If you’re curious about learning how to play craps online, you’re in the right place. The following guide explains online craps in simple terms, including how a round progresses, what the common bets entail, and where to play craps online in Canada. You’ll also learn which bets are safer for beginners and other useful craps tips for online play.
I’ve designed this page as a practical resource, not a “system.” You’ll get a step-by-step path from craps online free practice to confident real-money play, including a quick glossary that unlocks the layout. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to launch a craps game online, place your first bets, and manage risk like a pro.
How to find craps online (and get started)
Most online casinos in Canada offer craps as part of their table games sections. If you don’t want to scroll through the table games, the search bar is your friend. Just type “craps” and you’ll land on the right tile.
Many sites offer an RNG demo so you can try craps online for free without depositing. In some cases, you can try out the demo craps game without even creating an account. When you enter the game, you’ll see that you have a positive balance, usually $1,000 or $2,000. Please note that this is in-play money used for demo mode gaming and has no monetary value. Once you’ve gone through it, restart the craps game, and it will refill again.
I highly recommend first playing in demo mode until the game becomes clear. That way, you can familiarize yourself with the table layout, chip controls, and the process of undoing a bet before risking any money. For example, when you open up the DraftKings-branded craps game at DraftKings Casino in Ontario — either in demo mode or real-money play — you get an option to run through either an abbreviated tutorial or an “advanced” tutorial that explains how to play and some of the common bets. This sort of instruction can be helpful to novice craps players.
Here’s a look at the table for that DraftKings Craps game, which is similar to what you’ll find at most online craps tables:

Refer back to this picture as you read on, so you can start associating the different bets with their corresponding positions on the table. As you’ll see, when playing online, you can simply pick your bet size and drag the chips onto the board where you want them to be.
By the way, while many established sites like DraftKings allow potential customers to test their slots and table games for free, they never let you play live dealer games in demo mode. A prerequisite for joining a live dealer table, be it craps or any other game, is having an account and a certain amount of money in your balance.
What are the basic rules of craps?
Craps has two betting rounds. These are referred to as the Come Out Round and the Point Round. You have a choice of bets at all points in the game. The main bets have excellent odds, keeping the house edge low compared to other popular table games.
- Come Out Round: The main bets are called Pass Line and Don’t Pass. For pass line bets, 7 or 11 wins, and 2, 3, or 12 lose. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the ‘Point’. Then, one of the dealers turns a disc to say ‘On’ and the next phase of the game begins.
- Point Round: The number rolled to start this phase becomes the point. You are betting that the point will be rolled before a 7, which ends the round and starts a new game. You can bet on individual numbers at zero house edge (true odds).
Don’t Pass works in the opposite way to the Pass Line during the Come Out roll. This has a (slightly) better house edge. Here, a 7 or 11 will lose, while 2,3, and 12 will win. Most players choose the pass line because it means everyone wins together. This is the reason you hear a lot of cheers at craps tables — everyone wins at once when someone puts together a long winning roll. The risk with Don’t Pass is that you will be cheering at the same time as others lose their money — not a great recipe for a friendly game!
Different types of bets in craps
In addition to the above-mentioned bets, there are other bets commonly found on craps tables. Availability may vary slightly by location; for instance, options at Alberta casinos may differ from those at Ontario casinos. Here are some of the most popular types of craps bets:
- Betting the Odds: Once the point is established and the disc turned to ‘On’, you can bet on any of the numbers listed on the left. The amount you can bet is a multiple of your pass/don’t pass bet, as advised on the board for each game (for example, a 5x game will allow you to bet up to 5x the amount of your initial bet on a number). You get 1:2 odds for 4 or 10, 2:3 for 5 or 9, and 5:6 for 6 or 8.
- Come/Don’t Come: You don’t need to wait for the next Come Out roll to bet on the pass line/don’t pass wagers. The Come/Don’t Come are the same bets (win with 7/11, lose with 2,3 12 for the ‘Come’ and the opposite for ‘Don’t Come’) that can be placed at any time.
- Place Win/Lose: Here, you are betting that the point number (4 through 10) will be rolled before a 7. Again, the amount you are paid will vary depending on which number(s) you choose. The opposite of this bet is also allowed, betting that a 7 will be rolled before your chosen number comes up.
