Craps Online New Zealand 2023

For millennia, humans have been drawn to dice games. Many such games rely heavily on the chance elements brought by dice, among these, Craps with its distinct set of rules and gameplay emerged long ago. While it might look intricate in a bustling casino, simplified versions of Craps are widely recognized and played. All you need for Craps are two dice, a group of friends, and some stakes. During World War II, American servicemen played Craps to pass the time. It found its way into schools, streets, and even playgrounds, proving it’s a universal game accessible to anyone, nearly anywhere.

How did Craps originate?

The precise roots of the game remain elusive. When tracing the lineage of leisure games, it's common to find that origins are often obscure or complex. Leisure activities typically lack definitive beginnings or ends, emerging instead from a blend of events and cultural exchanges. Ideas from various sources are borrowed, adapted, and intertwined over time. Craps is no exception to this trend. Evidence suggests the use of dice in games of chance goes back many centuries. The modern form of Craps in casinos likely evolved from a game called 'hazard', which was popular among the British for generations. Richard Epstein's theory also points to Craps emerging in the medieval period under the name Hazard. Official rulebooks surfaced in the 1700s at Montmort. The etymology of 'Craps' itself is contentious, possibly arising from the English 'Crabs' or the French 'Crapeaud', translating to toad or path. Historians often debate these origins, leading to differing views and sometimes disputes. Some sources cite ancient Romans, who used pig knuckles as dice, enjoying games on shield backs during camp travels. While uncertainties remain, it’s agreed that Craps migrated to the US over time, rather than being a native invention.

Forms of Craps

Over time, Craps developed into two main formats: Street Craps and Bank Craps. The digital age, propelled by the internet, ushered a new era with the emergence of Online Craps, which has gained significant popularity. Gambling lore, as recounted by Geoffrey W. Dibben, suggests Craps predates the Middle Ages, with the Arabs having their version known as Azzahr, around the shores of the Mediterranean. This game then became known as Hasard in France before 1550, with its English adaptation known as Hazard. In Hazard, a losing roll was termed Craps—a term the French interpreted in their vernacular as Crabes. By the early 1700s, this game had traveled across the Atlantic to the French colony of Acadia in today's eastern Canada. In 1755, the English claimed French Acadia, and the game gained the moniker Nova Scotia among French-speaking communities. Later, Acadians migrated to southern Louisiana, becoming known as Cajuns, and continued the tradition of rolling dice, yet simplified the name to Crebs or Creps, drawn from their French Crabes. In 1843, the term Cajun was formally noted in language, leading to the anglicized Craps. Initially, players were cautious in pronouncing the name to avoid confusion with a certain slang, ensuring clarity by emphasizing the ending “s.” As a result, the game name 'Craps' was orally emphasized less frequently.

Craps nowadays

Our current, sophisticated Craps table was the brainchild of John H. Winn. This design expanded players' betting options, allowing them to wager for or against the shooter. As Las Vegas became a gambling hub in the 1930s, Craps rose to prominence and became a staple in casinos, famous for its lively atmosphere. Although it might seem daunting for beginners, once the basic mechanics are grasped, Craps offers an unmatched exhilaration. Today, the internet has only bolstered its appeal worldwide, permitting novices to learn the game online. Many online platforms offer free play modes to help players hone their skills. This virtual version of Craps follows its traditional predecessors, Bank and Street Craps. Ultimately, while the origins of Craps remain somewhat murky, it seems to have evolved through a mix of historical developments and cultural interactions, giving us the version enjoyed globally today.

Basic Rules

In the game of Craps, the initial toss of two dice is known as the 'come out roll.' Just before this first roll, players typically place a 'pass line bet.' This wager immediately pays off if a 7 or 11 shows up, but fails if either 2 (snake eyes), 3 (craps), or 12 (box cars) is rolled. If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 turns up, this number is designated the 'point' and is marked by an 'ON' disk placed in one of these boxes. The player continues rolling until the point or a 7 is achieved. Securing the point results in a win for the opening wager, but rolling a 7 means losing this bet, often termed 'sevened out.' Ending the game while maintaining 'pass line bets' necessitates rolling either the point or a 7. It's not uncommon for a round of Craps to extend over an extended period if neither the point nor a 7 is rolled. The 'pass line bet' remains unresolved until the point is made, ensuring it cannot win before this or be lost until a 7 is rolled. Such bets, if left unresolved, cannot be withdrawn.

Craps Game explanation

To get a good grasp of Craps, familiarize yourself with the foundational rules first. Once these basics are in your repertoire, dive deeper into the intricacies of gameplay. Knowing where and how to stake your bets is crucial since nobody wants to squander their money unintentionally. By mastering the nuances of Craps, you stand to gain handsome rewards from your bets. Let’s delve further into the specifics of how this game unfolds.

