Craps is the loudest table in any American casino, with players cheering every roll of the dice. Online, the game is quieter but just as exciting, and it offers some of the best odds in the casino if you stick to the right bets. The table looks complicated at first, but the core of the game is simple. In this guide to online craps we explain the rules, the best and worst bets, the house edge for each bet and how to play craps at UK casinos.
Online Craps at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Game type | Dice table game |
| Dice | Two six-sided dice |
| Best bets | Pass line, don’t pass, come, don’t come and odds bets |
| Lowest house edge | 0% on odds bets, about 1.4% on pass line |
| Versions | RNG craps and live dealer craps |
How Craps Works
Every round of craps starts with the come-out roll. The player rolling the dice is called the shooter. The result of the come-out roll decides what happens next:
- 7 or 11: pass line bets win straight away.
- 2, 3 or 12: this is “craps”, and pass line bets lose.
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10: this number becomes the point.
Once a point is set, the shooter keeps rolling. If the point is rolled again before a 7, pass line bets win. If a 7 comes first, pass line bets lose and the round ends. This is called a “seven out”.
The Main Craps Bets
| Bet | How it works | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pass line | Wins on 7 or 11 on the come-out, or if the point is rolled before a 7 | About 1.41% |
| Don’t pass | The opposite of pass line (12 on the come-out is a push) | About 1.36% |
| Come | Like a pass line bet, placed after the point is set | About 1.41% |
| Don’t come | Like a don’t pass bet, placed after the point is set | About 1.36% |
| Odds | Extra bet behind pass, don’t pass, come or don’t come, paid at true odds | 0% |
| Place 6 or 8 | Wins if 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7 | About 1.52% |
| Field | One-roll bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 | Around 2.8% to 5.6%, depending on payouts |
| Any 7 | One-roll bet that the next roll is 7 | About 16.7% |
The Odds Bet: the Best Bet in the Casino
Once a point is set, you can add an odds bet behind your pass line or come bet. It pays at the true odds of the point being rolled before a 7, so the casino has no edge on this part of the bet. The odds bet lowers the combined house edge of your pass line bet. How much you can bet on odds depends on the table rules, often expressed as 2x, 3x-4x-5x or more.
| Point | True odds | Odds bet pays |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 | 2 to 1 |
| 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 | 3 to 2 |
| 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 | 6 to 5 |
Bets to Avoid
The centre of the craps table is full of one-roll “proposition” bets, such as any 7, any craps, hardways and specific numbers. They pay big odds, but the house edge is high, often above 10%. They are fun for an occasional flutter, but they are the quickest way to lose your bankroll.
Dice Probabilities
With two dice there are 36 possible combinations. Seven is the most common total, which is why it plays such a big role in craps:
| Total | Ways to roll | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or 12 | 1 | 2.8% |
| 3 or 11 | 2 | 5.6% |
| 4 or 10 | 3 | 8.3% |
| 5 or 9 | 4 | 11.1% |
| 6 or 8 | 5 | 13.9% |
| 7 | 6 | 16.7% |
RNG Craps vs Live Craps
- RNG craps: a digital version where a random number generator decides the dice. Rounds are quick, stakes can be low and you can play at your own pace.
- Live craps: a real dice table streamed from a studio, with a dealer and real dice. It is more atmospheric, with minimum stakes that are usually higher.
Live craps from Evolution is available at many UK casinos alongside other live dealer games.
Craps Strategy for Beginners
- Stick to pass line or don’t pass. These are the simplest bets with a low house edge.
- Add odds when you can. The odds bet has no house edge and lowers your overall cost.
- Avoid proposition bets. Their house edge is many times higher.
- Ignore betting systems. Systems that change stakes after wins or losses do not change the house edge.
- Use the demo. RNG craps is a good way to learn the table before playing live.
Craps Terms Explained
- Shooter: the player who rolls the dice. Online, the game or the dealer rolls for you.
- Point: the number set on the come-out roll that must be rolled again before a 7.
- Seven out: rolling a 7 after a point is set, which ends the round.
- Hardway: rolling an even total as a pair, such as 4 as two 2s.
- Right bettor: a player who bets with the shooter, on pass and come.
- Wrong bettor: a player who bets against the shooter, on don’t pass and don’t come.
- Puck: the marker that shows whether a point is on, and which number it is.
Craps in the UK
Craps is less common in UK casinos than roulette or blackjack, but online it is easy to find, in both RNG and live versions. UK licensed casinos must use tested random number generators for RNG games and clearly display the rules and payouts. You must be 18 or older and verified to play.
Craps vs Other Table Games
| Game | Best house edge |
|---|---|
| Craps (pass line with odds) | Below 1% |
| Blackjack with basic strategy | Around 0.5% |
| Baccarat (banker bet) | About 1.06% |
| European roulette | 2.7% |
Where to Play Craps Online
Craps is available at UK casinos with RNG table games or live dealer studios. Compare the best UK live casinos before you sign up.
Our pick: play table games at Inky Bet, or check the live casino at Tip-Top and Jackpot City.
Features
Craps FAQ
How do you play craps online?
Place a bet, usually on the pass line, before the come-out roll. 7 or 11 wins, 2, 3 or 12 loses, and any other number becomes the point. The pass line then wins if the point is rolled again before a 7.
What is the best bet in craps?
The odds bet, which has no house edge. Among the main bets, don't pass and pass line have the lowest edges at around 1.36% and 1.41%.
What bets should I avoid in craps?
One-roll proposition bets such as any 7, which has a house edge of about 16.7%.
Is there live craps in the UK?
Yes. Several UK licensed casinos offer live dealer craps with real dice streamed from a studio.
What does seven out mean?
It means the shooter rolled a 7 after a point was set, so pass line bets lose and the round ends.
