If you’re catching yourself strolling through the casino floor looking for a new variant of craps, then allow us to introduce you to Bubble craps! This game is a variation of traditional craps that is played on an electronic machine rather than a live table with dealers. Interested? Let’s go ahead and fill you in on the excitement that envelopes this amazing game.
What Is Bubble Craps?
As we’ve mentioned, Bubble craps is a variation of the traditional casino craps game played on an electronic, automated machine instead of a live table with dealers. The game usually features a large, transparent dome (the “bubble”) containing real dice, which are shaken and rolled by the machine when players press a button. All betting is done through individual touchscreen stations, and payouts are handled electronically.
Understanding the Bubble Craps Rules
Let’s get you accustomed to the rules of this superb game of craps. In bubble craps, the rules follow the same structure as traditional casino craps, but the game is played on a machine equipped with a real pair of dice inside a clear bubble. Play begins when the shooter presses a button to start the roll. The most common wager is the pass line bet, where you win if the first roll (the come-out roll) totals 7 or 11 and lose if it totals 2, 3, or 12, known as craps.
Any other total becomes the point, and the shooter continues rolling until either the point is hit, which wins, or a 7 is rolled, which loses. Odds bets can be placed after a point is set to improve potential winnings without increasing the house edge. Players can also choose from other betting options, but it’s important to understand the risk, limits, and the chance of each bet.
How to Play Bubble Craps? Step-by-step
The absolute first step you should take is to find a bubble craps machine, take a seat at a terminal, and review the on-screen rules. Insert cash, a ticket, or your player card to buy in and confirm your credit balance. Then, the fun begins.
- Select the Pass Line on your touchscreen and set your wager amount for the come-out roll.
- When betting closes, press the Roll/Shoot button (or wait for the designated shooter) to start the dice.
- If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, the Pass Line wins immediately and your credits are updated.
- If the come-out roll is 2, 3, or 12 (“craps”), the Pass Line loses and a new come-out roll begins.
- If the roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point and the round continues.
- After a point is set, take free Odds behind your Pass Line bet to boost potential payout with no added house edge.
- Optionally place Come, Place, or Field bets on the touchscreen if you understand their payouts and risks.
- Press Roll/Shoot again when prompted to keep the dice rolling with your active bets in place.
- If the point rolls again before a 7, the Pass Line and applicable Odds (and any winning side bets) pay.
- If a 7 rolls before the point, the Pass Line and Odds lose, side bets resolve per rules, and the round ends.
- Repeat the betting process for the next come-out roll, adjusting bet sizes to stay within your budget.
Bubble Craps Betting Options
Bubble craps offers most of the same betting options as traditional craps, just placed through a touchscreen interface instead of a felt table:
- Pass Line Bet – Wins if the come-out roll is 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12; otherwise wins if the point is rolled before a 7.
- Don’t Pass Bet – The opposite of Pass Line; wins on 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11, with 12 as a push, and wins if a 7 is rolled before the point.
- Odds Bet – An extra wager you can place after a point is set, paying true odds with no house edge.
- Come Bet – Similar to Pass Line but placed after the come-out roll, creating a new point for your wager.
- Don’t Come Bet – The reverse of the Come Bet, working like Don’t Pass but after the come-out roll.
- Place Bets – Wager on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) to be rolled before a 7.
- Field Bet – One-roll bet that wins on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12, with some numbers paying double or triple.
- Proposition Bets – High-risk, one-roll bets on specific totals (like Any Seven or Any Craps) or hardways (a couple of identical dice totalling 4, 6, 8, or 10).
