The game of Craps is older than you think. Initially called Crabs, it is a casino table game played with dice. It is believed to have originated from an ancient game called Hazard, the name derived from the Arabic word az-zahr, which is the plural for dice. How and why the game got the name Crabs is a matter of speculation and debate, but needless to say, was later called Craps as we know it today. For more history about this dice game, a comprehensive summary is available here.
THE THEORY OF CRAPS
In Craps, like any other casino game, the house retains a winning odds advantage. However, there are many bets that the gambler can make that will improve their odds and conversely, there are bets that significantly increase the odds of winning for the casino. There is a bet in certain situations that can significantly increase your chance of winning or lower the house odds, but at no time does the casino lose the edge.
BET TYPE AND THE HOUSE ADVANTAGE:
Pass or Come - 1.41%
Seven Bet - 16.67%
Don’t Pass or Don’t Come – 1.36%
Place Bet - 6 or 8 is 1.52%, 5 or 9 is 4%, 4 or 10 is 6.67%
Buy or Lay – 5%
Buy w/commission on win – 4 or 10 is 1.67%
Field Bets – 5.56%
3 to 1 odds on 2s or 12s is 2.78%
Big 6 and Big 8 – 10%
Hard 4s/Hard 10s/ Eleven and any Craps Bet – 11.11%
Craps is mostly a game of luck rather than skill, but knowing how to play will have your odds of winning greatly improved.
ONLINE CRAPS
Today, Craps is a hugely popular game and it is said that more money is wagered on it than any other table game. Many casinos throughout the world offer Craps to their gamblers and people from all walks of life enjoy the thrill it provides. It is especially popular in the United States land based casinos . Craps games are available at almost all online casinos. They vary a bit depending on the software manufacturer.
THE BASIC ONLINE GAMEPLAY IS AS FOLLOWS:
The game requires one or more players. Play begins by betting on the outcome of the roll of the two dice. Bets illustrated on the table have several wager possibilities. Simply place your chips on the wager you wish to make. Once the bets are made, the shooter rolls the dice. If that first roll (the come-out roll) is a 7 or 11, it is a win, if it's a 2, 3, or 12, it is called "craps". If the roll of the dice matches the wager you placed, you're a winner. The various bets and terminology are a bit complex, but it is worth the small effort it takes to familiarize yourself with the game.
