If you walk into an Atlantic City casino and follow the hubbub, you’re likely to wind up at a craps table. You’ll hear the crowds roaring if the shooter gets hot, as well as the clacking of chips when the stickmen pay out the bets.
Along with being one of the most vibrant games on the casino floor, craps offers a low house edge. Proper play (involving a certain combination of bets) can narrow the house’s advantage to less than 1%. This is in the ballpark of blackjack and baccarat, two other casino games with notably low house edges.
While craps are popular in person, you can also find them online. A growing number of online casinos in New Jersey are adding the iconic dice game to their portfolio.
Online craps have excellent odds, but rookies may find the game intimidating. It’s a bit different from other casino games, so understanding the rules and wagering options can be challenging. The basics may seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of them — which you will after reading this guide — you’ll be ready to go.
Best NJ online casinos for craps
How is playing craps online different?
Online craps greatly resembles its real-life equivalent. You play with two dice on a virtual table with the same layout as in land-based casinos in New Jersey. You can either back yourself or bet on the house.
The odds for online craps are the same as in the live version, and the gameplay differs only in that it’s a computer rolling the dice instead of a live shooter — that is, if you are playing the RNG-powered version of online craps.
Live dealer online crap games are a different ballgame. In this format, real-life dealers operate the games. One typically acts as the host, and another is the shooter. Action is filmed in specialized studios and streamed to your computer or phone in real time, and you can bet on what is happening.
Some prefer playing NJ craps online because of the more flexible betting limits. Most retail casinos in New Jersey have table minimums of around $10 for craps, while in online craps casinos, you can often play for as little as $1 per roll.
What casinos in New Jersey offer online craps?
Legal online casinos in New Jersey generally offer more diverse game options than their land-based counterparts. Craps, however, stands out as an exception. Craps isn’t as prevalent as other classic casino games online, with only a few variations available. Still, here are some of the main online casinos that do offer it:
- DraftKings Casino: DraftKings Craps is an in-house title with a maximum bet of $2,000, higher than other online craps variants in NJ. DraftKings Casino will match the first deposit of new customers up to $2,000, along with providing a $35 sign-up bonus.
- Virgin Casino: Virgin offers a Gamesys version of online craps. The return-to-player rate hovers between 83.33% and 98.64%. The maximum bet is 6x what you’ve wagered on the pass line. New customers can receive a $30 no deposit bonus and a loss rebate up to $100.
- Bally Casino: One of the newer online casinos in New Jersey, Bally offers a craps title from Roxor Gaming with versatile betting options ($0.10 to $1,900). You can play the game in demo mode or for real money. For new customers, Bally offers up to $100 in bonus play when you make a deposit.
- BetMGM Casino: An industry giant, BetMGM is one of the select few online casinos in New Jersey to offer live dealer craps. You can try First Person Craps from Evolution Gaming, which offers a return-to-player rate of up to 99.17%. For new customers, BetMGM has a deposit bonus of up to $1,000 and a $25 no deposit bonus.
- Tropicana Casino: Try a Gamesys title that is more suited to casual players than high rollers, with the max bet of $50. New customers can get a loss rebate up to $2,000.
- Borgata Casino: Borgata offers the same collection of games as its sister site, BetMGM, including live dealer craps. Newcomers to the site can claim a $20 no deposit bonus and a 100% match on their first deposit up to $1,000.
- PartyCasino: In the same family as BetMGM and Borgata, Party also offers First Person Craps by Evolution Gaming. When you create an account, you can get 100 bonus spins and a 100% deposit bonus up to $500.
- Pala Casino: This site offers a craps variant from NYX Gaming that has less-than-favorable 2x max odds on pass line bets. On the other hand, it’s an option for high rollers, with a max bet of $500 per round.
