Basic Craps Betting Strategy
- You would now remove the odds bet on the don’t pass. By adding the odds bet to the don’t pass when making a don’t come bet, you are insuring a win if a 7 is thrown, instead of just breaking even. Reprinted from an article in Chance magazine, with permission from the author, Larry Edell. Visit his site at The Craps Shooter to learn more.
- Craps is based on the most popular number – seven, and how the other numbers compare. For example, if a seven rolls six times and the six rolls give times, the odds of the six rolling before the seven are 5:6. In more practical terms, it means if you place a bet for $5 on the six and it rolls before the seven does, you win $6 for your $5 bet.
Learning how to play craps isn’t as difficult as you might think. People are often steer away from playing the game because they think its too complex, but the only particularly complicated aspect is all the different types of bets that can be placed.
You don’t actually need to learn all of them to start playing and you can just stick to the simplest ones if you like.
It’s no surprise that multitudes of strategies have been developed around place betting the (6) & (8) as these numbers give the craps player one of the be best advantages of beating the casinos. First of all, both the (6) and the (8) are the numbers likely to roll most often, next to the (7). Craps is a dice game in which the players make wagers on the outcome of the roll, or a series of rolls, of a pair of dice. Players may wager money against each other (playing 'street craps') or a bank (playing 'casino craps', also known as 'table craps', or often just 'craps').Because it requires little equipment, 'street craps' can be played in informal settings.
You do, however, need to understand how the game is played.
This article will help as we cover everything you need to know to play craps in a live casino or online.
We explain the main objective of the game, the craps table, the betting layout, and the basic rules. We also introduce the different types of bets.
Game Objective in Craps
The main objective in craps is really quite straightforward. Basically you are just betting on the outcome of the roll of two dice.
Craps is pure chance since you can’t affect the outcome in any way, but you do have the choice of several wagers. The majority of these wagers are ultimately based on what combination of dice will be rolled.
The goal in craps is therefore to try to correctly predict which numbers will come up on the next roll. This is, of course, guesswork, but it doesn’t stop the game being a lot of fun.
Craps is played on a specially-designed table that features a betting layout where players can place their wagers. In a live casino, a table would look something like this.
The dice are rolled on the table by one of the participating players, referred to as the shooter. Typically, a new player will become the shooter at the end of each round, although one player may remain as the shooter for several in a row.
Anyone at the table, including the shooter, can make wagers by placing their chips in the appropriate spot on the betting layout.
A craps table requires the attention of several casino employees. You’ll usually find the following people running a table.
The boxman is in charge of the chips at the table. He (or she) will exchange cash into chips for players and swap them for different denominations if required. He’s also responsible for supervising the dealers and generally ensuring that the game runs smoothly.
The stickman is in charge of the dice. He moves them around the table with the use of a stick (hence the name), passing them to the shooter at the start of each roll. He will also announce the outcome of each roll.
A craps table usually features two base dealers, one standing on either side. They are responsible for collecting losing bets and paying out winners. When requested to do so, they can also place certain bets on behalf of players.
The Craps Table (Online Casino)
The rules of craps are the same regardless of whether you are playing in a live setting or online. However, things are a lot simpler online. There’s no allocated shooter, as technically you are the shooter every time you play.
The diced are rolled automatically when you press the relevant button, and you place your bets by clicking in the appropriate place on the betting layout.
The following is an example of what an online craps table looks like:
Basic Rules
Each round in craps starts with what is known as the come-out roll. Most casinos will require that the shooter place a bet before making this roll on either the pass line or the don’t pass line.
If the combined value of the two dice on a come-out roll equals 2, 3, or 12, then this is “crapping out” and the round is over. Players will lose pass line bets and win don’t pass bets. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, the round is also over.
Basic Craps Strategy
If any other value is rolled on the come-out roll i.e. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, then a point is established, equal to the value rolled, and the round continues into the next stage.
The shooter continues to roll with players betting on the outcome of each, until they roll either a 7 or the point value that has been established.
Following a roll of either 7 or the point value, the round is over and a new come-out roll is required. It’s standard practice for the shooter to pass the dice to another player if a round ends with a 7, and to stay as shooter if the round ends with the point value being rolled.
This is essentially all there is to the basic rules of craps. What makes the game more complex are all the different bets that can be placed.
The following is a list of the different wagers you can place when playing craps.
- Pass Line
- Don’t Pass
- Come
- Don’t Come
- Pass Line Odds
- Don’t Pass Odds
- Come Odds
- Don’t Come Odds
- Place Win
- Place Lose
- Buy
- Lay
- Big 6
- Big 8
- Hardways
- Field
- Any 7
- Any 11
- Any Craps
- Ace Deuce
- Aces
- Boxcar
As you can see, there are numerous different bets in craps. Please don’t let this steer you away from playing the game as you really don’t need to learn them all.
