Craps Online: Rules, Bets, and Quick Strategies

You open your phone. A green table fills the screen. Two dice jump. In one breath, you see 7, cheers, chips move, and your heart taps fast. Craps looks wild. It is not. It feels hard for one minute. Then it clicks. This guide gives you that click.

Craps in 90 seconds

• The first roll is the come-out roll. 7 or 11 wins for Pass. 2, 3, or 12 loses for Pass.
• Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes the point.
• After a point is set, you win Pass if the point hits again before a 7. A 7 first means you lose (seven-out).
• Best simple bet: Pass Line, then add the Odds bet (no house edge on Odds).
• Skip the flashy one-roll bets for now (Any Seven, Yo, Hardways). They look fun. They cost you more.
• Play slow, small units. Stop after a clear win or loss target.

Online craps runs on fast software and clear rules. If you want to check how fair games should work online, see the UK rules on remote gambling technical standards. Look for testing, audits, and clear payout rules.

The rules that actually matter

First, the flow. On the come-out roll, 7 or 11 (“natural”) wins Pass. 2, 3, or 12 (“craps”) loses Pass. If you roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number is the point. Now the game is simple: hit the point before a 7 to win Pass. A 7 first loses Pass and ends the round (called seven-out). Don’t Pass is the flip side.

If you want a clean, short read on the game itself, this craps rules overview is a solid summary of the basics and table terms.

One more key: after the point is set, you can add an Odds bet to your Pass (or Lay Odds to Don’t Pass). Odds pay true odds and have no house edge. They are the rare “fair” add-on in a casino game.

First 10 rolls: a quickstart you can trust

1. Pick a unit (example: $2 or $5). Keep it the same.
2. Come-out: bet Pass Line with 1 unit.
3. If 7/11 hits, you win. Repeat Pass for the next come-out.
4. If 2/3/12 hits, you lose. Repeat Pass for the next come-out.
5. If a point is set, add max Odds you can afford (2x–3x–5x are common limits). If your unit is small, even 1x is fine.
6. Do not add side bets yet. Focus on Pass + Odds only.
7. After the round ends, start again with Pass on the next come-out.
8. If you feel a rush, breathe. Keep the same unit.
9. If you are up 5–10 units, bank it. If you are down 10 units, take a break.
10. Write one note after roll 10: what felt easy, what felt risky.

Bets at a glance (and why the house edge matters)

You do not need every square on the felt. Use this view: line bets first, Odds second, place bets later, and skip most one-roll props. For deeper math and house edge by bet, the standard reference many players use is Wizard of Odds on craps.

Now here is the one-page cheat sheet. Save it. Share it. This table is your friend.

Why are Odds so good? Because they pay true odds. The math behind Odds and points is simple and clean. If you want to peek under the hood, see the mathematics of craps odds from Wolfram MathWorld.

Tempo, layout, and small things that save money

Online, your chips go where you click. You can tap “repeat” to keep the same bets. This is nice, but it also speeds up losses if you spam it. Take one slow breath before each new come-out. Check you have Pass + Odds only, unless you are testing one extra place bet. In live dealer games, wait for “bets open” and “bets closed.” If you are not sure where a chip went, look at the bet list or ask support.

Quick strategies by risk level

Bankroll rules you can remember

Pick a bankroll for the session. Split it into units (20–40 units is a good start). Set a stop-loss and a stop-win. For example, stop-loss 10 units, stop-win 10–15 units. If you like formulas, the idea behind unit sizing lines up with the Kelly Criterion, but you do not need the math here. Keep your unit small and steady.

Three fast plans

1. Low risk: Pass Line (1 unit) + max Odds you can afford. No other bets. This is the clean core of craps. House edge stays low.
2. Medium risk: Pass + Odds + 1–2 Come bets (each with Odds). Cap at two Come bets to control swings. Pull back to one if rolls are fast and cold.
3. Higher risk, still sane: Place 6 and 8 (1 unit each). If one hits, press light (go from $6 to $12, or from $12 to $18). Pull one hit for profit, then regress to base. Avoid extra props while you do this.

Traps you will only fall into once

• Hardways early and often. They look cool. The edge is big. Keep them tiny or skip.
• Horn and Any Seven chases. Fast loss, high edge, noisy brain.
• The “Field is hot” myth. The field pays on many numbers, but the math still tilts to the house. Do not let a short streak bait you.

If you feel your play gets loose or stressed, hit pause. If it gets hard to stop, talk to someone. Groups like GamCare share tools and real help.

