Roulette

Roulette vs Craps: Which is Better? (2024)

Updated on April 20, 2024

Casino gambling is interesting as it follows the bettors’ progression and maturity in gambling. People don’t typically enter the casino for the first time in their lives and go straight for poker. No, usually they go for something nice, easy, and exciting, such as slots, or, for those who want a little more excitement — roulette or craps.

Both roulette and craps are fairly simple games to learn and play, and they do not require a lot from the player other than to pick a bet and let fate do the rest. In craps, the player also needs to roll the dice, but that’s about it.

Now, with that being the case, the attraction of these games lies in two things – the mentioned ease of playing them and simple blind luck. They are random, they don’t require any skill, and they simply seem fair and fun. And, they always attract the crowd that enjoys watching, cheering, and sharing the energy around these tables. Combine that with the ability to win money if you are lucky enough, and it is quite easy to understand why these games are so addicting.

Of course, there are differences between them. Roulette is typically more relaxed and simpler, for example, while craps is a bit more complex, but that is also why there is more energy around the craps table. With that said, let’s compare other aspects of these games and see how they differ.

Novice-friendliness

One thing that is immediately noticeable when it comes to roulette is that it seems to be a game that attracts rookie gamblers a lot more than most other games, including craps. This was tested time and time again, and you can do it yourself. All you need to do is take a friend or a family member with you next time when you go to a casino, give them $50-$100 in chips, and take them to a roulette table.

You can even play with them and explain all the little details about the game that you already know. Then, after a while, switch to a craps table, preferably one that already has a crowd around it, and play that one for a time. Then, when you have had enough, take a break, sit down, and talk about the games. Ask the other person to describe their experiences, and definitely have them decide which game they enjoyed more.

In most cases, the novice gambler will admit that roulette was more enjoyable, even though they saw greater losses at that particular table, while craps made them a bit nervous, and they felt like they made plenty of mistakes. In 9/10 cases, the rookie gambler will choose to return to the roulette table for their second run.

The reason behind this is the fact that the craps table has too many moving parts for novices and recreational players, which makes them feel uncomfortable. They always feel insecure because they are unsure of how to behave, and they always feel like they are forgetting something or that they are doing something wrong.

Roulette, on the other hand, is much easier to learn and play, with no feeling of judgment or awkwardness for the player, which makes it a great choice for an entry-level game.

House edge

Another thing to note is the house edge of the two games. Typically, roulette tends to have a better one. The first thing to note is whether you play American roulette or European roulette, and you can differentiate them by checking whether there is 00 on the wheel or not. If the wheel has 00, then it is American roulette, as European only has 0.

So, European roulette already gives you a better chance at winning thanks to the fact that it has one pocket fewer than the American one. But, if you play American roulette, you should also know that all bets but one — known as the “first five” and including 00-0-1-2-3 — come with the identical rate of 5.26%.

In other words, no matter what bet you make, the disadvantage will be identical. If, however, you go for the “first five,” the disadvantage is greater — 7.89%.

On the other hand, craps comes with a multitude of betting options that can go anywhere from 1.36% disadvantage to 16.67% disadvantage. However, craps also lets you employ strategies for reducing the house edge. To do so, you are advised to stick to the pass line, follow that up by taking the full odds bet, and ap your action with a place bet on the six and/or eight. The strategy allows you to reduce the house edge to under 1%.

The money

Moving on, let’s compare how the money situation tends to behave when you play these two games. The fact is that you are already at a disadvantage with both games because they favor the house a lot more than other table games. However, where are you likely to lose more money?

The answer is craps, and for a very simple reason. It’s not because the game is difficult or you somehow have less luck at it. It is simply because you can play an average of 38 games per hour when you play roulette and around 48 per hour when it comes to craps. That means that your chances of losing at craps are significantly increased simply because you take more turns in a single hour of playing.

Level of participation

Another important aspect for some players is how much they have to actually participate while playing these games. For example, when it comes to craps, you are expected to call out your bets, you need to handle dice, roll them over and over, and while that is not exactly something that you can call hard work, it is still more than what you do at a roulette table.

All you need to do is place bets, and you can even do it in total silence if you prefer it that way. The dealers, or croupiers, as they are also known as, will spin the wheel, drop the ball in, and announce the result.

In other words, in craps, you share the portion of the work, while in roulette, all the “heavy lifting” is done by the dealer. Level of participation might not be an issue for some people, but it migh be for others, so it is worth keeping it in mind.

The online experience

The gambling industry did not waste any time when the internet went mainstream. Instead, online casinos started popping up all over the web, and even today, there are platforms out there that have been around since 1994.

Now, we already mentioned that craps is a game that is best known for the energy around the table but when you play it online — you are alone, typically enjoying the comfort of your home. That means that a large portion of that experience is lost when you play craps in online casinos, and it becomes another silent game where you make a bet, roll the dice, and see what you get. There is no cheering, no cocktails, and no energy that you experience in a land-based casino.

Roulette, on the other hand, feels more familiar, as the energy at the table is significantly lower in land-based casinos, and most of the excitement comes from within as the ball circles the wheel and eventually picks a pocket to fall into. The experience is not identical, but it is a lot more similar than craps, which might be something to keep in mind.

Conclusion

Both craps and roulette are great games to play, whether in land-based casinos or online gambling platforms. However, being two different games, they offer different experiences, different house edge, and alike, so it is worth keeping those differences in mind. As mentioned, roulette is typically better for novices as it makes them feel more comfortable, while craps tables have their own culture that can seem a bit harsh at times if you are a rookie gambler.

On the other hand, you can lower the house edge in craps if you have a good enough strategy, but if you play it online, it definitely doesn’t feel the same. If you are in a brick-and-mortar casino, you will have to participate more in craps and learn more rules, and you even stand to lose more money, as the game is fast-paced and you can play 10 more turns per hour on average than if you play roulette.

Still, both games have their loyal communities, and in the end, it all comes down to the players’ personal preference.

Where to Play Craps & Roulette

We recommend you follow our guides to find the best online casinos that offer craps & roulette.

Gaming.net

Roulette vs Craps: Which is Better? (2024)

Roulette