The Basics of Craps Down Under
Craps has a reputation for being loud, fast and intimidating, but strip away the casino-floor theatre and it is one of the more straightforward dice games you can learn. The game revolves around two six-sided dice and a simple cycle of bets: you wager on the outcome of a roll, then either win, lose or keep rolling until the round resolves. For Australian players, craps is available at land-based casinos in cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and increasingly at regulated online casinos that deal in AUD. Read more about this at Orozino Casino mobile.
Every round begins with a “come-out” roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, pass line bettors win immediately. A 2, 3 or 12 is a loss. Any other total , 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 , becomes “the point”, and the shooter keeps rolling until that number repeats (a win for pass line bets) or a 7 appears first (a loss). Understanding that loop is 80% of the game.
One thing Aussies should note: local casino craps tables usually run slightly different house edges to what you might read about overseas, because Australian casinos often use double-odds or specific maximum-odds rules. Always check the table placard before buying in , it spells out minimums in AUD and how many times you can back your pass line bet.
Core Bets Worth Knowing
The pass line is the beginner’s friend. It carries a house edge of just 1.41%, one of the best odds in the entire casino , better than most pokies or roulette. Placing a “come bet” works the same way but starts a new cycle after the point is established, letting you ride a hot roll.
Once a point is set, you can “take the odds” behind your pass line wager. This side bet pays true odds and has zero house edge, which is why knowledgeable players always back their bets. Australian tables commonly allow double odds, though some premium rooms offer 3-4-5 odds (up to 5x on points of 6 and 8).
Avoid the proposition bets in the centre of the table. Hardways, any 7 and the like look tempting but carry house edges from 9% to about 16.7% , a painful drain on your bankroll compared to the pass line’s 1.41%.
| Bet | House Edge | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Pass line | 1.41% | 1:1 |
| Taking odds | 0% | True odds |
| Any 7 | 16.7% | 4:1 |
| Hard 6 or 8 | 9.09% | 9:1 |
Etiquette, Bankroll and Practical Tips
Craps moves quickly, and the dice pass around the table counter-clockwise. When the shooter hands you the dice, hold them with one hand, hit the back wall and keep it simple. Bets must be placed before the dice leave the shooter’s hand , the stickperson will wave off late wagers, and no one enjoys a slow-up.
Set a budget in AUD before you buy in and treat odds bets as the backbone of your strategy. A sensible approach is a pass line bet with full odds and nothing else; that combination keeps the house edge under 1%. If you want longer sessions, a bankroll of 40-50 units (where one unit equals your pass line minimum) gives you comfortable room to weather a cold streak.
Finally, watch a full table cycle before you play live. Ten minutes of observation teaches you the rhythm of come-out rolls, point numbers and payout calls faster than any guide ever will , and it costs nothing.
