Playing craps online at the casino in the Netherlands: all the rules explained
The Best Online Craps Casinos
What is craps?
Craps is a dice game played with two dice and using a special craps table (including online craps in the casino). During the game, there is one player who rolls the dice each round and he or she is called the shooter. All the people standing around the table can place bets on the outcome of the game. So it is not just the shooter himself who plays.
Online craps is far from being found in every Dutch casino, partly because of its low popularity. If you look across the border, you will see that craps is standard in the offerings of international casinos. Of course, it makes more sense to take a look at our casino reviews to find the best online casino offering craps. Indeed, the number of gambling websites offering this game is steadily increasing, especially since all casinos want to have a versatile offer in order to attract more new players.
All craps game rules at a glance
Craps game rules: here’s what to watch out for
Before the game starts, a shooter is chosen. That is the first player to roll the dice. If the game is already in progress when you arrive, you can simply join the table and this step is skipped. The shooter gets a nod from the staff and can then roll the dice. This first roll determines the rest of the game. Note that the game only starts when the black token is OFF facing up. This is also the only time you can bet.
Does the shooter immediately throw a 7 or 11? Then the Pass Line (the players) wins and the round is finished. Does the shooter throw a 2, 3 or 12? Then the Don’t Pass Line (the casino) wins. On any other outcome, the number of eyes becomes the ‘point’, also called ‘come point’ in all completeness. The dealer then places the chip on the come point and that is where the game continues. Does the shooter roll the come point again before he or she rolls a 7? Then the Pass Line wins. However, does he or she throw a 7 before the come point is thrown again? Then the Don’t Pass Line wins.
Of course, there are many more betting options, which we will cover in more detail below. First, we want to let you know the most important game rules so you know what to look out for. These apply more in land-based casinos than online craps, but the rules must also be followed by the dealers in online craps for the game to run smoothly.
The dice are always thrown with one hand on the table which has raised edges, preventing the dice from simply going over the ground. A throw is only valid when both dice touch the back wall of the table. If this is not the case, the craps rules state that the roll must be repeated. All bets remain on the table in between.
The dealer has a special stick to remove the dice from the table. You are not supposed to put anything on the table. No phones, no drinks, no keys. The only thing allowed on the table are the chips. If you play offline, you will have a holder right in front of you when you are at the table. There you can put the chips you don’t want to bet at that moment. You always place your bet right in front of you on the table, so the dealers can more easily see who placed which bet. Payouts of winnings are made at the table, by multiplying the chips according to the bet and payout rules.
There is one other game rule we want to give you. There are singe-roll bets and multi-roll bets (like the Pass Line). In a single-roll, your bet only applies to the shooter’s next roll. A multi-roll involves a (potentially much) longer game sequence.
The betting options when playing craps
Since there are considerable betting options in the game of craps, we have put all options in a clear table for you. On the left you will find the name of the craps bet, with a short explanation on the right so you know when you win and lose.
| Pass Line | The most popular bet because of its low house edge. Here you win when the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 before a 2, 3 or 12 appears on the come-out roll. If none of the aforementioned numbers are thrown, the bet stays until the shooter throws a 7 or the point. |
| Don’t Pass Line | This is the opposite of the Pass Line Bet, where all the rules are exactly reversed. Although this bet has the lowest house edge, it is not particularly popular, as you are in fact betting against the shooter (so actually in the casino’s favour). |
| Big 6 en Big 8 | This bet can be placed at any time and you win when the shooter rolls a 6 or 8 before he or she rolls 7. The 1:1 payout is diluted by the house’s advantage which is as much as 9%. |
| Field Bets | A different bet where you win if 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 is thrown. A 2 gives you a double payout and 12 gives you back three times your bet. All other outcomes result in immediate loss of your bet. |
| Come Bet | This bet can be placed when the point or Pass Line is known. The rules of the Pass Line Bet are followed here, betting on the shooter throwing a 7 or 11 for the come point. |
| Don’t Come Bet | This bet is the opposite bet, where you bet on a 2 or 3 for a 7 or 11. If 12 is thrown, it’s a tie. |
| Place Bets | Place Bets can be placed at any time. You can bet on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. You win when the shooter rolls this number before a 7. |
| Buy Bets | This is the same as a Place Bet, but with commission for the casino (usually 5%). There are casinos that charge commission on all Buy Bet bets, where other providers charge commission only on winning bets. |
