Table of Contents
- Introduction to the Craps Game
- Steps to Playing Craps Online
- How We Rate the Best Online Craps Casinos in New Zealand
- Understanding Craps House Edge and Payouts
- Top Tips for Playing at Craps Online Casinos
- Some Popular Craps Variants
- Start Playing at the Best Online Craps Sites
- Craps Online Casinos FAQ
Introduction to the Craps Game
Historically, craps is believed to have originated from an ancient game called “hazard”, which dates back to the Crusades. The Middle Ages saw the French adaptation of the game and the birth of the name “craps.” The game made its way to America with the French settlers in the 18th century and became especially popular in New Orleans. It’s believed that soldiers played street craps during World War II. By the early 20th century, John H. Winn, known as the “Father of Modern Craps,” introduced significant modifications to the game, such as allowing players to bet for or against the shooter, what is now known as the Pass/Don’t Pass or Come/Don’t Come bets.
The gameplay is one of the more complicated ones because there are more rules for playing craps than a typical blackjack or roulette game. This doesn’t mean it’s difficult to play, though. Once you get the hang of the basic rules of craps, the objective is simple – predict the outcome of one or a series of rolls of two dice.
There are three possible outcomes:
- Natural – 7 or 11
- Craps – 2, 3, or 12
- Point – 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. To win the point, you have to roll the same number again before sevening out.
The versatility of this game also has to do with the fact that craps has the most betting options out of any casino game. Our guide on how to play craps will reveal all there is to know about the gameplay and betting options.
Key Terms in Online Craps
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Come Out Roll | The first roll in a round of craps, used to establish the point. |
| Point | A number established on the come-out roll which the shooter must roll again before rolling a 7 for pass line and come bets to win. |
| Pass/Come Bet | A bet on the come-out roll being a 7 or 11. This bet also wins when you roll a point before rolling a 7. |
| Don’t Pass/Don’t Come Bet | The opposite of the Pass/Come Bet and pays out whenever you roll a 2 or 3, or lose the point by rolling a 7. |
| Shooter | The player who is currently rolling the dice. |
| Seven Out | When a 7 is rolled before the point number, ending the round. |
| Crapping Out | Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 after placing a wager on the pass line or rolling a 7 before winning the point (This is a losing bet). |
| Proposition Bets | One-roll bets on specific outcomes, such as a specific dice combination or total. |
Steps to Playing Craps Online
Online craps gameplay is almost identical to the traditional way of playing the game, except it’s just you against the casino. Players who enjoy the interactive aspect of the game can try live craps games by Evolution. Otherwise, playing online craps is an exciting experience that comes with even faster gameplay and great UI for conveniently placing bets. Here’s how to play craps online:
- Sign up at one of our recommended craps online casinos
- Deposit and claim your welcome bonus
- Select your preferred craps game
- Try out several rounds in demo mode for better understanding
- Place a real money craps bet
- Throw the dice and see the outcome
- Receive your payout if your bet wins
How We Rate the Best Online Craps Casinos in New Zealand
Craps is common at online casinos, and many of the top NZ sites feature several titles for you to try out. Playing online craps is always a fun experience, but you’ll want to make sure you’re playing at the best sites. To bring you the absolute best experience, we’ve selected craps online casinos based on these criteria:
Number of Craps Games
The more craps games are available, the more dynamic your experience will be. A mix of RNG-based and live craps options is great for players to diversify and experience different shades of the game.
Free Craps Demos
Craps gameplay can be overwhelming for beginners, so we check for sites that offer free online craps demos. This allows novice players to get used to the gameplay without losing money.
Availability of Craps Bonuses
Casino bonuses increase your play time and chances of winning. We always look out for generous deals, and in this case, we check that they’re playable on the craps table.
Evolution Craps Software
Evolution has the best craps software, including First Person Craps and Live Craps, so we look out for sites that feature Evolution craps games. This developer’s offerings boast an interactive built-in Craps tutorial, where you’ll get all the help you need to learn how to play Craps and what the different bets do. First Person Craps also comes with the unique ‘GO LIVE’ button which takes you through an in-game portal to the Live Craps table.
Mobile Craps Accessibility
The best craps casinos nowadays must be mobile compatible to enable playing on the go and maximum convenience. We look for optimized mobile sites, and the presence of mobile apps is an added plus.
Understanding Craps House Edge and Payouts
The standard house edge displayed for the game of craps is 1.41%, but this is for the basic Pass/Come bets. Different craps bets have different house edge values. And you can place more than a dozen bets in this game. Naturally, some are low-risk with lower house edges, meaning you’ll have better odds of winning on them. Others are high risk with higher house edges.
