How to Play Craps for Beginners

Want to know how to play craps? For beginners, we have the ultimate guide to get you started.

Here you’ll learn how a craps table is set up, plus you’ll find out about the many bets you can make. This exciting dice casino game might seem confusing at first, but we make it simple with our easy how-to instructions.

You can play free craps online at the best casinos in New Jersey. Get on a roll today!

How to Play Craps Online in 5 Easy Steps

You can play online craps for free or real money. In addition, the online craps games in New Jersey are pretty similar to the ones you’ll find in Atlantic City. The only difference is you will always be in charge of rolling the dice.

Essentially, craps is a game where you place bets on the outcome of two dice. You can place dozens of bets based on the exact total of the dice or individual numbers.

It’s easy to learn how to play craps. For beginners, the most important thing to remember is that every game begins with the “Come Out” roll. This determines a number called the “Point.” More bets are then placed until a new Point is established.

1. Come Out Roll

This is the first roll of the round. If a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled, the round ends. A 7 or 11 will also end the round.

2. Establishing the Point

If the Come Out roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, then a Point has been established. Betting continues until either the Point is rolled, or a 7.

As long as the “OFF” button is showing on the table, a Point is yet to be established. This will switch to “ON: once the Point has been rolled. The ON button will be placed over the Point number.

You can win money by betting that a 7 or 11 will be rolled before the Point has been established. This is called the Pass bet. You can win the Come bet if a 7 or 11 is rolled after the Point has been established.

3. New Come Out Roll

When a Point or 7 is rolled, there is a fresh Come Out roll and the round starts over. In a land-based casino, the dice would pass to a new player at the table. In online craps, you simply assume the roll of “shooter.”<.p>

4. Placing Bets

The basic mechanics of craps are simple. Where the game can be confusing is in the range of possible wagers. Common bets include Pass Line and Don’t Pass, both of which are placed before the Come Out.

The online casino craps table is easy to understand, however. You can clearly see where to place your chips, and most games will display the odds for every type of bet.

5. Collecting Winnings

Your winnings will be added to your bankroll whenever you win a bet. You can cash out any time or exit the game.

Craps Table Explained

Of all the casino games, craps has one of the biggest ranges of bets and wagers. Let’s take a closer look at the table.

Chips: Start by selecting your stakes. The table will display the minimum and maximum stake available.

Roll: Once you’re ready to shoot, hit the “Roll” button and start your game.

Clear/Repeat: You will also have the option of clearing your previous bets or repeating your previous ones.

Point Numbers: When a Point has been established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10) it will be marked on the table with a large “ON” button.

Pass Line/Don’t Pass: These are the most common betting areas in craps. Both bets pay even money, or 1/1. Once the Point has been decided, you must then roll that number again before a 7 appears in order to win your Pass bet.

Come/Don’t Come: These are bets placed after the Point has been established. You win the Come by hitting a 7 or 11 after the Point.

Odds bets: These are like prop bets in craps and are made after the Point has been decided.

Place Win/Place Lose: These are bets made after the Point. Bet on a number appearing before or after a 7 does.

Proposition Bets: This area of the table contains bets on specific dice totals.

Field Bets: The Field contains only the totals 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. Each Field bet carries different odds.

Big 6/Big 8: These bets are in the corner of the table. You will be able to bet on a 6 or 8 appearing before a 7.

Is Playing Craps Online Different than Playing in a Casino?

Knowing how to play craps for beginners is easy. But how does online craps compare to live games?

Luckily, the craps games you can play for real money at an online casino in New Jersey is identical to the ones you’ll find in Atlantic City. The main difference is that there is no change of shooter rolling the dice. Online, you assume the role of the shooter every time.

In addition, you will find several croupiers handling the action at a live craps table. The boxman supervises the betting action, while the stickman is responsible for moving the dice. A dealer handles the chips and pays out to winners.

Plus, you will never have to fight for space at an online table. Get a feel for the bets and table before making your move.

Popular Craps Bets to Know

There are dozens of possible bets to make in online craps. Some craps wagers pay out more than others. Let’s take a closer look at some popular craps bets.

Pass Line

Pays: 1/1

This is placed before the Come Out roll. You win if the Come Out is 7 or 11, and lose if a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled.

Don't Pass Line

Pays: 1/1

This is the opposite of the Pass Line bet. It’s also placed before the Come Out. You win if the Come Out is 2 or 3 and you lose if the total is 7 or 11.

Any other number becomes the Point. You stake remains on the table until a 7 is rolled, or the Point.

Come

Pays: 1/1

The Come bet is placed after the Come Out roll. You win if the next roll is 7 or 11. A Come Point is established if a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 is rolled. Your chips are moved to the Come Box, and you will win if the Come Point is rolled before a 7.

Don't Come

Pays: 1/1

The Don’t Come is also placed after the Come Out roll. You win if a 2 or 3 is rolled.

C&E (Craps & Eleven)

Pays: 5/1

This bet is marked on the table with clear “C” and “E” circles. It’s placed before the Come Out roll. You win by hitting any “craps” number of 2, 3 or 12 or an 11.