| Lay Bets | If you have placed a Pass or Come Bet, you can place a Lay Bet (also called Free Odd Bet). Here, you win when the shooter throws a 7 before the number on which you placed your bet is thrown. Lay Bets can be placed on the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. |
| Any 7 | Here, you win when a 7 is thrown on a single-roll. You would think that this is the most logical bet since 7 is thrown most often in theory, but thanks to the 4:1 payout, the house edge is a whopping 16.67%. |
| Any 11 | With Any 11, the same applies as above, although the probability of a good outcome is lower, which means a higher payout when the combined number of eyes does reach 11. |
| Any Craps Bet | 2, 3 and 12 are the ‘craps numbers’ (losing throws) and these can of course also be bet on. With a payout of 7:1, the house edge here is about 11%. |
| Horn Bet | The Horn Bet is a bet split between the numbers 2, 3, 11 and 12 and is often called a sucker bet because the chances of winning are relatively low. Especially since these are singe-roll bets and therefore only apply to the roll immediately after betting the chips. |
| Hard Way Bets | Hard Way Bets are bets on the 4, 6, 8 and 10, where both dice show the same number of pips (such as twice 3 pips). Both the payouts and the house edge depend on the bet you place here. |
| Odds Bets | Collective name for the Pass Line Odds Bet and the Don’t Pass Line Odds Bet, both of which you will find below. |
| Pass Line Odds Bet | An additional bet behind your Pass Line Bet, which is placed next to the chip on the table. |
| Don’t Pass Odds Bet | An extra bet, but behind your Don’t Pass Line Bet. |
| Come Odds Bet | In this, you win when the come point is thrown again by the shooter before it throws a 7. |
| Don’t Come Odds Bet | Unlike the previous bet, here you win precisely when the shooter throws a 7 before the come point is thrown again. |
| 2 of 12 Bets | Theoretically the least likely outcome, but with a payout of 30:1, this can still be particularly lucrative. |
| 3 of 11 Bets | Same as 2 or 12, but on 3 or 11, where the 3 or 11 must be thrown before the shooter throws a 7. |
When can you bet at craps?
You can only bet when the black marker on the table is OFF up. You can see this most easily by looking at the row of numbers in the middle of the table. This is where the marker lies, which is either black OFF-side up or white ON-side up. If the marker is white, then no bets can be placed.
Game rules for the shooter (the person rolling the dice)
The shooter, of course, is also subject to a number of rules that you need to keep in mind. For instance, you are not supposed to just roll the dice at any random moment, because first you have to be able to settle the bets. Therefore, you wait for a nod from the dealer. In online live craps, this does not apply, as you usually cannot even roll the dice prematurely.
In every roll, both dice must touch the opposite side of the table (the raised edge). If they do not, the roll is invalid and must be redone with the bets remaining on the table. The dice must always be thrown with one hand and you are not allowed to swap hands. This rule is designed to prevent dice exchange (and thus cheating).
You do not take the dice from the table after the throw. This is actually arranged for you by the dealer or game master, depending on the names the casino uses online.
How many times can a shooter actually throw?
When it comes to exactly how many times a shooter can throw, we have to go back to the rules. In fact, a shooter can throw an infinite number of times, as long as no 7 is thrown or the come point. So in theory, this would be a 2 in 12 chance per throw. At the same time, however, it is true that the game can go on for a really long time, lasting more than an hour per round. Indeed, as long as the shooter does not throw a 7 or come point, it can simply throw again and keep going.
At the end of the round, the role of shooter goes to the next player. However, you don’t have to become a shooter if you don’t want to. As a matter of fact, it is recommended that you do especially, as it adds to the charm of the game. And let’s face it, now that you know all the craps game rules, you already know exactly what to do when rolling the dice. If you really don’t want to, there are plenty of people who do want to roll and you can just stand next to the table and place your bets on the craps table.
Craps strategy and tips to win
With the many betting options and various payout options, you’re no doubt wondering if there is a strategy to use in craps. That’s why we have listed a number of strategies and tactics for you, immediately letting you know how likely they are to actually work. Below the list of craps strategies, you will then find some more tips from us.
Craps strategy: hedging
Hedging is a term that gives financial experts the jitters, but in craps it is actually a way of playing that qualifies as strategy. Basically, you combine two bets that can never both be a loss or a win. The trick behind this is that the house edge will never be higher than either of the two separate bets. The disadvantage that immediately makes this strategy less interesting is that you need extra bets for this and the total profit during the round would always be lower than if you did not choose hedging.
Martingale – not just for roulette?
