Beginner's Guide to Playing Craps: A Detailed Step-by-Step Tutorial

The game utilizes two standard six-sided dice, and you bet on the total of the numbers shown on the upper sides. For example, if one die shows a 2 and the other a 6, the total would be 8. Note that you cannot place a wager on just one die.

In physical casinos, you can use chips from previous games or purchase new ones at the table. In online platforms, you must first fund your account to participate in online craps.

When gambling in land-based casinos, you place your bets personally in designated areas labeled 'Come' and 'Field.' For point boxes, you need to request the dealer to assist with your bets. Conversely, in online games, players select their chips and place their bets as they wish.

Online casinos establish minimum and maximum betting limits, allowing you to choose amounts comfortable for you within those ranges. Physical casinos display these limits prominently on the table.

In an online casino, the dice are simulated, and the numbers rolled are determined randomly by the system. In physical casinos, players physically roll the dice, taking turns until a round concludes with either a win or a loss.

The simplest wager to make is the 'Pass' bet, which you can place prior to the starting roll. If you join the game later, you can opt for a 'Come' bet, which functions similarly to a 'Pass' but applies to the next roll.

The initial roll is referred to as the come-out roll. If it results in a 7 or 11, it’s a natural win for those betting on 'Pass.' On the other hand, if the roll is a 2, 3, or 12, those bets lose. Any other result establishes a point, altering the objective of the game. Now, the goal is to roll the point number again before hitting a 7.

In online casinos, payouts are automated, allowing you to quickly check your balance. In traditional casinos, the payout process is managed by a boxman, a stickman, and two dealers who ensure everything is organized.

Pass and Come bets are favored due to their lower house edges. Typically, players initiating a pass bet may follow up with 2 or 3 come bets, aiming to activate multiple numbers simultaneously, though this strategy can be costly.

These particular bets are essentially the inverse of the popular pass and come variants. While they feature a lower house edge compared to pass and come, you play against the shooter, meaning you miss out on the camaraderie of rooting along with the majority of players.

Betting on the totals of 6 or 8 is common given that these numbers tend to appear more frequently just after a roll of 7. However, the house edge for these bets is steeper than with come, pass, don’t come, or don’t pass wagers, and you don’t wait for the shooter to set a point.

Hedge bets aim to mitigate potential losses from your main wagers. Nonetheless, the risk remains that a win isn't guaranteed, and hedge bets often carry a higher house edge. There's a possibility of losing both your primary and hedge bets simultaneously in one roll.

If you want to take immediate action without waiting for the shooter to establish a point, you can place a put bet. This lets you back your wager with the most commonly rolled number, although it comes with the cost of free odds. As such, many players find this option financially burdensome.