Do You Know the Most Popular Craps Variations?

When you think about going to a casino or playing online, a couple of games top the list. Blackjack, poker, and roulette are some of the most popular options on the market and have helped propel online gambling to its spot as one of the fastest-growing, most popular hobbies of the modern age.

But what about those games that you might miss out on?

Craps is by far one of the most popular, beloved choices at traditional, land-based casinos. Much of the thrill comes from the ability to watch the dealer live. This is why craps is sometimes overlooked as an online option: players would prefer to save the excitement for when they’re able to see it in person.

However, we’re entering a new era: one that combines the convenience and comfort of playing at home with the exhilaration of live-action play. More online casino sites are offering craps as a live-dealer game than ever before.

Real-time play and professional dealers make online craps an outstanding option for anyone who’s stuck in the rut of playing the same games over and over.

There are other benefits to playing craps online rather than at a traditional casino. Most casinos only have the space to offer one variety of craps. This also leads to limitations on the number of people who can play at one time.

Online casinos offer more options to play and accommodate a greater number of players while doing so.

Now that the industry is bringing live craps all over America, there’s never been a better time to get started. The variations of craps are absolutely wild, even for those already accustomed to playing by the standard rules.

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites and look forward to hearing your opinions through our forums and comments.

Top Live Dealer Craps Casinos

1	Shazam Casino	250% up to ∞	Read Review Play Players Accepted
2	Bovada Casino	125% up to $1,250	Read Review Play Players Accepted
3	Lucky Tiger Casino	300% up to $3,000 Sign up	Read Review Play Players Accepted
4	Sloto'Cash Casino	200% up to $2,000 + 100 Free Spins	Read Review Play Players Accepted

How do I Play Craps?

In order to showcase the differences between the variants, let’s briefly describe how a typical game of “regular” craps should be played.

In a standard game of craps, one player (they’re known as the “shooter”) throws the dice at the table while the other players make bets about how the dice will land. All wagers have to be made before the shooter throws the dice.

There are a couple different types of wagers. It’s important to learn some of the pro-level craps lingo before you play so you’re never caught unawares. Let’s talk about some of the most common bets.

Line wagers are even money bets, made on the first roll. The first roll is known as the “come out roll.” You win if the shooter’s rolled a 7 or 11, and lose if the dice lands on 2, 3, or 12. 12 is known as “craps.” Any other number becomes the “point.” The point must roll again until they win.

Don’t Line wagers are the opposite of Line: You lose with a 7 or 11 and win on a 2 or 3. 12, in this case, is a tie. Once point is established, you lose if it’s thrown again but win if the shooter rolls a 7.

Come Bets are made any time after the first roll, if the shooter’s trying to make a point. You win with a roll of 7 or 11, but lose on 2, 3, and 12. All other numbers would in this case be your “come point,” and they have to be repeated before a 7 comes up for you to win.

Last, we have Don’t Come Bets, which are (as you may have guessed) the opposite of the come bet. You win on 2 and 3 (12 is still a tie), but you lose if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. Any other number rolled becomes your “come point,” and if the shooter rolls that number again, you lose. If a seven comes up, you win.

Let’s get into the variations:

Crapless Craps

You might hear this game referred to as “never ever craps” or “ruse craps.” The goal is to offer the player a chance to never lose a Line Bet when a 2, 3, or 12 are rolled. This has a couple of advantages for the player.

Those who play crapless craps have better odds than those playing traditional craps. The house edge is also wildly reduced on the come out rolls. Because of these factors, crapless craps is one of the most beloved variations on the classic game for those playing with real cash.

Simplified Craps

This one’s a no-brainer—it literally has “simplified” in the title! In this variation, only one roll’s thrown by the shooter and the betting system is as basic as it can be.

There aren’t any or Don’t bets. There also aren’t any Craps or Natural numbers. There’s only one roll and the payouts are determined by the number rolled in that throw. Players win if the total between the two dice comes to 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12. They lose if there’s any other total.

This might be the best way to start playing craps for an absolute beginner. Ever since states such as Oklahoma legalized roulette and craps in 2018, simplified craps have enjoyed unparalleled popularity.

Simplified craps has a 2.8% house edge.

High Point Craps

The last on our list of favorite variations is high point craps. This is a variant that’s particularly known to favor players because 2 and 3 are simply ignored if they’re the numbers that show on the come out roll.

In contrast, players win when they throw an 11 or 12.

All other points rolled become the point number. Players must roll higher than this to win.

High point craps features even money payouts and a house edge of 2.35%.