How to Play Craps Online
How craps works, types of bets, maths, strategies — we’ve gathered all the essential information in one guide. Save it so you don’t lose it!
Why Do Players Love Craps?
Craps is one of the most exciting games in offline casinos. Players first place their bets and then roll the dice. In fact, players roll the dice themselves — the one rolling is called the Shooter. This is one of the main reasons for the game’s popularity: it creates the feeling that the outcome is in the player’s hands.
But did you know that you can also play craps online? In this case, however, a special automated system rolls the dice for you if you’re playing Live Dealer Craps.
Online Craps Rules
The game consists of two rounds.
First Roll (Come Out Roll, the Puck says “Off”)
This round is based on two main bets:
- Pass Line – a bet that a 7 or 11 will be rolled.
- Don’t Pass – a bet that a 2 or 3 will be rolled. If a 12 is rolled, your bet is returned, and the game round ends.
These two bets are only available during the first roll.
If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) is rolled, that number is called the Point. The Puck is switched to “On” and placed next to the rolled number. The game then continues to the second round.
Second Roll (Point, the Puck says “On”)
This round continues until either a 7 is rolled or the Point number is rolled again.
During the Point round, Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets are no longer available. However, two new betting options open up: Come and Don’t Come.
Regardless of the round, you can always place a bet before the next roll of the dice.
Craps Game Online: Types of Bets
There are two types of bets: Multi-roll and One Roll.
Multi-roll bets do not settle on the first roll and remain on the table until a 7 or the Point is rolled.
Example of a craps field from Evolution
Types of Multi-roll Bets:
Pass Line (available only when the Puck says “Off”):
- You win if the dice total 7 or 11
- You lose if the total is 2, 3, or 12 (this total is called Craps).
- During the Point roll (when the Puck says “On”), you win if the dice total the Point number before a 7 is rolled
Don’t Pass (available only when the Puck says “Off”):
- You win if the dice total 2 or 3
- If a 12 is rolled, it’s a tie, and your bet is returned
- You lose If a 7 or 11 is rolled
- During the Point roll, you win if a 7 is rolled before the Point number
Come (available only when the Puck says “On”):
- You win if the dice total 7 or 11.
- You lose if they total 2, 3, or 12.
- If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) is rolled, your chips are moved to the lower corner next to the rolled number to establish a Point. You win if this Point is rolled before a 7.
Don’t Come (available only when the Puck says “On”):
- You win if the dice total 2 or 3.
- If a 12 is rolled, the bet is returned.
- You lose if a 7 or 11 is rolled.
- If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) is rolled, your chips are moved to the upper corner next to the rolled number to establish a Point. You lose if a 7 is rolled before the Point number.
Take Odds Pass Line / Come – Available for Pass Line or Come bets with an established Point. This bet pays odds based on the Point number against 7.
Lay Odds Don’t Pass / Don’t Come – Available for Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bets with an established Point. This bet pays odds against the Point number.
Place to Win – A bet that 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 will be rolled before a 7.
Place to Lose – A bet that a 7 will be rolled before 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
Hardways – A bet on any pair of doubles (2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5). You win if the exact pair is rolled. You lose if a 7 is rolled or if the number is rolled in a different combination. For example, if you bet on a Hard 10 (5-5), you win if a 5-5 is rolled but lose if a 4-6 is rolled.
Types of One Roll Bets
- Field – A bet on totals of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Pays 1:1. If a 2 or 12 is rolled, it pays 2:1.
- Seven – A bet on a total 7 (combinations: 1-6, 2-5, 3-4).
- Craps – A bet on totals of 2, 3, or 12.
- Crap 2 – A bet on a total exactly 2.
- Crap 3 – A bet on a total exactly 3.
- Crap 12 – A bet on a total exactly 12.
- Eleven – A bet on a total exactly 11.
- C • E – A bet on totals of 2, 3, 12, or 11. If a Craps number (2, 3, or 12) is rolled, it pays 3:1. If an 11 is rolled, it pays 7:1.
Additionally, depending on the craps table, other bets may be available. For example, Multi-roll bets like:
- Big 6 – Pays 1:1 if a 6 is rolled before a 7.
- Big 8 – Pays 1:1 if an 8 is rolled before a 7.
