Online craps for beginners

Fun, accessible, and available in several different themes, internet craps has emerged as an entertaining casino dice game for all types of players.

Many casinos offer it within their gaming selection and it's even possible to play the game for free now, with the likes of Casino Universe's free craps and dice games page offering demos for people to try out.

Yet before you dig in, you may want to know a thing or two about online craps, such as its rules and how to win at it. Perhaps you'd like to know how much money to stake if you do play it for real, or who you play against exactly.

This guide is here to answer these questions for you. Casino Universe's team is very experienced when it comes to casino games like craps, and they have come together to write this introduction to craps and share their knowledge with you.

The history of craps

Craps, one of the most popular dice games in the world, has a rich and fascinating history. Its origins can be traced back to the early 19th century, with roots in the English game "Hazard" and the Arabic game "Azzahr."

The game became popular in the United States, especially in New Orleans, where it became a staple in the city's gambling culture.

As it made its way across the country, craps evolved its rules and format with a generally agreed version settled upon in the early 20th century. Its social atmosphere and excitement, with several players gathered around the table cheering the throwing of the dice, added to its appeal.

It was this appeal that allowed the game to make the step into the digital world extremely smooth: the first online craps providers were able to replicate the game's playability and fun style into computerized versions in the 1990s.

Online craps preserved the core elements of the game, allowing players to experience the thrill and camaraderie of the traditional brick-and-mortar casino environment virtually.

Since then, the integration of innovative graphics, immersive sound effects, and real-time interactions has added to the online craps experience, drawing in a new generation of players seeking the excitement of the game from the comfort of their homes.

How to play online craps

Playing any game for the first time may seem daunting at first, but getting into online craps really is quite straightforward. The objective is simple: to predict the outcome of a pair of six-sided dice better than other players or the computer.

Here are the basic rules:

• The game begins with a player, known as the "shooter," making the "come-out roll," which is the first roll of the dice in a new round.
• If the come-out roll results in a 7 or an 11, it's called a "natural," and the shooter and all players who bet on the "pass line" win.
• If the come-out roll results in a 2, 3, or 12, it's known as "craps," and the shooter and players who bet on the pass line lose.
• If the come-out roll results in any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the "point," and the game continues.
• The shooter continues to roll the dice until they roll the point number again or roll a 7.
• If the shooter rolls the point number before rolling a 7, they and the pass line bettors win.
• If the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point number, they and the pass line bettors lose, and the dice pass to the next player.

Other useful craps terms

Craps is famous for its glossary of unusual terms, and you may come across several of them when playing in person or online. Here's a summary of some of the most interesting:

• Snake Eyes: This term refers to rolling a two with a pair of dice. It's known for its low probability and is often considered a challenging outcome in the game.
• C and E Bet: This is a combination bet where half of the wager goes to "craps" (numbers 2, 3, or 12) and the other half to "eleven" (number 11). It's a simple way to cover multiple outcomes in a single bet.
• Hi-Lo: Hi-Lo is when you bet that the next roll will result in a 2 or 12. It's a simple bet based on the high and low ends of the possible dice roll outcomes.
• Horn Bet: A horn bet is a single-roll combination bet that covers the numbers 2, 3, 11, and 12. Players typically place this bet in multiples of four, with one unit on each number.
• Yo-leven: This term is slang for the number 11 and is often used to make the call for bets on this specific number. It's derived from the sound of the term "eleven" and you may hear someone call this out from time to time in a humorous way.

Craps strategies

Craps is largely a game of chance: you're throwing two pairs of dice, after all, it's hardly like there's a ton of skill involved.

That said, strategies can help manage betting patterns, even if they do not alter the fundamental probabilities of the game. In the long run, you should expect to lose, as the casino always has a statistical advantage.

Some craps players like to use the following strategies, often with varying levels of success:

• Martingale system: This strategy involves doubling the bet after every loss, with the goal of recovering previous losses and gaining profit. However, it requires a substantial bankroll and may lead to significant losses if a winning streak does not occur.
• Paroli system: The Paroli strategy is the reverse of the Martingale, where players double their bet after a win. It aims to capitalize on winning streaks while limiting potential losses during losing streaks.
• 5-Count strategy: This strategy involves observing the rolls before actively betting, waiting for five non-seven rolls before placing bets. It's based on the inaccurate belief that previous independent random events can influence the outcome of future events, also known as Gambler's Fallacy.

As you can see, these strategies are not based on solid logic so you should always remain cautious and gamble responsibly, understanding the risks associated with each strategy.

How much money to stake on internet craps

When deciding how much money to stake on online craps, it's essential to approach the game with a responsible and safe gambling mindset.

One way of doing this is to establish a budget that fits within your financial means and stick to it. Avoid wagering more than you can comfortably afford to lose, and don't chase your losses or increase your stakes in the heat of the moment.

One common guideline recommended by experts is to follow the 5% rule. According to the 5% rule, you should not bet more than 5% of your total bankroll on a single bet, so if you have a budget of $50, you should never bet more than $2.50 on a single craps game.

This conservative approach can help safeguard your funds and minimize the risk of significant losses as it gives you more time to think across multiple bets instead of blowing all your budget in a few seconds.

Play online craps for free

If you're looking to familiarize yourself with the dynamics of online craps without wagering real money, consider exploring the collection of free craps games available on Casino Universe.

Our platform offers a diverse array of free casino games, which you can access by selecting the desired game type in the appropriate filter system.

Delve into the world of different online craps variations, where you can grasp the rules and betting techniques without any financial risk. With this practice, you can refine your skills and gain a deeper understanding of the game's nuances.

Once you feel comfortable and proficient in your gameplay, you can transition to our recommended online casinos, where you can engage in real money wagering if you so wish.