How to Play Craps for Beginners at a Casino
One of the most well-known casino games is also one of the most energetic. Craps is a wonderful game to play, but with so many nuances, it can be overwheming for beginners.
Before you bet on the craps table, we'll take you through some basics such as the rules, layout of the table, betting, and the best craps casinos to win.
What is Craps?
On the surface, craps will seem like an extremely complicated game, but it's all about the one determining factor – the roll of the dice. The "shooter" is the person who rolls the dice, and only betting can be placed before the "shooter" rolls. With craps, individuals are wagering on what number the dice will land on with varying odds.
The Craps Table Layout Explained
The craps table may seem scary when you first look at it, but if you pause for a moment and try to determine what you're playing, it will make sense. The craps table is divided up by different types of bets, and the two most popular are the pass line and the don't pass line. Other sections of the table show numbers, odds, and "come" and "don't come," each of which we will discuss in the sections below.
Pass Line Bet
Any craps game starts with the pass line bet. The players will put a bet in the space marked "pass line" for a 1:1 chance of payout before the shooter rolls the dice on the first time in the "come out roll.". In this one, the players are winning if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 and losing if they roll a 2, 3 or 12. If the shooter rolls anything else, the game moves on to one of the "point" numbers displayed on the craps table above.
Pass Line: The Foundation of Craps
A pass line bet is cheering for your own side: when the roller (the dice thrower) wins, you are a winner. It's the most played bet in craps not just because it is so simple to learn or because it offers the best odds, but because of the excitement of sharing the joy with the other players in winning.
Don't Pass Bet
Don't pass bet is the same as pass line bet, only you bet on the other outcome. Instead of betting that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11, you're betting that the shooter will roll a 2, 3 or 12.
Don't Pass: Betting the Other Game
Don't pass bet is similar to choosing the opposing team: you win some times when the roller does not. The thrill of the don't pass bet lies in rooting for the opposite outcome from the other bettors, which can be similar to selecting the underdog and offers a higher reward (and smaller house odds) if you are the winner. Remember that there are some players who consider a don't pass bet taboo, so play discreetly when playing don't pass, especially if you're a winner!
Pass bets are only the beginning. Following the "come out roll," if the roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, there is time for players to bet on different portions of the table. Each section is betting on a different outcome of the game, and bets can be placed after each roll that brings the game forward.
Selecting Your Place on the Table
- Field Bets: Betting is placed on the middle numbers on the table. The players win when the dice display 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. It is a quick method of earning money, a mini-game within the game.
- Come Bets: A come bet is the second chance of the excitement of the pass line. You win when the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, and you lose when he rolls a 2, 3 or 12. When the shooter rolls any number other than these, your bet is necessarily placed as a "come point" on that number.
- Place Bets: The big numbers up at the top of the table are place bets. Individuals bet on if the shooter will roll a specific number, with varying odds and payoff.
- Proposition Bets: The big bet – such as shooting a bullseye! These bets are bet on individual groups of numbers, so they are both the least likely to occur. But they also pay out the most.
- Odds Bets: Most beginners are not aware of odds bets because they do not show on the table. In case a come-out roll is signaled, you can wager the "true odds" by placing a bet behind the pass bet. You're betting that the shooter will roll a place number, and there is no house advantage.
Best Craps Strategy for Beginners
While a game of craps involves chance, there is some aspect of betting strategy involved. Some strategies are complicated than others, but for experience or skill level, the optimal craps betting strategy is one that puts the odds in your favor.
Basic Craps Bets with Best Odds for Beginners
The don't pass and pass lines are the easiest bet to place on a game of craps. Both bets have you with the best odds of winning on the game of craps, both 1:1 payout. Once the come-out roll is over, you can place the bet on the come, which is like doubling up on the pass line after a place roll, but the odds of winning aren't as favorable.
Expert Strategies and Tips for Craps Beginners
The best strategy for beginners at craps is to bet with the minimum house edge and maximum odds. Although it is exciting to bet on a huge several-hundred-dollar payoff, it is much more realistic to place a plain bet like the pass or don't pass line. Include the most common combinations on a dice roll, also – a seven is most common, and 2 and 12 are least common. Even rolling a seven is twice as likely as rolling a 4 or 10.
Playing Craps at a Casino: What You Need to Know
Craps is often the most social game at the casino and always the most lively. New players will have to come up to the table and wait for the current game to finish. After the dealer places the puck from "ON" to "OFF," you can exchange your cash for chips and place your first place bet before the game starts. Remember, craps is a social sport, and you'll be rooting on the shooter and celebrating with other players when the shooter rolls well.
Smart Craps Bankroll Money Management
Craps can be a blast, high-drama entertainment, but you still need to think about responsible gambling in your time at the table. We recommend that you have 40 times the minimum bet in cash so you can stay at the table the longest. Having it at the minimum bet will keep you at the table the longest, and make sure to bring only as much money as you can afford to lose.