Place Win/Buy Bet

Pays: 7/6 on 6 & 8, 7/5 on 5 & 9, 9/5 on 4 & 10

This is a bet on specific totals being rolled before a 7. You win by hitting a total worth 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10.

Place Lose/Lay Bet

Pays: 4/5 on 6 or 8, 5/8 on 5 or 9, 2/5 on 4 or 10

The Place Lose/Lay bet is the opposite of the Place Win/Buy bet. Place it after the Come Out roll and win if the 7 is rolled before your chosen number.

Any Craps Bet

Pays: 7/1

This is a simple bet placed after the Come Out. You win by “crapping out,” or rolling a 2, 3 or 12 after your bet.

Hardway

Pays: 7/1 or 9/1

You win this bet after the Come Out if the following roll is a 4, 6, 8 or 10 formed of a double.

Big 6

Pays: 1/1

Roll a 6 before the 7 and you win even money. This bet is placed after the Come Out roll.

Big 8

Pays: 1/1

You win if an 8 is rolled before a 7.

Field

Pays: 1/1 to 2/1

The Field bets are placed before the Come Out roll and Point. You win 1/1 if you hit a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11. You win 2/1 by hitting 2 or 12.

3 or 11

Pays: 15/1

This bet pays 15/1 if you hit 3 or 11.

Craps 2

Pays: 30/1

This is one of the best-paying bets in craps. You win 30/1 if you hit “snake eyes,” or two ones.

Craps 12

Pays: 30/1

Craps 12 is similar to Craps 2, but you must roll two dice totaling exactly 12.

Pass Line Odds/Come Odds

Pays: 2/1 to 6/5

Craps offers a lot of proposition bets like Odds bets. These are like side bets and are placed after the Point has been decided. They also offer a near-zero house edge.

The Pass Line Odds bet complements your normal Pass Line bet. You win 2/1 if the Point is set at 4 or 10, 3/2 for 5 or 9, and 6/5 for 6 or 8. They must be rolled before a 7. The Come Out Odds bet wins if the Point is rolled after a 7.

Don’t Pass Odds/Don’t Come Odds

Pays: 1/2 to 5/6

Similarly, a Don’t Pass Odds bet or Don’t Come Odds bet complement your Don’t Pass or Don’t Come wager. If a 7 appears before the Point, you win. You’ll win 1/2 on a 4 or 10, 2/3 on 5 or 9, and 5/6 for 6 or 8.

Craps Tips & Strategies for Beginners

Now you know how to play craps for beginners, it’s time to grasp some basic tips. Here’s our top five strategies for craps play.

1. Bet on Don’t Pass for a Low House Edge

In craps, the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets carry a low house edge of just 1.36%. They give you a slight advantage over the Pass/Come bets (with a house edge of 1.44%) and offer you a second chance if a Point is rolled.

2. Go for the Odds Wagers

The Pass Line Odds and Come Odds wagers offer the lowest house edge in craps, 0%. You are effectively being paid at “true odds,” where the casino has no advantage over the player.

3. Avoid the Hardways Bets

The more specific the total you’re after, the worse the house edge. Hardway bets on 4, 6, 8 or 10 may have large payouts, but they also carry a house edge worth around 9-11%.

4. Manage Your Bankroll

Like any casino game, good bankroll management is essential when playing craps. Decide on your starting bankroll and bet only 3-4% of your total budget for each bet. Start by selecting even-money bets only until you get a full grasp of the gameplay.

5. Play for Free Before Your Risk Cash

You can also try online craps in New Jersey for free. Free-play games are perfect for NJ players wanting to get a grasp of the rules before they risk their bankrolls.

Craps Terms You May Hear

Craps features a range of interesting terms and phrases. Here are some of the more popular craps terms you will come across.

Any Seven: A bet on the next roll totaling 7.

Any Craps: A bet on the next roll totaling 2, 3 or 12.

Boxman: Croupier responsible for handling chips and overseeing the game.

Come Out: First roll of a round of craps that establishes the Point.

Come: A bet placed after the Come Out roll. You win if the Come Out is 7 or 11.

Don’t Come: A bet placed after the Come Out roll. You win if a 2 or 3 is rolled.

Crapping Out/Crap Out: The Come Out roll is 2, 3 or 12.

Field: A bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12.

Hardway: Any number rolled as a double.

Hi-Lo: A bet on 2 & 12.

Inside Numbers: Bet on 5, 6, 8 or 9.

Point: A number established that is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10./p>

Pass Line: A bet placed before the Come Out roll. You win if the Come Out is 7 or 11.

Don’t Pass: A bet placed before the Come Out roll. You win if the Come Out is 2 or 3.

Seven Out: Rolling a 7 before rolling the Point again.

Snake Eyes: Two dice both showing 1.

On/Off: Button marking the Point number.

Yo: A bet on an 11 (6-5 or 5-6)

Why Should I Play Craps Online in New Jersey?

We hope you understand how to play craps. For beginners, craps can be a confusing game. But with some free-play practice, you can get a feel for the Come Out rolls, the Point numbers, and the Field bets.

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