Craps Strategy Guide

Our comprehensive craps strategy guide aims to enhance your skills as a craps player and increase your chances of winning. While craps is primarily a game of chance, there are certain strategies you can employ to improve your outcomes.

It is crucial to steer clear of sucker bets and avoid relying on betting systems when playing craps. In this expert guide to online craps, we delve into different craps strategies, providing you with valuable insights. To facilitate your understanding, we have included several tables for your convenience.

Editor & Casino-Expert

The most advantageous bets in craps are the Pass/Don’t Pass and Come/Don’t-Come bets. These bets effectively reduce the house edge by around 1.40%.

Increasing Your Chances with Craps Bets

Additional favorable bets in craps include the Place 6, Place 8, Field 2, and 12 bets.

Any other wagers carry a high level of risk, as they provide online casinos with an advantage of up to 11%.

Craps Betting Strategy Guide

Are Pass and Come Bets Beneficial?

If you want to enhance your craps betting strategy, consider using the pass and come bets. These bets provide a small advantage to the house and are considered the best bets, both in online and land-based casinos.

They offer a secure betting approach for playing craps. The Pass Line Bet is particularly popular, as it has a house edge of 1.41%. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 7 after establishing the point number, or a 12 on the come-out roll, the player loses.

The Come Bet Craps Betting Strategy

The Come Bet is similar to the Pass Line Bet and is placed after the point number is established. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 after the come bet, the player wins, but if they roll a 2, 3, or 12, the bet is lost.

What Happens If I Bet the Opposite?

Believe it or not, there is a strategy called the ‘wrong way bet’ in craps that some players often employ.

This betting strategy allows you to bet against other players who use the Pass and Come Bets.

Smart craps players find these bets appealing because they tend to be successful.

The Don’t Pass Bet

With the Don’t Pass bet craps strategy, you win when a 2 or 3 is rolled. If a 7 or 11 appears, you lose the bet. Rolling a 12 results in a ‘Push’ or tie.

The house advantage of the Don’t Pass bet is 1.36%, which is acceptable. You can also play craps at live dealer casinos.

For any other number not mentioned, the shooter continues to roll the dice. Rolling a 7 before establishing the point is considered favorable.

What Is the Don’t Come Bet?

The Don’t Come Bet is the inverse of the Come bet. It pays out even money and has a house edge of 1.41%.

After the point is established, this bet wins when the numbers 3 or 2 are rolled. A tie occurs when a 12 is rolled.

To win shortly after the point number is established, the shooter must roll a 7.

Implementing the Laying Odds Craps Strategy

Another betting strategy in craps is called “laying odds.” This strategy carries no house advantage when you place this bet on the Pass or Come bet.

Once the point is established, you have the opportunity to place additional bets “on the odds.” If the point is rolled again, it works in your favor, particularly if it happens before a 7.

Players often favor this craps betting strategy because the house advantage applies only to the Pass line bet, while the odds bet remains unaffected.

By increasing your bets on the odds, you can further reduce the house edge.

The Inside/Out Betting Strategy

The Inside/Out betting craps strategy is particularly effective when playing for extended periods. If the minimum bet at the table is $5, the recommended minimum buy-in should be $200. Additionally, the dice set should be 6,2/6,2 with the 3,3 on the thumb and 2’2 to the right.

As suggested by ‘Laymedown‘ at the Wizard of Vegas, you should bet $24 on the COME BET AREA. Ask the dealer to place $12 each on the numbers 6 and 8. If you win, instruct the dealer to take your bets to “32” across the point.

Place a $1 1 bet on all the “hard ways,” and the dealer will pay you $2. Ensure that you cover the Place4, Place5, Place6, Place8, Place9, and Place10 on the table.

You can employ the same strategy for larger bets.

Is the Field Bet Worth It?

The Field Bet is another viable betting strategy. Essentially, it combines the Field Bet, Don’t Pass, and Don’t Come.

In the Field betting box, the dealer places the numbers 2, 3, and 12. When the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, all three numbers win.

The Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets pay 1:1 when the roll is 2. This is in stark contrast to the Field bet, which pays 1:2. Moreover, it is a lucrative bet that allows players to win $4 for every $1 wagered.

Additionally, 3 pays even money, while 12 pays 1:2 for the Field bet. The Field bet does not pay for the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets.

Utilize the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. They appear in the Field box and increase your chances of winning. The house edge for the Field Bet is 5.56%.

Trying Out the 6 and 8 in Craps Betting Strategy

Betting on the 6 and 8 is not the most favorable option, but it does lower the house edge to 1.52%. Avoid betting on the Big 6 and Big 8, as they have an excessive house edge of 9.09%.

Is Betting Aggressively Helpful in Craps?

If you cannot identify the inexperienced player at the table within 5 minutes, then you are that inexperienced player. The same concept applies to making unwise bets in craps.

Although the payouts are considerably higher, it is extremely risky. However, if you are one of those craps players who thrive on taking risks, then go ahead.

Play it safe and avoid placing bets on the Big 6 and Big 8. To put it simply, they have a house edge of 9.09% (with a 1:1 payout).

