Craps

If you want to learn how to make money in craps, you should know the basics of the game and the guidelines for good play. But you will also need to know where to find the best bets on a craps table and where to go to find the best chances of winning. It's relatively easy to find craps online if you are anywhere in the world but in the United States. But where are the best online craps for U.S. players? Which casinos have top graphics and software to make the Web-based craps experience great?

Online Craps for U.S. Players

There are some excellent sites for players from the United States. Bovada and Liberty Slots Casino casinos are just two of the online houses that will work with U.S. gaming fans. For example, craps at Slots Galore are played on a sharp table graphic with nice animation. If you are new to the game of craps make sure you understand the crucial rules and guidelines for smart betting.

Craps Rules

Do you want to know how to be successful at craps? Well, in spite of what you may have heard, craps is a game of luck. There are a few decisions a player can make to help their chances but once a pair of dice is tossed the control is out of your hands. Craps appears to be very complicated, especially to the first-time player who sees all the numbers and options on the table. Here are a few basic rules to get anyone started. Try free/play for fun action first, until you get used to the game. You'll find that the shooter tosses for a "come out" roll. If the total on the two dice is 7 or 11 the shooter wins. So do the other players who bet with the shooter. If the dice show a total of 2, 3 or 12 that's "craps." The shooter loses.

The remaining numbers - 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 - set the "point." The shooter rolls the dice until he rolls that number again, unless a 7 is rolled before the point number comes up. If a 7 comes first, the shooter loses. The dice pass clockwise around the table so everyone should get a chance to be the shooter.

Here are four basic bets to get things underway:

Pass Line - Wins with 7 or 11 on come-out roll. Loses with 2, 3 or 12. Pays 1 to 1 odds.
Don't Pass Line - Opposite of Pass Line. Loses on 7 or 11 and wins on 2 and 3. If a 12 appears on the come-out roll, this is a "push" (tie).
Come - Wins on the same numbers as the Pass Line, but on the roll of dice when the point is established.
Don't Come - Opposite of the come bet and wins on same numbers as Don't Pass when the point is established.

Craps Strategy

While craps is a game of luck, for the most part, there are two or three basic things a player can do to improve the chances of winning. The first rule is: Relax. It's game. Have fun. Next rule: Know the etiquette and basic bets so you can be comfortable with other players and they can be comfortable with you.

Experienced players advise beginners to think about the Pass and Don't Pass bets. They pay 1 to 1 odds and have a low house edge or "take." Other bets have casino percentages of 5 percent and higher. Professionals also advise an "odds" bet, which means making an additional bet for Pass or Don't Pass after the come-out roll is made. When you're looking for the best craps payouts, consider the casino bonuses and promotions as well as the best bets once you get to the table.

Craps Tournaments

Hundreds of words have been written on the idea of craps tournaments but the basic guidelines involve finding one that has a comfortable entry fee. When making bets, remember that you are playing against other competitors, not the house. The goal is to have more money in hand so you can advance in the tournament. Entry fees range from free to hundreds of dollars. Try the free tournaments until you become comfortable with the game.