Online Craps Guide
Whenever you think of craps, think of dice. Although the game itself is not as easy as that statement, the prevalent idea behind craps is the use of the dice, those gambling devices that hail from as far back as ancient Rome. Where you throw these dice, and how much you’re willing to bet on where they’ll land, is the things that’ll get the gaming juices flowing.
How to Play Online Craps
There are two phases when playing online craps, namely a ‘Coming Out’ phase, which is followed by the ‘Point’ phase.
The Coming Out Phase
The lucky numbers you want to achieve with online craps are 7 and 11. These numbers, also called ‘naturals’ or ‘wins’, are crucial to securing a win. During the Coming Out phase, you may make an initial bet on the Pass line, simply by increasing (+) or decreasing (-) the amount you bet. Of course, if on the first come-out roll, you hit a 2, 3 or 12, you will instantly lose, and the game starts from scratch. If you – the ‘Shooter’ – hit a number different to the five abovementioned, you achieve a ‘point’, and the Coming Out phase ends.
The Point Phase
In the event that you do not roll a 7 or 11 in the Coming Out phase, you need to secure the exact same number that you rolled in phase 1. So, if you didn’t hit 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12, you need to hit the same number that you rolled in the Coming Out phase. For example, if you rolled a 5, you need to roll another 5. You’ll get continuous re-rolls and attempts to do so, unless you roll a 7. If you reroll your first number (the 5, in this example), you’ll win, but hitting 7 during the Point phase before you hit the correct number, ends the game, with you losing. During both these phases, additional side-bets may be made, apart from the initial bet on the Pass line.
Online Craps Bet Types
Read through the bet types below, and you’ll no doubt find that the layout of the craps table will begin to make a lot more sense:
|
Bet Type
| Description of Bet |
Pass Line bet | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 7 or 11, or establish a Point by rolling 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 on the come-out roll. And then roll the Point number again before rolling a 7. |
Don't Pass bet | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 2, 3 or 12, or establish a Point by rolling 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 on the come-out roll. And then roll a 7 before rolling the Point number again. |
Come bet | This is a bet similar to the Pass Line bet, but can only be taken after a Point is established.
It is a bet that the Shooter will either roll a 7 or 11 on the next roll, or make a Point, and roll that Point number again before rolling a 7.
Note:
A Come bet can be made on every roll of the dice only after the Shooter has established a Point. |
Don't Come bet | This is a bet similar to the Don't Pass bet, but can only be taken after a Point is established.
It is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 2, 3 or 12 on the next roll, or will not make the Point before rolling a 7. |
Odds bet | These are additional bets made on an established Pass, Don't Pass, Come or Don't Come bet. |
Place to Win bet | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll the number that a Win bet is placed on - 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, before a 7 is rolled. |
Place to Lose bet | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 7, before the number that a Lose bet is placed on - 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, is rolled. |
Field bet | This is a single roll bet that the Shooter will roll a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12, on the next roll. |
Hardways bet | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 2, 3, 4 or 5 as a double, before it is thrown in any other combination, or before a 7 is rolled. |
Any Seven | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 7 on the next roll. |
Any Craps | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 2, 3 or 12 on the next roll. |
Craps Two | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 2 on the next roll. |
Craps Twelve | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 12 on the next roll. |
Craps Three | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll a 3 on the next roll. |
Eleven | This is a bet that the Shooter will roll an 11 on the next roll. |
Big 6 | This is a bet that a 6 will be rolled before a 7. |
Big 8 | This is a bet that an 8 will be rolled before a 7. |
Online Craps Odds
Rolling the dice to suit your needs is not always going to work out the way you’d like, but knowing your odds against the house’s edge does go some way to make a few saving-grace decisions. The Platinum Play casino software allows for an enhanced gaming experience, making it easier for you to focus on the important aspects of the game, without losing out on the full deal. For instance, you can switch on/off any one of these options, with regards to your online craps betting habits:
- Place to win bets always ON/OFF
- Buy bets always ON/OFF
- Hardway bets always ON/OFF
- Come odds bet always ON/OFF
- Big 6 and 8 bets always ON/OFF
Also, ticking the ‘Keep Bets’ option will allow your previous bets in a craps game to carry over to the next round, after each dice roll.
