How to play online craps? 

Craps is a dice game popular at both online casinos and land-based ones. It is a fast-paced game with strategic betting opportunities for Kenyan players. The digital version of the game mirrors its traditional counterpart where you bet on the outcomes of the rolls of dice. In this guide we will go over what online craps is and how to play it, along with some tips and strategies. 

Basics of craps 

At a craps table online or offline, you bet on the outcome of a roll of two dice. The shooter rolls the dice and all players in the game can place different types of bets on various outcomes. Before getting into rules and strategies, let’s take a look at the game’s origin and the difference between online and offline play. 

The history of craps 

Craps is believed to have originated from the English game hazard, which dates to the 12th century. It spread to France and evolved to be known as “crabs”. Later, it made its way to the US via French settlers in New Orleans. In the early 20th century, an American dice manufacturer named John H. Winn came up with the modern version of the craps game. He introduced the Don’t Pass Line Bet and standardized the table layout. 

Online craps vs. traditional craps 

The basic craps gameplay remains the same whether you are playing at a land-based or online casino in Kenya. Despite that, there are a few differences: 

• Social aspect – craps is known to be a very lively game at land-based casinos. Online casinos do offer live dealer games which try to create a similar experience. 
• Convenience – online craps is typically faster and allows you to play from anywhere, at any time, unlike the physical counterpart. 
• Betting options – though the rules and objective stay the same, online craps tables often offer lower minimum bets. 
• RNG software – at a physical casino, the shooter rolls the dice. However, the online version uses RNG software to ensure fair and random outcomes. 

Getting started with online craps 

Before diving into the game, you must choose a Kenyan online casino that offers you the best setup and deposit real money into your casino account. Below is a step by step guide for you to make the process easier. 

How to sign up and make your first deposit 

1. Choose a reputable casino – start by selecting an online casino that is licensed and regulated by a reputable gambling authority. Before signing up, compare the number and variety of craps games at different platforms to choose the one that suits you. You may also look for good casino bonuses for Kenyans if that attracts you. 
2. Register for an account – once you have chosen your platform, create an account by providing your name, phone number, email, and other relevant details. Most online casinos in Kenya require identity verification before you can start playing. 
3. Make your first deposit – before hopping into a craps table, you need to make a deposit to place bets. Online casinos offer numerous payment methods such as credit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies. Choose the option that suits you best and claim welcome bonuses. After that, you can launch and play any craps game you like. 

Rules and objectives of craps 

The main goal in a craps game is for you to roll specific dice combinations. The game is played in two phases: the come-out roll and the Point Phase. 

• Come-out roll – the first roll of the dice in any round is the come-out roll. If a 7 or 11 is rolled, the Pass Line Bet wins. If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, the pass line bet loses. 
• Point phase – if the shooter rolls any number other than a 7 or 11, that number becomes the point. The game continues until the shooter either rolls the point again or rolls a 7. 

The pass line bet and other common bets 

There are several types of bets you can make at a craps table. Below we will break down these bets. 

• Pass line bet – on a come-out roll, if you roll a 7 or 11, the pass line bet wins. If you roll a 2, 3, or 12, the bet loses. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the “point.” You must roll the point number again before a 7 to win the pass line bet. If a 7 is rolled before the point, the bet loses. 
• Don’t pass bet – this is the opposite of a pass line, where players bet that the shooter will lose. The bet wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 on the come-out roll and loses if it is a 7 or 11. If a 12 is rolled, it is called a push (a tie). On the point phase, the bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7 before the point. 
• Come bet – on the points phase, A come bet means that you are betting that the next roll will result in a 7 or 11. If a different number is rolled, it becomes the “come point,” and the objective is for that number to be rolled again before a 7. 
• Don’t come bet – you win a don’t come bet if a 2 or 3 is rolled on the point phase and lose if a 7 or 11 is rolled. Like the don’t pass bet, the goal here is for a 7 to appear before the come point​. 
• Field bet – a field bet is a single roll bet that you can place at any time. You win if the dice roll a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. This bet has varied payouts, with 2 paying 2:1 and 12 paying 3:1. 
• Place bet – place Bets allow you to wager on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) being rolled before a 7. Payouts vary depending on the number you choose. You can place or remove these bets at any time during the craps game. 
• Odds bet – after a point is established, you can place additional bets behind your pass line or don’t pass bets. These are known as odds bets. 
• Proposition bet – these are single-roll bets where you bet on specific outcomes like rolling a 2 or 12​. 

The role of the shooter in craps 

In a craps table, the shooter is the player who rolls the dice that drives the entire game. The shooter initiates each round with the come-out roll. Before rolling, the shooter must place a pass line or don’t pass line bet. In online craps, the role of the shooter is automated using a random number generator (RNG) to ensure fair and random outcomes. 

Advanced craps strategies 

Though craps is a game of chance, there are certain strategies you can use to increase your chances of winning. In this section, we will go over a few strategies and common mistakes. 

The best craps betting strategies 

To minimize the house edge, you can follow these strategies below: 

• Pass line with odds – in the point phase, you can combine the pass line bet with an odds bet to reduce the house edge to as low as 1.41%. 
• Three-point molly strategy – here, you place a pass line bet and two come bets, each with odds. It ensures you always have action on three numbers. 
• The iron cross strategy – with this strategy, you bet on almost all numbers except 7, and get frequent small wins. However, this strategy could be risky as 7 is the most common roll. 

Common mistakes in craps 

• Betting too much too soon – try not to place large bets at the start of the game and risk your bankroll early on. Start small and increase your bets gradually. 
• Chasing losses – after a losing streak, do not place larger bets to recoup your losses. This can often lead to even greater losses. 
• Ignoring the house edge – wagers like proposition bets have a high house edge. Stick to low house edge bets like the pass line, don’t pass line, and come bets. 

Managing your bankroll in online craps 

Managing your bankroll is crucial for any game of chance, including Craps. Here are some tips we advise you to follow: 

• Set a bankroll – start with a fixed bankroll and make small bets to play longer. 
• Set win and loss limits – set limits for how much you are willing to win or lose. 
• Avoid high-risk bets – stay away from high-risk proposition bets that can quickly drain your bankroll. 

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