The Ultimate Guide to Online Craps: Best Casinos for Playing in 2026

The origins of craps are shrouded in mystery, with various legends and stories circulating about its invention. Some say it was created by soldiers during the crusades, while others claim the Roman army played it. The game as we know it today was brought to the United States by a French aristocrat named Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville and later popularized by John H. Winn, who made significant changes to the game's rules.

Street craps became popular during WWII, and casino craps gained popularity in Nevada, the first state to legalize gambling. Although online craps have not seen the same success as other online casino games, the growing popularity of social networking may help the game reach its full potential in the digital sphere.

Here is a list of common craps terms and their explanations:

1. "Pass Line Bet" - A bet made on the shooter to roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll or to roll their point before rolling a 7.
2. "Don't Pass Line Bet" - A bet made on the shooter to roll a 2 or 3 on the come-out roll or to roll a seven before rolling their point.
3. "Come Bet" - A bet made on the shooter to roll a specific number before rolling a 7.
4. "Don't Come Bet" - A bet made on the shooter to roll a seven before rolling a specific number.
5. "Field Bet" - A one-time bet made on the shooter to roll a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
6. "Big 6 & Big 8" - A bet made on the shooter to roll a 6 or 8 before rolling a 7.
7. "Hardway Bet" - A bet made on the shooter to roll a specific pair (4-4, 6-6, 8-8, 10-10) before rolling any other combination.
8. "Any Craps" - A bet made on the shooter to roll a 2, 3, or 12 on the next roll.
9. "Aces or Boxcars" - A bet made on the shooter to roll a 2 or 12 on the next roll.
10. "Yo-Leven" - A term used to call the number 11, as it can be easily confused with "seven" when called quickly.
11. "Seven Out" - When the shooter rolls a seven before making their point, resulting at the end of the round.
12. "Rolling the Point" - When the shooter rolls their established point number before rolling a 7.
13. "Natural" - When the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll.
14. "Craps" - When the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll.

Craps is a dice game played on a large table with multiple betting options. The game is played with two dice, and the objective is for the shooter (the person rolling the dice) to roll a specific combination of numbers to win. The game has two phases: the come-out roll and the point roll.

The shooter will roll the dice on the come-out roll, and the combination of numbers on the dice will determine the outcome. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, it's a "natural," and the shooter wins. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, it's "craps," and the shooter loses. If the shooter rolls any other number, that number becomes the shooter's "point."
On the point roll, the shooter continues to roll the dice until they either roll the point number again (which means they win) or roll a 7 (which means they lose).

There are various betting options available for players in craps. The most basic bet is the "Pass Line Bet," a bet made on the shooter to roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, or to roll their point before rolling a 7. The "Don't Pass Line Bet" is the opposite of the pass line bet, which is a bet made on the shooter to roll a 2 or 3 on the come-out roll, or to roll a seven before rolling their point. Other bets include the "Come Bet," "Don't Come Bet," "Field Bet," "Big 6 & Big 8," "Hardway Bet," "Any Craps," "Aces or Boxcars," and many more.

It's important to note that craps can be complex, with many betting options and variations. Therefore, learning the basic rules and practice before playing with real money is highly recommended.

Craps is a game of both luck and strategy. While the outcome of each dice roll is determined by chance, players can make strategic decisions when it comes to betting to enhance their odds of winning. Here are a few basic strategies for craps:

1. Stick to the "Pass Line" and "Come" bets. These bets have a lower house edge and better odds for the player.
2. Avoid the "Big 6 & Big 8" and "Hardway" bets. These bets have a higher house edge and worse odds for the player.
3. Take advantage of "Free Odds" bets. These bets have no house edge and can be placed in addition to your "Pass Line" or "Come" bets.
4. Use a "stop-loss" limit. Set a limit for how much you will lose in a single session, and stick to it.
5. Use a "win goal." Set a goal for how much you want to win in a single session, and walk away when you reach it.
6. Avoid chasing losses. If you are on a losing streak, it's best to walk away rather than try to win back your losses.
7. Avoid the "Any Craps" and "Aces or Boxcars" bets. These bets have a very high house edge and are not recommended for players.
8. Learn the basic craps terms and rules. Understanding the game and its terms will help you make better playing decisions.

It's worth noting that no strategy can guarantee a win. The game of craps is based on luck and chance, but following these basic strategies can help you play more informedly and increase your chances of winning.