How to Play Craps Online

Written by: Jeremy Olson , Online Casino and Games Expert

Learning how to play craps online might seem tricky at first, but it’s simple once you know the basics. The goal is easy: place your bets and guess the outcome of the dice roll.

Below, you’ll find a quick demo that walks you through a round of craps step by step without complicated terms.

After the demo, we explain each bet, along with the odds, payouts, and strategies to help you play smarter. By the end, you’ll understand the game and feel confident enough to try it yourself.

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Learn to Play Online Craps

The first step to understanding how to play craps online is to learn the rules and different types of bets you can wager on.

We take you through each of these in a simple way so you can learn quickly and start playing.

Craps In-Round Rules

Each round of online craps has a coming-out phase and a point phase. The gameplay begins after the initial wagers are on the table and the dice roll.

Before we get into the bets you can make, let’s look at the rules defining each stage.

Come Out Roll

Each round begins with one roll called the “come-out roll.” There are three possible outcomes here.

  • If the first roll is a 2, 3, or 12, that’s called “Craps,” and all Pass Line bets lose.
  • If it’s a 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win immediately.
  • If it’s 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the “point,” and the game continues to the next stage.

The Point Phase

When a point is set (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the puck changes from OFF to ON and moves onto that number. Now the dice will keep rolling until one of two things happens:

  • If the point number is rolled again, Pass Line bets win.
  • If a 7 is rolled first, the Pass Line bets lose, and the round ends. The puck goes back to OFF, and a new round starts.

Common Craps Bets Explained

There are several bets in craps that you have the option of placing throughout any given round. Let’s look at all the options on the table.

All craps bets have different odds and payouts, but we’re going to focus here on what each one means and the correct time to place them.

Multi-Roll Bets

Multi-roll bets tend to be one of the most popular options. Many cover several dice roll outcomes and give the player a better chance of winning.

Craps Table Layout Pass Line Bet Area Highlighted

“Pass Line” Bet

The Pass Line Bet at the craps table is a common stake at the start of the round.

This wager means you think a 7 or 11 will hit before a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll.

When a point is set instead of a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12, the pass line bets remain active on the table.

It stays there until the shooter hits the point again or sevens out.

Craps Table Layout Don't Pass Bar Area Highlighted

“Don’t Pass” Bet

The Don’t Pass Bet is the opposite of the Pass Line Bet.

So, a don’t pass wager means you think a 2 or 3 will land before 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. A 12, in this case, is a push.

It is far less common since most people play the pass line, and you’re betting against them.

It’s only bad manners if you celebrate openly on a “don’t pass” win.

Craps Table Layout Come Bet Area Highlighted

Come Bet

You can only make a Come Bet after a point is set.

It means you think the shooter will get a 7 or 11 on the dice before they land the come point again.

This wager is similar to the pass line bet, except you place it at a different time.

Craps Table Layout Don't Come Area Highlighted

Don’t Come Bet

The Don’t Come Bet is the reverse version of the Come Bet.

So you place this wager if you think there will be a 2 or 3 before the come point. Again, a 12 here is a push.

This bet is essentially the same as the don’t pass wager, but placed after a set point.

Craps Table Layout Pass Line Odds Chip Placement

Taking the Odds / Laying Odds

Taking the Odds can only be done after a point is set if you’ve made a pass wager.

These bets pay off if the point gets hit again before the shooter gets a 7.

You can lay the Odds after a point is set if you made a don’t pass wager.

You win this bet if the shooter throws a 7 before they roll the come point a second time.

Craps Table Layout Place buy and Lay Point Area Highlighted

Place Bets / Buy Bets / Lay Bets

Place and Buy Bets can happen anytime, but only pay out when a point is set.

These wagers mean you think that a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 will happen before a 7.

The casino takes a 5% commission on the buy bet for slightly better payouts.

The lay bet is essentially the opposite of the buy bet and is rooting for a 7 first.

Craps Table Layout Big 6 and Big 8 Area Highlighted

Big 6 / Big 8

You can place these bets at any time. A Big 6 pays when the shooter rolls a 6 before a 7.

Likewise, the Big 8 pays off when they throw an 8 before a 7.

These wagers differ slightly from the 6 or 8-place bets and buy bets because they are active even when a point isn’t set.

They are usually regarded as sucker bets.

Craps Table Layout Hardway Area Highlighted

Hardway Bets

You can place these bets at any time. You are wagering on a 4, 6, 8, or 10 to show where both dice are the same numbers.

