What are the Best Casinos to play Online Craps in the US?
Craps is always the loudest game at any land-based casino. While online craps may not have the same rowdy atmosphere, it’s still an excellent game to play if you’re looking to make your evening a profitable one.
Online craps can come with a negligible house edge when you employ the right strategy. The most common figure given for the house edge on craps is 1.41%.
However, for the beginner, this looks like a complex game because of its sheer range of different bets.
These are our top recommendations for online casinos for craps. They have different bonuses that can suit you depending on what kind of player you are.
Are Craps Online legal in the US?
To be sure, it is! It is permitted to have real money on the streets of the United States in which you play the craps game.
What’s more important is playing the casino games like craps, not this particular game of craps. It is possible that you will face criminal penalties in the US for trying to run an online casino unless you strive to maintain strict legality.
Are Online Craps games rigged?
Finding the black sheep of online casinos isn’t difficult with today’s technology. Before signing up for any welcome bonuses, do your homework and find a casino that operates legally and reasonably.
Stick with RNG-powered online casinos that have solid protection and valid licenses.
If you’re still unsure about your ability to find a reputable online craps game, read some of our casino reviews to find a great match for your requirements.
That way, you’ll have all the details you need about a secure online gambling environment.
Did You Know?
“Krabs” (later spelled Crabs) was an English variation on the dice game Hazard in 1788. (also spelled Hasard)
Why Play Craps Online?
Craps in an online casino have various advantages over a live casino, despite the fact that the ambiance isn’t as good. Here we have a few pros and cons.
Online Craps vs Craps in Land-Based Casino
| Online Craps | Craps in Land-Based Casino | |
|---|---|---|
| Play from your home | ✔ | ✖ |
| Bonuses | ✔ | ✖ |
| Promotions | ✔ | ✖ |
Online craps are played either through software or with a live dealer who rolls for you. The rules are exactly the same, and generally, you have identical bets available.
Online craps have some advantages, though, including:
Better payouts in craps online!
- Smaller minimum bets
- Table always available
- Quicker action
Live Craps Online
The problem beginners have with online craps is understanding how the game works. There are a few differences between online craps and the different variations.
Great craps play is about keeping it simple and not getting drawn in by all the possibilities. This is where so many players make mistakes when playing a live game.
If you can keep it simple and stick to the right strategy, craps can provide you with some of the best odds in your favorite online casino.
The best part is that craps are such a popular game that you won’t find an online casino that doesn’t offer at least the basic version of this game.
Currently, there are no live dealer variations of Craps at US online casinos.
Difference between Live Dealer Craps and RNG (Virtual) Craps
With live dealer craps, the action is streamed directly to your screen or mobile device from a real working casino. A random number generator determines the outcome of online craps.
The numbers that appear on the dice are determined by the random number generator (RNG), and as we’ve mentioned elsewhere on our blog, you can only play craps at places that have received verified certification from eCOGRA or iTech Labs.
As a result, you can be certain that their RNG for craps games is both fair and random.
The virtual version is recommended if you are just learning the ropes when it comes to craps bets and the rules of this specific game. This is due to the fact that it takes place in a more low-key, quieter environment.
In certain cases, the best online casinos will let you play virtual craps for free so that you can get used to it without risking your money.
When you switch to a live dealer game, a skilled dealer will take your bets and roll the dice before – hopefully – shunting some chips your way after a winning round.
Live Dealer Craps
Live dealer craps is usually only available with standard craps games. The rules remain the same, but the format is different.
In this version of the game, the dealer will roll the dice on behalf of the designated shooter. They’ll also shift your chips to the correct part of the table.
What makes live dealer craps so exciting is it’s similar to playing the game in a real casino. There will usually be a chat lobby, where you can talk to the dealer and other players. And the dealer will even respond.
In many casinos, live dealer craps is a version only available at certain hours.
How to play Live Craps?
The concept of online craps is simple. Before a round of craps, you’ll have the opportunity to place a bet. Many of the more advanced games have even started offering 3D tables where you select which part of the table you want to place your bet.
Then the player rolls the dice, known as the shooter. Depending on the casino, it may just be you and the house. You’ll press a ‘roll’ button to make the dice fly. Sometimes there are craps tables with multiple players operating at the same time.
The first roll is known as the ‘come out roll. The shooter is trying to shoot a seven or 11, which is known as a natural. A two, three, or 12 is known as ‘crapping out’. Anyone who placed a bet on the pass line loses automatically.
But what if the shooter hits none of these numbers?
This means the round of craps moves to the next phase. Any other number than those specified above and a ‘point’ is set. When a point has been set the shooter has to hit that number again before they hit a seven.