Online craps games in New Jersey
The majority of online casinos have just one type of craps available, and all of these are provided by the same software manufacturer. Overall, there are only a couple of different forms of online craps in NJ — some offering more favorable odds than others.
| Casin | Game | RTP % | Max Odds (Pass Line) | Minimum Bet | Maximum Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Casino | Craps (Gamesys) | 83.33% to 98.64% | 6x | $1 | $50 |
| Tropicana Casino | Craps (Gamesys) | 83.33% to 98.64% | 6x | $1 | $50 |
| DraftKings Casino | Craps (DraftKings) | 83.33% to 99.73% | 6x | $1 | $2,000 |
| Pala Casino | Craps (NYX Gaming) | 83.33% to 98.64% | 2x | $1 | $500 |
| BetMGM Casino | First Person Craps (Evolution Gaming) | 83.33% to 99.17% | N/A | $0.50 | N/A |
| PartyCasino | First Person Craps (Evolution Gaming) | 83.33% to 99.17% | N/A | $0.50 | N/A |
| Borgata Casino | First Person Craps (Evolution Gaming) | 83.33% to 99.17% | N/A | $0.50 | N/A |
| Bally Casino | Craps (Roxor Gaming) | 83.33% to 99.73% | 6x | $0.10 | $1,900 |
Best New Jersey online craps
In comparison to other casino games, NJ online craps lacks diversity. This could change if more online casinos and game providers come to New Jersey and bring more variants. In the meantime, this handful of choices will have to do.
In such a limited selection, we found DraftKings’ proprietary version of craps to be the best option in New Jersey. It has the highest payout odds and the most accommodating betting limits. There’s even a tutorial video that covers the basic rules and wagers. Roxor Gaming’s title at Bally Casino came in as a close second.
When it comes to game rules, DraftKings’ craps has a few player-friendly aspects that add to its appeal:
- It offers 6x max odds on all don’t pass/don’t come
- It pays 175:1 for make ’em all side bets. To win, you must roll every number from 2 to 12 (except 7) before rolling a 7.
- It pays 34:1 on all small side bets. To win, you must roll every number from 2 to 6 before rolling a 7.
- It pays 34:1 on all tall side bets. To win, you must roll every number from 8 to 12 before rolling a 7.
Using online casino bonuses for craps
Online casinos and big bonuses go hand in hand. This is a well-known (and effective) marketing approach to attract new customers and help keep them around.
Bonuses can take many forms. Adding promo bucks to your bankroll can help you preserve your real money balance and, by extension, give you more chances of winning when playing casino games like online craps.
There’s a catch, though. Casino bonuses almost always have wagering requirements, meaning you need to wager a certain amount on real money games to turn the bonus into withdrawable cash.
The real kicker, however, is that at many online casinos, craps bets do not count toward meeting wagering requirements. In contrast, slots tend to contribute 100% of any wagers you make toward the requirement. Therefore, it would make sense to play out the bonus on slots and then switch to craps afterward.
Playing craps on a casino app
While not all online casinos in New Jersey offer craps on their Android and iOS apps, two of the most prominent names — BetMGM and DraftKings — do.
You’ll need to download a compatible online NJ casino app before you can get started. You’ll likely find the necessary download link either in the casino’s mobile section or in the footer. The installation process should be simple from there.
How to play craps
A typical game of craps consists of two rounds. As a precursor to the initial phase — called the come-out roll — you must choose whether you want to bet with or without the table.
The former would imply that you’re betting on the pass line, while the latter refers to placing a don’t pass line bet. In either case, you’ll need to drag the chips you want to wager onto the appropriate section on the screen.
If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, that number becomes the point, and the game enters the second phase, during which additional bets become available.
You can make a variety of bets in online craps, either single-roll or multi-roll. Generally, side bets are not favorable to bettors. Here are the most common types of bets in online craps:
Pass line
Wins if the come-out roll is 7 or 11. Loses if the come-out roll is 2, 3 or 12. If the first roll is any other number, that establishes a point, and you win if the dice hit that point before hitting 7. If the dice hit 7 first, you lose.
Don’t pass line
Pretty much the opposite of a pass line bet. You win on a 2 or 3 on the first roll or if you get 7 in the second phase before the dice hit the point number. You lose if the come-out roll is 7 or 11; 12 is a push.
Come
It’s essentially the equivalent of a pass line bet, available only after the dice have established a point.
Don’t come
In this case, a don’t pass line bet available only after the dice have established a point.