It is better to place your bets on the Place 6 and Place 8. The house edge is 1.52%, and they pay out at 7 to 6.

Another craps betting strategy to stay away from is the “Hardwaysbets on 4, 6, 8, and 10. Avoid them because they have a house edge of around 10%.

What Are Proposition Bets?

These are additional risky bets with a very high house edge. Regardless of how enticing they may seem, avoid proposition bets unless you are a high roller.

If you win on a proposition bet, the payout is an impressive 30 to 1. However, it is strongly advised to steer clear of these proposition bets:

• Any Craps

• Any 3

• Any 2 or 12

• Any Craps 11

Craps Odds

The outcome of a bet, whether it’s a win or a loss, is determined by the roll of the dice. It’s important to understand the likelihood of different bets and the corresponding payouts based on the numbers rolled.

Craps Strategy Tables

Number: DiceCombinations: DiceNumber of ways
21-11
31-2, 2-12
41-3, 2-2, 3-13
51-4, 2-3, 3-2, 4-14
61-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-15
71-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-16
82-6, 3-5, 4-4, 5-3, 6-25
93-6, 4-5, 5-4, 6-34
104-6, 5-5, 6-43
115-6, 6-52
126-61
Bets/HandsPay-outEdge to House
Pass1:11.41%
Come1:11.41%
Taking Odds on Pass/Come 6 or 86:50%
Taking Odds on Pass/Come 5 or 93:20%
Taking Odds on Pass/Come 4 or 102:10%
Don’t Pass1:11.36%
Don’t Come1:11.41%
Laying Odds on Don’t Pass; Don’t Come 6 and 85:60%
Laying Odds on Don’t Pass; Don’t Come 5 and 92:30%
Laying Odds on Don’t Pass; Don’t Come 4 and 101:20%
Place 4 or 109:56.67%
Place 5 or 97:54.00%
Place 6 or 87:61.52%
Big 6 and 81:19.09%
Field 3,4,9,10 or 111:15.56%
Field 2, 122:15.56%
Lay 6 and 819:254.00%
Lay 5 and 919:313.23%
Lay 4 and 1019:412.45%
Buy 6 and 823:214.76%
Buy 5 and 929:214.76%
Buy 4 and 1039:214.76%
Hardways 6 and 810:19.09%
Hardways 4 and 108:111.11%
Proposition Bets
Any Craps (2,3 or 12)8:111.11%
Any Seven5:116.8%
Any Eleven16:111.11%
Ace Deuce (3)16:111.11%
Aces (2)30:113.9%
Boxcars (12)30:113.9%
Horn 3 or 1115:112.5%
Horn 2 or 1215:112.5%

The 5-Count Craps Method

The 5-Count strategy is a simple betting approach that allows players to engage in craps at their own pace. It involves less risk, and the house edge for different bets remains constant.

The reason to utilize the 5-Count craps strategy is that it increases your chances of winning against the shooter. The following counting system is applied:

• Count Zero corresponds to the shooter’s initial roll of the dice.

Count-1 occurs when the shooter establishes a point number of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. It remains at zero when the numbers 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 are rolled.

Count 2-4 involves incrementing the count by one with each subsequent roll after the point number is established until reaching Count-4.

Count-5 occurs if you reach Count-4 and the shooter rolls a point number of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 before the 5th point is added.

Once you have accumulated 5 points, you can place your bets on Pass or Come bets, or Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bets, and consider laying/taking odds. It is advisable to avoid proposition bets.

Avoid The Iron Cross (Anything but 7 System)

The Anything but 7 System craps strategy is similar to the Iron Cross method, wherein a player places multiple bets on the table simultaneously.

The underlying logic is to cover as many sections as possible to enhance your chances of winning.

Before placing your bets, wait for the point to be established. Bet $4 on 5, 6, and 8, and an additional $2 on the Field.

Wait for the shooter to roll the dice, preferably three times. Then, remove your bets from the table. Any number, except for a 7-out, is a winning number. Hitting a 7 can be costly.

This betting strategy is just as unfavorable as proposition bets. Only employ it if absolutely necessary.

Craps Strategy Betting On The Martingale

The Martingale betting system, also known as “double up and catch up,” is often utilized by players in games like blackjack or roulette.

Here’s how it works in craps: If you place a $2 bet on the Pass Line and the number 2 is rolled, you double your bet to $4 on the Pass Line again.

If you happen to lose again, you double your bet to $8 on the Don’t Pass Line. When you win, you start over again. The concept behind this strategy is to offset losses by doubling bets on losing outcomes until a win is achieved.

The Martingale system carries a level of risk and is most suitable for players who focus on the Pass Line. Some even argue that it is better to employ this strategy than to have no betting strategy at all.

What About The Reverse Martingale?

The Reverse Martingale craps betting strategy is the opposite of the Martingale system. It is only used during Line bets.

With this system, you double your bets on winning dice rolls. However, if you lose, you reduce your bets back to your original wager.

When using the Martingale or the Reverse Martingale, discipline is crucial. If you manage to secure a substantial win, it is important to know when to stop.