An Introduction to Craps
July 1st, 2010 | Published in Gambling Games
Craps is one of the most exciting, face-paced and loud games in the casino. Each time you walk by you’ll hear patrons yelling and hollering. As a result Craps is also one of the most intimidating games, especially to new players. On the other hand it’s a profitable game to learn with the house edge being 1.41 percent over the player.
The Betting Structure
Overall there are around 40 different bets that can be made most of which offer terrible odds. The most important wagers for new players to learn are the passline bets. A simple passline bet is made by placing your bet on the passline before a new shooter rolls (aptly named the come out roll).
The Rules
If the new shooter hits a 7 or 11 you’re a winner. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12 you lose. Any other number acts as the point number in which the shooter must hit that number before a 7. If they roll the point number prior to a 7, your passline bet wins even money.
Once a point number is reached, bettors can place additional wagers behind the passline bet (known as the odds bet). This is the only bet in the whole casino that offers true odds and doesn’t have a house edge. Most establishments allow the bettors to place twice the wager of the original bet.
The Payouts
The passline bet is one of the easiest bets to make. Since the odds bet has no house edge, it is one of the smartest bets to place. If you win, the standard payouts in craps are:
- If the point number is 4 or 7, the payout is 2 to 1
- If the point number is 5 or 9, the payout is 3 to 2
- If the point number is 6 or 8, the payout is 6 to 5
Most casinos offer free lessons on how to play craps. The instructors present the basics along with table etiquette. These lessons are a great way to practice craps in a safe, money-free environment to prepare you for real money games.
Craps is by far the most exciting game in the casino and online. Due to the low house edge (even lower with the odds bet) and action on every role, it is also one of the most popular games on the casino floor.