The pass line bet wins if the point is hit again. If a seven is hit then the don’t pass bets win.
It sounds simple because it is. However, the game looks more complex when you start to take other bets into account.
Did You Know
Craps tables require a minimum of four persons to properly manage them.
Solutions for Common Issues when Playing Craps Online
Following any issues having it be technical or even a small error on your screen, simply contact customer care they are available on casinos such as 888 Casino 24/7 Live chat.
Did you know
Craps has one of the greatest odds of any table game, with a house advantage of approximately 1.4 percent for certain wagers.
Different Craps Variations
The basic version of online craps can be found in practically any casino. However, at the bigger casinos, you’ll also find a number of variations.
If you want to try something different, some of these craps games have even lower house edges.
Crapless Craps
The most popular variation of craps is Crapless Craps. This may also go under the names of Ruse Craps and Never Ever Craps. Created by Bob Stupak, the philosophy behind it was to stop players from losing pass line bets by hitting the numbers of two, three, and twelve.
It’s a more favorable variation for the player because it’s more difficult to lose on the come-out roll. It’s nearly impossible to crap out on the come-out roll.
However, finding an online casino offering Crapless Craps is far from easy. It’s simply not profitable enough for them to take up space offering it.
Just because Crapless Craps reduces the house edge doesn’t mean the casino can’t change the payout odds, though. In some online casinos, these games may have a house edge of up to 5.38%.
Before you jump into Crapless Craps, make sure you check out the specific casino first to make sure you’re not going to get taken through an inflated house edge.
High Point Craps
High Point Craps is a simple version of the game. If you’re looking for something similar to the classic version of craps, this isn’t the game for you to play.
In this variation of craps, the two and the three ignored on the come-out roll. If they hit, the dice are returned to the shooter and they roll again.
Players score a natural by hitting eleven or twelve on the come-out roll. Any other number is counted as a point number. To win the roll, the player doesn’t have to hit the point number but score a higher total than the point number.
So for the pass line bet, the best number you can roll on the come-out roll is a four.
The house counters these player-friendly rules by changing the payouts. High Point Craps will only offer even money.
However, it’s still a good offering as the house edge is still only 2.35%.
Simplified Craps
Simplified Craps is a type of craps that became popular in poorer areas. It’s a much simpler game and only comes with a basic betting system.
The shooter will only roll the dice once. You won’t find the pass/don’t pass bet, craps, or any natural numbers in Simplified Craps.
Whether a player wins or not depends on the number they rolled. If totals of two, three, four, ten, eleven, or twelve are made then the player wins. Any other number and the player loses their wager.
Beginners should check out Simplified Craps if they find the traditional version too complicated. The house edge is 2.8%, though, so it’s double traditional craps.
Die Rich Craps
Are you looking for something a little different? Then you might want to try out Die Rich Craps.
The first major difference you’ll notice is that only one dice is used in this game. You’ll also notice the rules are a lot simpler to understand, so beginners may want to check out this version of the game.
On the come-out roll, a natural is if the shooter rolls a six. Crapping out occurs if the shooter rolls a one. The middle numbers are all point numbers.
This is where it really gets interesting because in Die Rich Craps the shooter has three attempts to hit their point number again. If they roll a one or fail to score their point, the pass line bet loses, and a new round of Die Rich Craps starts.
Die Rich Craps is unlike any other form of online craps because casinos differ radically when it comes to the odds on offer. It largely depends on when the player wins.
An automatic win on the come-out roll will only pay out even money. However, if a point is set and the player hits their point on the second or fourth roll, the odds shift to 2:1. Scoring the point on the third roll will still only pay out even money.
Proposition bets yield odds of 4:1.
It’s important to check out different casinos to see what odds they’re offering. Die Rich Craps is an easy game for the casinos to up the house edge on.
New York Craps
New York Craps originally came from the East Coast of the US. It’s also a version of craps played widely in both the Bahamas and the UK. Generally, this is a version of craps to avoid as the house edge is a massive 5%.
One look at the table and you’ll see a different layout. There are no place bets and no come/don’t come bets, for a start.
You can place bets on four, five, six, seven, eight, or ten, but the casino charges a standard 5% commission on all winnings gained in this way.
Apart from that, New York Craps is exactly the same as regular craps.
How to play Craps Online
Playing craps online is less intimidating for beginners who are getting into the game for the first time.
Even so, follow these tips to maximize your chances of winning at craps online:
1. Know Basic Rules, Side Bets, and Payouts
The true complexity of the game is when people start to dabble in the various types of bets. Beginners are advised to avoid the more exotic bets.
As a general rule of thumb, the more exotic the bet the higher the house edge attached to it. Smart gamblers will prefer to stick to the simpler bets for this reason.
