This guide is to improve your chance of a win when playing craps. We shall look at various craps strategies so you can play the best craps games at whatever craps table you visit.
Craps is available in two distinct settings, land-based casinos and online casinos. Both have their pros and cons. Land-based venues have an exciting atmosphere, whereas online casinos are more convenient as you can play craps anywhere through your tablet, computer or smartphone.
Before you continue, please be aware that the odds in craps (as in most casino games) are actual, and no amount of experience, knowledge or best craps strategy will change them.
That is why it is essential to know what the best craps strategies are and which of them has the lowest house edge, and to have a working knowledge of odds bets for craps.
Table of Contents
Picking the Right Bets
There are four main bets when playing craps:-
- The pass bet
- Come bets
- Don’t pass bet
- Don’t come bet
The above bets all have a low-house edge, which you should generally pick when playing craps.
Most online casinos require you to register an account before playing. Once you register with the casino, you can open a craps table. Unlike a land-based casino at an online site, you control the game speed with unlimited time to place bets. Remember, you must deposit some cash into your account if you want to play craps for real money.
The Basics
With a little effort, it is not too hard to learn. You can place a pass bet or don’t pass line bet to open the round. Your bet (or bets) should be equal to or larger than the craps table minimum wager.
The Shooter
The shooter has a single roll of the dice to decide the winning or losing combinations. They should attempt to hit the back wall of the craps table to ensure randomness. In land-based casinos, the role of the shooter is shared between all players. At online casinos, you act as a shooter on every roll by selecting ‘roll’ whenever you have finished betting and are ready to toss the virtual dice.
The Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line Bet
The pass line and don’t pass line bet are the two main craps bets. Both are even money, and you can place your wager before the “come out” roll by the shooter.
- Pass line wins on the come-out if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11. It loses if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12.
- Any other combination of the dice creates a “point” number. If this happens, you need the shooter to roll the point before a 7 for the pass line wins.
- A don’t pass line wins on the come out if you roll a 2. 3. 7 or 11 causes you to lose the don’t pass line,12 results in a push.
- All other numbers establish a point. If this happens, you need the shooter to roll a 7 before the point for you to win.
The Odds Bet
Often, casinos offer a class of bets called “the odds bet”, which pays at true odds and doesn’t carry a house edge, which is rare in the gaming world.
- You can place odds behind a pass line, don’t pass line, come or don’t come bet once a point is established in the game.
- Usually, the casino will cap the size of the odds bet you can use, and you must make one of the four bets mentioned above to be eligible for odds.
Other Betting Systems
Another popular betting system is the come and don’t come bet similar to the pass line and don’t pass line bets. These bets are only available after a point number is determined. The shooter’s next roll becomes the come out when you make one of these bets. A point is established if the come out roll fails to decide your bet.
Come Bet
- Pays 1:1
- Wins on the come out with a 7 or 11
- Loses on the come out with a 2, 3, or 12
- Establishes a point with 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10
- A Point number must be rolled before a 7 to win
Don’t Come Bets
- Pays 1:1
- Wins on the come out with a 2 or 3
- Loses on the come out with a 7 or 11
- Pushes on the come out with a 12
- Establishes a point with 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets (or prop bets or centre bets) are a category of single roll wagers. Experienced craps players refer to them as “sucker” bets as the house edge is high. Not one proposition bet gives the house an advantage over the player under 9%.
Either you win or lose on the next roll with a proposition bet, and you can place one at any stage in the game.
Point Molly
The three point Molly is a betting system that is an aggressive betting system for craps beginners. It is simple to learn and gives you free odds bets that offer higher odds and payout. The 3 point Molly also lowers the house edge by maximising the odds bets behind the come/pass bets.
It is important to cover the right bets when there is such a wide selection on offer. The three point Molly works on a series of outcomes.
- First, bet the pass line (one of the fundamental plays in craps). This bet is for the shooter to win (you). If the come out roll is 7 or 11, you win the bet. If the come out is 2, 3, or 12 you lose. Any other outcome establishes the point on which all subsequent bets are made.
- The pass line bet is backed up with a come wager using the three point Molly betting system. Once the point is set a come bet is placed. The come is a wager on the outcome of the next roll from the shooter. If a 7 or 11 is rolled, the bet wins. If a 2, 3, or 12 comes up, you lose the bet. If a 4, 4, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled the come bet is moved into a special box on the table
- This number then becomes your own “personal point” number. Your bet will either lose or win depending on the next number thrown.
- Once your come bet wins, you should place another one right away. Repeat the process until the point is rolled, or a 7. Often losses are offset by a win using this betting system.
Conclusion
Although the terminology of craps can be confusing, along with the array of possible bets, it is well worth trying out this face-paced exciting game. Trying out different bets and craps strategies whilst playing in demo mode is a way of learning before chancing your skill against the casino with your hard-earned cash. Once you feel confident with your skills, open a craps table to enjoy the thrill of the roll of the dice. You never know, it might be your lucky day!
