Best Reviews 2023 Guide To Playing Craps Online for Real Money
If you would like to shoot craps at online casinos in 2023, this guide will show you how. Shooting dice is one of the most fun casino games to play, and if you have ever seen the crowds that gather at craps tables you will understand why. It is great fun and involves many people, not just the person that is shooting the dice. But it can seem quite confusing at first, so this guide will help you understand how to play and win.
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History of The Game of Craps
The story regarding the origins of the game of Craps will differ depending on who you ask. Rolling the bones is a phrase long associated with rolling dice. Historians believe this came about from Roman soldiers using pig knuckles to act as dice.
Around the time of the crusades, Sir William of Tyre and his knights played a dice game called Hazard. It later became popular in French taverns and streets during the 17th century. Crapaud means toad in French and referred to the way players crouched down to roll the dice on the ground.
A wealthy gambler named Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville introduced it to New Orleans in the 19th century. It made its way into Las Vegas casinos in the early 1930s. It was widely played by US soldiers during World War II and has continued to grow in popularity since then.
How To Play Craps Online
Playing in a land-based casino can be a little intimidating as there can be a lot of action around the craps tables. Playing online is a great way to learn as you can take your time to explore the many betting options. There are even free online craps games where you can practice before playing real money games. To play online successfully, you need to understand the basic rules and bets that you can make.
Basic Rules
While the many betting options can seem confusing at first, the basic rules are quite simple. A shooter (player) will throw two dice and players bet on whether the shooter will win or lose. Sometimes the first roll is all that you need, but more often than not, further rolls are necessary. You can place a bet on the player, against the player, on what numbers will appear, and several other winning bets.
Table Layout
Craps tables are quite intricate since they display all the options available to bettors. Casino tables can be so large that they need 4 people to work them. When playing online, you do not need to worry about where you stand at the table. The center of the table houses the proposition bets and the player’s area is where you place your Pass and Come bets. The dealer’s area holds all the other options.
Terminology
Another important aspect to playing craps is the terminology as you need to know basically what is going and bets not to miss out on. See our brief guide below:
| Craps Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Big 6 or Big 8: | An even-money bet that they will roll before a 7 |
| Boxcars: | A pair of 6’s |
| Come Out Roll: | The first roll of the dice |
| Craps: | Hitting a 2, 3, or 12 on the Come Out Roll |
| Easy Way: | Rolling a 4, 6, 8, or 10 with different numbers on the dice |
| Hard Way: | Rolling a 4, 6, 8, or 10 with the same numbers on the dice |
| Natural: | Hitting a 7 or 11 on the Come Out Roll |
| Snake Eyes: | A pair of 1’s |
Types of Bets in Craps
There are many types of bets that you can make at craps tables. Most of them are easy to understand, but the number of available bets may seem intimidating at first. The first bets to understand are the Pass and Don’t Pass Bets. Next, you need to understand the Come and Don’t Come bets, as well as the Odds Bets. Finally, you should learn the Place Bets, Hardways, Field, and Proposition Bets.
Multi-roll Bets
As the name suggests, Multi-roll Bets are wagers that take several rolls of the dice. The bets will stand until a player removes them, the shooter rolls the point, or the round comes to an end after a 7.
- Pass Line Bet – A Pass Line Bet wins if the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, and loses to a 2, 3, or 12. Otherwise, you win if the shooter rolls the point number before a 7.
- Don’t Pass Bar – You win if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3. It loses to a come out of 7 or 11, and a 12 is a push. Otherwise, you win on a roll of 7 and lose if the point rolls again.
- Come Bet – This is similar to a Pass Line Bet. The main difference is that you place this bet after the shooter makes the come-out roll. It is like a personal Pass Line Bet.
- Don’t Come Bar – This is like a personal Don’t Pass Bet. However, you place this bet after the shooter makes the come-out roll.
- Free Odds Bet – An Odds Bet is like a side bet that you make after the shooter has set the point. It is an added bet on top of your initial multi-roll bet.
- Place – A Place Bet is one of the best bets you can make after the point is set. You bet on whether one of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, will appear before a 7.
- Buy – A Buy Bet is like a Place Bet except you pay a 5% commission on the bet. In return, you receive a higher payout at the true odds.
