Craps Variations
Like most games that have a lot of rules and strategies, there are many variations to the game of craps. Some of them were done to simplify the game, or to make it easier to play at home or on the streets, as opposed to having to get an expensive, imposing casino craps table. Here are some of the most popular variations, and an overview of the differences between them and a traditional craps game:
- Crapless craps- This game can be found both as a private game or sometimes in casinos, both online and off. In it, a natural only consists of a 7. An 11 (normally part of a natural) or craps numbers of 2, 3 and 12 are eligible to become point numbers. This of course puts the house at an advantage of greater than 5%, compared to the usual 1.4%. So though this game may be easier to understand, that does not necessarily make it better.
- Simplified craps- The rules are simple, like the name implies. If a shooter rolls a 2,3,4,10,11 or 12, they win. If they roll a 5,6,7,8 or 9, they lose. Again, simpler isn't always better, since this again puts the shooter at a mathematical disadvantage. The proof is in the numbers:
- High Point Craps- In this game, a roll of 2 or 3 on the coming out throw is ignored, whereas an 11 or 12 will automatically win. All numbers between are point numbers. In order for a shooter to win, they must actually shoot HIGHER than the point, thus the name of the game.
- New York Craps- The table, layout and payoff are all different in this variation, played at many east coast casinos. The odds are paid out at true odds instead of house odds, but there is a five percent commission or "vigorish" that the house takes on all right bets. There are no come, don't come bets or place bets allowed. Instead, players must wager on box numbers. There are two boxmen instead of one, and a "lookout" or "ladderman" will sit on a seat raised above the table.
- Private Craps- A privately-played game with a set of predetermined rules that may or may not vary from casino games. These are usually high-stakes games played with cash or chips.
- Open craps- A private, big-money game played against the "book", which is the person taking the bets. The book will take a predetermined vigorish on all bets. There are only win and lose lines, and box numbers to bet on, though side bets between players are allowed. These are typically illegal and played with cash only.
| Total | Payoff |
| 2 | 3 to 1 |
| 3 or 4 | 1 to 1(evens) |
| 10 or 11 | 2 to 1 |
| 12 | 5 to 1 |