They are pretty simple overall; it just takes a little time to familiarize yourself with each one.
You can read about all these bets in more detail here.
If you’re ready to put what you’ve learned here into action, you might want to consider trying out an online casino. You can play craps at most of the top online casinos that we recommend. If you want to play for real money, you’ll get a bonus for signing up and making your first deposit. And if you prefer to just play for fun, that’s an option at most places, too. Here are some of the online casinos we recommend playing at.
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It’s no hidden secret that the house always wins in casino games. This is the only way the casino can make enough money to pay their costs including staff, operations and maintenance etc. But in Craps in particular, the house edge can be very high compared to other games. The % of winning at Craps can be improved if you know the best way to play craps.
Some craps bets for instance can have up to a 14% edge. This means if you play craps recklessly in a casino, without learning any craps strategy and how to win at craps, you’ll lose a lot of money in a short space of time.
By reading up our Craps strategy, before you play online craps or live craps, you’ll minimise your losses (and maximise your chance to winning at craps) by sticking to profitable bets with a low house edge. You can avoid the costly bets that only suckers make, and in the long term you’ll increase your expected value from the game. You can also check out the various Craps betting systems which have been published online and used a lot by craps players. So let’s read and learn how to win at craps.
Craps Strategy : Best Craps Bets
The best bets to place, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, are the Pass Line bet and Don’t Pass Line bets. These bets are similar to Blackjack and roulette in that you basically have a 50/50 chance of doubling up and the house only has a 1.41% advantage.
“Betting Against the Line” means you are betting against the run of play. These odds are actually slightly better than Pass Line bet as the house only has a 1.40% edge. You win by laying the person rolling and hoping that he hits a 7 before his Point. Be careful when placing this bet however, because it tends to mean you are betting against everyone else at the table i.e. when you win they lose.
The second range of optimal betting includes place 6, place 8, buy 4 and buy 10. Buying the 4 and 10 is cheaper than placing them. Just remember that placing the other numbers is cheaper than buying them.
Most players are unaware of this but there are a few bets you can make that have a 0% house advantage. These are the Taking the Odds and Laying the Odds. Unfortunately, you need to have previously placed the minimum bet on Pass Line of Don’t Pass Line to place these, which happens to give the House a marginal advantage overall. Most casinos also limit the amount you can wager on the odds bets. This is related to your Pass Line/Don’t Pass bets e.g. limit of 2-5x.
Take a look at our craps bets guide for in-depth guide about the best craps bets.
We also have to mention that we found some good strategy articles at www.casinosformoney.com for both craps and other casino games.
Worst Craps Bets
Generally speaking, the higher the real odds the larger the House’s mark-up. This means betting on an unlikely event like “Big 6/Big 8” gives the house a massive 9.1% advantage. These are horrible odds for any gambler. Even though the payouts are high I would avoid these hit-and-miss bets.
The worst thing you can do in Craps is make “Big Round”, Hard Way or Field bets. Punters who bet on individual numbers is the big money maker for casinos. The odds can be even worse for Hard numbers like Hard Eight where the real odds of 10:1 are replaced by Casino odds of 9:1. The worst proposition bets give the House a 16% advantage in some casinos. Snake Eyes (1 and 1) is one of the most popular proposition bets but it is also costly. It gives the house a 14% advantage.
Craps Tips
When playing craps at casinos, get comfortable with the pass, come, and free odds wagers. The only good wagers are the pass, don’t pass, come, don’t come, free odds, and placing the 6 and 8 wagers. In the beginning, stay with the pass line and a come wager or two (with odds). The house edge is good for pass (1.41%) and don’t pass (1.36%) wagers.
By laying odds, these numbers will be reduced, too. It’s best to ignore all systems when online gambling and playing craps. This game is full of energy and excitement. Just be sure to be familiar with the above wagers before you start playing this popular game. Have fun!
- It is best to make your betting selection(s) or establish a pattern of play and stick to it.
- For those of you who want to play longer and enjoy the action, it is best to stick to the ‘pass/don’t pass’ and ‘come/don’t come’ bets.
- For those of you who wish to ‘hit and run’ and winning is your priority, go for the high-odds bets.
- Raise your betting if you are winning, lower your betting if you are losing.
- You should never quit after a win.
- Last but not least, do not plan to win with every roll of the dice.
If you are the shooter at a craps table, your must make sure that you throw the dice far enough to bounce off of the far or side wall. This is a requirement when shooting craps. By bouncing off of the wall casinos can be sure that the winning numbers are random.
