Online craps rules can vary slightly and differ depending on whether you are playing a straight forward game against the house or participating in a tournament.
For the purpose of this guide we will assume that you are only playing against the house and describe how to play the more typical online craps games.
The basics
Bets are placed on the outcome of the dice and the dice are then set into action. In a traditional game, the shooter begins the game by throwing the dice on a craps table. However, in the online version all you need to do it roll your cursor over the button usually labelled ‘Roll’ to throw the virtual dice. The outcome is determined by a random number generator.
The layout and how to place bets
The shooter must bet on the craps table prior to rolling the dice. A craps table (whether virtual or real) is divided into three separate areas: two identical side areas with a centre area dividing the two. The side areas contain the ‘pass’ and ‘don’t pass bet’ lines, ‘come’ and ‘don’t come bets’, ‘odds bets’, ‘place bets’ and ‘field bets’. Pass bets are betting with the shooter and don’t pass bets are against the shooter.
Just move your cursor over the different areas of the craps table where bets can be placed. You will see the name of the bet and the odds usually displayed below. Just enter the amount of your wager and click the spot where you want to place your bet. You can place as many bets as you wish.
If you are playing in a multi-player game and are not the shooter you will still be playing because you will be placing bets either for or against the shooter. And when you are the shooter you will you have to wait for other players to place their bets after you have which could take some time.
The come-out roll
Based on the combined number of the dice in the ‘come-out roll’ (the first roll of the dice), the shooter can either win or lose the game instantly or neither and the game continues for one or more rounds.
If the combined total of the dice is
A new round begins every time a natural, a 7 or the point number is thrown.
Bankroll
Money will be added or subtracted automatically from you bankroll (that is, your account with the online casino) depending on whether you win or lose. Beware that most online casinos charge a 5 per cent commission on your winnings when you bet against the shooter.