Craps Beginner Strategy
How To Play Craps For Beginners: Before the lavish meals at our Las Vegas restaurants, the thrilling shows, and the exhilarating nightlife, make sure you take some time to learn how to play craps and win in one of our Las Vegas casinos. Online Craps: Basic Strategies for Beginners. By Catherine 9:32 am. Craps is one of the more complicated casino games out there. That fact did not change when the game started being offered at online casinos. The presence of virtual gambling websites made the game more accessible to every aspiring gambler but it did not make it less complex.
Craps is known for being one of the easiest games to learn on the entire casino floor. Not only that, but it provides some pretty favorable odds to gamblers of all skill and experience levels.
While the learning curve might not be as significant as it is with other games, there are still a number of strategies that can help take your success up a notch. If you’re new to the game, it’s important to understand the basics and put them into action.
In this article, I’ll lay out the top 7 strategy tips for craps beginners.
1 – Bet the Right Way
One thing that can get lost in a gambling strategy (somehow) is the importance of not just playing the game the right way, but betting the right way as well. For this particular game, betting the right way means something additional.
When it comes to craps, play the pass and come bets with the table. These are the bets which are widely thought to be the best because of the low house edge, and are well-suited for beginners who aren’t as familiar with the game.
The most popular bet for craps is a pass line bet which has a house edge of only 1.4%. What you need to know is that you only have four ways to lose, so your odds are quite favorable.
2 – Look for the Right Shooter
Think dice rolls are completely random? You might be surprised to learn that some shooters have developed ways to take at least some of the unpredictable nature out of their roll.
For ExamplePlayers who shake and roll the dice in their hands prior to their throw probably don’t have much control over the outcome.
On the flip side, some players roll exactly the same way each time and have a higher probability of getting a winning outcome.
When you walk into the casino and are looking for the right table to start placing bets, do your best to find someone who looks like they’re in relative control of the throws they’re making. It sounds like a small thing, but any time you can take measures to reduce unpredictability in gambling, it’s worth taking advantage of the opportunity.
3 – Manage Your Bankroll
You might not be as experienced as some of the other players at the table, but it only takes discipline, not skill or experience, to effectively manage your gambling bankroll.
If you’re unfamiliar, your bankroll is the pool of money that you’ve set aside for the sole purpose of gambling. Most experts recommend only betting a small, predetermined percentage of that bankroll on any one play. You can determine the percentage for yourself, but keeping it between 5% and 10% is most effective.
Remember that it’s crucial, especially when you’re just starting out, to think of gambling as a long-term game. Trying too hard to hit the jackpot and betting huge amounts of money is a good way to drain your bankroll and put you in a bad financial position.
4 – Be Wary of Prop Bets
In craps, there are a number of advanced betting combinations that can result in huge payouts. However, in order to use these to your advantage, you need to have a pretty solid grasp on how the game is played.
In my opinion, if you’re new to craps, it’s in your best interest to stay away from these prop bets and stick to something that you understand. Prop bets have a much higher house edge than regular bets, and the added risk means that if you aren’t making the correct plays, you could just be giving money away to the casino.
Not only do you need to be aware of the odds on prop bets, but they also require you to have a significant level of knowledge in regards to the board layout and gameplay process. To make things even more complicated, there’s a specific etiquette preferred when making these bets as well.
I’m not saying that prop bets should be totally off your radar forever, but it’s best to observe others utilizing them before you start throwing down your money hoping for a big win.
5 – Practice Online
Nobody likes to feel like they don’t know what they’re doing – especially when surrounded by a bunch of strangers who do know what they’re doing. Unfortunately, the only way to get experience is to go through the learning curve, as uncomfortable as it may be.
Throughout most of history, this has meant that beginner players had to positon themselves at the table right next to the experts, and let their inexperience shine. However, in today’s world, there is another option that has helped countless beginner gamblers: online gaming.
The best part of online casinos is that they provide users with a place to hone their skills, without the social embarrassment or anxiety that comes with being new to the game.
Even more beneficial is the fact that there are plenty of sites that don’t even require you to risk any money in order to learn.
Before you visit a casino and start wagering your hard-earned money, make sure you know what you’re doing. Find a free online site that allows you to learn the game, then move on to a low-limit, real money online casino, and then you’ll be ready for the real thing.
6 – Don’t Listen to the Dealer
I don’t actually mean you should tune him or her out, but rather you should not fall victim to their appeals to increase your bet.
Dealers, although they might be technically impartial, still work for the casino. The more money they’re able to collect from their table, the better they look when being evaluated by their bosses.