- Buy/Lay Bets: You can bet on individual numbers at any point in the game via the Buy/Lay bets. These side bets have a higher house edge compared to the main part of the game. You receive a 2:1 payout for a 4 or 10, a 3:2 payout for a 5 or 9, and a 6:5 payout for a 6 or 8.
- Big 6 or Big 8: This simple side bet is for either a 6 or an 8 to be rolled before a 7 is rolled. Each one pays even money if you win.
- Hardways Bets: Most numbers can be rolled with different combinations of numbers on each die. Hardways bets are for “doubles”. If you choose a hard 10, then you are betting that two 5’s will be rolled before a 7. This is a challenging bet to win, with high odds if you succeed. You get 7:1 for a 4 or 10, and 9:1 for a 6 or 9.
- Props and Novelty Bets: Most craps bets run for multiple rounds, with the 7 being the killer number. This explains why craps players consider it unlucky to mention this number at the table. Props work only for the next roll. You will find some big odds. For example, 30:1 for a 2 on the next roll. Some prop bets cover multiple rolls, including “Tall and Small” or even “All”.
Sticking with craps bets with the lowest house edge
Unlike say, blackjack or video poker, which are skill-based games in which you really can learn basic strategy to increase your chance of winning, craps is more like roulette in that it is essentially a game of pure chance. That said, you can learn about the different bets and how risk-versus-reward works in craps. You can also become familiar with the house edge and how it changes with different craps bets. Armed with this knowledge, you can manage your bankroll more effectively and adjust the volatility of the game to suit your comfort level.
Overall, craps has a low house edge compared to other games. That said, what you need to make sure of is that you skip the bets that give the house a big edge. Keep in mind that some of these bets have big payouts. If you can afford the wagers — and feel that these bets add that extra excitement to your game — then they may be great value for you.
Here are the craps bets with eye-watering house edge scores:
- Any 7: This prop bet is that a 7 will be rolled on the next roll. It pays an attractive 4:1, though with real odds of 5:1, it has a huge edge in favor of the house. You pay 16.7% house edge every time you place this bet.
- 2 or 12: Snake Eyes and Boxcar bets are the rarest numbers. If you take a single-roll proposition bet on them, you are paying dearly for it. The house edge is typically 13.9% for these wagers.
- Horn Bet: Here, you are splitting your wager between 4 numbers. A 2, 3, 11, or 12 will result in a win for this prop bet. Before placing it, keep in mind that the house edge exceeds 12%.
- Any Craps: This bet is that a 2, 3, or 12 will be rolled on the next throw. This bet is popular, although it becomes expensive over time, with a typical house edge of 11.1%.
When you compare these wagers to the pass line (1.42%) and don’t pass (1.40%), you will see how significant the gaps between the best and worst bets are.
Tips: low-risk vs high-risk bets (with an odds table)
Beginner-friendly craps is all about keeping the edge low and your decisions simple. Save hardways and prop bets for occasional small splashes. They’re fun, but expensive in the long run. Here’s a table focusing on the lower-risk bets you can make at the craps table:
| Craps Bet | Typical payout | Approx. house edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line / Come | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass / Don’t Come | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Free Odds (behind Pass/Come) | 2:1 (4/10), 3:2 (5/9), 6:5 (6/8) | 0% on odds portion |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 6.67% |
| Field | 1:1 (2/12 may pay 2:1 or 3:1) | 2.78–5.56% |
| Hard 6/8 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 4/10 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Any Craps (2,3,12) | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Any 7 | 4:1 | 16.67% |
Practical ‘safe lane’ setup
For your first real-money sessions, choose Pass Line on the come-out, then add Free Odds behind it once a point is set. To increase engagement, consider placing small bets on Place 6 and Place 8, which are efficient and easy to follow. This combination keeps the math friendly while giving you action on most rolls.
Prefer playing “against the table”? The Don’t Pass and Don’t Come versions have a slightly different edge, but the social vibe is distinct. If you go this route, stay disciplined and keep your bet sizes consistent; the goal is controlled variance, not table drama.
High-risk lane (use sparingly)
Hardways, Horn, Any 7, and other one-roll props resolve fast and can be thrilling, but their house edges are steep. If you enjoy these, size them small relative to your base bets and think of them as “spice,” not the meal. Chasing losses with props is a quick way to burn a bankroll, especially on fast live tables.