- Hardway Bet – When the dice show the same number, you have hit it the hard way. You can bet on a hard 4, 6, 8, or 10 arriving before a 7.
Single-roll Bets
Single-Roll Bets are service bets that resolve with a single roll of the dice. They are also referred to as sucker bets as the house advantage is far from favorable for the player.
- The Field Bet – The Field Bet is a single-roll bet that pays even money if the shooter rolls a 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11. Rolling a 2 or 12 pays 2 to 1.
- 2 or 12 – Betting on a 2 or 12 coming on the next roll is a bad bet to make as the true odds are 35 to 1, but it is paid out at 30 to 1.
- 3 or 11 – Betting on a 3 or 11 coming on the next roll is also a bad bet as the true odds are 17 to 1, but it is paid out at 15 to 1.
- Any 7 – Any 7 Bets or the Big Red is a single-roll bet that pays at 4 to 1 if the shooter rolls a 7, and has a high house edge of 16.9%.
- Any Craps – This is a single-roll bet that pays out at 7 to 1 if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 and has a house edge of 11%.
- Hop Bets – These are single-roll bets that the dice will land on 2 particular numbers that you choose. Picking different numbers pays at 15 to 1, and 30 to 1 for doubles.
Craps Game Variations
There are many variations that you can play. Land-based casinos may need specific dice tables for some versions, but online casinos can offer many variants. Some variants are more popular in certain areas, and each has its own rules that alter the odds.
Bank Craps
This is the main variation that you find played worldwide and is the standard version that most people play. All players are gambling against the casino using the standard rules. It is the most popular variation that you will find in land-based establishments.
Crapless Craps
The main difference in this variation is that there is no Don’t Pass Bet. Additionally, rolling an 11 does not win on the come out. This dramatically affects the odds and gives the casino a much higher house edge. It is most popular in Las Vegas, but it is best to avoid this variation as the house edge is 4 times greater.
New York Craps
This variation is popular in the Eastern United States and also in England. It uses a different table called the double-end-dealer and uses 2 dealers, a stickman and a lookman. It does not allow Come Bets and Don’t Come Bets. There are also no Place Bets and players pay a 5% commission on all winnings. This version differs greatly from other variations and the odds are more in the casino’s favor.
Street Craps
This variation is similar to the standard one except there is no need for a craps table. Players bet against each other, and without a table to keep track of bets, there are usually just 2 options for betting – Pass and Don’t Pass. The absence of a banker also means there is no one to track the bets and decide the winner in the case of a dispute.
Card-based Craps
Card-based variations came about to get around strict gambling laws in the US. Some states ban payouts that are based on the roll of a dice, so casinos needed to find a way to get around these laws. The easiest solution was to use other things in place of the dice. Some use cards and dice while others completely replace the dice with cards. Each variation has its own set of rules.
How Does It Work?
Some variations use two shoes that contain decks of cards. These cards only include the numbers running from Ace to Six. One card is dealt from each shoe and these cards represent the dice roll. The downside is that card counters can use their skills to get an advantage over the casino. For this reason, they usually only deal 50% of the cards from the shoes before shuffling the cards again. Other variations use cards and dice, where the roll of the dice determines which cards to use.
Bonuses and Promotions For Online Craps
Online casinos will often offer free spins or similar bonuses for players signing up for a new account. This is because slots are the most popular game in an online casino. There are very few specific promotions for craps, but if you can avail of a no deposit or welcome bonus, these can boost your bankroll when you start playing at a craps table.
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Profitable Strategies and Systems for Craps
No one betting system can guarantee you will win at the table. But there are strategies that can help you in managing your bankroll and give you a better chance to win. The key is to know your budget and how much you can afford to lose. Stick to your plan and do not let emotion take control.
Reverse Martingale
The reverse Martingale is a betting system where you bet on the Pass Line. You halve your bet each time you lose, and conversely, you double your bet if you win. This can work great when you go on a winning streak, but the key to this system is knowing when to quit. There is bound to be a losing roll at some stage, so it’s best to quit after a certain number of wins.
The Iron Cross
The Iron Cross strategy involves making a Place Bet on the 5, 6, and 8, along with a Field Bet. This covers every number, so you will get paid when any number rolls except a 7. The upside is you will win a little every time there is no 7. This sounds promising, but when 7 rolls you will lose all your bets. The advantage to the casino with this system is about 2-6%.