The Martingale system is undoubtedly one of the easiest betting strategies and is also widely used outside the online casino. The rule is simple: when you lose, you double your bet until you win. Then you go back to the actual bet.
Martingale seems interesting for craps, but it has quite a few drawbacks. First of all, craps’ betting system is complex. If you use Martingale, you are stuck with the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line, or some other bet that you keep repeating. Also, rounds in craps can take a particularly long time, your balance is not infinite and you are stuck with betting limits at the table, so you cannot use this system indefinitely. Another important point here is that Martingale takes no account of the house edge. Actually, that makes this strategy immediately unsuitable for online gambling.
Yo-Bets of Hi-Lo Bets
Yo-Bets (11) and Hi-Lo (12 and 2 respectively) are popular betting options because of their high payouts. The 3 is missing here for a reason: that’s a craps number. With payouts of at least 15:1, these are bets that immediately attract attention, but there is a big catch with this strategy. This is because the house edge is 11.11%, which means you are actually playing against theory. We should add that you soon forget this when you win several times in a row and see fifteen times your stake added to your balance.
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross strategy should not be missed here either, especially as it is a striking strategy. After determining the come point, you bet on all possible numbers except the 7. You do this by betting on the 5, the 6, the 8 and then the Field. The disadvantage is that this way you are playing with a hefty bet as you have to put several chips on the table. Another disadvantage is that the relative payout is always low, as you can lose a lot of bets while playing.
We do not directly recommend this strategy because there is another disadvantage. This has to do with the fact that the 7 (which you don’t bet on) is the number of pips that are thrown most often. However, it is a nice strategy if you want to win regularly when playing craps, so the choice is yours.
The best craps strategy
When looking for the best strategy for craps, it is important that it is simple, takes into account the house edge and is adaptable to any game balance. Then you quickly end up betting on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line (Pass Line is friendlier, as you are betting on the player and not against the player), and then adding Odds Bets (there is no house edge on these).
Of course, there are much more complicated strategies to be found, but take special note that there is no single strategy or tactic that is guaranteed to bring in profits. This applies not only to craps, but to all games you can find in online casinos. This is only logical, by the way. Above all, remember that if there is ever a winning strategy for a casino game, the game will immediately disappear from the offer of the (online) casino.
Crap tips from the editors
Are you planning to play online craps yourself? Then we have some useful tips for you here.
- Keep it simple in the beginning. Placing multiple bets seems lucrative, but can end up making you lose track as well as your balance.
- Keep an eye on the payouts and know what you are betting on when playing online craps.
- Don’t be afraid of the role of shooter. After all, being allowed to roll the dice yourself adds considerably to the excitement.
- Set your limits before you start playing. That way, you don’t have to anxiously monitor your balance and can just play at your leisure.
- Craps is even more fun when you play with friends.
- Play craps only at reputable casinos, such as the gambling websites you’ll find on our website, which are reviewed so you know exactly what to expect when you create an account here.
- Pay attention to bonuses. Not just whether there is a bonus you can use to play online craps, but also the wagering requirements. Live craps almost never counts towards unlocking bonus money after all.
Another important point is to keep an eye on the singe-rolls. This is because most bets here have a house edge of more than 10%, such as the field bet, any 7 and any craps bets. These are the bets that put you at a considerable disadvantage while playing.
One last point we would like to make is that playing online craps in a casino should be fun and you should play your way. Would you like to place the minimum bet every round so you can play longer? Then you should do that and not be influenced by what other people at the table do. After all, they have their own way of playing.
Payout at craps
The payout in online craps games depends completely on the bets you place. As with all other casino games, the more likely you are to get your prediction right, the lower the payout will be. This is clear from the 2 or 12 bets, which give you the highest payout AND are the least likely to be thrown.
The history of craps
The origins of craps have been an interesting point for many history buffs. This is mainly due to the fact that it is not clear where this game actually originated. It is generally accepted that the current version of craps originated in the 19th century when John H. Winn (called the father of modern craps) added the don’t pass bet option to the game. This is also the version offered on the legendary, infamous gambling boats that sailed along the Mississippi River where Americans could gamble. From there, the road to European casinos was small and, of course, online casino added online craps as well, since all popular casino games can be found online these days.
But where did craps come from before the father of modern craps adapted the game so that it did have a house edge? So nobody knows. There are those who believe it comes from Roman times, when soldiers got bored and started playing with bones on their shields. Other people say the game has its origins in Arabia, where Al Dar was played and is said to be the precursor of craps, after it came to Europe by traders in the 12th century.