Bankroll management & responsible play
Decide on a session budget well before you open the lobby, then size your base wager so you have at least 50–100 bets. Remember that Free Odds add variance without adding house edge; keep odds proportional so a short cold stretch doesn’t end your session. Craps is a quick game—take breaks, pace your rolls, and utilize in-product tools (deposit limits, timeouts, self-exclusion) if needed.
Good sessions are defined by clarity, not just outcomes. If gambling stops being fun, step back and reassess your limits before you return. Keeping the structure simple—Pass/Don’t Pass, Odds, and occasional Place 6/8—lets you enjoy the game’s energy without losing track of the math.
Key terms that make the layout feel simple
Once you know the basic craps terms, most of the layout and dealer chatter clicks into place. Use this glossary as a quick reference during your first few sessions.
- Come-out roll: First roll of a new round, before a point is set.
- Point: The target number (4,5,6,8,9,10) set on the come-out; repeating it before a 7 wins Pass.
- Seven-out: A 7 rolled during the point phase; ends the round, and Pass loses.
- Free Odds: Extra bet after a point that pays at true odds (0% edge on that portion).
- Place bet: A wager that a specific number lands before a 7; often 6 or 8 for value.
- Come / Don’t Come: Pass/Don’t Pass equivalents you can make after a point is set; they create new “mini-points.”
- Lay / Buy: True-odds versions of betting against or on numbers; may include a commission.
- Hardway: A pair (e.g., 3-3) that must land before the “easy” version or a 7.
- Field: One-roll bet on a group of outcomes with special 2/12 pays.
- Horn / Any 7 / Any Craps: Prop bets resolving on the next roll; high volatility, high house edge.
Bonuses and playthrough: why craps often doesn’t count — or counts poorly
Because craps has a relatively low house edge, sites usually design bonuses around games with higher hold, especially slots. Many welcome or reload offers either exclude craps entirely or give it a low contribution (often 0–10%). Some mobile casino apps allow craps, but they impose a dramatically higher rollover on any bonus tied to craps, which can turn a potentially lucrative deal into a grind.
Always read the game-weighting table, the max bet while wagering, and the bonus expiry before you opt in. If craps is excluded or heavily penalized, clear the offer on eligible games first, then return to craps with your cash balance. Also note that some terms don’t count Free Odds toward wagering, even if the base craps bet is allowed.
- Do: Check weighting %, max-bet rules, and expiry; confirm whether Odds count.
- Don’t: Try to clear a big bonus using only craps if it has a tiny contribution or an inflated rollover.
- Smart path: Use bonuses where they’re strongest, then enjoy craps with cash for pure entertainment value.
What are the best craps sites in Canada?
Firstly, among the Ontario sites, the following sites are all great for craps:
- Caesars Palace Online Casino — especially good for live dealer craps
- BetMGM Casino — features a strong live suite plus clear Craps info (with Easy Mode and tutorials)
- DraftKings Casino — includes the exclusive Andrew Dice Clay Craps and First Person Craps among its choices
- Golden Nugget Online Casino — shares the same robust selection of table games and live dealer titles as DK (including craps titles)
- FanDuel Casino — includes Evolution’s Live Dealer Craps among its options
Of these sites, I highly recommend both DraftKings and Golden Nugget for their demo versions of craps. Those two sites share the same platform, and the demo craps games on both are terrific and accessible even if you don’t have an account. Check them out!
Meanwhile, some of the lottery-run online sites in the other provinces have online craps as well, but not all of them, and those that do typically don’t have as great a selection as you find at the Ontario sites. You’ll need to check the game lobbies at those sites to ensure they offer craps.
Conclusion: Keep it simple, keep it fun
You don’t need a system to enjoy craps online. Learn the two-phase flow, anchor your play to Pass/Don’t Pass with Free Odds, and treat high-edge prop bets as occasional extras. Practice with craps online free until you’re confident placing and removing chips, then move to low limits and short, focused sessions.
When you’re ready to play craps online for real, pick licensed sites, read bonus rules carefully, and size your odds to your bankroll. With a few fundamentals and steady pacing, any craps game online — RNG or live — becomes approachable, exciting, and genuinely enjoyable. That’s the whole point of learning the rules well: more fun, less stress, and a table you actually understand.