House Edge and Payouts
Although it’s always important to check the machine’s on-screen paytable, here are the general payouts and house edge related to every bet in Bubble craps:
| Bet | Typical Payout | House Edge (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Come | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Come | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Odds (taking) on 4/10 | 2:1 | 0% |
| Odds (taking) on 5/9 | 3:2 | 0% |
| Odds (taking) on 6/8 | 6:5 | 0% |
| Lay Odds (don’t) vs 4/10 | 1:2 (you risk 2 to win 1) | 0% |
| Lay Odds (don’t) vs 5/9 | 2:3 | 0% |
| Lay Odds (don’t) vs 6/8 | 5:6 | 0% |
| Place 6 or 8 (to win) | 7:6 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 (to win) | 7:5 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 (to win) | 9:5 | 6.67% |
| Field (2 pays 2:1, 12 pays 3:1) | various | 2.78% |
| Any Seven | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Any Craps (2,3,12) | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| 2 or 12 (single number) | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| 3 or 11 (single number) | 15:1 | 11.11% |
Developing a Winning Strategy to Play Bubble Craps
While no system can guarantee you’ll stay ahead in a casino, you can increase your odds of success by managing your bankroll carefully, setting limits, and choosing bets with the best odds. A good idea is to focus on low house-edge options, such as Pass Line with Odds, and avoid high-risk propositions that can quickly eat into your money.
Pay attention to the details of each round, the sounds and pace of play, and how other players interact with the machine, as it can add to the excitement and help you enjoy the experience. Based on your goals, decide whether you want steady, smaller winnings or are willing to have a go at bigger hits, but always keep in mind that losses are part of the game.
A variety of betting options are built into bubble craps, so choose what fits your style and play within your means to make each session a fun, sustainable part of your time in the casino.
Top Bubble Craps Tips
Here are some EnergyCasino tried-and-tested tips to help you out in Bubble craps:
- Learn the rules first – Knowing exactly how each bet works will prevent costly mistakes. Take time to understand the come-out roll, how points are established, and what causes each type of bet to win or lose. This knowledge helps you make confident, informed choices instead of guessing.
- Stick to low house-edge bets – Pass Line, Don’t Pass, and Odds bets give you the best long-term value. These wagers keep the casino’s advantage small, which means your bankroll lasts longer. Over time, this approach helps you minimize losses and keep playing.
- Avoid high-risk proposition bets – They may pay big, but they drain your balance quickly. Bets like Any Seven or Hardways have a much higher house edge and are best left for occasional fun. Relying on them often will almost always lead to losing sessions.
- Manage your bankroll – Decide your loss limit before you play and stick to it. Set a separate amount for entertainment and avoid dipping into more money if you run out. This keeps your play safe and prevents regret later.
- Take maximum odds when possible – This increases your potential payout without raising the house edge. Odds bets pay true odds, meaning the casino has no built-in edge on them. Using them wisely boosts your winning hands without extra risk.
- Play at a comfortable pace – Bubble craps can be fast; slow down if needed to make thoughtful decisions. There’s no penalty for taking your time to choose bets carefully. Rushing increases the chance of careless mistakes.
- Watch the paytable – Payouts can vary slightly between machines, so confirm before betting. Some versions may pay less on certain bets like the Field or Hardways. Knowing this ahead of time helps you avoid surprise losses.
- Cash out when you’re ahead – Locking in winnings helps you leave the game profitably. Decide on a win goal before you start, and walk away when you hit it. This prevents you from giving your profits back to the casino.
- Practice discipline – Don’t chase losses or increase bets out of frustration. Staying calm and consistent keeps your strategy intact. Emotional betting is one of the fastest ways to lose money.
- Enjoy the experience – Remember, it’s meant to be fun as well as a chance to win. Treat it as entertainment first, and any money earned is a bonus.
Bubble Craps vs Classic Craps
Bubble craps is a modern, automated version of classic craps, played on a machine equipped with a clear dome containing real dice. Players place their bets using touchscreens, and the machine handles the rolling and payouts automatically.
This setup allows for faster gameplay, lower minimum bets, and a less intimidating environment, making it ideal for newcomers or those who prefer a solo experience. The excitement comes from the visual bounce of the dice, the sounds of the machine, and the variety of betting options—all while maintaining the core rules of traditional craps.
Classic craps, on the other hand, is a social, table-based casino game where a live shooter rolls the dice and players place chips on a felt layout. The interaction with other people and the dealer adds energy and strategy to the game, as bets can influence each round and players can celebrate wins together.