For example, two 5s is a “hard 10.”

You need the “hard number” to hit before the shooter rolls a 7 to win these wagers. The hardway 2 and 12 are both craps with their betting area.

Single-Roll Bets

The craps table also has several proposition bets in the center that are only good for a single roll. These side wagers payout well but have a much lower probability of hitting.

Snake Eyes

You’re betting the shooter rolls a two. The single pips on the dice look like the eyes of a snake.

Ace Deuce

This wager pays when the dice land on three. Also called “3 craps,” it will always have a 1 and a 2 in combination.

Yo

You’re wagering that the next roll is an 11. Also called Yoleven, this combo will always contain a 5 and a 6.

Boxcars

This bet wins when the shooter rolls a 12. It is always two 6s and is sometimes called cornrows or midnight.

C & E

The C bet is for “craps,” and the E stands for “eleven.” You can make these wagers singly or combined.

Big Red

Here you’re hoping for a 7 to hit. It’s unlucky to say “seven” in craps, so this roll gets a nickname.

Any Craps

This bet wins when the shooter rolls any of the craps numbers 2, 3, or 12. It is also called the three-way.

The Horn

Wagering on the horn is hoping for a 2, 3, 11, or 12. All these numbers only have a single combination.

Field Bet

The field pays off when the shooter hits a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The payout for a 2 or 12 gets doubled here.

Multi-Bet Nicknames

Some wagering combinations have unique nicknames. For example, betting the world or “whirl” is when you put stakes on big seven and the horn, and Hard and Horny combines the hardway choices with the horn.

The Best Online Craps Strategies

Your best strategy in real money online craps is playing the math and making bets with a lower house edge. Once you understand the basics of the game and know the odds and payouts for popular bets, you can play more smartly.

Craps Strategy #1: Only Play Popular Bets

The most popular bets at the Craps table are the pass linedon’t passcome, and don’t come. Playing them is a good strategy since all these bets have a house edge under 1.5%. In the long run, every $100 you stake in these areas will give you more than $98.50 back.

Pass Line / Come

These are by far the most common bets at the Craps table.

When the button is off, you place pass line wagers and win on a 7 or 11 but lose on 2, 3, or 12. Come bets behave the same way, but you place the stake after the point is on.

Almost everyone at the table will have one of these bets active. It generates exciting energy and camaraderie because everyone wins or loses at the same time.

  • House Edge: 1.41%
  • Payout: 1 to 1

Don’t Pass / Don’t Come

These wagers are the opposite of the pass / come bets.

Don’t pass hopes for a 2 or 3 while the point is off. Don’t come does the same when the point is on. These bets lose when the shooter throws a 7 or 11.

A 12 on the don’t bets breaks even, making for better odds. It’s a less popular option despite the lower house edge since you’re usually betting against the table.

  • House Edge: 1.35%
  • Payout: 1 to 1

Craps Strategy #2: “Taking the Odds” Bet

One of the best Craps strategies involves a somewhat hidden bet that is often overlooked because it isn’t marked on the table. The odds wagers, “taking the odds” and “laying the odds,” are the only bets in the casino with a 0% house edge.

Craps Table Layout Pass Line Odds Chip Placement

You can place odds bets on your pass line, don’t pass, come, and don’t come stakes. You “take” odds on pass / come, and “lay” odds on don’t pass/don’t come.

These wagers are doubling down on the currently set point number, but you can bet more than double.

It’s a great strategy to make odds bets since they have a 0% house edge. The only risk is that these wagers get cleared with your initial one.

If you take the odds on your pass line stakes and the shooter rolls a 7 before hitting the point, you’ll lose them both.

Betting the Max Odds

The odds bet is such a good play that casinos cap the amount you can wager.

The cap is usually based on the odds of hitting the point number in land-based casinos. For example, the rules may say you can add up to 3x your stake on 4 / 104x on 5 / 9, and 5x on 6 / 8.

Most online craps casinos for real money just put a flat cap of 2-3x on odds bets.

Craps Strategy #3: Place the 6 and 8 to Win

Place bets are put on the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 and are only active after the point is on. No other rolls matter for these wagers, and you can bet on the number winning or losing. Placing numbers to lose has better odds, but the payouts are diminished, so avoiding these bets is a good strategy.

At land-based casinos, the dealer will assist you in placing your chips in the proper areas. To bet on the 6 to win, you would put money in the come area and ask them to “place the 6.” When playing craps online, make sure you hover the cursor on the area that says “place 6” or “place win 6.”