Hard 4
It wins if you roll a pair of 2s before 3/1, 1/3 or 7. It pays 7:1.
Hard 6
It wins if you roll a pair of 3s before any other combination that totals 6 or 7. It pays 9:1.
Hard 8
It wins if you roll a pair of 4s before any other combination that totals 8 or 7. It pays 9:1.
Hard 10
It wins if you roll a pair of 5s before any other combination that totals 10 or 7. It pays 7:1.
Place bet
You pick a point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) and win if the dice roll that number before a 7. The payouts differ depending on the number:
- 4 and 10 pay 9:5
- 5 and 9 pay 7:5
- 6 and 8 pay 7:6
Lay bet
These are the opposite of place bets. The payouts are as follows:
- 4 and 10 pay 5:11
- 5 and 9 pay 8:5
- 6 and 8 pay 7:5
Field
A one-roll bet that wins if the shooter rolls 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. Getting 2 or 12 results in bonus money.
Any craps bet
This one involves betting on the craps numbers, 2, 3 or 12. It pays 8:1.
Aces
This is a one-roll bet that wins on a pair of 1s. Payouts vary between 30:1 and 33:1, depending on the casino.
Ace-deuce
A one-roll bet that wins on a 1/2 or 2/1 roll. Payouts vary between 15:1 and 16:1.
Yo/eleven
Win on a 6/5 or 5/6 roll. Payouts vary between 15:1 and 16:1.
Midnight/boxcars
This bet wins with a roll of 12. Payouts vary between 30:1 and 33:1.
Big red
This is a one-roll bet on 7. The payout clocks in at 4:1.
Playing online craps in New Jersey
So far, this guide has laid the groundwork for playing online craps, including the basic rules and where you can play. Before we wrap up, though, here are some tips and strategies for playing craps at online casinos.
How do you win at online craps?
Although craps offers some of the most favorable odds among all casino games, the house will always prevail eventually. Craps is a game of chance, and nothing you can do will affect the outcome of the roll.
That said, the house edge of craps bets is based on the likelihood of different numbers. With a certain combination of wagers, you can reduce the house edge to less than 1%. For instance, if you bet the odds (which has no house edge) in combination with pass line bets, you’ll cancel out a portion of the 1.41% house edge that comes with pass line bets.
Most experts would also tell you to avoid single or one-roll bets because the reward is not worth the risk with these types of wagers.
Can you play craps online without depositing money?
Most NJ online casinos will let you play games in demo mode. You can use this as a practice platform — to master your skills, explore different tactics and get a feel for the gameplay.
Another way to play craps at an online casino is through a no-deposit bonus that you can use on craps. If that’s the case, you may even have a chance to walk away with some actual winnings after you meet the play-through requirements.
Here is why it can be beneficial to try out online craps first before diving in with your own money:
- Test the software and see whether you like the platform.
- Try risky bets that you may not want to with real cash on the line.
- Practice different strategies without burning your bankroll.
Top tips for online craps
- Do thorough research beforehand: Doing your homework before you get in on the action is essential. We’ve provided some basics on this page, but you’ll still want to dig deeper and learn the ins and outs of the game.
- Don’t experiment too much with betting: The two fundamental bets — pass line and don’t pass line — are also the ones with the most bettor-friendly margins. The house edge on the don’t pass line bet is 1.36%. These two may not offer potential profits as large as some exotic bets, but they’re a much wiser option in the long run, from a statistical standpoint.
- Place the odds bet: The odds bet occupies a unique position in the payout/house edge chart in online craps as the only bet that has zero house edge. For obvious reasons, New Jersey casino sites impose caps on how much you can stake on this wager.
- Steer clear of hardways bets: The pass line and don’t pass line have the most favorable house edges in online craps. On the other side of the spectrum, you will find props like hardways, with an RTP of around 90%. While these bets provide a solid payout, you’re unlikely to hit them often enough to make wagering worthwhile.
- Avoid prop bets: Getting a big payout in one roll may seem appealing, but when the house edge is so high, it’s not worth it. Any respectable craps resource will tell you to stay away from proposition wagers. The favorable payout percentage can plummet if you’re not playing the game optimally.