The Odds Bet
Perhaps the most profitable bet you can have on the game of craps is the odds bet. Technically, this is a side bet.
You can only place an odds bet when a point is thrown. The odds bet pays out if the point is hit before a seven. Essentially, you’re doubling down on a pass line bet.
What makes this side bet so special is it’s one of the only fair bets you’ll ever find in an online casino. The odds of winning are 50-50.
Different casinos will have different payouts for different points on the odds bet, but in general, the payouts are thus:
- Four and ten pay 2:1
- Five and nine pay 3:2
- Six and eight pay 6:5
If you only remember to place one type of bet, remember the odds bet. It’s a vital part of the strategy in online craps.
Pass/Don’t Pass Bet
The “pass” and “don’t pass” bets are the staples of craps. The majority of players will place this type of bet when they play.
As mentioned earlier, the pass bet wins if the shooter hits a natural on a come-out roll, which is a seven or 11. Alternatively, this bet can win if a point is set and the shooter hits their point number again before a seven.
The “don’t pass” bet is the exact opposite. These bets win if a two, three, or 12 appears on the come-out roll. They also win their bet if a point is set and a seven is rolled before the point number is hit again.
Take note that in some online casinos a 12 on the come-out roll is an automatic push, which means you neither win nor lose you just receive your stake back.
Come/Don’t Come Bet
There’s often a lot of confusion regarding the difference between the “pass” bet and the “come” bet. On the surface, they seem exactly the same. To an extent, this is true.
The difference between these two betting types is that a pass line bet would be established before the come-out roll. The come bet may only be placed if/when a point has been set.
A “come” bet will always win if the point is hit. The “don’t come” bet wins if a seven is rolled.
Some players will place both a “pass” and “come” bet as a way to amplify their winnings.
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets are determined in one roll, in most cases. You’re simply betting on the next roll, so no matter what happens your bet will be resolved immediately. There’s no way to obtain a push or to progress it to the following rolls.
Generally, proposition bets are those that come with the biggest payouts. However, since they have the biggest payouts they also come with the lowest chances of victory. It’s usually only the drunks or the suckers who place these bets in brick-and-mortar casinos.
Here’s a list of the different types of proposition bets:
- Any Seven – The shooter hits a seven.
- Any Craps – The shooter craps out, so they roll a two, three, or twelve.
- Ace Deuce – The shooter hits a three.
- Aces – The shooter hits snake eyes (two).
- Boxcars – The shooter hits a twelve.
- Horn – The shooter craps out or hits a twelve.
Hard Way Bets
A “hard way” bet is another type of proposition bet. A hard way is a term used to denote a number that’s made from two of the same numbers.
For example, if you make a four with a double two or a six with a double three you’ve hit a hard way.
The reason why this proposition bet is different is that it’s carried over multiple rolls.
Let’s say you make a “hard way eight” bet. You’re gambling on the shooter hitting double four before any other combination of numbers that would make a total of eight.
As you can imagine, the odds of the player winning a hard way bet aren’t high.
Place Bets
The place bet is about setting your own point. With this bet, you’re placing your money on any other number as your personal point.
So if you make a place bet on an eight, you need the shooter to hit a total of eight before a seven is rolled.
If you have a lucky number, this is the bet you would place.
Field Bet
A field bet gives you better odds, but it only pays out even money. Field bets are active for a single dice roll.
To win a field bet, you need the shooter to roll a two, three, four, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve.
In theory, you have good odds because there are more numbers that would give you the win. The only downside is seven is the most common number on a dice and if the shooter hits a seven on a field bet you lose.
Big Six and Big Eight Bets
These bets sound juicy, but really they’re just different types of place bets. A “big six” bet is a bet on a six before a seven and a “big eight” bet is betting that an eight will appear before a seven.
A “big six” or “big eight” bet is actually one of the worst bets you can possibly place on the board. Despite only having one number that can give you victory it still only pays out even money.
These bets are best avoided.
2. Online Craps Strategy & Terminology
Craps comes with its own set of terminology and language it’s wise to master. This is especially the case if you choose to place in a live dealer craps game, where there are other players chatting.
Dealers often use specific terminology when they make announcements.
- 3-Way Craps – A bet placed in units of three on two, three, and twelve.
- Aces – Also known as snake eyes, this refers to a total of two on the dice.
- Any Craps – A bet that the next roll will be a two, three, or twelve. The term comes from the fact these three numbers lead to crapping out on the come-out roll.
- Big Red – A slang term for the number seven. Many players consider using the word ‘seven’ to be bad luck, so they’ll use this term instead.
- Bones – A slang term for the dice.
- Boxcars – This is used for the number twelve. Some players may also call it midnight.
