How to Play Craps Online: Rules, Bets and Odds
A plain-English guide to the dice, the bets and the odds
How to Play Craps Online
Craps looks busy and loud. The table is covered in boxes, and players shout when the dice land. Many people skip it for that reason. The core game is much simpler than it looks.
This guide explains the rules in plain English. It covers the main bets, the odds and the online versions you can play. By the end, you should feel ready to join a table.
Craps is popular on the Strip too. If you like the land-based side of the game, see our guide to the best casinos to visit in Las Vegas.
The Basics of Playing Craps
In craps, players take turns rolling two dice. This player is called the shooter. Everyone at the table can bet on the shooter’s rolls.
Each round has two phases. The first phase is the come-out roll. The second phase starts once a point is set.
The Come-Out Roll
The shooter starts with the come-out roll. The result decides what happens to Pass Line bets.
| Come-out roll | Result for Pass Line bets |
|---|---|
| 7 or 11 (a “natural”) | Pass Line bets win |
| 2, 3 or 12 (called “craps”) | Pass Line bets lose |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 | That number becomes the “point” |
The Point Phase
Once a point is set, the dealer places an “ON” puck on that number. The shooter keeps rolling. The round ends in one of two ways.
If the shooter rolls the point number again, Pass Line bets win. If a 7 appears first, Pass Line bets lose. This is called a “seven out”, and the dice move to the next player.
Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line Bets
These are the two main bets. Most beginners start here, and for good reason. They carry some of the lowest house edges in the casino.
Pass Line
A Pass Line bet backs the shooter. It wins on a 7 or 11 at the come-out. It also wins if the shooter repeats the point before rolling a 7. The bet pays even money, which is 1 to 1.
Don’t Pass Line
A Don’t Pass bet works the opposite way. It wins on a 2 or 3 at the come-out. It also wins when a 7 appears before the point. Most casinos treat a come-out 12 as a tie, so the bet is returned.
Betting against the shooter is not rude. It is a normal bet. However, some players at a live table prefer to back the shooter for the friendly mood.
Come and Don’t Come Bets
Come bets act like a Pass Line bet, but you place them after a point is set. The next roll becomes the come-out roll for that bet. Don’t Come bets work the same way in reverse.
These bets let you build several bets at once. As a result, they also raise the amount you have at risk.
Odds Bets: The Best Bet at the Table
After a point is set, you can add an odds bet behind your Pass Line bet. This is the only bet in craps with no house edge. It pays true odds, so the casino has no built-in advantage on it.
| Point number | Odds bet payout |
|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 |
| 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 |
| 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 |
Each table sets its own limit on how much odds you can add. Many tables allow three, four or five times your bet. Some allow far more. Check the table rules before you play.
You can only make an odds bet after a Pass Line or Come bet. For this reason, the Pass Line with odds is the usual starting strategy. It keeps the average cost of the game low.
Other Bets You Will See
Beyond the main bets, the table has many more options. Some are fair value. Others take a large cut. The table below shows the house edge on the most common ones.
| Bet | Payout | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1 to 1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass (bar 12) | 1 to 1 | 1.36% |
| Pass or Come with odds | True odds on the odds part | 0% on the odds part |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7 to 5 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9 to 5 | 6.67% |
| Field (2 pays double, 12 pays triple) | 1 to 1 on most numbers | 2.78% |
| Hard 6 or hard 8 | 9 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 4 or hard 10 | 7 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Any craps | 7 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Yo (11) | 15 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Any 7 | 4 to 1 | 16.67% |
Payouts can change slightly from one casino to the next. Some tables pay triple on a field 12 and double on a 2. Others pay double on both. Always check the layout.
Side Bets and Proposition Bets
The bets in the middle of the table are called proposition bets, or service bets. In a live casino, the dealer places them for you. They are one-roll bets, which means they win or lose on the very next throw.
They include “snake eyes”, which is a pair of ones, and “boxcars”, which is a pair of sixes. They pay big, but they cost a lot in the long run. As a result, most experienced players avoid them.
Simple starter plan: Place a Pass Line bet, then add odds once a point is set. This gives you most of the action with the lowest cost. You can learn the other bets later.
Playing Craps at an Online Casino
Online craps comes in two main forms. Both follow the same rules as the land-based game.
RNG Craps
Software rolls virtual dice using a random number generator. You play at your own pace. There is no crowd, no pressure and no waiting for other players. This makes it a good place to practise.
Live Dealer Craps
Live craps streams a real table from a studio. Players bet through their screens and watch the dice land in real time. Evolution launched its live version in 2021, set in a speakeasy-style studio. It includes an Easy Mode with a simple tutorial for new players.
You can read more in our news report on Evolution’s Live Craps launch. Our guide to Evolution live casinos covers the wider live range.
We could not verify which casinos offer live craps today. Availability depends on your country and the casino. Check the live lobby before you sign up.
Before You Stake Real Money
Check the “how to play” section on the casino’s craps page before you bet. Some tables use house rules that differ slightly. Examples include the odds limits, the field payout and the come-out 12 rule.
Our guides to live dealer casino games and free live dealer games can help you decide how to start. For a wider look at the casino floor, read about the most popular casino table games.
Craps Terms Every Beginner Should Know
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Shooter | The player rolling the dice |
| Come-out roll | The first roll of a round |
| Point | The number set on the come-out (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10) |
| Natural | A 7 or 11 on the come-out |
| Craps | A 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out |
| Seven out | A 7 rolled after a point is set |
| Odds bet | An extra bet that pays true odds |
| Hard way | A double, such as 3 and 3 for a hard 6 |
Tips for Playing Craps Online
Keep these points in mind:
- Start with the Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet.
- Add odds bets when the table allows them.
- Skip the proposition bets in the centre of the table.
- Set a budget before you start, and stop when it is gone.
- Practise on a free or low-stake table first.
- Check the bonus terms, because many casinos exclude table games from bonus play. Our guide to accepting online casino bonuses explains why.
No betting system changes the maths in craps. The dice have no memory. A hot streak does not make the next roll more likely to repeat.
If You Enjoy Other Table Games
Craps fans often like other games with simple rules and fast action. Online blackjack rewards good decisions. Roulette bets are easy to learn. Baccarat is quick and needs very little strategy.
You can also browse our full range of live casinos online to compare studios and tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is craps hard to learn?
The basics are easy. Learn the Pass Line, the point and the odds bet, and you can play. The rest can wait.
What is the best bet in craps?
The Pass Line with odds has the lowest cost. Don’t Pass with odds is similar. The odds part has no house edge.
What does “seven out” mean?
It means the shooter rolled a 7 after a point was set. Pass Line bets lose, and the dice move to the next shooter.
Can I play craps for free online?
Many casinos offer demo tables for RNG craps. Live dealer tables usually need real money. Check each casino’s lobby.
Is online craps fair?
Licensed casinos use tested random number generators for RNG games. Live games use real dice in a studio. Always play at a licensed casino.
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