A number of Craps variations have been developed, said to make the game simpler.  You may come across them in some casinos who may give you the line that the odds are better than standard Bank Craps.  Don't believe it.  Gimmicks on casino games are always used to give the casino a better edge.

Also known as Bastard Craps.  This is a simplified version of Craps, which can be found in some casinos and which can also be played as a private game.

As in standard Craps the player throwing the dice is known as the shooter and the initial throw is known as the come out throw. In this version craps (2, 3 or 12) and the natural 11 on the come out throw are taken to be point numbers. So a throw of 7 on the come out throw wins, any other number becomes the point and the shooter wins if he throws it again before throwing a 7.

The shooter is actually at an even greater disadvantage by almost four times than in standard Craps, with a house edge of 5.38%.

You can also bet that 2, 3, 11 or 12 will be thrown before a 7 (place bets).  2 and 12 pay at odds of 11 to 2 with a house edge of 7.143%.  3 and 11 pay at odds of 11 to 4 with a house edge of 6.25%.

Free odds (the correct true odds) are given on 2, 3, 11 and 12 when you also bet that the shooter will throw a 7 on the come out roll or make his point (bet the pass line).  These odds are 6 to 1 on a 2 or 12, and 5 to 1 on a 3 or 11.   

A fairly recent variation on Craps is the game of Die Rich Craps, played with only one die.  For details of how to play this version of the game, click on Die Rich Craps.

The table layout in a gambling house only has a Lose Line, a Win Line and the box numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. A makeshift table outside a gambling house might just have the numbers painted on to it. Bets on the point can be made as side bets among the players. In fact players don't have to play the house or book at all and so can play without a house percentage but typically gamblers can't make all their bets when they want to without another player taking them. This is when a player gets frustrated and places their bets with the book. The book makes his money by charging a percentage of the right money wagered (usually 5%).

This version of the game is played on the East coast of the USA and was found in some casinos in the UK, Yugoslavia and the Bahamas. The overall House edge is greater than for Bank Craps.

The table and layout differ from a Bank Craps table. A New York Craps table is known as a double-end-dealer. The main difference is that it doesn't have a Come or Don't Come betting space and place bets are not allowed. Players must bet on the box numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10.

Two dealers work at either end of the table. The stickman stands at the middle of the table. Two boxmen sit opposite the stickman. A Lookout, or Ladderman, will sit on a stand raised above the table.

The main difference is that bets are paid out at the true odds but the House takes 5% of all the right bets made. This percentage, like Money Craps, is known as the vigorish.