Labouchere System
The Labouchere or Cancellation System is one of the most complicated betting systems to use. You will write down a series of numbers to begin, and then you add numbers to the series if you lose. This determines how much you will bet on the next round. If you win, you will remove the first and last number from the series. This method works well for online gambling since you can track your wins and losses easily.
The Three-Point Molly
The Three-Point Molly is a strategy designed to keep your bet size low. You bet on the shooter in the Come Out, and place Come Bets with max Odds until 3 Points are covered. At this stage, you will stop betting until you 7 Out, or one of your bets wins. With a win, you will set another Point with max Odds. With a 7 Out, you will start over again.
Craps for Beginners – Play For Free
Many online gambling sites offer you a chance to play for free before you play for real money. This is a great way to hone your skills at the table and practice your strategy. You can take your time to learn the layout of the table and understand the many available side bets. Once you are confident that you understand the rules and betting options, you can play for real money.
Top Software Developers of Craps Games
Some of the biggest developers at the moment are Microgaming, Playtech, and Betsoft. But, while there are some live dealer tables available, most online casino games are RNG. In our opinion, the best atmosphere comes from a live table, so we would recommend this version whenever possible. The good news is that live versions are becoming more popular as more people are now playing online.
| Software | Desktop | Tablet | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Optimization – Play Craps On The GO!
Nowadays, almost every gambling site makes its games available on desktop and mobile devices. You can play on your mobile device by accessing the website through a web browser. This allows you to play without any downloads. Also, some operators have dedicated apps that you can download, and this makes loading times faster and will have less data usage. Once you find the gambling website that you like, you can play on the go from anywhere. You can also make deposits directly from your device for greater convenience.
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Offline vs. Online Craps
Many players prefer the convenience that gambling online offers.
- Play from anywhere
- Start a game at any time
- Generous welcome bonuses
- You can practice for free
- Does not have people to create a fun atmosphere
Other people say that the best way to play is offline, at a traditional brick n’ mortar casino.
- Tables provide a great atmosphere
- Shared excitement when a shooter rolls
- Potential to be comped
- May get free drinks and food
- Must travel to the casino
Biggest Craps Winners of All Time!
If you have any doubt that you cannot win big playing craps, let us put this to bed. See below for three of the biggest winners in the game of craps:
- Stanley Fujitake rolled the dice 118 times in 3 hours and won over $1 million in Las Vegas.
- Patricia Demauro broke this record by rolling the dice 154 times over 4 hours. However, she did not disclose the amount she won, there is speculation that it was over $3 million.
- William Lee Bergstrom famously walked into the Horseshoe with an empty suitcase, and another one with $770,000. He doubled his money on a single roll and left with 2 suitcases full of cash.
Advantages to Playing Craps Online in 2023
Playing online craps has been growing in popularity as it affords you the flexibility to play from anywhere at any time. And with no need for transport to get to a casino or other expenses, the funds you save can go towards your bankroll. Furthermore, you can even practice for free before playing for money.
Craps Game Frequently Asked Questions
A guide to some of the most commonly asked questions related to playing craps online.
The Pass Line Bet has a very low house edge of 1.41%. A Don’t Pass Bet actually has a lower advantage for the house of 1.36%, but the chances of winning this bet are at a minimum.
Yes, you can find a live dealer game online on many sites. It is probably the most fun you can have at an online table.
Sir William of Tyre and his knights invented a similar game called Hazard in 1125 during the crusades. This became popular in France taverns during the 17th century. It later made its way to New Orleans in the 19th century, and into Las Vegas casinos in the early 1930s.
Yes, you can play on your phone without a download by visiting an online casino via a web browser. Some casinos also have an app you can download.
7 and 11 can sound quite similar. So to avoid any confusion, an operator will call 11 as yo-leven or yo as it is most commonly referred to.
Whether you win or lose depends on the roll of a dice, making it a game of luck. The skill is in what betting strategy you use.
The most common variation is Crapless Craps. It reduces the advantage of the casino, which is why it is not popular among casinos.
A shooter must use one hand and the dice must bounce off the back wall to be considered a fair roll.
It is only legal to play craps online if that particular state has legalized it. This includes states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia.
