Craps is one of the most exciting and fast-paced games found in a casino, often filled with energy and surrounded by cheers from players.
Whether you’re new to the game or looking to refine your approach, understanding craps strategy is key to enhancing your experience and potentially increasing your chances of success. This guide will cover the fundamentals of the game, discuss some strategies for beginners, and explore the most successful approaches to playing craps.
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What is Craps?
Craps is a dice game where players bet on the outcome of the roll or a series of rolls of two six-sided dice. The game is typically played at a large table, often with multiple players, but the bets are placed individually. It’s a game of chance, but there are various betting options that can influence the odds and the house advantage.
How the Game Works
At the start of the game, players place their bets on the “Pass Line” or “Don’t Pass Line.” The first roll of the dice is called the “come-out roll.” If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, Pass Line bettors win. If it’s a 2, 3, or 12, they lose. If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that number becomes the “point,” and the shooter (the person rolling the dice) will continue to roll until they either roll the point number again (in which case Pass Line bettors win) or roll a 7 (which means Pass Line bettors lose).
Betting Options
Craps offers a wide range of betting options beyond the basic Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line. These include:
- Come and Don’t Come bets: Similar to Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line but are made after the point has been established.
- Odds Bets: Additional bets that can be placed once a point has been established, which have no house edge.
- Place Bets: Betting on a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) being rolled before a 7.
- Proposition Bets: These are one-roll bets on specific outcomes, like the shooter rolling a 2, 3, 11, or 12 on their next roll. These bets have a high house edge and are typically not recommended for long-term play.
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Beginner Craps Strategy
For those just starting with craps, the game can seem overwhelming due to its numerous betting options and fast-paced action. However, by focusing on a few key strategies, beginners can minimize their risk and begin to understand the dynamics of the game. Here is our beginner craps strategy to help build a foundation for new bettors in the game.
- Stick to the Pass Line Bet
As a beginner, the easiest and most straightforward bet to start with is the Pass Line bet. It has a low house edge of 1.41%, making it one of the best options for new players. This bet is made before the come-out roll, and it pays if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the first roll, while it loses on a 2, 3, or 12. If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that becomes the “point,” and the shooter continues to roll until they hit the point again (which means you win) or roll a 7 (which means you lose). This simple bet helps you get familiar with the game while minimizing your exposure to high-risk options.
- Take Advantage of Odds Bets
Once you’ve placed your Pass Line bet and the point is established, you can place an additional bet called an Odds bet. The key benefit here is that this bet has no house edge. The Odds bet is paid at true odds, meaning the casino doesn’t take any extra advantage on it. For beginners, this is an easy way to make an additional wager without increasing the house edge.
Start by placing the Pass Line bet, and once a point is established, add an Odds bet. Most casinos allow you to bet a multiple of your original Pass Line bet, and this wager offers a good value compared to many other craps bets.
What is the Best Craps Strategy?
In any casino game, players are often looking for ways to increase their odds of winning or to maximize their enjoyment. Craps is no exception, and while it’s ultimately a game of luck, there are strategies that can help minimize the house edge and make the game more manageable. We’ve put together our best craps strategy below.
The Pass Line Bet with Odds
One of the best strategies in craps is to combine the basic Pass Line bet with an odds bet. The Pass Line bet has a relatively low house edge of around 1.41%. After the point is established, you can place an odds bet, which has no house edge. This means that when you bet on the odds after the point is set, you’re betting at true odds, which significantly reduces the house advantage. The odds bet is one of the few bets in the casino that is favourable to the player.
How It Works:
- You place a Pass Line bet.
- If the come-out roll establishes a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), you can then place an odds bet on top of your Pass Line bet.
- The odds bet is paid according to true odds, depending on the point number:
- 4 or 10: 2:1
- 5 or 9: 3:2
- 6 or 8: 6:5
This strategy minimizes the house edge because the odds bet has no built-in advantage for the casino.
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What is the Most Successful Craps Strategy?
You may be wondering: “What the best strategy for craps?” While no strategy guarantees a win due to the inherent randomness of dice rolls, combining conservative betting strategies with smart odds management can maximize your chances of success over time. The most successful craps strategy is often the simplest:
Pass Line + Odds + Come Bet with Odds
This strategy minimizes risk while taking advantage of the favourable odds offered in the game. By combining the Pass Line bet with an odds bet and adding a Come bet with odds, you’re covering multiple possible outcomes while keeping your house edge low.
- Pass Line bet offers a solid, low-risk foundation with a 1.41% house edge.
- Odds bet on the point has no house edge, making it a great bet to place after a point is established.
- Come bet gives you additional coverage, allowing you to capitalize on favourable rolls after the come-out phase.
This multi-layered approach allows players to be involved in the action without taking excessive risks. By focusing on bets with low house edges and combining them with odds, we believe this method is the best strategy for craps.
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Conclusion
Craps is a thrilling game, and while it’s largely based on luck, players can employ strategies that enhance their odds and manage risks more effectively. The best approach is to stick with low house edge bets, like the Pass Line and Come bets, and take advantage of the odds bet, which has no house edge at all. Though no strategy can guarantee a win in craps, following these tips will give you the best chance of having a successful and enjoyable time at the table.