European historians, however, write that the game has its origins in Europe itself, when Sir William of Tyre went on a crusade and developed the game at Asart castle (or Hazarth, depending on the spelling chosen). This would later be bastardised to Hazard, the name by which the game is still known among English speakers and has become synonymous with gambling games. It is often claimed that craps was first played by the rich elite and only then by the average Joe with the hat, but this is not true. In fact, from its earliest days, it was a game played mainly in pubs and inns, just like many other gambling games for that matter, except roulette.
Although online craps could be found in online casino fairly early on, it only really became popular when the technology around live casino improved and players all over the world could play along. However, it is still the case that craps is mostly popular among Americans and has considerably fewer fans in Europe (including the Netherlands). Nevertheless, the game does get played more and more often in Dutch casinos. This is expected to increase even more when Dutch-speaking dealers are introduced at the craps tables in the live casino.
Craps know-it-alls
If you need interesting facts to impress people during a birthday or to get a date going, we have listed some fun facts for you. Did you know:
- In a land-based casino, you must roll the dice with one hand and are not allowed to change hands?
- Repeatedly throwing the dice off the table can be seen as cheating and foul play?
- You may always refuse the shooter role and pass the turn to the next player?
- Online craps in Dutch-speaking casinos is much harder to find than international casinos?
- Americans in particular love craps?
- This is still the most played dice gambling game in the world?
- 7 is the most likely outcome (almost 17% chance) and 2 and 12 the least likely (less than 3%)?
- YO-level slang is for 11 in craps because English 11 (eleven) is too similar to 7 (seven)?
- The longest craps round lasted a whopping 4 hours, making it into the Guinness Book of Records?
At NederlnadsCasinos, you can find important invormation about Slots for Real Money or about playing Blackjack with Live dealers.
Frequently asked questions
- Wat is het casinospel craps precies?
Craps is a gambling game played with two dice and one shooter. During the game, up to 20 people can play along by betting for or against the shooter, who tries to gain a point. Online craps is also offered in the casino online, but the game can also be found in land-based casinos (albeit hardly ever in the Netherlands).
- Who rolls the dice when playing craps?
The player, or shooter, is the person who rolls the dice. So it is not a casino employee, but a player himself who rolls the dice. The employee at the table usually briefly explains the rules before rolling, although you can also just find them on the page above.
- Who or what is a shooter at craps?
The shooter is the person who throws the dice on the craps table and will do so for a full round. So it is not a dealer or croupier who throws the dice, but a gambler himself who must use this to score a point.
- A point at craps, what is it?
A point in craps is when the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. The number of eyes thrown is the point and that determines the rest of the gameplay of online craps.
- How do you win while playing craps?
You win by placing the right bet, which for novice players will be mainly on the Pass and Don't Pass lines. Winning or losing has nothing to do with rolling the dice yourself, by the way. In fact, you can bet on every round, even when you are not the shooter.
- How do you lose at the craps game?
Didn't your prediction come true? Then the casino wins and your chips are removed from the table. Again, winning and losing has nothing to do with pitching yourself.
- What is the minimum bet in craps?
There is no fixed minimum bet. As with most other online casino games, the casino itself sets minimum and maximum bets at the tables. So check this carefully and avoid the High Roller tables if you want to play with smaller stakes.
- What is the ideal bet in craps?
Your ideal bet is determined by your balance and whether you want to be able to play all evening. Usually, it is recommended to bet a maximum of 10% of your complete balance per round at table games. Of course, you can play with smaller bets if you want to keep going for longer. Want to know which bet has the lowest house edge? Then this is Pass Line with 1.41%.
- How many players does it take to play craps?
Craps can be played with up to 20 players. In theory, at least one player is needed to start the game. However, casinos will prefer to wait for more people, especially since several casino employees are needed to keep the game going.
- When is the craps game ready?
The craps game ends when the shooter rolls 7 eyes. It is then decided which bets win and which lose. When this is settled, the dice go to the next player who thus becomes the shooter.
- How high is the house edge in craps?
The house edge depends on the bet you play with. The smallest house edge is betting on the Pass Line. Here, the house edge is only 1.41%. Only the Don't Pass Line has a lower house edge, but betting on this option is not always appreciated by the other players at the table.
- Can craps be played anywhere?
Unfortunately, no. Craps is not particularly popular in the Netherlands. In fact, craps is no longer offered in land-based casinos. At many online casinos, however, you will find the opportunity to play craps, in and outside the live casino.
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