During your time at the craps table, you’ll likely hear dealers encourage players to “bet hardways,” which is a prop bet in which you need equal numbers on the dice to add up to a certain number. For example, a 5-5 is the “hard way” to make a 10.
These bets do have a nice payout if you hit, but the odds of that happening are unlikely, and don’t fit into the strategy of someone who is looking to play conservatively and learn the game.
The bottom line is, if the dealer suggests you do something, politely decline and continue on with betting the odds.
7 – Learn the Etiquette
As I mentioned earlier in the article, there is a certain etiquette to prop bets. There is also a larger set of “unspoken rules” that you’d be wise to follow if you want to fit in.
First, it’s important, regardless of which game you’re playing, to tip your dealer. This should be a pretty standard practice at any casino. Simply put, don’t leave the table without showing the dealer a little appreciation by way of a tip.
The second, and much less obvious craps etiquette practices involves the number seven…as in, don’t say the number out loud.
In fact, it’s considered so unlucky that if you do say it, people will even leave the table. If you must bring it up, some refer to the number seven simply as “devil.”
Finally, it should be noted that craps is a fast-paced, action-packed game. One easy way to make the table mad is by shooting slowly or generally slowing down the speed of the game. This is why it’s so important to know what you’re doing before you step up to the table.
Conclusion
Craps can be one of the best games for less experienced gamblers because of the low house edge. With that being said, it’s important that you don’t try to get too fancy with your plays until you truly understand how the game works.
Practice your skills online before heading to the casino, and keep these tips in mind when you’re ready to play. If you manage your money and stick to the appropriate plays, you could be walking out with some extra cash in your pocket.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Table Of Contents
- Craps rolls are one of the most interesting events that happen on the Casino floor.
- This Craps strategy guide for beginners helps you understand the ins and outs of the pass or come bet.
- Read it before your round begins to understand your chances to win playing online Craps.
Craps is one of the most exciting gambling games since the Middle Age. If you don’t know how to play Craps and you haven’t played online yet, now it's your chance.
What you see here is the only craps for dummies guide you'll ever need to learn the game.
This is an all-in-one Craps for beginners resource where you find the best Craps strategies, the best Craps Casinos to play online, and all the proposition bets you should avoid.
Also, I added the basics of Craps etiquette because placing one or two winning bets doesn't authorize you to do everything you want or behave like Will Ferrel, Amy Poehler, and Jason Mantzoukas in The House.
Although it's one of the most popular and played games at land-based casinos, the game of craps not one of the top favorites of online players.
Some believe craps is a complicated game with rules and bets that do not fit the speed of online gambling. They get confused by concepts like odds bets, betting on the pass line, comeout roll, snake eyes, and lay odds- and that’s why they often skip this table game.
Practice Craps Online (FREE!)Register a free gaming account to play this exciting game of Craps by Microgaming. (18+. Gamble responsibly)
Play NowHow to Play Craps for Dummies
How to Play Craps for Beginners?
Beginners are often so intimidated by the numbers, the terms, and all the different bets available in a game of craps. Also, complicated tables like the ones you find on Wizard of Odds might push you away from the craps tables and not play the game.
Playing craps is easy. You don’t need anything more than a guide for Dummies like this one to move from beginner to expert.
If you don’t know how to play craps, make sure you read the part that follows carefully enough to pay attention to all the different elements that compose a game of craps.
When you are done with my Craps for Dummies guide, you are ready to play the game.
Once you pass the learning part, the game is simple. So, let’s not beat around the bush and get to the good part – craps rules for dummies, that is.
Learning Craps Rules for Dummies in 3 Minutes or Less
Why three minutes? Because there are three main rules to learn to know how to play craps. This is a guide for dummies - meaning we like to keep things short and simple.
That’s why three minutes is more than enough to learn how to play craps.
Craps betting round starts with a come-out roll.
That’s the first term beginners need to learn and add to their vocabulary.
The come-out roll is the first roll of the dice or the first one after the previous betting round has finished.
The player who throws the dice is called the 'shooter'.
A game of craps plays as follows: you, 'shooter', take two dice and throw them on the craps table - or press 'roll' button if we are talking about online craps.
Once the number rolled is on your screen, there are three possible outcomes:
1. Natural
Here’s when things get really good. A 'Natural' means that the result of your roll is a 7 or an 11. When this happens, you win and get to roll the dice again.
2. Craps
You roll a 2 (also known as the Snake Eyes), 3, or 12. Here’s when you lose.
BUT the round is not over, and you get to roll again.
3. Point
You roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
In a live casino, a dealer would mark your Point (the rolled number) on the table.
