How do you play Craps for the first time?
Ever go to a casino with your buddies? The ones who are so good at table games that they know exactly what to bet on and what to avoid to maximize their profit? I do. And I love it. But when I’m new to a game, going with them can be a blessing and a curse.
It’s great because they’re there to show me the ins and outs of a game. But it’s not so great because they tend to play advanced games, often betting on things that I don’t understand. With games like Blackjack, that’s not much of a big deal. Same with Roulette. It’s fairly easy to grasp betting patterns and payouts. But when it comes to a game like Craps, things get a little tricky.
The first time I hit the Craps tables with my Craps-playing buddies, I was completely overwhelmed and I lost. There was way too much going on and I felt like I wasn’t getting the hang of it. I ended up bolting for the Blackjack tables, a place I was more comfortable at. But it turns out Craps isn’t that complex at all. If you’re a first-time player, there’s not much you need to know. Here are all your questions, answered.
What’s the goal of craps?
The goal is to guess what number will be tossed when the shooter throws the dice. But unlike Roulette where betting on a number has to pan out right away or you lose, in Craps you can bet on a number being tossed before another number.
Craps looks confusing. What bets do I need to know about?
As long as you know the Pass Line bet, the Do Not Pass Line bet, and the Come bet, you should be good to go.
What is a Pass Line bet?
This type of bet is placed before the shooter throws the dice. If you’re playing live, that might be someone else. If you’re playing online craps, it’s always you. If you place this bet and the shooter throws a 7 or 11, you win. A 2, 3, or 12 nets a loss. And if they toss any other number, that number becomes the point for the game. You’ll win even money on that bet assuming the shooter throws that established point before a 7. If a 7 is rolled, you’ll lose.
What is a Don’t Pass Line bet?
It’s the complete opposite of a Pass Line bet. You’ll win on a 2 or 3, push on 12, and lose when a natural is tossed.
What about a Come bet?
So now you know about placing your bets before the point is established. But what about after? That’s where the Come bet comes in. A Come bet is exactly like a Pass Line bet, only you bet on it after the point has been established for the game.
Can I bet on individual numbers, like in Roulette?
Yes. They’re called Place bets. And you’ll win if it’s rolled before a 7 is rolled. You can even place a Field bet, which is betting on a group of numbers.
How do I place a bet?
If you’re playing online craps, just drag the cursor to the area of the table you want to drop your chips on and click. When you’re happy with your bet, click the Roll button. If you’re playing live, just tell the Craps dealers to place your chips exactly where you want them.
How much can I win?
Depends on what you bet. At many online craps tables, you can bet as little as $1 per roll and as much as a few hundred. If you’re part of a VIP program, like the one at Palace of Chance, you could gain access to higher table limits.
Can I play for free?
Yes. At Palace of Chance, all it takes is a free account to enjoy the free tables, so get set up now. It only takes a minute to create your account.
