Craps Casino Game
Craps draws players with its lively pace and the constant roll of the dice. A round can deliver plenty of action in a short time. The game is played in online and land-based casinos around the world and remains a familiar choice at casino tables.
Craps outcomes depend on chance, though players may use betting approaches and money management to structure their play. Learning the rules explains the available choices, but cannot make the game reliably profitable.
History
One account traces craps to the Holy Roman Empire, where soldiers tossed pig knuckles onto their shields in a game linked to the phrase “to roll the bones.” A later game called hazard is said to have been devised by English noble Sir William of Tyre in 1125 AD, during the Crusades, as he and his knights waited to besiege Hazarth.
Early craps spread through Europe during the Middle Ages. The game was also referenced in “Canterbury Tales,” a collection of stories written between 1387 and 1400 by Geoffrey Chaucer and Percy MacKaye. In the 1600s and 1700s, it appeared in English gambling houses, where noblemen adopted it as a popular pastime.
Craps arrived in America with some of the earliest English settlers aboard the Mayflower, and by the 19th century it was known by its modern name. Its popularity increased during the 20th century and remains strong today. Played in casinos and online worldwide, craps is among the table games with the longest history.
Rules
Whether the table is physical or online, the basic layout is similar. A standard craps table uses a marked diagram to show the different betting areas. One Roll and Hardways bets go in a central section, while the ends include areas for pass line, field, come and place bets, among others.
To begin, the shooter bets on either the pass or don’t pass line, then rolls the dice towards the far wall, which they must hit. The right to shoot moves clockwise around the table. Players who do not wish to roll can still place bets.
A craps round has two stages: the come-out and the point. The shooter makes one or more come-out rolls to begin. A total of 2, 3 or 12 is called craps and ends the round, with pass-line wagers losing. A total of 7 or 11 is a natural, so pass-line wagers win.
A roll of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 establishes the point and moves play to the next stage. If the shooter rolls that point number again, pass-line wagers win; a seven ends the round and those wagers lose. Players can choose from several types of craps bets, including:
- Pass Line Bet
- Don’t Pass Line Bet
- Come Bet
- Don’t Come Bet
- Big Six, Big Eight Bets
- Odds on Come Bet
- Odds on Pass Line Bet
- Place Bets
- Proposition Bets
- Field Bets
Strategy
Many betting systems and strategies are promoted as ways to improve a craps player’s position. But outcomes depend on chance, and no approach can guarantee a win or beat the house. Some players still prefer particular strategies to structure their play.
Some players try to ride a run of wins or losses by looking for streaks. Another strategy pairs a line bet with free odds; this is said to reduce the house edge to 0.8%, versus 1.41% on a pass-line bet.
Bankroll
Set a loss limit before you start a craps session: decide how much you can afford to lose and stop when you reach that amount. Because rounds move quickly, taking regular breaks can help you keep tabs on your spending. You can also set a win limit and walk away once your winnings reach it, instead of continuing to play.
Gameplay
Many online casinos offer craps, a testament to the game’s lasting appeal. Played for centuries, it remains a mainstay of casino gaming. Newcomers can learn the rules and practise before deciding whether to play for money. Understanding the rules makes the betting options easier to follow, but outcomes are still uncertain.
