Online Craps

The game of Craps is not centuries but, rather, millennia-old,and was played as early as in the 20th century BC in Ancient Egypt. One has to admit, though, that modern Craps does differ from its predecessors and, unlike the old dice game, is characterized by dozens of rules, many of which may seem quite complicated. Yet this complexity is easy to overcome, and the rules are generally pretty much narrowed down to regulating bets on the outcome of rolling the dice. Depending on the combined number of pips that come up, a bet may win, lose or stay unresolved.

History

Since Craps is as old as the world itself, there are many speculations concerning the origins of this game. According to one of them, in comparison with the millennia-old dice game, its modern version emerged quite recently, in the 19th century. It is believed that it originated in the black community of New Orleans and that in 1907 one John H. Winn developed a set of rules for playing Craps.

According to another speculation, modern Craps has a much longer history. Some believe that its forefather is Hazard, an old English dice game. Later Craps was modified by French players and then brought to New Orleans by Bernard de Marigny, a wealthy politician and prominent gambler. However, the rules of the game were so imperfect at the time that the players had no difficulty beating the casino. It was not until early 20th century that John H. Winn cured the problem by introducing, among other things, the Don’t Pass betting option. It is his modifications and rules that shaped the version of craps being played today in most of the gaming establishments including online casinos.

General principles

Participants play Craps on a table with high rails around the sides to keep the dice on the table. It’s covered with felt cloth that has various betting options marked on it. To make bets, chips are used. In theory, both in traditional and online casinos, Craps is played in rounds. In reality, however, the division by rounds is mere conventional since their number is usually not limited, and each round may last as long as it takes.

The rules of the game specify what bets can be made and when. Some, are allowed only before the round begins (before the first roll of the dice, or the ‘come-out roll,’ that is), some – only after the first roll. Finally, a number of bets can be made at any point during the game, whether before or after the next round begins. Thus, the timing of bets is the key rule of the game. Only after figuring out how the betting works, can one understand the gist of Craps.

The duration of each round is determined by the outcome of a roll. If on the come-out roll 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 is thrown, the round is over. A dealer calculates the wins, pays out to the winning players, collects all losing bets, and the new round begins. If on the come-out roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, the ‘point’ is established and the round continues. A dealer places a special button with the ’On’ sign on the point number, and the shooter keeps on rolling until he or she hits a seven or the point. The payout is provided after each roll, and not after each round is completed.

The major types of wagers made in modern Craps irrespective of whether it is played in a traditional casino or an online casino are as follows:

1. Pass Line: made prior to the first roll, or the come-out roll, it wins when a 7 or 11 rolls and loses if the come-out roll is 2, 3 or 12 (these three numbers are known as ’craps’). If any other number is rolled, the ‘point’ is established, and the rolling continues. If thereafter the point is rolled again, the bet wins, and if a 7 seven is rolled, the bet loses.
2. Don’t Pass Line: the opposite of a Pass Line Bet, it wins when the come-out roll is 2 or 3 and loses if it is 7 or 11. If the come-out roll is 12, a bet is a tie, or a ‘push,’ and is returned to the player. After the point has been established, the bet wins if a 7 is rolled and loses if the point is rolled again.
3. Come Bet: this bet can be made only after the point has been established. The chips are placed on the Come Field. The bet wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled on the first round and loses if 2, 3, or 12 is rolled. If 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, it becomes a 'come point,' and the chips are moved onto a box that has the number of the come point. For the player to win, the come point has to be repeated before a 7 is thrown.
4. Don’t Come Bet: the opposite of a Come Bet, it also can be made after the point has been established. The chips are placed on the Don’t Come Bar. If the first roll is 2 or 3, the bet wins.  If it is 7 or 11, the bet loses. If it is 12, the bet pushes.  If 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, it becomes a 'come point,' and the chips are moved onto a box that has the number of the come point. If the come point is repeated, the bet loses. If a 7 is rolled, the bet wins.

Additinonal wagers in craps

Big Six and Big Eight. A player bets that a 6 or 8, respectively, will roll before a 7 is thrown. The bet wins if a 6 or an 8 is rolled and loses if a 7 is thrown. If any other number rolls, the bet remains unresolved and the dice are rolled again. The payout is 1:1.

Field Bet. A player can make this wager before or after the point has been established. The bet wins if 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 rolls and loses if 5, 6, 7, or 8 rolls.

Win / Loss Bet. As most of other bets in Craps, these can be made before or after the point has been established. By placing a wager on Win, the player bets that one of the point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 11) will roll before a 7 is thrown. Accordingly, if a 7 rolls, the bet loses while if a point number rolls, the bet wins. A Loss Bet is the opposite of a Win Bet. The bet loses if a point number rolls and wins if a 7 is thrown. Many casinos offer Buy/Lay betting options, which are very similar to Win / Loss Bets but have slightly different payout rules.

Any Seven. This bet wins if a 7 rolls and loses if any other number is thrown. The payout is 4:1.

Any Craps.  By making this wager, the player bets that one of the craps numbers (2, 3, or 12) will roll. The payout is 7:1. If any other number is thrown, the bet loses.

Rules: learn how to play Craps

Beating casino in Craps is not that difficult. Just learn how to play Craps and improve your odds by using some tips and tricks of online craps. Explore these rules to win:

• ​Raising the Bet: in case of a Come Bet and Don't Come Bet, a player may make an additional bet, provided that it doesn't exceed the first bet by more than three times. These additional bets can be modified or withdrawn at any point during the game.
• Rolling the Dice: players take turns being the shooter (rolling the dice). Once the shooter loses, the shooter passes the dice to the player on his or her left.
• Payouts: the payout is provided after each roll, not on the completion of each round. Accordingly, the dealer also takes the losing bets immediately after each roll is completed.

You might find the following links useful:

• Rules for online Backgammon