Craps Strategy | For many newcomers to the world of craps, the intricate layout of the table can be overwhelming, resembling ancient scripts that are hard to decipher. However, craps is not as complicated as it appears at first glance. In fact, with the right strategy, players have a good chance of beating the house in each session.
The key lies in making informed and prudent bets. In this article, we’ll discuss some easy-to-understand betting strategies that give players an edge over the casino.
A Beginner’s Winning Move
If you’re new to craps or just want a simple, yet effective strategy, here’s one for you. Choose any amount of money (e.g., $6, $12, $18, $24, $30, and so on) for a single bet. Place this amount on the table and tell the dealer, “Twelve dollars on the six” or “Twelve dollars on the eight.”
How It Works
The dealer will place your chips on the number you’ve indicated. If the shooter rolls your chosen number, you win $14. If the shooter rolls a 7, you lose your $12 bet.
The Reasoning
The reason you win more than you lose is that the number 7 is more likely to come up (six times) compared to the number 6 or 8 (five times each). All other numbers rolled are irrelevant to your bet. This straightforward strategy offers a house edge of 1.52%, making it one of the best bets at the craps table.
Craps Strategy – Understanding the Game
To fully grasp the game, focus on two primary bets: the Pass Line and the Come bet.
The Pass Line
The Pass Line is the line closest to the players and serves as the game’s indicator. The shooter rolls five dice and selects two to shoot with. Each player has the opportunity to be the shooter.
The Come-Out Roll
The shooter places a bet on the Pass Line and makes the initial roll, known as the “come-out roll.” If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, they win the Pass Line bet at even money. Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 results in a loss. There are eight winning combinations and four losing combinations.
Establishing the Point
If the shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the “point.” The shooter must roll the point number again before rolling a 7 to win the Pass Line bet.
The House Edge
The Pass Line bet carries a house edge of 1.41%, resulting in an expected loss of $1.41 per $100 wagered.
Craps Strategy – The Come Bet
After the shooter establishes a point number, players can place bets in the “COME” area of the layout. The Come bet operates similarly to the Pass Line bet, winning on 7 or 11, losing on 2, 3, and tying on 12. If the shooter rolls one of the point numbers, the Come bet moves to that number. Rolling a 7 results in a loss.
The House Edge
The Come bet shares the same house edge as the Pass Line bet at 1.41%.
Craps Strategy – Utilizing Odds Bets
An excellent addition to Pass Line and Come bets is the odds bet. This bet can be made after the shooter establishes a point or a box number on the Come bet.
How Odds Bets Work
The odds bet is placed behind the original chips on the Pass Line or on top of a Come bet. It is a bet with no house edge and is paid off at true odds. The payout depends on the point number: 2-to-1 for 4 and 10, 3-to-2 for 5 and 9, and 6-to-5 for 6 and 8.
The House Edge
Since odds bets have no house edge, it is wise to make Pass Line and Come bets small and take the most affordable odds.
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Craps Strategy – Steer Clear of Bad Bets
Many other bets at craps come with a higher house edge, making them less favorable choices for players. These bets include “branded” bets like the Fire Bet and high/low bets, which can have house edges as high as 20% to 25%.
Craps Strategy – Final Words of Wisdom
Stick to the best bets mentioned above: Pass Line, Come bet, odds on Pass Line and Come bets, and placing the 6 and 8. Avoid placing multiple bets, as it increases your expected losses over time. By following these strategies, you can increase your chances of success and enjoy a more rewarding craps experience. Remember, money saved is money earned in the world of craps!