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Crapless Craps Guide

What Is Crapless Craps: A Beginner's Guide to the Casino Dice Game

You may have come across this game and asked yourself, What is crapless craps? If it's a type of craps, why are there no craps in it? In today's post, we will try to answer this and other questions concerning this elusive game.

Although it isn't found at many casinos (in fact, only several off-Strip Las Vegas casinos feature it), the game has been around for a couple of decades, and quite a few players are interested in its gameplay and payouts. We'll tell you right away: don't expect high returns and low house edges in this game. Unfortunately, this is another casino gimmick to lure you into playing, only to take your winnings away shortly after by imposing a crazy high house edge.

Be it as it may, we will try to answer your questions about crapless craps rules, odds and payouts, and the most effective strategies!

Let's crap out!

Crapless Craps Rules: How to Play and Place Bets

If you have gotten familiar with how to play craps, you won't have trouble learning the rules of crapless craps, aka never ever craps or ruse craps. Virtually, the rules are the same. The only difference is that don't pass line and don't come bets are not allowed in crapless craps.

The game starts with a pass line bet; while in craps you are given the option to choose whether the dice will land on a dice combo of 7 or 11 to win, crapless craps rules dictate that 7 always wins. Therefore, crapless craps offers only two results:

  • A 7 is rolled on the come out, and the player wins the even-money pass line bet; or 
  • The dice land on any other number, establishing the point.

Given that there are no craps rolls, 2, 3, 11, or 12 on the come-out roll become the point. But there's a catch: 11 is a point number, too. As we said, the only way you can win on the come-out roll is to toss a 7.

crapless craps table layout

After that, crapless craps follows the usual pass line rules: to win on the pass line, the point number must be tossed before a 7.

Types of Bets in Crapless Craps

The guide to crapless craps rules continues with types of bets. There are several bet types, all of which derive from a regular game of craps. Knowing what each type of bet is called is essential for smooth gameplay, so make sure you get acquainted with craps terms before playing.

  • Pass Line. Pass line bet is placed on the come-out roll. The rules dictate that 7 always wins, while any other number becomes the point. The point number must be tossed again before a 7 is rolled to win. If a 7 is rolled before the point, the Pass Line bet loses, and the dice move on to the next shooter. Note that the Pass Line bet is a contract wager: you cannot remove or reduce it once the point number has been established.
  • Come Bet. Come Bets can be placed on any roll after the come out roll and follow the same rules as the Pass Line bet. What sets them apart is the dealer moving the bet to the corresponding box.
  • Place Bet. Place Bets refer to wagers made on specified numbers (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). Essentially, the bettor wagers that any of the numbers above will roll before a 7.
  • Field Bets. Field Bets refer to one-roll bets that can be placed at any time.
  • Odds. Odds is a type of wager made in addition to the Pass Line or Come bets. The player sets Pass Line Odds directly behind the initial Pass Line bet. In contrast, Come Odds bets are set by the dealer upon the player's request.
  • Proposition Bets. Proposition Bets are set in place exclusively by the dealer and in the centre of the crapless craps table layout.
  • Hardways. When placing a Hardways bet, you wager that the dice will roll a Hardway (a pair) before rolling Easy (not a pair) or before a 7 is rolled.
  • Horn Bet. Horn Bets are wagers on 2, 3, 11, and 12. Their payoff looks like this: 2 and 12 pay 30:1, while 3 and 11 pay 15:1.
  • World Bet. This is a wager on a Horn Bet (2, 3, 11, 12) and any 7. When placing a World Bet, your wager must consist of units of 5, wherein four units of the bet are placed on the Horn Bet, whereas the fifth is placed on Any 7; Any 7 bets payoff 4:1.
  • Any Craps. This wager includes 2, 3 and 12, with a payoff of 7:1.
  • Hop Bet. Finally, you will place a Hop Bet when you think you can accurately predict the next dice roll. Numbers that are not a pair pay 15:1. Meanwhile, pair numbers pay 30:1.

Understanding Crapless Craps Odds and Payouts

As you may have guessed, crapless craps odds and payouts differ from regular craps. A lot! In general, crapless craps offers some of the worst odds and lowest house edges.

