The Joy of Craps and How to Play

Craps is an exhilarating dice game that has captivated players for centuries, and now, Indian enthusiasts can experience its thrill at top Live Casino platforms online. Known for its fast-paced action and communal betting atmosphere, Craps offers a unique blend of strategy and luck. If you're looking to dive into one of the most dynamic live casino games available, understanding the basics is your first step.

This guide will walk you through the fundamental rules of Craps, focusing on the key phases of play and the most common bets, ensuring you're ready to join the action from India's comfort.

Getting Started with Live Craps

At its core, Craps involves players betting on the outcome of a roll, or a series of rolls, of two dice. In a traditional casino, one player, known as the “shooter,” rolls the dice. However, in a live dealer online Craps game, the experience is seamlessly adapted for digital play. Instead of a player physically rolling, a professional live dealer handles the dice, ensuring fair and transparent gameplay.

Another dealer, often referred to as the “stickman” in land-based casinos, manages the bets and chips on the table. Online, this process is streamlined: you simply click on your desired bet area on the virtual table, and your chips are placed automatically. The beauty of live Craps lies in its interactive nature, allowing multiple players to bet on the same roll, creating a shared sense of excitement and anticipation.

The Come Out Roll: Setting the Stage

Every round of Craps begins with what's known as the “Come Out Roll.” Before the dice are thrown, players place their initial wagers, primarily on the “Pass Line” or “Don't Pass Line.”

• Pass Line Bet: If you bet on the Pass Line, you're hoping for a 7 or an 11 on the Come Out Roll. Either of these numbers results in an immediate win for Pass Line bettors. Conversely, if the dice show a 2, 3, or 12 (known as “craps”), Pass Line bets lose instantly. If any other number is rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), that number becomes the “Point.” The game then moves to the next phase, with the goal being to roll that Point number again before a 7 appears.
• Don't Pass Line Bet: This is essentially the opposite of the Pass Line bet. If you bet on the Don't Pass Line, you win if the Come Out Roll is a 2 or 3. A roll of 12 is usually a “push” or “bar” (neither win nor loss), though some tables might count it as a loss. You lose if a 7 or 11 is rolled. If a Point number is established, your goal is for a 7 to be rolled *before* the Point number reappears.

The Point Phase: The Heart of the Game

Once a Point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is established during the Come Out Roll, the game enters the “Point Phase.” The live dealer will typically mark the Point number on the table with a special “On” puck, indicating the active Point.

During this phase, the dice are rolled repeatedly until one of two outcomes occurs:

• The Point is Rolled Again: If the shooter rolls the established Point number before a 7, all Pass Line bets win. Don't Pass Line bets lose.
• A 7 is Rolled: If a 7 is rolled before the Point number, all Pass Line bets lose. Don't Pass Line bets win. This is often referred to as “sevening out,” and it concludes the round.

After a round concludes, new bets are placed, and a new Come Out Roll begins. In a live online casino, the dealer continues to roll, and the game flows seamlessly.

Mid-Round Betting: Come and Don't Come Bets

What if you join a Craps game when the Come Out Roll has already happened, and a Point number is already established? You can still participate by placing “Come” or “Don't Come” bets.

• Come Bet: Similar to a Pass Line bet, but placed *after* the Come Out Roll. Your Come bet treats the *next* roll as its own “Come Out Roll.” You win if a 7 or 11 is rolled, and lose if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes your personal “Come Point.” You then win if your Come Point is rolled again before a 7 appears.
• Don't Come Bet: The inverse of a Come bet. You win if a 2 or 3 is rolled on the next roll, and lose on a 7 or 11. A 12 is usually a push. If another number becomes your “Don't Come Point,” you win if a 7 is rolled before your Don't Come Point.

Craps offers a thrilling and social experience, even in its online live dealer format. By understanding the Come Out Roll and Point Phase, along with the core Pass/Don't Pass and Come/Don't Come bets, Indian players can confidently join the table and enjoy this classic casino game.