Craps is a casino table game pit staple. Most major Las Vegas casinos deal the game. Some regional gaming markets also have it. Crapless craps is a variation on the original game. It was popularized by Bob Stupak. He owned Vegas World, which is known as The Strat today.
Crapless craps had few installations outside Vegas World/The Strat throughout the 2010s. The last installation at another casino was at Plaza, where it disappeared in 2018, leaving it only at The Strat.
In late 2019, Harrah’s installed a table. It started appearing in pits throughout the Las Vegas Strip after casinos were allowed to reopen after the pandemic closure in 2020. As of February 2026, 36 Las Vegas casinos have at least one table of crapless craps, compared to 60 with live craps. It is also in many regional gaming markets. Silverton and Strat only deal crapless craps. Neither casino has a live traditional craps game.
Crapless craps has since expanded into electronic table games. Interblock created heads-up bubble versions of the game. Some casinos also have hybrid versions of it with a live dealer and dice. Bets are made on screens.
How craps works
Craps is one of the original casino games. It involves two dice and dozens of bets. Most players choose the Pass Line and hope for a 7 or 11 on the first roll, known as the come-out. A 2, 3, or 12 causes the Pass Line to lose on the come-out roll. A 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 becomes the point. Pass Line players in traditional craps hope to see that number rolled again before a 7 to win.
The Come works the same way. It is placed when a point is established, and the player wants an additional point.
Don’t Pass is the opposite. These players lose on a 7 and 11 on the come-out roll. A 2 or 3 wins. A 12 pushes. Any other number becomes the point. The Don’t Pass players want a 7 to roll before the point. The Don’t Come works the same way.
Crapless craps is different
Crapless craps has different Pass Line rules than the traditional game. The gimmick is that the Pass Line cannot lose on the come-out roll. A 7 wins. Any other number becomes the point. The Pass Line wins if the point comes again before a 7. This means that a come-out roll of 11 would normally win at a craps table. In crapless craps, the shooter must now roll it again.
A traditional craps player would lose on a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll. In crapless craps, the shooter has a second chance to make it before a 7 to win.
This may seem like a good deal, but it is not
A craps Pass Line player wins on an 11 come out roll 5.55% of the time. Now, the player must make a 3/1 underdog to win before a 7 comes. Getting a second chance on 2, 3, and 12 does not make up for that. The 3 has the same odds as the 11. The 2 and 12 would each lose on the come-out roll 2.78% of the time. Making a 2 or 12 before the 7 is rolled is a 6/1 shot.
Playing the Don’t Pass instead of the Pass Line at a crapless craps game may seem like a good alternative. Unfortunately, that bet does not exist in the game. There is also no Don’t Come option. Players may only bet the Pass Line and Come side.
Crapless craps bets not available in craps
Crapless craps players can bet on the 2, 3, 11, and 12. This may be done with a Place or Buy bet. The Buy bet is the better way to go for these bets. At most live casinos, players pay a 5% commission on the size of the bet made, not the win. The commission is usually only paid when the bet wins. However, some casinos and electronic table games are moving to requiring players to pay the 5% commission upfront on all numbers or on just the 2, 3, 11, and 12. Avoid these bets at those tables. That bad rule is often used on Interblock electronic table games and hybrids.
A live game rounds down, meaning a $25 Buy bet only pays $1 in commission. That pays $74 on 3 and 11 and $149 on 2 and 12.
Place bets are also available on these numbers. However, the house edge is much higher, even if the house makes the player pay the commission upfront.
All other bets are the same
Craps and crapless craps have all the same other bets. The 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 may be bet. The Field is available. Hardways and hop bets are in the center of the felt. Most crapless craps tables have longshot side bets like All, Tall, Small. The payouts are generally the same between the games.
Pass Line house edge comparison
In craps, the Pass Line holds 1.41% before odds. At crapless craps, it is 5.38%. This massive difference adds up quickly as crapless craps Pass Line players lose their flat bets more than three times faster. Crapless also has more variance with the 2, 3, 11, and 12 as points, requiring a larger bankroll.
Odds may be different
All Las Vegas Strip casinos have 3-4-5 times odds at traditional craps tables. Crapless craps looks the same on the sign. However, there may be some hidden details.
MGM Resorts properties post 3-4-5 times odds and allow 3x on the 2, 3, 11, and 12. On the other hand, Caesars only permits single odds on the 2 and 12 and double odds on the 3 and 11.
Play crapless craps for fun, but understand its differences
It is important to know the maximum odds before playing. The lower the maximum odds, the higher the house advantage is on all the action.
Many players find the long-shot numbers fun in crapless craps. It is important to know that, in addition to a higher house advantage, crapless craps has higher variance than the traditional casino dice game. This means players need a larger bankroll and more patience. Only play with money dedicated to your entertainment budget. Set win and loss limits for maximum enjoyment.
