How to Play Craps: Beginner's Guide

How to play craps Beginner's guide

At first glance, Craps might seem confusing. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, once you learn the terms and get used to different betting options, you will have a blast with this game.

We want to point out that you shouldn’t venture into a new game without a clear understanding of its rules. So, don’t risk your own money while trying to figure it all out on the go. Instead, learn how to play craps from this guide to not feel like a rookie when the chips are in play.

The Craps Table Explained

The first thing that beginners are baffled by is the table layout. This might be the answer to why so many beginner players think that playing craps will be difficult. We’re not saying that the table isn’t laid-out correctly or logically. However, the names of the fields are not self-explanatory.

How to play craps Beginner's guide

Here is how the various bets are labeled at the craps table:

  • Pass: This is the most basic bet in craps. Here, you're betting that the either a 7 or an 11 will be the first number rolled.
  • Don’t Pass:This is the opposite bet. Instead of waiting for a 7 or an 11 on the first roll, you need a 2, 3, or 12 (the losing roll of Pass Line bets).
  • Come: It’s like your own personal Come bet that you play separately from everybody else before any other roll.
  • Don’t Come: These bets can only be placed when a Point for the Pass Line has been established.
  • Field: Here, you’re hoping for a shooter rolling a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
  • Place: You bet on a specific number other than 7 or craps numbers and win if it’s rolled before a 7.
  • Hardway Bets: In order to roll this combination, you must roll the exact pair of doubles. When this bet is made, you will win if a hard number is rolled before an easy one or a 7.

Craps Rules: How It All Works

With bets described above, you’re betting on the outcome of a roll, using two dice. For starters, let’s go over the basic gameplay that only requires you to use a few kinds of bets. This is how it takes place step by step:

  1. Place Pass bet. You already know what it means, so you’re wagering that the roll will “pass”.
  2. Roll the dice. If you roll, 2, 3, or 12, it automatically means the bet is lost. In other words, you roll “craps”. If it’s 7 or 11, you win the bet, and the round is over.
  3. The number marked “ON”. Let’s imagine any other number is rolled. This will become the “point” number that will be marked with “ON,” and it’s considered the target roll from now on.
  4. You win your Pass bet. You must roll the dice until the number marked with “ON” will come out. However, if you roll a 7, the bet is lost, and the round is over.

As you get accustomed to this simplified way of playing craps, you can start making additional bets. But in the meantime, you can have a good time while only using this basic strategy.

Tips to Make You Better at Craps

Whether you’re a complete beginner or have already dabbled into this game, there are some universal rules to keep in mind:

  • Decide how much you want to spend on a single session beforehand.
  • Choose Don’t Pass bets over Pass (1.36% vs. 1.41% house edge).
  • Consider going for the Don’t Come bet – it also offers you a small 1.36% house edge.
  • Don’t take proposition bets as the house edge raises up to 13.98%.
  • Don’t get caught up with all these bets and try going the simple route from time to time.

Overall, table games are where many players can test their strategy and luck. Across the Loki Casino’s selection, you will find lots of table games like craps, blackjack, poker, roulette, and baccarat. Whether you’re more into simple gameplay or games requiring more elaborate strategies, check out our platform, and find something that is perfect for you.

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