Craps and dice, played selectively
Craps is a game of strategy, even if the table looks complicated and the terms seem hard to understand. In reality, only a few bets matter. The best of these is the Pass Line with Free Odds. It offers one of the lowest house edges you will find. The catch is that online RNG (Random Number Generator) craps is quite limited. The 10 titles in our index make up almost the entire reputable RNG catalog. Most real craps action happens in live dealer studios, which better recreate the social feel of a real casino. Below, we cover the rules, the few bets worth making, which ones to avoid, and why live dealer craps is usually the better choice.
Related: Live dealer · All free games.
Craps at a glance
Key facts before you approach the table.
Best bet edge
0.18%
Pass Line + 10x Free Odds; best in the casino
Pass Line alone
1.41%
Don't Pass 1.36%; both excellent base bets
Worst bet edge
16.67%
Any Seven prop bet; avoid
Variants
2 main
Bank craps (standard) + simplified online versions
Online RNG titles
10
Tiny catalog; most action sits at live-dealer studios
Live dealer
Yes (Evolution)
Evolution First Person Craps; broad operator coverage
Player skill
Bet selection
No dice control online; choosing bets is everything
Best fit
Live dealer
Closest to land-based experience; richest atmosphere
Why our online craps catalog is small
The 10 RNG craps titles in our index represent nearly the entire reputable online catalog. This is not because craps is unpopular; it is one of the most popular table games in physical casinos. Instead, the game's appeal is difficult to replicate in a single player RNG format.
A physical craps table is a social game. The energy comes from a shooter holding the dice, other players cheering or groaning at the results, the dealer calling out outcomes, and the sound of dice hitting the felt. RNG craps removes all of this, leaving only a digital animation and a betting interface. The math remains the same, but the experience is different.
Live dealer craps, which became popular with Evolution's First Person Craps in 2021, brings back much of the table experience. A real dealer rolls the dice, multiple players share a virtual table, and an announcer calls the results. The math is the same, but it feels much more like playing at a physical casino. Because of this, RNG craps has remained a small category as most players prefer the live version.
In short: if you want to play craps online and live dealer is available, choose the live version. The 10 RNG titles are useful for learning the rules and testing betting strategies, but they do not provide the full craps experience.
How craps actually works (the rules that matter)
A craps round has two stages. The come-out roll starts each betting cycle. The shooter rolls two dice. A 7 or 11 wins for Pass Line bettors, ending the round. A 2, 3, or 12, known as craps, loses for Pass Line bettors. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) sets the point and moves the round to the second stage.
The point phase continues with the shooter rolling again. If the point number appears before a 7, Pass Line bettors win, and a new come-out roll starts. If a 7 appears first, Pass Line bettors lose, and the dice pass to the next shooter. Don't Pass bettors win if a 7 is rolled during the point phase and lose if the point number is rolled again.
The table has about 30 other bets, such as Come/Don't Come, Place bets, Hardways, and Field bets. Each has its own payout and house edge.
For a player, the table looks more complicated than it is. The Pass Line (or Don't Pass) plus Free Odds is the core of the game. Other bets are mostly for entertainment, and many have poor odds. While the variety of bets might seem to offer strategy, the most effective approach is simple.
The bet taxonomy that matters
The many bets available on the table are not equal. Here are three categories based on their house edge:
| Bet | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Pass Line + Free Odds | Best bet in the entire casino. Take maximum allowed Free Odds. |
| Don't Pass + Don't Pass Odds | Slightly better mathematically than Pass Line equivalent. |
| Come + Come Odds | Pass Line equivalent placed mid-roll. Layers multiple good bets. |
| Place 6 or 8 | Acceptable; the best of the non-Pass-Line bets. |
| Place 5 or 9 | Mediocre; only acceptable for variance reasons. |
| Field | Looks broad (multiple winning totals) but the edge is steep. |
| Hardway 6 or 8 | Big payout, brutal edge. Avoid. |
| Any Craps | One-roll prop bet; do not play. |
| Any Seven | Worst bet on the table. Do not play under any circumstances. |
It is clear that the Pass Line, Don't Pass, Come, and Don't Come bets offer the best value. Place 6 or 8 is the next best option. Everything else is poor value. The proposition bets in the center of the table are where casinos make their profit, so informed players tend to avoid them.
Avoidable mistakes that cost craps players money
Three common mistakes account for most preventable losses.
1. Playing prop bets because they look fun
The middle of the table, featuring Hardways and other one-roll bets, looks exciting and offers large payouts. However, this is the area with the worst value for the player. While the Pass Line has a house edge of 1.41%, these prop bets often carry a house edge of 10-16%. Avoid them, or treat them as rare, small-stakes bets.
2. Skipping Free Odds because of intimidation
Free Odds is a bet with no house edge, placed behind the Pass Line after a point is set. Many new players skip it because they do not understand it or find it complicated. This is a mistake. Taking the maximum Free Odds can significantly lower the total house edge. Always take the maximum Free Odds available.
3. Playing RNG craps when live dealer is available
RNG craps offers the same math as live dealer games but lacks the social experience. Most players who try RNG craps find it less enjoyable than the live version. Use the 10 RNG titles to learn the rules, but play the live dealer version if you want the full experience.
Responsible play, applied to craps
Craps has some of the best bets in the casino, but the layout encourages players to make multiple bets at once, which increases the total amount at risk. Here are two tips:
- Stick to the good bets. The Pass Line and Free Odds are all you need. Come bets are also acceptable. Avoid Place bets, Field bets, and props, as they have poor odds.
- Set a budget for your total action. At a live table, you might have several bets active at once, meaning your total exposure is higher than your initial bet. Plan your budget based on your total potential action.
For information on managing your gambling, including setting limits and self-exclusion, see our Responsible gambling page.
Common questions about craps
The questions players ask most often.
Why are there so few online craps games?
Craps is a social game that relies on the interaction between players and the dealer. RNG versions remove this social element, making the game less engaging. Most online players prefer live dealer studios, so providers have invested less in RNG titles.
What is the best bet in craps?
The Pass Line combined with Free Odds. The Pass Line has a 1.41% house edge, and the Free Odds bet has zero house edge. By combining these, you lower the overall house edge significantly.
What are "proposition bets" and should I take them?
These are one-roll bets on specific outcomes, such as Any Seven or Hardways. They have high house edges, ranging from 5% to 16%, and are generally poor bets for the player.
How do "Come" and "Don't Come" bets work?
These work like Pass Line and Don't Pass bets but are placed after the come-out roll. They allow you to add more bets to the table during a round.
Is live dealer craps better than RNG craps?
For most players, yes. Live dealer craps provides a social experience similar to playing in a physical casino, whereas RNG craps does not.
What is the "5-count" strategy?
This is a bankroll management method where you wait for the shooter to roll five non-seven numbers before betting. It can help reduce variance, but it does not change the house edge.
Can the dice be controlled in craps?
Some players believe in dice control, but there is no proof that it works in a casino setting. In RNG craps, it is impossible, and in live dealer craps, the dealer rolls the dice.
What is the difference between "right" and "wrong" bettors?
A "right" bettor plays with the shooter (Pass Line/Come), while a "wrong" bettor plays against the shooter (Don't Pass/Don't Come). "Wrong" betting has a slightly better mathematical edge but is sometimes frowned upon in physical casinos for being unsociable. Online, this does not matter, so choose the bet with the best odds.
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