Gamblers Fallacy
There is a common tendency for gamblers to make predictions. The thing that you should be doing is trying to plan out your bets based upon your previous bets. Let me give you a couple of examples:
Best 5 Craps Strategies
STRATEGY #1: Using Classic Regression
Goal: To earn profit on a single hit.
1) Wait until the shooter establishes a point before placing your bets.
2) Once the point is determined, place $6.00 (two units) on both the 6 and 8 (For a total wager of $12.00).
3) After a single hit, ask the Dealer to go down one unit on both the 6 & 8.
Results: You have earned $2.00 and can no longer be taken by the Seven. You also still have $12.00 working for you. After a second hit, bring down all your wagers and wait for the shooter to roll the point or a 7. When this is achieved, start the process over.
On two hits your total earning is $21.00. You can bring down your wagers after the first hit, earning $14.00. Or, you can keep betting on the 6 & 8. If you choose to continue riding your wagers, make sure both the 6 & 8 are covered.
Behind the Strategy: There are exactly ten different combined ways to create a 6 and 8. There are exactly six combined ways for creating a seven.
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STRATEGY #2: Putting the ” Three Point Molly” to Use
Goal: To have three numbers working for your advantage at all times.
1) Place a Pass Line wager.
2) Backup your Pass Line wager by placing single or double odds on it.
3) Place a Come Line wager.
4) Backup your Come Bet wager by placing single or double odds on it (Two Come bets maximum).
5) When a Come Bets wins, immediately place another.
6) Repeat this process until the shooter rolls the point or a seven (Seven-Out).
Behind the Strategy: Every Come Bet you place will protect your original Pass Line wager. This will allow you to take advantage of a hot and lucky shooter.
STRATEGY #3: Winning with “Anything But Seven”
Goal: To win with any rolled number besides a seven.
1) Wait until the shooter establishes a point before placing your bets.
2) Once the point is determined, place $6.00 (two units) on the 5, 6 and 8 (For a total wager of $36.00).
3) Place one unit on the Field ($3.00).
Result: If the shooter keeps the dice for at least three rolls, you can earn $15.00-$27.00. If a two or twelve are thrown, you will earn even more. It is advisable to remove all your wagers after three rolls. Since this is a high risk bet with $39.00 invested, it is a safe precaution to do so.
Behind the Strategy: The average shooter rolls the dice 4 to 6 times before throwing a 7.
STRATEGY #4: Playing a “6/8 Play”
Goal: To earn substantial profit on just two hits.
1) Wait until the shooter rolls one more time after making a point.
2) Make a Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line wager.
3) Place $18.00 on both the 6 & 8 for a net wager of $36.00.
4) After a 6 or 8 is rolled, tell the dealer you want $22.00 Inside.
5) On the very next hit, tell the dealer to take down the 5 and 9.
6) Let the shooter throw the dice three more times, and then bring down the 6 & 8.
Results: After the First Hit you will get back $21.00, and $14.00 from the takedown to 22 Inside. Your net exposure after the first hit is $1.00, with $22.00 in your favor. The second hit will make $7.00 plus the return of $10.00, resulting from the 5 and 9 takedown. After two hits you will have earned $16.00 profit, and will still have $12.00 working in your favor. At this time, you can choose to either have the 6 and 8 continue working for you, or, take your $12.00 off the table.
Basic Craps Strategy For Beginners
Behind the Strategy: If the shooter has not rolled the point or a 6 or 8 by the fourth roll, you should take down all wagers and wait for another shooter. You can lay down $24.00 instead of $36.00 to begin with if you do not want to risk as much. With a hot and lucky shooter you may want to keep the 5 and 9 up and playing for more than just one throw.
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STRATEGY #5: Using Regressive and Pressing Methods
Goal: Letting your earnings ride after recovering your beginning investment.
1) After the player makes their point, place $18.00 on both the 6 and 8 for a total investment of $36.00.
2) After the first hit, tell the dealer you want $22.00 inside.
3) Remove the 5 and 9 after the second hit has occurred.
4) Immediately place the 5 and 9 back up after the third hit has occurred.
5) After the fourth hit, press the 6 and 8 up to $12.00 each for a total of $24.00.
6) After the fifth hit; return to Step #1 and repeat the process.
Results: After the first hit, you will get back $21.00 and $14.00 from the takedown to 22 inside. Your exposure risk is $1.00. After the second hit has occurred, you will get back $7.00 plus an additional $10.00 by removing the 5 & 9. Your total profit after two hits is exactly $16.00, with $12.00 working for you.
Easy Craps Strategy
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