Pass Line Bets

A 'pass line bet' is established by positioning chips on the 'PASS LINE' area prior to the initial roll. Winning outcomes are a roll of 7 or 11 initially and losing ones are 2, 3, or 12. With any other number, the rolled number becomes the point number. Victory in a 'pass line bet' requires first rolling the point number again before hitting a 7. Should a 7 come up before the point is repeated, the player loses. Success in a pass line wager often means the original bet amount is doubled.

Do not Pass Line Bets

Conversely, a 'do not pass line bet' stands opposed to a 'pass line bet' and is placed on the 'Do not pass line' before the starting roll. If you roll a 2 or 3 at the onset, victory is yours, but if it's a 7 or 11, you lose. A roll of 12 results in a draw, with your bet refunded, a scenario known as a 'Push.' Other numbers then establish the point, with a 'do not pass line bet' triumphing if a 7 rolls before the point recurs. Conversely, rolling the point prior to a 7 ends in defeat. In this bet type, doubling is typical, and unlike a 'pass line bet,' 'do not pass line bets' offer some flexibility for adjustment or withdrawal.

Come Bets

The 'come bet' is placed in the 'Come' section of the Craps board before the next roll. Once the opening roll has happened, 'come bets' follow the same conditions as the 'pass line bet.' Winning rolls are 7 or 11, while loses occur at 2, 3, or 12. If any other numbers—4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10—are rolled, that number becomes the 'Come point.' Subsequently, the dealer shifts the 'come bet' to its respective 'come point' position amongst 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. Successfully rolling the 'come point' again before a 7 results in doubling the bet. This 'come bet' maintains validity until either the 'come point' or a 7 is rolled, and changes akin to pass line bets are not permitted.

Do not Come Odds Bets

Once the 'come point' is identified, a 'do not come odds bet' becomes an option. It's placed by interacting with a specific section below where your 'do not come bet' is stationed, corresponding to numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. Returning bets are compensated in tiers: 1 to 3 if 4 or 10 is the number rolled, 2 to 3 for a roll of 5 or 9, and 5 to 6 for a roll of 6 or 8. While using a 'do not come odds bet,' alterations are permissible in contrast to the static nature of original 'come bets.'

Field Bets

A 'field bet' involves predicting the next roll as a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. This is positioned in the 'Field' square on the Craps table before rolling. Should a 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 come up, you will earn double the amount. With a 2 or 12, it pays out twice the original bet (2-1 odds). However, rolling a 5, 6, 7, or 8 means losing the bet.

Big 6 and Big 8 Bets

For a 'big 6 bet,' it's believed that a 6 will appear before a 7, whereas with a 'big 8', the presumption is that an 8 will roll before the 7. The designated 'big 6' and 'big 8' areas are found on the Craps table’s left side. In cases of winning, the payout doubles your stake (1-1). These bets can be modified following each dice roll.

Place Bets

'Place bets' break down into two distinct types. The standard 'place bet' assumes you'll roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 before hitting a 7. Such a bet sits at the lower part of the position for 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. Successful 'place bets' are rolled payouts of 7 to 6 for 6 and 8, 7 to 5 for 5 and 9, and 9 to 5 for 4 and 10. Alternatively, with a 'place lose bet,' it’s anticipated that a 7 appears before the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. This is positioned at the upper portion of the number sections on the Craps table. Winning outcomes for 'place lose bets' are paid at ratios of 4 to 5 for 6 and 8, 5 to 8 for 5 and 9, and 5 to 11 for 4 and 10.

Buy Bets

In a 'buy bet', you wager that the dice will land on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 before hitting a 7. This bet is placed specifically in the area that represents the number you hope to see rolled, such as '4, 5, SIX, 8, NINE, or 10.' When you make this wager, a 'BUY' sign will appear near your cursor to differentiate it from a 'come bet.' Be aware, though, that a 5% fee is added to your stake with this type of bet. If you win, the payout varies: it's 6:5 for numbers 6 and 8, 3:2 for 5 and 9, and 2:1 for 4 and 10. Should you decide to modify or withdraw your bet, that 5% fee is refunded to you. Keep in mind that 'buy bets' aren't available at the start of the game.

Lay Bets

The 'lay bet' works quite the opposite of a 'buy bet'. With this bet, the idea is that 7 will come up before rolling 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. It’s placed above the respective number you anticipate could appear. Clicking will reveal a 'LAY' indicator to set it apart from other types such as 'do not come bet'. This bet also carries a 5% fee. It pays out similarly to a 'buy bet': 6:5 for a 6 or 8, 3:2 for a 5 or 9, and 2:1 for a 4 or 10. Like buy bets, you can reclaim your fee if you change your bet, but lay bets are valid from the start of the game.