Craps Game Online Paytable Probability and House Edge for Different Bets
Below is a table showing the winning probability, payouts, and house edge for various craps bets:
| Bet | Win Probability (%) | Payout | House Edge (%) |
| Pass Line / Come | 49.29% | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass / Don’t Come | 49.32% | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Take Odds (4 or 10) | 33.33% | 2:1 | 0.00% (Best bet!) |
| Take Odds (5 or 9) | 40.00% | 3:2 | 0.00% (Best bet!) |
| Take Odds (6 or 8) | 45.45% | 6:5 | 0.00% (Best bet!) |
| Lay Odds (4 or 10) | 66.67% | 1:2 | 0.00% (Best bet!) |
| Lay Odds (5 or 9) | 60.00% | 2:3 | 0.00% (Best bet!) |
| Lay Odds (6 or 8) | 54.55% | 5:6 | 0.00% (Best bet!) |
| Place to Win (6 or 8) | 45.45% | 7:6 | 1.52% |
| Place to Win (5 or 9) | 40.00% | 7:5 | 4.00% |
| Place to Win (4 or 10) | 33.33% | 9:5 | 6.67% |
| Place to Lose (6 or 8) | 54.55% | 4:5 | 1.82% |
| Place to Lose (5 or 9) | 60.00% | 5:8 | 2.50% |
| Place to Lose (4 or 10) | 66.67% | 5:11 | 3.03% |
| Field (if 2 and 12 pay 3:1) | 44.45% | 2:1 (on 2 & 12) | 2.78% |
| Field (if 2 and 12 pay 2:1) | 44.45% | 2:1 (on 2 & 12) | 5.56% |
| Hard 6 or 8 | 9.09% | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 4 or 10 | 11.11% | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Any 7 | 16.67% | 4:1 | 16.67% (Worst bet!) |
| Craps 2 or 12 | 2.78% | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Craps 3 or 11 | 5.56% | 15:1 | 11.11% |
This table highlights the best and worst bets in craps. Taking or laying odds has a 0% house edge, making it the most favorable option for players. On the other hand, Any 7 has the worst odds, with a 16.67% house edge, making it the least advantageous bet in the game.
More Craps Mathematics
There are a total of 36 possible dice roll combinations:
| Total | Combination | Number of Ways to Roll |
| 2 | 1-1 | 1 |
| 3 | 1-2, 2-1 | 2 |
| 4 | 1-3, 3-1, 2-2 | 3 |
| 5 | 1-4, 4-1, 2-3, 3-2 | 4 |
| 6 | 1-5, 5-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-3 | 5 |
| 7 | 1-6, 6-1, 2-5, 5-2, 3-4, 4-3 | 6 |
| 8 | 2-6, 6-2, 3-5, 5-3, 4-4 | 5 |
| 9 | 3-6, 6-3, 4-5, 5-4 | 4 |
| 10 | 4-6, 6-4, 5-5 | 3 |
| 11 | 5-6, 6-5 | 2 |
| 12 | 6-6 | 1 |
For example:
- If the Point is set to 6 or 8 and the player bets on Pass Line, they have a 5 in 36 chance of winning.
- If the Point is 5 or 9, the chances are 4 in 36.
- If the Point is 4 or 10, the chances are 3 in 36.
Since a 7 has the highest probability of being rolled, the “Don’t Pass” bet becomes more favorable as the game progresses compared to the initial bet.
Best Craps Bets
Take Odds (on Pass Line / Come) – 0% House Edge
This is the best bet in the casino because it has no house edge at all.
It works as an additional bet after the Point is set, with fair payouts:
- 2:1 on 4 or 10
- 3:2 on 5 or 9
- 6:5 on 6 or 8
Other Bets and House Edge
- Pass Line / Come: ~1.41% House Edge
- Don’t Pass / Don’t Come: ~1.36% House Edge
- Place to Win (6 or 8): ~1.52% House Edge
- Field (with 3:1 payout on 12): ~2.78% House Edge
Worst Craps Bets
- Any 7: 16.67% House Edge
- Hardway (4, 6, 8, 10): from 9 to 11% House Edge
- Craps 2, 3, 12: from 11.11 to 13.89% House Edge
Craps Strategy for Beginners
- Bet on Pass Line – This is the main bet with good odds.
- After the Point is set, add Take Odds – This is an extra bet with no house edge.
- Ignore complex bets (Hardway, Field, Craps) – They favor the casino too much.
If you want to minimize losses and maximize your chances, the best craps betting strategies are to bet Pass Line + Take Odds.
If you find the rules of craps complicated, try practicing with free online craps.