Craps - Dice Games Explained: Rules, Odds, and Strategies

There is hardly anyone in this world who has not seen a movie in which people throw dice in slow motion in a Las Vegas casino. Spectators watch with their breath held in silent anticipation as their eyes follow the dice hypnotically until they finally settle. Then, the crowd explodes in a thunderous roar as the movie’s protagonist wins it all.

While the excitement of craps and other dice games cannot be doubted, beyond the thrilling spectacle depicted in Hollywood movies, lies a vibrant history, compley strategies, and an endless number of game variants.

Our comprehensive guide aims to walk you through the game’s history, familiarize you with the rules and popular variants, and give you a few dice game secrets to help you get started.

A Brief History of Craps

The story of craps and other dice games did not begin in elite casinos. According to historians, dice games were first played by soldiers of the ancient Roman legions. The soldiers carved the knucklebones of an animal, usually a sheep or pig, into a primitive, four-sided dice called ‘talus’, similar to modern dice; each side represented a certain numerical value. The soldiers not only played dice to pass time between battles, but even settled disputes among them by dice matches!

From the Arab World to France

The Romans’ dice game evolved into ‘Hazard’, from the Arabic word ‘al-zahr’, literally ’the dice’. This evolved game arrived in Europe from the Middle East via trading routes. Still, the English crusader knights returning from the Holy Land became popular on the continent, spreading the game through gambling houses and taverns across Europe.

Hazard’s rules were far more complicated than modern dice games: it had multiple rounds and a point system where players had to roll specific numbers before others. It was the French who finally decided to simplify the game in the 17th century, and also renamed it ‘crabs’ after ‘crapaud’, French for ‘toad’, probably referring to how people crouched like toads when they played it on the streets.

French colonialists then brought the game to the United States, where it became popular, especially in New Orleans, and got the name ‘craps’. But games in America saw so much cheating that craps was crying for a change.

The Birth of Modern Craps

That change came in the early 20th century when Philadelphian dicemaker John H. Winn revolutionized the game by standardizing craps tables to prevent dice sliding and other frequent cheating methods. Winn also introduced the ‘don’t pass’ bet to craps, allowing players to bet against the shooter, thus reducing the house’s edge.

These innovations paved the way for craps in modern casinos. In the middle of the 20th century, casinos in Las Vegas adopted the game, and craps remains one of the most popular and social casino games to this day.

How to Play Craps: Rules, Bets, and Payouts

Craps can seem very intimidating for those who have never tried their luck at the game. The layout of the craps table is packed to the brim with options to bet, but once you understand the essence of its mechanics, it becomes very straightforward to play.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of a Craps Game

In the beginning of every round of craps, the ‘come-out roll’ takes place, where the player rolling the dice, called ‘shooter’, rolls first to determine the round’s direction.

If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, it is called a ‘natural’ and means an instant win for all Pass Line bets. The shooter can then throw another come-out roll.

If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, it is called ‘craps’. All Pass Line bets lose, but all Don’t Pass bets win—the round ends.

If the shooter rolls any other number, then points are established, and the rolled number becomes the ‘point’ for the rest of the round. The dealer usually puts a ‘puck’ on the number to mark it, and the round moves to the point phase.

In the point phase, the shooter keeps rolling until he rolls the point again or a 7, called ‘seven out’.

If the shooter rolls the point again, all Pass Line bets win, and the round ends.

If the shooter rolls a seven out, all Pass Line bets lose, and the round ends—the shooter hands over the dice to the next player, who will be the next shooter.

Types of Bets & Payouts

Here is a breakdown of the classic bets available at craps games:

Craps Variants & Other Casino Dice Games  

While the previously described classic craps is the most popular dice game, many casinos offer other variants and completely different dice games as well.

Let’s look at some of the most popular games, including some lesser-known ones.

Crapless Craps

In Crapless Craps, 2, 3, 11, and 12 are point numbers, mening that there can be no instant loss on come-out rolls. On the other hand, to make up for this, Crapless Craps has a higher house edge on several bets, for example 5.38 percent on rolling a 11.

High Point Craps

In High Point Craps, only the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 12 lose on come-out rolls, while 11 and the other numbers win instantly. It is a simplified and faster version of craps, sutiable for beginners who are content with fewer betting options.

Sic Bo

Sic Bo is a Chinese dice game from ancient times. Players can bet on the outcomes of three dice, such as totals, doubles, or triples. The best bets in Sic Bo are small or big bets. For example, bets on totals from 4 to 10 or 11 to 17 have just a 2.78 percent house edge.

Chuck-a-Luck

Chuck-a-Luck is a carnival-style game using three dice, where players can bet on how often a number shows up. The payout for a single match is 1:1, for a double match 2:1, and for a triple match 10:1.

Klondike

Klondike was born from the marriage of dice games and poker. In Klondike, players roll five dice and make ‘hands’ from them, just like in poker: pairs, straights, full houses, etc. Klondike is mainly found in European casinos; it is rarely part of the game selection in other regions.

Basic Strategies & Tips for Craps

While luck plays a role in the game, strategy is crucial in craps. Let’s take a look at some fundamental strategies to get you started!

If you want the best odds without learning a whole betting system, just make sure always to bet Pass, Don’t Pass, or come or Don’t Come, because these bets offer the best odds.

Also, you should never bet on wagers where the house edge is exceptionally high, like the Any 7 bet, where the casino has a 16.67 percent edge.

1. The 3-Point Molly System

This system spreads the risk across many numbers, making bets where the house’s edge is relatively low, around 1.41 percent.

First, you need to place a Pass Line Bet, then, when a point is established, continue with three Come bets. You should keep all your bets active until they win or lose.

2. The Iron Cross (Aggressive, High-Payout Play)

This system is very aggressive and risky, but fast, and can result in high payouts.

First, place a bet on 5, 6, and 8, plus an additional Field bet. Any roll is a winner for you, except the number 7.

3. Regression Strategy

This system is suitable for securing early wins and lowering exposure.

First, bet on the larger side, like $30 on 6 and 8. After you get one hit, lock in your profits by reducing your bets to just $12 each.

4. Dice Control

This is not a system, but a way some players try to hack the system by holding and throwing the dice in a controlled way to influence the outcomes.

Some studies suggest it may work somewhat, but most casinos dismiss it as superstition. Be careful, though, because there are also casinos with strict rules regarding dice-throwing to prevent any control.

How to Get Started with Craps and Other Dice Games

If you have reached this far in our article, you should already know that in craps and other dice games, the house always has an edge, but if you understand the game’s mechanics, you can still choose your bets in a way that you get the best possible odds.

If you feel ready, check out our top casino offers; almost all of them offer craps and other dice games.