Screen Features for Online Craps
Some simple, straightforward directions on how to make the best use of your software interface when playing online craps at Platinum Play. Click here for more information on Craps screen features.
Shortcuts for Platinum Play Online Craps
Tired of clicking your mouse until your fingers fall off? Check out the handy shortcuts and add some speed to your craps games by clicking here.
Some Tips and Tricks for Online Craps
There is no way to predict the way that you’ll shoot the dice, but some tips and strategies do exist. Using them takes a lot of the fun and excitement from the game, but being familiar with at least some strategy will give you a better chance of grasping the game and making better-informed choices with your online craps bets.
It’s always helpful to be aware of what the house edge in any online gambling game is, and online craps is no different. Knowing the house edge will give you at least some form of direction when shooting for the big winnings. So, depending on where the dice land, you’ll have good and bad bets.
Arranged from best to worst, with the house edge increasing:
- Don’t Pass bet: house edge = 1.40%
- Don’t Come bet: house edge = 1.40%
- Come bet: house edge = 1.41%
- Pass Line bet: house edge = 1.41%
- Field bet: house edge = 5.6%
- Big 6 or Big 8 bet: house edge = 9.1%
- Hard bets: house edge = 12.5%
- Craps 2 or Craps 12 bets: house edge = 13.9%
- Any 7 bet: house edge = 16.7%
Online Craps Strategies
There are several strategies that have proven useful in online craps. These strategies can only offer a better edge for winning potential, but can in no way guarantee massive or even consistent wins. Still, it never hurts to know these things, so check out these three strategies, and maybe you’ll find something that works for you:
The Fibonacci Strategy
A useful strategy that utilizes numeric sequences to keep you in play for longer as you bide your time for the high-roller wins. This online craps strategy is a wonderful tool for people who enjoy the game and want to stay in it, not just bet wildly and lose out. The Fibonacci sequence works very simply, and is applicable to how many units you bet. The mathematical basis is this: you start at 0 – but you can’t bet nothing! – so just add the number next to it. Technically, you’ll start with 0. Add the 0 to the 1 and you’ll have 1. Then add 1 to 1 to get 2. Add 1 to 2 and you’ll get 3. Add 2 to 3 and you’ll get 5, etc.
A sample Fibonacci sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987, etc.
The betting can reach a fairly high level very quickly, but the great thing about this strategy is that it keeps a minimum bet stable without forcing you to overplay. Even when you lose on some numbers, it’s easy to win it back, making this strategy a great tool for people new to craps, or happy with making smaller bets for longer play.
The Parley Strategy
Looking for another strategy that won’t ruin your bankroll in two rounds? The Parley Strategy is also useful for people who prefer keeping more money than they bet. Parley works on a very simple principle: if you bet and win, take the cash you won – without touching your initial bet – and let it ride forward. If you lose the cash you’ve won, you’ve still got your first betting amount. This might seem like a fairly pointless form of play, but there is a refined version called the 31-unit Parley.
- Decide on how much you’re willing to bet in total on your online craps game.
- Divide this number by 31, which will give you your unit value.
1-3-2-6 Strategy
Although many of the online betting strategies involving numbers seem to be gibberish, and it takes time and attention to master actual sequences, these strategies have been tried and tested on many occasions. The ones that remain in circulation are the ones that have been proven to work, and the 1-3-2-6 strategy is another money-saving, money-making tool for online craps enthusiasts.
Start off by betting just 1 unit. If you win, just add another unit. You’ll have 2 units, and if you win again, add 1 more unit, giving you 3 units. So, winning a second time will give you 6 units in total that you’ve won. The only critical thing to really remember is to remove 4 units after every second win. So, you’ll now have 2 units again, having saved 4. However, instead of just adding 1 unit, you now up the stakes. Add 2 units to your 2, where winning will give you 4. Add another 2 units, and you’ll stand on 6 for your fourth betting round. Winning a consecutive round here will give you 12 units, and a total so far of 14 units.