The only obvious difference is that you will not be given an opportunity to throw the dice, as you are not actually in the room. An electronic device tosses the dice. Once again, this device is tested to ensure it delivers fair results. The software will also highlight the spots on the board where you can place your chips, so you receive more assistance when playing craps online.
The next section of this guide to casino craps will help you learn how to play craps online by explaining the rules. They are reasonably complex for beginners to grasp, so we have explained them as clearly as possible.
Online Craps Rules
When you play a craps game, the players gathered around the table take turns to serve as the shooter, who throws the dice. Any player can place a bet on the table and hope that the shooter throws a winning number.
This is what to expect from an online craps table (Credit: Alamy)A round starts when the shooter throws two dice across the table so that they bounce off the back wall. This is called the come-out roll. If the shooter throws a 7 or 11 (meaning the face-up numbers on the two dice combine for either 7 or 11), he or she wins and has another opportunity to roll. If the shooter throws a 2, 3 or 12, it is a loss.
When the shooter - which is an electronic device when you play craps online - throws a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, the dealer will mark the rolled number, which is known as the point, on the table with a small button. The shooter then continues to roll the dice until rolling the point number. If the shooter rolls that number, it is a win. If the shooter rolls a 7, they "7-out", meaning the round ends.
Players can bet on the pass line or the don't pass line any time before a point has been established for that round. Anyone that places a pass line bet wins if the shooter throws the point or a natural (a 7 or 11). Anyone that places a don't pass bet wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or a 3, or 7s-out before rolling the point. If the shooter rolls a 12, it is resulted as a push on the don't pass line and you get your money back.
When the point is established, players can bet on come or don't come. If the shooter rolls a natural on the next roll, a come bet wins. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12, it loses. If the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, that number becomes the come point. Players that bet on come win if the shooter rolls the come point before "sevening out". If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or sevens out, don't come wins. If the shooter rolls a 12, it is a push.
You can also place longer odds bets on one roll spaces, known as proposition bets, which are detailed in the next stage of this guide to the craps game.
Different Types of Craps Bets
The Pass bet is one of the most common bets in online craps (Credit: Alamy)If you want to learn to play craps online like an expert, you need to know what the different types of bets are:
- Pass | This has a house edge of just 1.41% and pays out 1:1. You are betting on the shooter landing a 7 or 11 before a 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out roll.
- Don't Pass | You win on a 2 or a 3, lose on a 7 or 11 and push on a 12. This is another even money 1:1 bet with a house edge of just 1.36%.
- Come Bet | A bet in the shooter landing a 7 or 11 before the come point. This bet, which is placed after the come point is established, also pays out 1:1 with a 1.41% house edge,
- Don't Come Bet | This is the reverse option, which has a 1.36% house edge and odds of 1:1. You need the shooter to roll a 2 or 3 before the come point, and it is a push if the dice land on a 12.
- The Field Bets | This is a single roll bet with odds of 2:1 on 2 and 12, and 1:1 on all other numbers. It has a house edge of 5.5%.
- Free Odds | A bet on the shooter rolling a 7 before a point number. This is a 50/50 bet with no house edge.
- Place Bet | A bet on a specific number to be rolled before a 7 is thrown. The house edge ranges from 1.52% to 6.67%, with different odds on each number.
- Buy Bet | Similar to a place bet, but paid at true odds minus a 5% casino commission.
- Big Six, Big Eight | This bet pays out at 1:1 if a 6 or 8 is thrown before a 7. It has a 9% house edge.
- Hardways | A bet on both dice to land on the same number. You can place a Hard 4, 6, 8 or 10, and it must be thrown before a 7, with odds of 7:1 or 8:1.
- 2 or 12 | The two hardest combinations to land in craps. You can bet at 30:1 on the shooter throwing them on the next roll, with a 13.89% house edge.
- 3 or 11 | A bet at 15:1 on the dice to land on 3 or 11.
- Any 7 | A bet at 4:1 on the dice to land on 7, with a house edge of 16.67%.
- Any Craps | A bet on a 2, 3 or 12 at odds of 7:1, with a 11.11% house edge.
Craps Betting Tips
The next section of our guide to craps rounds up some key tips for anyone playing craps online:
- In the long-term, you stand a much better chance of success by sticking to pass / don't pass and come / don't come bets as opposed to proposition bets.
- You can claim bonuses from online casinos that cut down the house edge, boosting your chances of earning a profit. This learn to play craps online page highlights some of the casinos offering the best casinos bonuses.
- You can try positive or negative progression systems while placing pass / don't pass and come / don't come bets in a craps online game. An interesting option is the Martingale System, where you double your bet amount after each loss, eventually wiping out all previous losses. You need a table with high limits for that.
How to Play Online Craps for Free
Like most casino table games, You can play craps for free in demo mode while you learn the ropes at the best online casinos. This allows you to get to grips with the various rules, the gameplay and the bet types.
You will also be able to test out betting systems, such as the:
When you are ready, you can switch to real money play at any time at a craps online casino.
Craps - Terminology and Lingo
Our learn to play craps online would not be complete without a glossary of common terms:
- Ace - a die that lands on 1.
- Betting Right - a pass bet.
- Betting Wrong - a don't pass bet.
- Big Red - a 7.
- Bones - another term for the dice.
- Come-Out Roll - the first roll, which sets the point.
- Crap Out - a 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out roll.
- Crap Numbers - 2, 3 or 12.
- Easy Way - an even number other than doubles.
- Garden - a field bet.
- Hardways - a 4, 6, 8 or 10 with the same numbers.
- Hi-Lo - 2 or 12.
- Inside Numbers - 5, 6, 8 or 9.
- Natural - a 7 or 12.
- Outside Numbers - 4, 5, 9 and 10.
- Push - a tie, whereby you receive a refund.
- Seven Out - a roll of 7 when the point has been established.
- Snake Eyes - a roll of 2.
- Working Bets - wagers in play for the next roll.
Conclusion
This guide to craps has explained the rules of the game and how you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home. It is now time for you to register with one of the high-quality craps casinos recommended on this page, grab your welcome bonus and start playing craps online. Remember to stick to the pass / don't pass and come / don't come bets to increase your chances of success.
Sticking to Pass or Don't Pass bets is a good strategy when starting out with online craps (Credit: Alamy)