If you are not up to playing casino games that require maths skills, a famous dice game called Craps can be right up your street. Even though all dice games have rules, they are so much easier to play than, let’s say, Blackjack. Craps strategy is actually simple to understand and apply. Just like another dice game, Sic Bo, Craps is based on a player’s luck, but if you can understand odds and avoid crucial mistakes, you can definitely win. So, we decided to put this guide together for both beginners to the game, as well as experienced players looking to refine their game.
Craps Basics
Before running, it is important to learn to walk, so let’s take a look at how the game works. There are two dice used in Craps and gamblers bet on the outcome of the roll or a series of rolls. The come-out roll is how the game starts. This will determine whether certain bets win immediately, lose immediately or establish a point.
It is a good idea to learn the complete Craps rules if you are new to the game before trying advanced betting approaches. Understanding the flow of the game, the betting options, as well as the table layout, will give you confidence and make a strategy a lot easier to apply.
The Number One Rule of Craps Strategy
It is important to focus on bets with the lowest house edge. Many Craps bets can look attractive because they may offer large payouts, but these bets will come with terrible odds. To have long-term success with Craps, you want to consistently pick the bets that give the casino the smallest edge.
These are some examples:
Pass line bets
Don’t pass bets
Come bets
Don’t come bets
Odds bets
These types of bets are the basis of nearly all proven Craps strategy.
Best Bet Types
Here you can review bet types that protect your bankroll and give casinos the smaller advantage.
The Pass Line & Odds System
This is the strategy that seems to work well in 99% of cases. It offers some of the best maths on the casino floor. That’s how it looks:
Make a Pass Line bet before the come-out roll.
If a point has been established, put an Odds bet behind your Pass Line bet.
You must keep supporting the point until it is made or a seven is rolled.
The Pass Line has a low house edge and the Odd bet has no house edge. By taking advantage of the Odds bet whenever you can, it is possible to reduce the casino’s advantage. This is a simple approach to learn and is great for beginners in Craps.
The Don’t Pass Strategy
There are lots of experienced Craps players who prefer betting against the shooter through the Don’t Pass line.
The process is simple:
Make a Don’t Pass bet before the come-out roll.
You will win if a 2 or 3 is rolled.
Lose if a 7 or 11 is rolled.
It will be a push if a 12 appears.
Once a point is established, you win if a 7 appears before the point is repeated.
Mathematically, the Don’t Pass wager gives a slightly better house edge than the Pass Line. There are some players who will avoid it because they are betting against the shooter; it is one of the strongest bets on the table. By adding Don’t Pass Odds, you can further improve your expected value.
Come Bets That Expend Your Strategy
A Come bet works exactly like a Pass Line bet, and the only difference you place it later in the game. There are lots of players who use Come bets to create multiple opportunities of winning during a single round.
An example:
Start with a Pass Line bet.
When a point has been established, place a Come bet.
Once the Come bet has its own number, place Odds behind it.
Try this bet type later in the game.
This method allows gamblers to have more than one active number working at the same time. It is worth remembering that when you increase the number of wagers, it also chips away at your bankroll. This is why good bankroll management is essential.
Proposition Bets You Should Steer Clear Of
As a beginner you should forget about large payouts. At least for some time. You are likely to make mistakes and lose your money. So, ditch these preposition wagers:
Any 7
Any Craps
Hardways
Horn Bets
Going after bets like this may seem exciting, but they have the worst odds in the casino. It can certainly be entertaining chasing large payouts, but over the long term, these types of bets will lose your bankroll. Smart Craps players will always append the majority of their bankroll on low-edge bets and use proposition bets now and again.
Bankroll Management
Even if you are playing the best Craps strategy, it will never overcome short-term variance. That is why bankroll management is critical. Here are a few simple rules you should stick to:
Set a Budget: How much are you willing to lose? Is it $10? That’s also fine, If you are having a bad run and reach your loss limit, stop playing.
Be Consistent With Bet Sizes: Do not drastically increase your bets after a win or after a loss. When you are consistent with your bets, it will help reduce emotional decision-making.
Separate Betting Money: Do not use money that should be used to pay bills or buy food. Only use money that is set aside for entertainment purposes.
Take Breaks: Craps tables can move quickly, especially when you are on a good run. By taking breaks, you will be able to maintain discipline and concentration.
Real-Money Craps Strategy
The principles are the same whether you are playing at a brick-and-mortar establishment or real money Craps online platforms. In fact, if you are playing Craps on the Internet, it is often easier to learn the game as you can play at your own pace. Players can even review all the betting options with no pressure from a busy table.
We suggest you look at our trusted casino list we compiled to help you choose legitimate sites with a solid choice of fair games.
Sophia Novakivska has already been spending 12 years on everything related to gambling writing. Slot and casino reviews, comparisons, top options for different audiences, news, how-tos and gambling history - she knows the area and proved it with her publications on Better Collective, AskGamblers and Gambling.com. For four years, Sophia is into NZ iGaming niche where she analyzes the online casino bonuses, live games, new slot releases, and sport news. Sophia’s credentials: GLI University’s iGaming testing & compliance course (2020) and UKGC-approved Responsible Gambling certification (2022).
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