Craps can be one of the most exciting games at the casino, but many players may throw away chance after chance by sticking to bets with high house edges. Understanding the odds and knowing where to place your bets can significantly increase your potential for a rewarding session.
Understanding Craps Odds and Bets
Craps is all about the odds, and knowing which bets to avoid or embrace can make all the difference. The allure of high payouts can often lead players to make riskier bets, which typically come with higher house edges.
The Pass and Don’t Pass Bets
The Pass Line bet is one of the most fundamental bets in craps. It offers a relatively low house edge of 1.41%. Betting on the Pass Line means you win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, and lose if they roll a 2, 3, or 12. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the point, and the shooter must roll that number again before rolling a 7 for Pass Line bets to win.
Conversely, the Don’t Pass bet, which wins on a come-out roll of 2 or 3, ties on 12, and loses on 7 and 11, offers a slightly better house edge of 1.36%. This makes Don’t Pass one of the best bets on the table.
Opting for Come and Don’t Come Bets
Similar to the Pass and Don’t Pass bets, Come and Don’t Come bets are made after the come-out roll. A Come bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, loses on a 2, 3, or 12, and moves to a number if any other is rolled, needing that number to be rolled again before a 7 to win. These bets offer the same odds as Pass Line bets and are also a strategic choice.
Maximizing Your Odds
To truly capitalize on craps, savvy players need to understand the concept of taking or laying odds.
Taking the Odds
Once a point is established by the come-out roll, you have the option to “take the odds” if you have placed a Pass or Come bet. This essentially means you are betting additional money that the point will be rolled before a 7. Taking the odds is one of the few bets in the casino without a house edge.
Laying the Odds
Similarly, if you have made a Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet, you can “lay the odds,” betting that a 7 will be rolled before the point number. Like taking the odds, laying the odds has no house edge, making it one of the wisest bets in craps.
Smart Bankroll Management
Effective bankroll management is critical in craps to ensure that you can endure the ebbs and flows of the game, particularly during an extended period at the table.
Setting Loss Limits
Before you even begin to play, decide on the amount of money you are willing to lose, and stick to it. It’s crucial not to chase your losses in craps, as the game’s pace can lead to rapid wagering if you’re not careful.
Betting Strategically
It’s tempting to make high-risk bets, especially when feeling lucky, but consistently sticking to bets with lower house edges is a prudent strategy. Betting on Pass/Come or Don’t Pass/Don’t Come with maximum odds is generally your best bet for long-term gains.
Increasing Your Chances
There is no surefire way to guarantee wins in craps, but you can improve your potential outcomes by playing smart.
Practicing and Learning
If new to craps, spend time learning the game at lower-stakes tables or through online simulations. The more comfortable you are with the game’s rhythms and rules, the better your decisions will be.
Stay Observant
Pay close attention to the shooter and the trends at the table. Some players prefer betting with shooters who seem to be on a lucky streak. While this has no basis in the game’s statistics, it can add to your enjoyment, and feeling positive can lead to better play.
With a combination of strategic betting and sharp bankroll management, craps can transform from a daunting table of numbers into a game ripe with potential for exhilarating wins and considerable entertainment.
Garry Sputnim is a seasoned journalist and storyteller with over a decade of experience in the trenches of global news. With a keen eye for uncovering stories that resonate, Alex has reported from over 30 countries, bringing light to untold narratives and the human faces behind the headlines. Specializing in investigative journalism, Garry has a knack for technology and social justice issues, weaving compelling narratives that bridge tech and humanity. Outside the newsroom, Garry is an avid rock climber and podcast host, exploring stories of resilience and innovation.