Each number has different odds and payouts based on its probability of hitting.

4 or 10 to Win

At 2 to 1 odds, you’re twice as likely to see a 7 before getting a 4 or 10.

Since dealers don’t make change, these bets are always in $5 increments because of their payouts.

  • House Edge: 6.67%
  • Payout: 9 to 5

5 or 9 to Win

You get slightly better odds 3 to 2 on hitting the 5 or 9 before a 7.

Again, the payout structure for these bets calls for $5 bet increments. Online, this won’t matter.

  • House Edge: 4.00%
  • Payout: 7 to 5

6 or 8 to Win

The 6 and 8 are the most popular, with the best place odds at 6 to 5.

Due to the payouts, dealers only place these wagers in $6 increments. Again, this is to avoid change.

  • House Edge: 1.52%
  • Payout: 7 to 6

Craps Strategy #4: Avoid Prop & Single Roll Bets

If you want to win more, the final craps strategy you should employ is to avoid the sucker bets with high house edge.

Prop Bets

The proposition bets are in the center of the table, with the dice combinations displayed.

They are all single-roll bets with attractive payouts but carry a much higher 9 – 17% house edge.

  • House Edge: Over 9%
  • Payout: 4 to 1 and up

The Field

The field bet gets mixed reviews since it’s a single-roll bet, but its odds are closer to even.

You’re betting on a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 where 2 and 12 pay double. If they pay triple, the edge is better.

  • House Edge: 5.56%
  • Payout: 1.125 to 1

Big 6 & Big 8

Big 6 or Big 8 are multi-roll bets but only payout 1 to 1, which is less than you get when placing the same numbers.

The only difference is that the wagers are active when the point is off and have a higher house edge.

  • House Edge: 9.09%
  • Payout: 1 to 1

Online Craps Betting Odds

This online craps odds chart saves you from having to do the math. It shows all possible two-dice combinations and the odds and probabilities of seeing a specific number.

Craps Odds Chart Casino Inforgraphic

Best and Worst Bets to Place in Online Craps

Bets With Best Odds

The following wagers all have a house edge under 2%.

  • Pass Line
  • Come
  • Don’t Pass
  • Don’t Come
  • 6 or 8 Place Bets

Bets With Worst Odds

Avoid these wagers with a house edge over 10%.

  • 4 or 10 Hardway
  • Any 7
  • Any Craps
  • 2 or 12 Craps
  • 3 or 11 Craps

Online Craps Payouts

The table below shows the typical payout examples for all the craps bets and their house edges. Keep it handy to know your chances of hitting one of those long-shot single-roll prop bets.

Craps Payout Table

BetPayoutHouse Edge
Pass Line1 to 11.41%
Don’t Pass0.95 to 11.35%
Come1 to 11.41%
Don’t Come0.95 to 11.35%
Take Odds 4 or 102 to 10.00%
Take Odds 5 or 93 to 20.00%
Take Odds 6 or 86 to 50.00%
Lay Odds 4 or 101 to 20.00%
Lay Odds 5 or 92 to 30.00%
Lay Odds 6 or 85 to 60.00%
Buy 4 or 1039 to 214.76%
Buy 5 or 929 to 214.76%
Buy 6 or 823 to 214.76%
Lay 4 or 1019 to 412.44%
Lay 5 or 919 to 313.32%
Lay 6 or 819 to 254.00%
Place 4 or 10 to Win9 to 56.67%
Place 5 or 9 to Win7 to 54.00%
Place 6 or 8 to Win7 to 61.52%
Place 4 or 10 to Lose5 to 113.03%
Place 5 or 9 to Lose5 to 82.50%
Place 6 or 8 to Lose4 to 51.82%
Hardway 6 or 89 to 19.09%
Hardway 4 or 107 to 111.1%
Any 74 to 116.7%
Any Craps7 to 111.1%
2 or 1230 to 113.9%
3 or 1115 to 111.1%
Big 6 or Big 81 to 19.09%
The Field1.125 to 15.56%
BetPayoutHouse Edge
Pass Line1 to 11.41%
Don’t Pass0.95 to 11.35%
Come1 to 11.41%
Don’t Come0.95 to 11.35%
Take Odds 4 / 102 to 10.00%
Take Odds 5 / 93 to 20.00%
Take Odds 6 / 86 to 50.00%
Lay Odds 4 / 101 to 20.00%
Lay Odds 5 / 92 to 30.00%
Lay Odds 6 / 85 to 60.00%
Buy 4 / 1039 to 214.76%
Buy 5 / 929 to 214.76%
Buy 6 / 823 to 214.76%
Lay 4 / 1019 to 412.44%
Lay 5 / 919 to 313.32%
BetPayoutHouse Edge
Lay 6 / 819 to 254.00%
Place 4 / 10 to Win9 to 56.67%
Place 5 / 9 to Win7 to 54.00%
Place 6 / 8 to Win7 to 61.52%
Place 4 / 10 to Lose5 to 113.03%
Place 5 / 9 to Lose5 to 82.50%
Place 6 / 8 to Lose4 to 51.82%
Hardway 6 / 89 to 19.09%
Hardway 4 / 107 to 111.1%
Any 74 to 116.7%
Any Craps7 to 111.1%
2 / 1230 to 113.9%
3 / 1115 to 111.1%
Big 6 / Big 81 to 19.09%
The Field1.125 to 15.56%