Any 7 Bets

An 'any 7 bet' is a straightforward wager predicting that the next roll of the dice will produce a 7. You place this bet directly in the designated area for the number 7 on the craps table. If you're correct and a 7 is indeed rolled, you'll win an amount four times your original bet.

Any 11 Bets

With an 'any 11 bet', you're betting on the next roll to result in an 11. This bet is made by placing your chip in the space marked by the numbers 6 and 5, indicating the specific dice combination needed to win. When you set this wager down, an 'eleven one-roll' sign will light up. If an 11 shows up, you will earn fifteen times your bet, an attractive payout to consider.

Any Craps Bets

An 'any craps bet' involves staking a claim that the dice will show a 2, 3, or 12 on the next roll. You drop this bet into the 'any craps' section on the table. If successful, you earn seven times the wager, making it an enticing gamble if you're feeling lucky.

Horn Bets

The 'horn bet' predicts that the outcome of the next dice roll will be one of four numbers: 2, 3, 11, or 12. Place it on the 'HORN' section of the table. If you're correct, the payout rate depends on the numbers: for 3 and 11, you'll receive fifteen times your stake, and for 2 and 12, thirty times your original bet.

Hardway Bets

A 'hardway bet' is all about anticipating a pair being rolled, specifically a 'hard' number like 4, 6, 8, or 10 as doubles (e.g., 2 + 2, 3 + 3, 4 + 4, or 5 + 5), all before a 7 appears. You place your wager on the area with the doubles picture. Hitting these pairs is challenging, hence the term 'hard way'—like 'hard 8' for a 4 + 4 roll. Winning this bet means seven times the payout for numbers 4 and 10 and nine times for numbers 6 and 8. Adjustments to a 'hard way bet' can be made if desired.

Determine Craps Strategy

Before venturing into Craps, it's essential to settle on a game plan and decide the budget you're willing to play with. While Craps is a game ruled largely by chance, you can still optimize your odds through skillful play. The most successful Craps enthusiasts often rely on specific strategies, while those who lose frequently tend to make recurring mistakes. Carefully reading insights like these can help you avoid unnecessary financial losses.

Play Craps with discipline

One critical rule when playing is understanding that inexperience can lead to unexpected letdowns. It's wise to pre-determine both the initial amount you’re comfortable wagering and your victory goal. The consensus among skilled Craps players is that an average of 20% of a player's bankroll is left at the table. If you’re aiming to double a $500 stake, try setting a lower target to avoid overly ambitious decisions. Familiarity with the rules is paramount, so consider playing free online versions to practice without financial risk, allowing you to learn all game dynamics over time.

Bankroll Management

Proper money management, or Bankroll management, is vital in Craps. Employing a structured strategy for handling your bankroll, whether it’s your creation or renowned tactics like Paroli or Martingale, is advisable. Once you've chosen an approach, commit to it without deviating midway. Playing with 1/20 or 1/50 of your bankroll is one such strategy; at a $5 Craps table, this would mean having $100 to $250 available. This technique provides cushioning against early losses and potential gains later. Establish a loss limit beforehand, and resist changing it on the fly to avoid future regrets. Discipline in following through is crucial.

Determine your bet

When devising a strategy, identifying favorable bets on a Craps table is crucial. Despite seeming complex, there are bets where the house has a minimal advantage. Checking out our resources will help you understand these lower odds. It's usually advisable to combine Pass Line bets with Free Odds and place bets on numbers 6 or 8. You could also hedge your bets—the upside is a reduced risk of depleting your bankroll, but the downside is potentially smaller winnings. If no hedge strategy is used and you win, your earnings are substantially higher. Always pre-plan strategies to minimize losses and maximize success.

Win Odds at Craps

Understanding odds in Craps is essential before starting the game. This guide will cover the various possible outcomes as you prepare to roll. In a game of Craps, you can roll any number between 2 and 12, resulting in a total of 12 different numbers.
Since Craps is played with two dice, there are 36 combinations that can result in one of these numbers. However, 2 and 12 each can only be achieved by one combination, whereas 7 can be rolled through six different combinations, making it more likely to occur than 2 or 12.

Conclusion

As players spend more time with Craps, they usually develop a unique playing style. We're here to lay a solid foundation to build upon.
It's important for every Craps player, novice or experienced, to know their odds of winning. Understanding this is vital as you engage with the game. In short, Craps is an experience you shouldn't miss!