In online craps games, there is a small button that appears once the Point is established. It’s white and says 'On'.
What you need to do now is to roll the dice once more and hope you’ll hit the same number again. It doesn’t have to be the same combination of dice as you had before. As long as it’s the same sum – you win.
Do you know why the sequence above misses a seven?
The number 7 is not a very lucky one in this case since if you roll a 7, you 'seven out' – you lose and end the betting round.
Once you learn this part by heart, you can move on to the betting options.
That’s the fun part. Because that’s the one that can make you win a lot.
Playing Craps for Dummies: Betting Rules
If you take a look at the craps table, both online and offline, you can see that it’s not only dice and numbers.
Now that you know how to shoot craps and how to evaluate the result of your roll let’s have a look at how to bet in a game of craps.
Remember: this is a craps guide for dummies, so I am going to analyze everything looking at a game of craps as a beginner would do.
The layout has a handful of areas for different betting options.
Pass or Don’t Pass Bets
First, you can bet either on the 'Pass Line' or the 'Don't Pass Line'.
The Pass Line bet means you bet that the shooter will pass (win) by rolling out a natural or by winning the point before seven-ing out.
The Don’t Pass Line corresponds to the opposite bet. In this case, you bet that the shooter will not pass (lose). It can happen if the player shoots to get a 2 or 3, or fails to roll the point again before a 7 shows up its ugly head.
And then there is a 12. If it’s rolled now, your bet is a Push – meaning nothing happens. You don’t win, but you don’t lose either.
You can make these bets only before the point has been established on the table. Once the point has been rolled out and the shooter needs to roll the sum again, you can make a come or don’t come bet.
Come or Don’t Come Bets
These bets can only be made after the point has been determined.
The Come Bet wins if a natural is rolled out and loses if the craps are.
How To Play Craps Basic Strategy
If the point is rolled out, it becomes the Come-Bet point.
It works just like the Pass line one: if the come-bet point rolls out again before 7 does, you win. If not, it’s not your lucky round, pal.
Don’t come bet is just like the Don’t pass one. You’re in luck if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, not so much if it's a 7 or 11. A 12 here is a push again.
Once the point is made, you should hope for 7 before the shooter rolls out the point again.
Neither Pass nor Come bets can be turned off. You bet and wait until it plays itself out. But you can make additional bets on the come-bet point, too. And those you can withhold or increase at any time.
Proposition Bets in Craps
These are one-roll bets (with one exception, as you can see in the table below) that you can place on any roll.
| Bet | Wins if |
|---|---|
| Any Seven | The shooter rolls a 7 |
| Any Craps | The shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 |
| Ace Deuce | The shooter rolls a 3 |
| Aces | The shooter rolls a 2 |
| Boxcars | The shooter rolls a 12 |
| Horn | The shooter rolls a 2, 3, 11, or 12 |
The exception I mentioned earlier is called Hard ways. In this case, you win if you roll a 4, 6, 8, or 10 (depends on which one you bet) with the pair of same numbers (2 and 2, 3 and 3, and so on) before any other combination that makes that sum or a 7
Other Possible Bets in a Game of Craps
Place Bets:Once you know the point, you can bet on any number on the table. You win if it’s rolled out before a 7, you lose if it isn’t.
Field Bets: This type of bet is only active for one dice roll. You win if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled. A 5, 6, 7, or 8 makes you lose.
Big 6 and Big 8 bets: If you want to bet that 6 or 8 will be rolled before 7, These are the two bets for you.
These bets only pay 1:1.
Practice Craps Online: Where Beginners Should Play Craps
The best way to learn craps online is to practice craps online.
Now that you know about the different bets and outcomes of a roll, you should be ready to move from asking how to shoot craps to playing craps online.
And if you don’t want to risk your cash on real money games until you are 100 per cent sure that you know how to win at craps - that’s not a problem.
The best online craps sites for beginners five you the chance to play and practice craps online for free for as long as you need.
You can also use the Casino bonuses you receive on most sites when you sign up but, given the house edge of this game, you should start for free.
The best site to play craps online for free and get a hang of the game is this one.
I suggest you open a free account on this page to find the best Craps tables online and play the game. That’s the best way to learn craps if you don’t have a brick-and-mortar casino next door to go to.
That’s what I did when I first played Craps.
It all will look a lot easier once you practice craps online.
And once you feel that online, free practice has made it perfect, you can move to real money craps games.
The game of craps has really good odds with the house edge of only 1,41%.
That beats roulette and even blackjack when it's played with the basic strategy. There’re many betting rules to remember at first but they come naturally later on. And they actually make the game even more exciting.
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