Fun Fact: Craps is popular for offering a 0% house edge on the Odds Bet. It is one of the best bets not only in the game of craps but also in the entire casino due to its true even-money odds.
For any casino game, the house edge or risk level determines the payout, with riskier bets offering larger payoffs than their safer counterparts. Standard craps bets pay even money (1:1). Craps can pay as high as 30:1 for certain proposition bets.
Top Tips for Playing at Craps Online Casinos
- Learn the Rules: Before diving into craps, ensure you have a strong grasp of the rules. Understand the game’s objective, the significance of terms like “come-out roll” and “point”, and familiarize yourself with the myriad of betting options. Knowing the rules forms the foundation of any effective strategy.
- Play Free Online Craps: Many online casinos offer versions of craps that you can play without staking real money. Use these to practice, get comfortable with the online interface, and test different strategies. It’s a risk-free way to build confidence.
- Stick to Basic Craps Bets: While high-payout bets may be tempting, they often come with a steeper house edge. Beginners are advised to stick to fundamental bets like the pass line or the come bet. As you gain experience, you can slowly venture into other betting options.
- Set Betting Limits: Discipline is key when gambling especially for fast paced games like craps. Determine a budget for each gaming session and adhere to it. It ensures you play within your means, reducing the risk of financial strain. If you find yourself on a losing streak, it’s wise to step back and assess.
- Take Advantage of Casino Bonuses and Promotions: Boost your bankroll by taking advantage of bonuses that many online casinos offer for craps. Whether it’s match deposits, free chips, or other promotions, these can provide more extended playtime and potentially enhance your winnings. Also, stay updated on casino offerings to maximize benefits.
Some Popular Craps Variants
There are many variations of craps, from the Street Craps played during World War II to localized versions like New York Craps. At New Zealand sites, you’ll mostly find Bank Craps, which is the standard version at modern online casinos. Bank Craps is available in two versions:
Online Craps
This is the most common format of craps at the online casino and runs on RNG software. Players simply use the buttons on the control panel to roll the dice and place bets. Actions like indicating the point are automatic, and it’s all very fast-paced. Quite a number of software providers offer online craps games, including Evolution, Microgaming, Playtech, Real Time Gaming, and Betsoft.
Live Craps
Craps is now available in live dealer format thanks to Evolution Gaming which offers a stellar Live Craps online game. Players still have the control panel on the game interface, but there’s a human dealer that commands the table, accepts bets, and allots wins. Just like in a land-based setting, multiple players can participate simultaneously. Unique features of Live Craps include a Dynamic Statistic board on the studio wall that constantly updates with each placed bet, so you can see how others are betting in real-time. There’s also an Easy Mode that changes the user interface to feature fewer bet spots – a cool addition for newbies who are overwhelmed by the numerous betting options on the regular craps table layout.
Start Playing at the Best Online Craps Sites
Craps is a chance-based game predominantly. The dice decide the outcome of your bet depending on where they land. However, you can apply craps strategies to increase your chances of winning, but it all starts with knowing the right bets to place. Beginners are best sticking to the Pass Line and Come Bets.
If you didn’t know what a gem this game was, now you do. Craps online has an undeniable charm, and you don’t have to worry about the seemingly complicated rules. Game tutorials and demo options are available to try.
Craps Online Casinos FAQ
What kind of casino game is craps?
Craps is a dice game of chance. It uses two six-sided dice, which are thrown to determine the outcomes.
Are there different craps variants?
Yes, there are different craps variants worldwide, but bank craps remains the predominant version of the game at NZ casinos. You can play the game online or in live dealer format.
Is craps a simple game?
Craps isn’t a simple game like roulette or pokies. However, it’s not a difficult one either. It only requires you to understand the game rules and how the different bets work.
Is online craps rigged?
The integrity of a casino game depends on the quality of the casino operator. Craps casinos we recommend are safe, legit and thoroughly vetted. They also feature top software providers known for fair and trustworthy games. Craps is not rigged when you play at the best craps online sites.
Should I play craps instead of blackjack?
Craps and blackjack are two distinct games that each have their own charm. Rather than a comparison, both are great alternatives that you can enjoy when you play at the best online casinos.
Can you win in online craps?
Yes, winning is possible in craps, and you can increase your chances by applying good strategies and tips. However, craps is ultimately a luck-based game, so outcomes are perfectly random.
Can I play online craps on mobile?
Yes, craps is a mobile-compatible game. The top craps casinos are also mobile casinos, and you can play conveniently, wherever you are.
How much can I win in online craps?
The standard craps bets pay even money. However, this game pays up to 30: 1 for riskier proposition bets. Note that these high-paying bets come with high house edges.