You can find craps readily available in both land-based and online casinos. Online craps is popular because it offers a convenient way to enjoy this game.
However, land-based casinos definitely offer the best setting for playing craps. They feature a number of advantages that you just won’t find at online gambling sites.
I’m going to discuss six reasons why the brick and mortar version blows mobile craps away. I’ll finish by discussing why the online game isn’t so terrible either.
1 – The Live Craps Atmosphere Is Wild
Craps is the most exciting experience in all of gaming. It offers a wild atmosphere that sees players working as a team.
Many gamblers like to make pass line and come bets (both 98.59% RTP), which are bets that win when the shooter wins. They would rather back the shooter than the house.
Of course, don’t pass line and don’t come bets (both 98.64% RTP) are slightly more favorable in the long term. Those placing these wagers, though, are seen as joining the “dark side”.
No matter if you’re a team player or villain, though, you should find land-based craps to be really exciting. I highly suggest making the pass line and/or come bets so that you can join in the team camaraderie.
If you don’t mind feeling like one of the bad guys, though, then you can always opt for don’t pass line and don’t come bets. People won’t be waiting out in the parking lot for you just because you’re making these wagers.
The only reason why you might not play land-based craps is if you absolutely don’t like being around other people. You don’t have to interact with them much, but you do have to interact a little bit with other craps players in land-based casinos.
2 – You Get to Physically Roll the Dice
Few casino games provide an opportunity to physically influence the results. Craps is a rare exception, though, because it allows you to roll the dice.
Everybody at the table gets a turn to be the shooter. You’ll have the opportunity to roll the dice when your chance comes around.
You simply need to toss the dice down the table and attempt to hit the backstop. As long as you’re making a reasonable attempt to do so, then your rolls will be legitimate.
With real money online craps, you don’t get to physically do anything. Instead, you merely select the “Roll” button to start rounds. The software will toss out virtual dice to determine results.
While it’s nice that you get to determine when rolls happen, this isn’t exactly the same thing as tossing the dice down the table yourself.
3 – Get Cool Comps
Brick and mortar casinos are known for their unique comps. They offer everything from limousine service to free penthouse suites.
You don’t even have to be a high roller to enjoy the cool comps at land-based casinos. Instead, you can get free drinks and meals simply by playing long enough.
Everything starts with joining the player’s club. You need to fill out the registration form in order to get your player’s card.
With this card in hand, you can visit a craps table and give it to the dealer. They’ll pass your card off to the dealer, who’ll then rate your play throughout the session. Once you’re finished playing, the pit boss will calculate how many rewards you deserve.
Mobile craps also features loyalty rewards. However, it mainly features bonus comps like cashback and deposit bonuses. You don’t get to enjoy as many customizable rewards in online casinos.
4 – Bigger Odds Are Available
Odds are the best bets in the casino. Unique to craps, they pay at your true odds of winning and don’t carry a house edge.
You do need to place a pass line or don’t pass line bet before accessing odds. You’ll also have to wait for a come-out roll before making odds bets.
Nevertheless, it’s still worth all of these stipulations when considering how odds improve the overall craps RTP. They’re especially lucrative when offered in bigger multiples.
Here’s a look at how the craps RTP rises along with larger odds:
- Pass line with 1x odds – 99.15% RTP
- Don’t pass line with 1x odds – 99.32%
- Pass line with 2x odds – 99.39%
- Don’t pass line with 2x odds – 99.54%
- Pass line with 3x odds – 99.53%
- Don’t pass line with 3x odds – 99.66%
- Pass line with 3x-4x-5x odds – 99.63%
- Don’t pass line with 3x-4x-5x odds – 99.73%
- Pass line with 5x odds – 99.67%
- Don’t pass line with 5x odds – 99.77%
- Pass line with 10x odds – 99.82%
- Don’t pass line with 10x odds – 99.88%
Land-based casinos can offer up to 3x-4x-5x odds, 5x odds, or even 10x odds. These large multiples greatly increase the payback.
Online casinos, in contrast, only offer up to 2x or 3x odds—if they even offer these bets at all. Assuming you want the absolute highest payback, then land-based casinos are your best option.
5 – Play With Your Friends
Land-based craps certainly isn’t the most convenient way to enjoy this game. It requires you to travel to a nearby casino in some way or another.
However, the trip can be well worth it for the exciting atmosphere. It’s even more worthwhile when playing craps with a group of friends.
In this case, you can all load up on a single table and make the aforementioned pass line bets. Your group will be going crazy during the shooter’s win streaks.
You’ll also have some exciting stories to share with each other afterward. This is especially the case if you’re able to win big!
6 – Enjoy Side Entertainment in the Resort
Casino resorts don’t rely on games alone to learn to keep visitors entertained. Instead, they also offer fine dining, nightclubs, outdoor pools, shows, and more.
You may head to the casino with the intention of playing craps. However, you can turn this experience into an even more memorable occasion by enjoying the side entertainment.
In some cases, you might even earn free passes to enjoy such entertainment. Casinos are well known for giving out show tickets and nightclub passes.
Of course, nothing is better after a long night at the craps tables than enjoying a juicy steak. You should find a couple of high-class restaurants at the casino.
Online Craps Isn’t Completely Awful
The point of this post isn’t to make playing craps on your iPhone or other mobile device seem absolutely worthless. In fact, it can be worth playing under the right circumstances.
First off, you might appreciate this version if you don’t live near and/or have time to visit a land-based casino. In such cases, you can just grab a smartphone and start rolling the dice virtually.
You’ll also find mobile craps to be cheaper than the brick and mortar version. You can make any bet for a dollar online. Contrast this to land-based casinos, which charge anywhere from $5 to $25 for a pass line or don’t pass line bet.
You can also play online craps for free. You simply need to register for an account before being allowed to enjoy the free version.
I don’t necessarily think that these good qualities make online craps a better game than the land-based variety. But they at least make it worth playing.
Conclusion
In many cases, online casino games can compete or even outdo the land-based versions. However, this just isn’t the case with craps.
Nothing in the gaming world beats playing craps at brick and mortar casinos. As long as you’re betting on the shooter winning, then you’ll enjoy team-like celebrations unlike anywhere else in the casino.
You also get an opportunity to influence the results by rolling the dice. While the rolls may be random, it’s still fun to be the one tossing the cubes when everybody is winning.
Land-based craps even provides a better chance to win in most cases. The average brick and mortar casino features larger odds bets than gaming sites.
Of course, you might still consider online craps for the convenience aspect. But if you have time, then the live game is definitely superior.
Michael Stevens
Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …