Roulette vs Craps: Which Game Offers Better Options?

Roulette and Craps are the most fun, exciting, and accessible table games in casinos. Both hold almost the same variety of stakes you can make, and the odds are entirely random.

Despite these similarities, Roulette and Craps differ in play styles. Craps is played with dice, while Roulette is played with a spinning wheel using a ball. 

In this article, you will discover more about their differences and learn which offers better odds, gameplay, payout, and complexity. 

Highlights of the Article

• Roulette has an assigned dealer to spin the wheel after players bet on numbered pockets. 
• Among US Casino visitors, 5% of the recorded activities are from Roulette.
• French Roulette offers better odds among all the varieties since it holds the lowest House Edge. 
• Placing your stake in Five Numbers is not wise since it holds one of the most enormous House Edge betting options.
• The Craps casino game was introduced by John H. Winn in 1910 and has been widely played by gamblers in casinos today. 
• The cycle of the rounds in Craps starts with a pass-line bet then various betting options will be available from there.
• Craps offers higher RTP than Roulette, meaning lesser House Edge. 
• Craps and Roulette provide high and low payouts.

Rules of Engagement:  Roulette vs Craps

One of the reasons gamblers are so invested in Roulette and Craps is its easy gameplay and the thrill it gives players since the winning odds are based purely on luck.

The game of Craps requires players to place their bets to predict what dice value will appear when the shooter rolls out the dice. It can be played by 20 people, taking turns as shooters.

On the other hand, Roulette has an assigned dealer to spin the wheel after players put bets on numbered pockets. 

If you can’t decide between playing with dice and a wheel, look at how Roulette and Craps differ in odds, mechanics, and strategies. 

Roulette

Among US Casino visitors, 5% of the recorded activities are from Roulette. Unsurprisingly, most of its players are novices because of its easy gameplay. 

Get to know more about its mechanics, payout, and strategies.

Mechanics

Every Roulette game has one dealer and eight players. Each player will wage on the number of squares found in the table. 

The dealer will draw the spinning wheel; whoever places the correct pocket numbers wins the round. 

Take a look at the essential elements of Roulette.

Roulette Table

One of the most essential elements of Roulette is its table. This is where the players put their bets in either the inner or outer part. 

• The inner part has 36 black and red number squares.
• The outer area has a wide range of numbers. If you’re playing American Roulette, it has double zero, while European and French consist only of single zeros. 

Roulette Wheel

No matter what kind of variety you are playing, the numbers found in Roulette Wheel are from 0 to 36. These numbers are arranged randomly from high, low, even, and odd. 

Odds

The odds in Roulette differ based on the game type you are playing. American Roulette has a lesser chance of winning compared to the other two. 

French Roulette offers better odds among all the varieties since it holds the lowest House Edge. 

In every bet you make in the numbered pockets of Roulette, there are different probabilities.

Take a look at the example below on how European Roulette has variations of probabilities based on potential bets.

Placing your stake in Five Numbers is not wise since it holds one of the most enormous House Edge betting options. 

Strategies

The probability of winning in slots depends on pure luck. However, there are several ways to leverage your chances of winning.

Follow these three easy tips to pull the odds on your side.

1. Set your bankroll and only spend within your limit. 
2. Always grab the chance to play French Roulette than the two varieties. It offers better RTP and lesser House Edge. 
3. Put your bet on the outer part than the inner part. The outside bets have higher odds of winning. 
   

Pros

• Rules are simple, and it’s one of the most accessible table games
• There are three varieties you can choose from
• A dealer is present to facilitate the game

Cons

• Usually, it can only cater to eight players at the same time
• American Roulette charges high House Edge
  

Craps

The popular Craps casino game was introduced by John H. Winn in 1910 and has been widely played by gamblers in casinos today. 

Learn more about how Craps by learning its mechanics, odds, and strategies.

Mechanics

Learning Craps at first glance is confusing, but this article got you covered. After reading the steps below – you will become one of the pros in this dice game.

1. Every Craps round starts by putting a pass-line bet.
2. The assigned shooter will execute the first roll or the ‘come out roll.’
3. A combined value of 7 or 11 is an instant win for pass bettors, while mixed numbers of 2, 3, or 12 is a loss.
4. If any other number appears aside from the numbers above will become a point, and the shooter will roll the dice again.
5. If this happens, various betting options will be available other than pass or don’t pass.
6. If the rolled numbers are number points again, they win. However, if they move a 7, they lose.
7. If it lands with point numbers, the same shooter will roll the ‘come out roll.’
8. However, if it lands as a 7 before they reroll the point, they lose, and the power of becoming a shooter will rotate.

The cycle of the rounds in Craps starts with a pass-line bet then various betting options will be available from there.

Odds

The probability of winning in Craps depends on the operator’s House Edge, and it translates as the ratio of money you lose for every bet you make.

In Craps, every stake you choose has different odds and House Edge. Check out the table below to compare.

Betting on any 7 is not the best decision in Craps since it holds the biggest House Edge among the choices. 

Strategies

Playing Craps is fast-paced and may be a little confusing for beginners. Follow these tips to enjoy Craps while learning.

1. Start betting on what most players will bet on until you get comfortable making decisions by yourself.
2. As much as possible, bet on numbers with 0 House Edge.
3. Stay away from putting bets on the center.
4. Try playing first in mobile F2P Craps found online, such as Social Casinos.
   

Pros

• Give every player a chance to roll the dice
• It can accommodate up to 20 players
• Offers betting options that have 0 House Edge

Cons

• A bit complicated for newbies due to its many bet options with different odds and House Edge
  

The Match-up: Roulette VS. Craps

If you’re divided between Roulette and Craps, take a look at the comparison of which table game best provides:

• Fast Gameplay
• Odds
• Complexity
• It provides more social interaction
• Payout

Roulette is Quicker to Play 

Due to the limited number of players a dealer can accept, playing Roulette is more straightforward than Craps since it can only cater to up to 8 persons.

Craps Has Lower House Edge 

Regarding House Edge, Craps offers higher RTP than Roulette, meaning lesser House Edge. 

Craps has a variety of betting positions with as low as 0 House Edge, which translates to better odds. 

Craps is More Complex Than Roulette

Unlike Roulette with linear expected results, Craps has a peculiar feature wherein bets aren’t resolved with a single dice roll. 

It’s hard to make strategies when playing Scaps due to the variety of House Edge from different betting options. 

Roulette Provides Lesser Social Interaction

With the usual 8 players per game, rounds in Roullete end faster than Craps, but this also means that it provides lesser Social Interaction.

In brick-and-mortar casinos, the table Craps is more crowded and louder than in Roulette. 

Both Offer Almost The Same Payout

Craps and Roulette provide high and low payouts. Roulette offers payout odds ranging from 1:1 to 35:1.

Similarly, Craps has odds as high as 30:1 to 1:1. 

Final Verdict

Roulette and Craps offer the same excitement wave yet differ in many ways. Roulettes are best for players who want to play with a few crowd.

Craps offer better odds since it provides lower House Edge, but it’s more complex, and the rounds are longer to end than in Roulette.