Craps Guide
In order to master Craps, a player needs to have that extra something special and here at The VIP Gambler we can help to make sure that you are that player. Craps, put simply, is a two dice game where players wager on the result of one or a series of rolls. The classic game offers player and bank wager options and is a past time cherished by those who frequent casinos and those who look for something fast-paced to play at home amongst friends. This is another one of those plays which has gained some celebrity and showbiz kudos following the endless number of celebrity singers, actors and rich people who have spoken about their love for the game. But reputation aside, a player’s craps ability speaks for itself. Here at The VIP Gambler we can guide our members to the very best places for craps action and offers!
Craps Facts
Did you know that when playing, there is no rule that says you have to throw the dice? When they are passed to you, saying ‘pass’ will mean you don’t need to throw, and carries no bad opinion, it’s up to you how you choose to play!
There are quite a lot of different ideas about what the state of play is should your the dice roll off the table when you throw them. The truth is that you don’t lose your turn or get accused of cheating or any other such rumour, the dealer will simply examine the dice once they are brought back to the table, decide whether to use the same ones or get a fresh pair, then you throw again. It’s understandable where these myths come from, but it’s been a long time since crooked dice existed.
The only true legend in craps is great gaming!
Craps History
Although dice have a long and pottered history of their own, rumoured to date back to Roman Emperors Augustin, Nero and Caligula, each of which was famed for his love of them, the history of craps as we know it stems from some time in the 12th century. This was when the English game, Hazard, can be traced back to; a popular past time of soldiers back in the Third Crusade. Of course, the game already existed by this point, so its exact inception is a bit hazy. Hazard was renamed Craps around the 18th century when the French settling in New Orleans began referring to it under that name. In the years that followed, game rules and types varied wildly, until a dice maker by the name of John H. Winn made it possible for players to bet right or wrong in a version then known as Bank Craps.
Craps Rules
Learning craps can be a daunting experience, as the array of different bets on the board look like one huge confusing spread if you’re unfamiliar with the game. So starting from the beginning, the game opens with two options; pass line, betting the player will get a 7 or 11 on their first dice roll, or don’t pass line wagers where even rolling a 2 or 3 makes a win and a 7 or 11 is a loss. This is the ‘come out roll’ and if any other number is achieved, it is called the ‘point’ and the dealer puts a button on that number, then the player attempts to roll it again. If the player manages this, they keep rolling. If they fail, it’s ‘craps out’ and the round ends.
Understanding the lingo and game variations is really the most challenging part, but easier when you know the basics!
Craps Strategy
Learning strategies to improve your craps play comes down to knowing which bets are unlikely to yield a win and which aren’t. Experts suggest that most of the bets available in the game are not worth making, but there are some which are more sensible. Firstly, you should only try the pass and don’t pass lines, always combining them with taking odds, giving odds, and only play on the tables which offer the greatest odds you can find. The standard offering is double odds, but Playtech casinos are famed for offering triples too. Outside of pass line and don’t ass line bets, playing on a 6 or 8 offers a decent house edge, however it is still a little higher. If going over these different combinations proves confusing by instruction, surveying pay tables and house edge breakdown tables and seeing the numerical differences to the bets can really help you.