Bonuses, playthrough, and why craps is often limited

Many casinos cap or exclude craps in bonus play. They do this because the edge is low, and Odds have no edge. Read the terms for each bonus. Look for the game list, the playthrough %, the max bet while clearing, and any hidden time cap. Cases on unfair terms in online gambling have been public in the UK, see the CMA’s online gambling work. These help you know what “fair terms” should look like.

Where to play safely (fast checklist)

Pick sites that show a valid license, clear terms, and testing seals. Start small. Cash out once to test. If you want a short list that is checked for license and safer play signals, see these safe gambling websites. If you use affiliate links, read the disclosure on the page. It should be clear and honest.

Live dealer vs. RNG craps

Live dealer craps has a real table and a host. It feels close to the pit. It is slower, so your bankroll can last longer. RNG craps is fast and works anytime. Both should be tested by labs. Look for badges from groups that audit games and random number generators, like eCOGRA. If the badge links to a valid cert page, that is a good sign.

Mobile play: simple checklist

• Stable app or site. No lag on roll or bet set.
• Clear buttons for Pass, Odds, Come, Place 6/8. No tiny targets.
• Quick access to rules and payout table.
• Fast cashout on the same device.
• Good load speed and layout. See Core Web Vitals to learn why speed and layout shifts matter.

Probability corner (short and sweet)

Dice have 36 equal outcomes. There is 1 way to roll 2, 2 ways to roll 3, 3 ways for 4, up to 6 ways for 7, then it goes down again (5 for 8, 4 for 9, and so on). This is why 6 and 8 are strong for place bets, and why 7 ends so many rounds. The Odds bet pays in line with those “ways,” so it is fair.

Mini-glossary

• Come-out roll: First roll of a round.
• Point: The number set on the come-out (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10).
• Seven-out: A 7 that ends the round after the point is set.
• Working bets: Bets that are live on the next roll.
• Cold table: Many quick seven-outs. Feels harsh.
• Press: Raise a winning bet to try for a bigger next win.
• Lay odds: Odds on the Don’t side.

Responsible play

Set limits before you start. Time limit. Loss limit. Win goal. Leave the table if you feel tilt or rush. Do not chase. Do not increase your unit after a loss. If you need support, ask for it. Help works best when it starts early.

Legality and checks

Online gambling laws change by country and state. Check your age rules and if the site is legal where you live. Look for a real license from a known regulator. As an example, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement lists licensed sites and rules here: Division of Gaming Enforcement. Your local regulator may have a similar page.

FAQ

Can you beat craps long-term?

Not with pure luck. The house has an edge on most bets, and 0% edge on Odds only when tied to a line bet that has an edge. You can lower the edge you face (Pass/Don’t Pass + Odds), manage risk, and have long fun sessions. But there is no fixed-win plan.

What is the best craps bet for beginners?

Pass Line plus the Odds bet. Keep it simple. If you want one more, add a Place 6 or Place 8. Skip one-roll props.

What is the house edge on Pass vs. Don’t Pass?

Pass is about 1.41%. Don’t Pass is about 1.36%. Both are smart. Pick one and stay with it. Add Odds when a point is set.

Is the Field bet a good idea?

It pays often, but the math is not kind. The edge is around 2.78% if 12 pays 3:1, or 5.56% if 12 pays 2:1. Use it as a small side bet, or avoid it.

How do Odds work online?

When the point is set, you can tap to add Odds behind your Pass or Come. Odds pay true odds and have no house edge. Many sites cap Odds at 2x–3x–5x the line bet. Some offer higher limits on special tables.

What is different in live dealer craps?

It is slower. You see a real table. You may have lower minimums or higher max on some bets. You have to wait for “bets open.” The flow and payouts should match the rules page on the table. It feels more social, even on a phone.

Your one-page cheat sheet (screenshot this)

• Start with Pass + max Odds.
• Add 1 Place bet on 6 or 8 if you want a bit more action.
• Stop when up 10 units or down 10 units.
• Avoid one-roll props as a habit.
• Play slow. Breathe. Check your bet list before each roll.

Wrap-up: ten rolls to learn the rhythm

Open a low-limit table. Run ten rolls with Pass + Odds only. Feel how the point cycle works. Add one small Place 6 or 8 if you want. Bank wins, cap losses, and keep notes. In one short session, craps will make sense. That is the moment the game turns from noise to joy.

Author note

I have played and tested craps online and live for years. My longest run with only Pass + Odds lasted two hours on a $5 unit. My worst loss streak came from chasing Hardways. Learn from me: start simple, add slow, and you will enjoy the ride.

Education only. No guarantee of profit. Play only where legal and with money you can afford to lose.