Let's start with the most fundamental bet in craps, the Pass Line bet. The Pass Line bet, if won, has true odds of 6:5, paying to the ratio of 1:1, with a house edge that is the same as traditional craps, 1.41%. Basically, this is where the house edge similarities between regular and crapsless craps end.

The table below shows that the odds and house edge are the same for Come Bets, so we won't explain them in further detail.

Place Bets on 6 and 8 come next: for these bets, the odds stand at 6:5, with payoffs in the ratio of 7:6, while the house edge climbs a bit to 1.52%. But wait till you see how high the house advantage can go! If you wager a place bet on 5 and 9, the true odds are 2/1, and the house edge is driven up to a whopping 4%, with a payoff ratio of 7:5.

Place bets on 4 and 10 have the worst lowest house edge: 6.67%, which is practically the highest of all casino dice games. The reason for this is that there are numerous ways in which you can roll a 4 and a 10 using two dice, and the casino knows it.

Field bets come next, and their house edge isn't anything to write home about either: making a field bet on 3,4,9,10, and 11 will pay out to the ratio of 1:1, with a steep house edge of 5.56%; the situation is similar for field bets on 2 and 12, although these bets pay a bit more, 2:1.

Finally, Any Seven Bet has a monstrous house edge of 9.09% while paying 5:1.

Here's a visual payout guide comparing traditional and crapless craps:

crapless craps payout

For more information, check out our guide on craps payout; once you get a hold of the regular craps payouts, you will have a clearer picture of crapless craps odds and payouts.

Crapless Craps Strategies: Tips for Improving Your Chances of Winning

Usually, we encourage everyone to try any game they like; however, when it comes to crapless craps, we advise everyone to reconsider.

The crapless craps house edge is so high that it should deter you from playing right away. However, if you're keen to try it, follow our few simple crapless craps rules and tips for a greater chance of monetizing your time at the table.

Like regular craps, crapless craps allow you to buy free odds bets of 6:1 on 2 and 12, that is, 3:1 on 3 and 11. Even though you cannot lose on the come-out roll, the odds in crapless craps are genuinely bad; therefore, we suggest buying bets.

Since you can make buy bets in crapless craps (as you can in the traditional version), all of the strategies listed here involve them.

Iron Cross

If you're a high roller, you may enjoy this: the Iron Cross refers to a high-wager betting strategy involving field bets. When betting the Iron Cross, you essentially combine Field bets on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and Place bets on 5, 6, and 8. This strategy will decrease the house edge to under 2%; if 7 rolls, however, you lose everything. If you have a big budget, you should test this one out.

Bet 4 or 10

Some bettors call this type of craps wagers' bet the outsides', which means buying a 4 and a 10 and getting a return on both numbers. To get a 2:1 return, you don't need to make both numbers; one will suffice to get the bet back minus the commission. In this case, your chance of return is 26.3%.

Combine Buy Bets and Pass Line Bets

Finally, you can bet on the Pass Line Bet and other bets. On the come-out roll, your Pass Line Bet will cover any point, while buying any other number will increase your chances of winning both.

Pros and Cons of Playing Crapless Craps

Although the main appeal of crapless craps is the fact that you cannot lose on the come-out, you should consider the math behind the various bets. Except for wagers on 6 or 8 (where the house edge drops to 1.52%), every other type of bet could be far more appealing (and genuinely is in traditional craps!).

Take a look at the pros and cons of playing crapless craps and make your own choice:

Pros of playing crapless craps

  • Fewer rules
  • You can't lose on the come-out roll

Cons of playing crapless craps

  • No alternative to the pass-line bet
  • Higher house edge
  • Not available at many casinos

Is Crapless Craps Better Than Traditional Craps?

Trying novelty games can be fun, especially if you get tired of classic casino games like roulette, baccarat, or even traditional craps. But if we had to choose between craps vs crapless craps, we'd definitely stick to the traditional version. The reasons, as listed above, are numerous, starting with a much higher house edge on virtually every bet.

The only reason you might want to try your luck at crapsless craps is the fact that you cannot lose on the come-out roll. Be aware, though, that this is a casino gimmick: the come-out roll won't kick you out of the game if you don't get it, but the promise of no losers on the come-out roll pushes the house edge to a whopping 5.38%!

If you're dead set on trying crapless craps, we advise keeping your bets as low as possible and not giving in to the casino's strategy to gain a higher edge.