- Box Numbers – These are all the numbers that don’t count as crapping out or scoring a natural. These are also the only numbers in which a point can be set on.
- Cold Dice – When someone talks about cold dice they’re referring to a table where nobody is hitting their point number.
- Crap Numbers – A term for two, three, or twelve.
- Craps Check- Betting on a craps number on the come-out roll as a hedge against a pass bet.
- Front Line – Some players may ask for a front line bet, which is another name for the pass line bet.
- Garden – Another term for the field bet.
- Hard Way – A type of bet but is also used when a total is made through the same number appearing on both dice.
- Hi-Lo – A type of proposition bet available in some online casinos on the numbers two and twelve. This is a one-roll bet.
- Hi-Lo-Yo – The same as a Hi-Lo bet, but the number eleven will also yield a win.
- Hop Bet – A type of bet on the specific combination on the dice over one roll. For example, someone may place a hop bet on double two.
- Hot Dice – The opposite of cold dice. When players are regularly hitting their point numbers.
- Inside Numbers – A phrase for any place bets on five, six, eight, or nine.
- Little Joe – A slang term for a pair of twos.
- Midnight – Slang for when a twelve is rolled.
- Natural – The shooter hits a natural when they roll a seven or eleven on the come-out roll.
- One Roll Bet – This type of bet in craps is decided on a single roll.
- Outside Numbers – A place bet on a four, five, nine, and ten. Yes, five and nine are also called inside numbers.
- Point – Any number on the come-out roll that doesn’t lead to a natural or crapping out.
- Proposition Bet – More exotic bets that, in a land-based casino, are placed through shifting your chips to the center of the craps table layout.
- Seven Out – When a shooter hits a seven before their point. If someone ‘sevens out’ they lose their pass line bets.
- Shooter –The player rolling the dice.
- Snake Eyes – Double two. Also known as aces.
- World Bet – A world bet is a type of bet where you place money on a two, three, eleven, or twelve, plus the seven.
Strategy
Players and dealers may use this term instead of calling out an eleven. Although less seen in online casinos, it’s important to be aware of it. Traditionally used so the word ‘eleven’ doesn’t get misheard as ‘seven’ at a busy craps table.
The game of online craps comes with many strategies. One quick Google search and you’ll find hundreds of guides on what the best strategy is.
Like with any casino game, though, the key to a great strategy is to play it by the numbers. The majority of bets on a craps table are for suckers. Smart gamblers will never play them because the house edge is so high that they could never hope to make a consistent profit on them.
Strategy for Nearly 0% House Edge
Online craps strategy isn’t fancy because the best strategy has already been figured out. It’s also backed up with math.
The best way to play craps is by placing the minimum bet on the Don’t Pass line. This basic bet comes with a house edge of 1.36%, thus making it one of the best bets you can place in any casino. If a point is set, you follow it up with an odds bet for the next phase.
Since the odds bet comes with a perfect 50-50 chance, this is the best bet you can make in any casino game. For an odds bet, you place the maximum odds bet you can. Most online casinos limit this for a reason.
This strategy will give you a house edge of 0.014%.
It’s that simple. You don’t touch anything else. Understandably, this can take a lot of the fun out of craps since you’re just placing the same bet every single time.
3. Plan your budget and your time
The key to success is to prepare ahead of time and gamble wisely. It’s important to be ready to win or lose. Plan ahead of time for your budget so you’ll know when to stop and have enough time to get used to the game.
Did you know?
The Yo Bet is one of the worst craps bets a player can make.
How to improve your game
1. Read our reviews
Have a look at a few of our reviews from our top casinos, giving you an insight into what games they have, different crap rooms, and more.
Just like Draftkings, who recently launched Craps in 2021!
2. Practice for free
Though you won’t be able to play live dealer craps for free, you can practice with play money in a variety of regular “virtual” online craps games.
This is, without a doubt, highly recommended.
You can get a feel for craps online, learn more about the different craps bets and tactics, and generally get a better understanding of the game before risking your own money.
3. Watch streamers to discover new tips
You can familiarise yourself with the game and learn the ins and outs by watching a streamed game of craps. Follow some Craps Live games, the game has been featured by several Twitch and YouTube streamers. We recommend VegasLowRoller and Derk Phillips.
Did you know?
Craps has a long and winding history that dates back all the way to the Middle Ages.
Play Craps on mobile
Craps, like every other online casino game, is now available on mobile! In reality, online games are increasingly being played on mobile devices, and both providers and casinos are adapting their offerings to meet this demand!
Popular Live Craps Table Providers
DraftKings is currently the only online casino that offers online craps in the US. It is a specially designed DraftKings-branded table the casino created exclusively for their players.