever, it’s an even game!

Come Bet

This is similar to a Pass Line bet, but it is made after the point has been established (dealer button is ON). The next roll then becomes the Come Out roll for your bet and establishes your Point. The payout depends on the Point:

  • 7 or 11 pays 1:1 (also known as a Natural)
  • 2, 3, or 12 you lose your money (also known as Craps)
  • If neither of the above is rolled then (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) becomes the point for your bet. If a 7 comes before your point is rolled again you lose. If your point is won however your payout depends on the Point.

Come Bet Payouts:

NumberPayout
42:1
53:2
66:5
86:5
93:2
102:1

Taking the Odds

This is similar to the Come Bet and has the same odds above (Come Odds). You can place this bet only after the point has been established. If the 7 is rolled before the point, you lose.

Laying the Odds

Opposite of Taking the Odds. This is a Don’t Pass Line bet which can be made only after the point has been established. If a 7 is rolled before the point, you win.

Laying the Odds Payout:

NumberPayout
41:2
52:3
65:6
85:6
92:3
101:2
Craps Odds Explained

Craps Odds Bets Explained

Don’t Come Bet

Oppose of Come Bet. This is similar to a Don’t Pass Line bet, but it is made after the Come Out roll. To make this bet all you need to do is to put your chips in the area labeled “Don’t Come” on the layout. You lose on a 7 or 11, and win on a 2 or 3. 12 is a “stand-off.”

Here you win if 7 rolls before your “come-point” is repeated, and lose if the “come-point” is made before a 7 is rolled.

Place Bets

You can bet on specific point numbers. If your number is rolled before a 7, you win. If a 7 comes before your point number, you lose. You’re paid out according to the table below.

Place Bets Payout:

NumberPayout
49:5
57:5
67:6
87:6
97:5
109:5

Placing the 6 or 8

When you make a place bet you bet that one of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will be hit before a 7 is hit. You can make a place bet any time by throwing your chips on the table while telling the dealer ‘I want to place the 6’ or whatever number you want to place your bet for.

So, if the number you bet on is rolled before a 7 you win and you are paid as follows: 4 or 10 placed – 9:5 odds, 5 or 9 placed – 7:5 odds, 6 or 8 placed – 7:6 odds.

As you can see the best for you is to place a bet on 6 or 8, because these bets have the best odds and also they have a good chance of hitting.

If you get the feeling like you want to place the 4 or 10, you should buy them instead, because although there is a Vig (a fee for winning bets) on these numbers, the edge comes out in your favor, however slightly.

However, the pass line bet is still the best one with the best odds and in the long run you should stick with it.

Although you can technically place a place bet at any time, it is impossible for it to come into effect until the shooters point is set, therefore it is more acceptable to ask for this bet after the come out roll is over.

Craps table

Bets with Poor Craps Odds

Big 6/Big 8 Bet

This is a Bet on a Big 6 or Big 8, put down after the point has been established. If a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7, you win (1:1). This is a bet that you should not play because you can Place a bet on 6 or 8 and receive better odds.

Field Bets

Kind of what the name suggests, field bets are open to everyone who bets on the next number rolled. To place one you simple throw your chips into the table (as little chips as possible) and tell the stick man what you want. The payout for field bets:

  • 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 all payout 1:1
  • 2 pays 2:1
  • 12 pays out either 2:1 or 3:1 (depending on the casino)

Proposition Bets

Placed before any throw. The house edge on all of these bets are over 11%. Therefore, you should not bet these very often or you should hedge your bets when you do so.

You can bet on any number as follows:

  • Betting on the next throwbeing a 2, 3 or 12 (Craps)
  • Any Seven: Betting on the next throw being a 7
  • Eleven: Betting on the next throw being an 11
  • Horn Bet: Betting on the next number being a 2, 3, 11, or 12. The payout is determined by the number rolled

Proposition bets are those placed in the middle of the table layout, and those bets never have a good house edge. You should make these bets only for fun and to make your game more exciting.

So, here they are:

  • With the “any seven” bet you’re betting the shooter will hit a 7 on the next roll. It has a horrible house edge of 16.67%. Never make this bet.
  • With the “snake eyes” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a two on the next roll.
  • With the “yo eleven” bet you’re betting the shooter will hit an 11 on the next roll.
  • With the “any craps” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a 2, 3, or 12 on the next roll. It holds a house edge of over 11%
  • With the “any three” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a 3 on the next roll.
  • With the “midnight” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a 12 on the next roll.
  • With the “horn” bet you’re combining the snake eyes, 3, yo 11, and midnight bets.

Hardway Bets

A Hardway Bet is also made regarding the outcome of the next die throw. A Hardway roll occurs when doubles are thrown with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10.

For example: rolling a pair of threes would produce a “hard 6”. An Easy roll is produced when the same outcome is achieved, but without rolling doubles.

For the previous example, rolling a 4 and a 2 would produce an “easy 6”. For a Hardway Bet to win, the shooter must roll a double with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10. The wager loses if either a 7 or any Easy number is rolled.

The Lay Bet

The lay bet is almost similar with the don’t pass and don’t come bets, because with this bet your are playing against the dice. You can make this bet at any time in the game and it can be placed on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. A lay bet wins when 7 rolls before the number.

7 is more likely to come up than any other number so the casino requires you to wager more than you could win. This bet also requires a commission of 5% on average. If the bet is on 4 or 10 you get 1:2 odds, on 5 or 9 2:3 odds, on six or 8 5:6 odds.

Craps Table Odds Explained

The Buy Bet

When you choose this bet it means that you will buy numbers instead of placing them.

The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 can all be bought but there are only two numbers that really make buy bets worthwhile and those numbers are 4 and 10 because they pay off better than the other numbers. You win if the buy number comes up before a 7 is rolled.

The odds are higher for a buy bet. 2:1 on a 4 or 10 buy, 3:2 for a 5 or 9, or 6:5 for a 6 or 8. Player pays 5% “vigorish” to get true odds on all numbers.

Depending on how much you bet, buying a bet can make you more money in the end even after accounting for the ‘vig’. The odds are only in your favor on a buy bet for a 4 or 10, so stick with the place bet on any others.

Craps Odds Explained

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