Note: Payouts and odds may vary from casino to casino, as table rules could be altered.

Tips to Help You Play Smarter

Online craps game has great odds if you place the bets with the lowest house edge. Some wagers have significantly better odds within the wide range of betting options, while others are sucker bets.

Follow the valuable craps tips below if you want to place bets with good odds and win more often.

Apply Strategy

Craps offers good and bad bets. Not knowing the basic strategy can lead to poor decisions.

If you want to win money, focus on the bets with the lowest house edge. Stay calm and don’t get too excited.

Bet Pass or Don’t Pass

Betting on the Pass or Don’t Pass lines gives you better odds. Here’s how it works:

  • Pass Line: You win if the first roll is 7 or 11. You lose if it’s 2, 3, or 12. For other numbers, you win if that number is rolled again before a 7.
  • Don’t Pass Line: You win if the first roll is 2 or 3. You lose if it’s 7 or 11. A roll of 12 is a tie. For other numbers, you win if a 7 is rolled before that number.

Don’t Make Single-Roll Bets

As I mentioned above, avoid Field, Any 7, or Any Craps. They raise the house edge to over 10%.

Use Don’t Come Bets

If a point is set on your Don’t Pass bet, place a Don’t Come bet. You win if the next roll is 2 or 3, tie on 12, and lose on 7 or 11.

Go for the Odds Bet

The odds bet is placed after your Pass or Don’t Pass bet and pays true odds based on the point number.

It has a 0% house edge, making it one of the best bets in the casino.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about how online Craps works behind the scenes? Here are a few things most guides don’t cover.

What is the house edge in craps?

The standard pass line bet, which most beginners should stick with, has a house edge of 1.41%. The don’t pass bet has a slightly lower house edge, at 1.36%.

The house edge varies drastically depending on which bets you make. The table also has different versions of house edge percentages because some bets stay in place for multiple rolls.

Is it possible to win at craps?

Craps is a luck-based game, so during any given round, you can indeed win.

However, like any casino game, there’s a house edge built into it that ensures the casino makes money in the long run.

For this reason, our recommendation will always be to play for fun and with a set budget in mind. If you happen to win early, collect your winnings and walk away.

How does craps compare to other casino games?

One major factor is that by using the optimal betting method in craps, a player can lower the house edge to 1.36%. This is decent when compared to some other table games.

With the best possible rules, Blackjack has a house edge of 0.28%, baccarat is 1.06%, and roulette is 2.7% if you play on a single 0 table.

Do online Craps tables have a maximum bet limit per round?

Yes. Each table shows the minimum and maximum bets. The limits can vary depending on the casino and game version.

How much should you bet on Craps odds?

Since the odds bet at the Craps table has a 0% house edge, you should wager the max allowed by the casino if you can afford it. Remember to use bankroll management best practices so you don’t burn your chip stack out too fast.

How quickly do online Craps games move compared to the real casino game?

Online Craps is usually faster. There’s no waiting on other players or dealers — it moves as quickly as you do.

Does the online Craps software show past dice rolls and betting history?

Yes. Most games have a history or log button to check recent rolls and past bets.

Can multiple players join the same online Craps table at once?

Not usually. Most online Craps games are single-player, so it’s just you against the dice.

Jeremy Olson

Casino and Game Reviews

Jeremy Olson Online Casino and Games Expert

Jeremy Olson is a research writer specializing in US casino reviews and game strategy. He has covered poker, casino games, and sports betting since 2004.

He converted bad beats in blackjack and poker into a passion to learn and now specializes in several areas of the online casino market.

Learn More About Jeremy