Craps: Rules, bets and strategy for beginners

Craps is a casino game with dice that looks complicated at first sight, because of the large number of available bets, but the basic rules are simple. Let's find out how it is played, what bets you can make and what strategy suits a beginner.

What is craps?

Craps is a game in which players bet on the outcome of rolling 2 dice. In essence, you bet against the house, even if at the physical table several players take part at the same time.

The person who rolls the dice is called the "shooter", and this role passes in turn from one player to another. Everyone else can bet on the outcome of the roll, regardless of who the shooter is. This collective participation is the reason craps tables are often the liveliest in a casino.

Although at the real table the atmosphere matters a lot, the mechanics of the game stay the same online too. Craps is also played at an online casino, where the outcome of the roll is set by a random number generator, with exactly the same rules as at the physical table.

How to play craps online?

In the online version, craps keeps exactly the same rules as at the real table, the only difference being that the dice are "rolled" by a random number generator. There is no physical shooter, but the completely random nature of the outcome stays unchanged.

The online game brings a few practical advantages, especially for beginners:

• You can play at your own pace, without the pressure of a crowded table.
• You have demo versions at your disposal, in which you learn the rules without real money.
• The table, the bets and the results are displayed clearly on the screen, which makes them easier to understand.

This freedom to play without pressure makes the online version the ideal place to learn craps at any online casino no deposit.

The main types of bets in craps

The craps table has numerous betting areas. The good news is that you do not need to know them all, but a few basic bets are enough to play correctly.

The most important bets are:

• Pass Line: the most common and simplest bet, placed on the shooter's success. Recommended for beginners.
• Don't Pass: the opposite of the Pass Line bet, placed against the shooter.
• Come: similar to Pass Line, but placed after a "point" has been established.
• Don't Come: the opposite of the Come bet, also after the "point" has been established.
• Odds: an additional bet, placed after there is a "point", which has no house edge.

The Odds bet deserves a special mention. It is the only bet in the casino with no house edge, which is why it is considered the most valuable bet at the table. It can only be added on top of an already existing Pass or Come bet.

Besides these, the table also contains "exotic" bets, such as those on a single number or on specific combinations. These have attractive odds, but also a much bigger house edge, so it is recommended to avoid them at the start.

Strategies for beginners

Craps is a game of chance, so no strategy can eliminate the house edge. What you can do, however, is choose the bets with the smallest house edge, which lengthens your playing time and reduces your losses in the long run.

• Focus on Pass Line or Don't Pass, which have a very small house edge, around 1.4%.
• Add Odds bets whenever you get the chance, since these have no house edge.
• Avoid the exotic bets in the middle of the table, however tempting their odds may seem.

An important thing to keep in mind is budget management. Because craps is played at a fast pace, the stakes can add up quickly. Setting a clear amount for each session is the best way to keep control.

Last but not least, avoid the so-called "systems" for sure wins. Each roll of the dice is independent, and previous results do not influence in any way what comes next.

Is it legal to play craps in Moldova?

The minimum age for casino games in Moldova, including craps, is 21. Any associated offer is addressed exclusively to people who have reached this age.

Craps is a fast and captivating game, which means the stakes can add up without you realizing. That is exactly why responsible gaming is essential. Set yourself a budget you can afford to lose and stick to it, no matter how the round unfolds.

Conclusion

Craps looks complicated, but it actually comes down to a few clear rules and a few basic bets. Once you understand the role of the initial roll and of the "point", the rest becomes much easier to follow.

For a beginner, the best approach is to stick to the Pass Line and the Odds bets, which offer the smallest house edge, and to avoid the exotic bets.

Start with a demo version, to get the rhythm of the game without pressure, choose a legal platform and treat craps as a form of entertainment.

Frequently asked questions

1. How do you win at craps?

On the initial roll, you win with Pass Line if a 7 or 11 comes up. If a "point" is established, you win when that number comes up again before a 7 does.

1. Which is the best bet for a beginner?

Pass Line is the most suitable, because it has a small house edge, around 1.4%, and is easy to understand. Adding an Odds bet makes it even more effective, since Odds has no house edge.

1. Can you play craps online?

Yes. Craps is available at online casinos, with the same rules as at the real table, and the dice are "rolled" by a random number generator. The minimum age for playing is 21.

1. Is there a safe strategy at craps?

No. No strategy can eliminate the house edge, because each roll is independent. Still, the Pass Line, Don't Pass and Odds bets reduce this edge to a minimum and are the most recommended.

1. Why are Odds bets considered the best?

Because they are the only bets at the table with no house edge. They can only be placed on top of an already existing Pass or Come bet, after a "point" has been established.