Craps Strategies That Will Improve Your Game
One of the most prolific table games in every casino in the U.S., both live and online, is craps. What makes it special in the world of gambling is its very nature. The game is itself based on chance, whether one cares for it or not. While depending on luck to win a game may tend to mislead new players starting out in gambling, most players use online craps games to familiarize themselves with the game and try out different strategies before going to an actual casino.
While opportunity might ultimately determine the prize a player would get, there are certain smart methods that can be applied while playing. They tend to tilt the probability in your favor and make better returns for those willing to take on the game. Craps has a very low house edge as well, which is one of the main reasons why many prefer playing it.
High-Stakes and High-Risk Bets
Traditional craps is rich in highly rewarding bets that are indeed some of the best in the whole casino universe. At the same time, it also has high-risk bets that can break your bankroll in no time. New craps players entering the game should be prepared by understanding the most critical tips and tricks that can increase their chances at winning.
Some of the most well-known bets beginners need to know about are:
- Come/Don't Come – essentially the same as Pass bets but placed after the point is established.
- Place 6 and Place 8 – good bets with good odds.
- Field bets on 2 or 12 – large risks but could be exciting.
Skilled craps players understand that there are certain bets worth making, whether at a physical casino or in an online casino. The Pass/Don't Pass and Come/Don't Come bets are among the best liked and usually preferred by players who want to reduce the house edge.
The margin on such bets is around 1.40%, which is relatively very low. On top of that, winning players tend to play Place 6, Place 8, and Field bets on 2 or 12, making the game exciting and interesting.
Do's and Don'ts
These are typically bets with the most favorable odds under hostile action. Then there are some bets that you will need to avoid, or else you will ruin your bankroll. Two of those bets are Hardway 4 and Hardway 10, both of which carry a ruthless 11% house edge.
A good craps strategy typically involves sticking with Pass and Come bets. These bets have smaller chances of losing as they only lose when the shooter rolls 2, 3, 12, or 7 after a point number setup for Pass bets.
For Come bets, the house only loses when the shooter rolls 2, 3, or 12. Another winning strategy is focusing on Don't Pass and Don't Come bets. This one has the player directly against most of the table, which is counterintuitive—but it works many times. In fact, the Don't Pass bet offers an extremely tempting 1.36% house edge.
Odds in Your Favor
Other than the bets that are universally successful and the bets not to place, there is a special bet in craps that does not have a house edge of any kind—The Odds bet. When you make a Pass or Come bet, you can hedge it using odds, sometimes up to three times what you originally wagered.
This is due to the fact that the player can only lose if the 7 is rolled before the point number. The same applies to Don't Pass and Don't Come bets. The casino can only gain on the first bet, and the odds bet itself is pure fair, giving players a genuine chance to achieve maximum payouts.
Because of this, skilled craps players like to stack odds bets whenever possible, reducing the overall house edge.
Bets to Avoid
Every craps game is unique, but there are bets that always benefit the casino with an enormous advantage. Big 6 and Big 8 bets are such bets with a 9.09% house edge paid only 1:1. Place 6 and Place 8 are the bets to place instead since they have a much more reasonable 1.52% edge.
Some of the most risky bets are the Hardways (4, 6, 8, and 10), with house edges of approximately 10%, thus being strongly against one. In order to improve decision-making, the mathematics of dice rolls must also be considered. For example, rolling two six-sided dice yields the most common roll of 7 since it can be obtained in six manners. In contrast, 2 and 12 are least likely since each is created from only one dice combination.
Recalling these probabilities, along with the house edge of each bet, is the key to a successful craps strategy. Experienced gamblers always keep these elements in mind, doing everything they can to assure steady wins.