5 Minute Guide to Craps for Non-Gamblers

Have you been tempted to try out Craps, but you are not sure how it works?

Let us tell you in this quick guide to craps for beginners and non-gamblers.

So, let’s start with the basics, shall we?

Craps is a game of chance that cannot be missing from any online casino. It is considered one of the most classic table games and it is very simple to understand. Basically, the game consists of placing different bets on the result of rolling two dice in the next throw or in an entire game round. Normally, the bet is placed against the dealer, although there are other versions in which players place bets against each other, as in the well-known “Street Craps”.

So whether you are looking to play free craps or playing craps online with real money, this guide will be extremely helpful for you to learn more about craps games.

Would you like to know more about the history and origin of craps games? We will explain next.

History of Craps

What is the history of craps and how did it conquer its place at online casinos?

As is often the case with ancient games, the origin of Craps is uncertain and there are several theories as to its invention. One version says that it originates from a game-like pastime of the Roman Empire. Back then, warriors carved pig bones into cubes and used them for fun between combats, betting on the results.

Another theory says that Craps originates from an English game called “Hazard”, played since the Middle Ages. According to this version, its inventor was Sir William of Tyre who, in 1125, used the game to entertain his troops during the conquest of an Arab castle called “Hazarth”.

The latest version says that the origin of the game predates the Middle Ages and that the Arabs used to plays with cubes with numbers and called it “Azzahr”. The game crossed the borders and expanded thanks to merchants and ended up being called “Hazard”.

This means that the game Craps is probably older than its name. So, what are the different names of Craps?

In 17th- and 18th-century Britain, the game was known as Hazard and it was beloved in popular taverns as well as high-society gambling halls. In France, this game was also played very often, being called “Crabe”. Little by little, this dice game evolved into the name “Craps”, by which it is known to this day.

Later, the English and the French players brought Craps to the southeastern United States around the 19th century. There, the game transformed and became simpler and more popular.

It was not until the 20th century that Craps began to become known around the world. And during World War II, soldiers played it to entertain themselves between combat. It was in this way that the game crossed the borders of America, Europe and Asia, being enjoyed today around the world.

Craps basic rules

The first thing you need to know if you want to start playing craps online is, naturally, the basic rules of craps. Even if you don’t want to play with real money and you are just looking into free craps games, it is still much more fun when you know what you are doing.

It is quite simple, here it goes:

Craps is played with two six-sided dice (the more traditional ones, which come in any common board game) and up to 12 people can play at the same time. However, only one player becomes the pitcher in each round. To participate in the craps game, everyone has to pay the minimum bet determined by the table (except if you are playing free online craps), which can vary according to the level of the game.

All players must choose a type of bet in each new round, and then the thrower starts the game by throwing the dice on the table. The winner of the round is determined by the sum of the results of the thrown dice, associated with the possible types of bets.

Next step is to figure out what are the possible types of bets.

Types of bets in Craps

There are many types of bets possible in a Craps game. We will only present here the most common bets and which have the greatest possibilities of winning.

Pass-Line Betting

It is the most common type of bet in the process of learning how to play Craps online. When a player makes a pass line bet, he is betting that the result of the online dice on the initial roll will be 7 or 11. If this occurs, each player who made this bet will receive double the stake.

If the value of the rolled dice is 2, 3 or 12 (Craps), then these bettors lose. If the sum is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, the thrower gets 1 point and rolls the dice again. If the result is 7, the caster wins; if it is another number, the other players win.

Don't Pass-Line Bets

This is a lay bet type, so it's the inverse of the previous bet. Here, the player who chooses the don't pass line is betting that, on the initial roll, the sum of the dice will be 2, 3 or 12, receiving twice the amount wagered. If the sum of 7 or 11 comes up, the bettor loses.

In case the throw adds up to 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 then 1 point will be given to the thrower and the don't pass line bettor has to hope that the sum on the second throw is 7.

Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Craps

Although we are familiar with dice games, each one has a strategy, and Craps games are no different. Now we'll talk about the top 3 most common mistakes so you can avoid them and be much more successful playing Craps online.

Poor understanding of the rules

Some more enthusiastic players imagine that their luck can overcome the deficiencies in understanding Craps, but like any strategy game, to win, it is necessary to understand all the rules involved.

You have the option to better understand the game by watching other gamblers play craps online. Although some casino games need understanding, we must never forget that a good dose of luck is an essential part of success.

Bad bets

If you think that the house gets a lot of edge on every game, you'll be happy with the news: Craps has the lowest house edge of any casino game. But calm down! Before placing the chips, understand that this rule applies only to pass/don't pass line bets where the house has a 1.41% and 1.36% advantage, respectively.

There are also bets where the house has a much higher edge, such as the big six and the big eight where the casino has a 9.1% edge. Unless the bettor is really sure of his strategy and also his luck, these types of bets should be avoided.

The best way to make money playing Craps online is to have a good strategy that includes betting on odds that are in favor of the players and avoiding betting in favor of the casino.

Play free craps online to be familiar with the bets.

Lack of agility or bad connection

In a physical casino, the rounds have a time that is determined by the players when placing their chips and rolling the dice and also by the house to pay the winning bets and withdraw the losing bets. In an online game, this delay is eliminated, which makes the game much more dynamic and consequently requires more attention and agility from the player.

For an online casino craps game, your worst enemy can be a bad internet connection. You must have a stable connection to avoid the risk of a sudden disconnection, as you can see in the image above, which would be very frustrating.

Conclusion

Craps is a glamorous looking game that is very easy to understand. Before taking your chances with real money betting, visit Tuskcasino and try out the free online craps version of the game. Practice is always welcome, isn't it? Oh, and of course, don't forget to have a lot of fun!