Craps is one of the most thrilling casino games, offering players both excitement and the potential for significant winnings. However, to win consistently at craps, you need to be strategic in your approach.
This guide will walk you through the best strategies and bets to make your craps experience both enjoyable and profitable.
Separating Good Bets from Bad Bets
In craps, not all bets are created equal. The game offers a wide variety of betting options, but only a few of them give you a decent chance of winning. To maximize your chances, it’s essential to focus on the bets with the lowest house edge and avoid those with higher risks. Here are the bets you should consider:
- Don’t Pass Line / Don’t Come: These bets have a house edge of 1.36%, making them among the best bets you can place in craps.
- Pass Line / Come: These bets offer a slightly higher house edge at 1.41%, but they are still solid choices for consistent play.
- Place Bets on 6 and 8: With a house edge of 1.52%, placing bets on 6 and 8 are among the best prop bets in the game.
Understanding the Best Craps Bets
Knowing how the best bets work is crucial for making informed decisions at the craps table. Here’s a breakdown:
- Pass Line Bet: This bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll and loses if they roll a 2, 3, or 12. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the “point,” and you win if the shooter rolls the point number before a 7.
- Don’t Pass Line Bet: This is the opposite of the Pass Line bet. You win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 on the come-out roll and lose on a 7 or 11. If a point is established, you win if a 7 is rolled before the point number.
- Come and Don’t Come Bets: These bets function similarly to the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets but are placed after the point has been established.
Maximizing Your Odds with Odds Bets
Odds bets are unique in craps because they have no house edge, meaning they pay out at true odds. You can make an Odds bet after a point has been established by placing additional money behind your Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line bet. The payout depends on the point number:
- 4 or 10: Pays 2:1
- 5 or 9: Pays 3:2
- 6 or 8: Pays 6:5
Dice Control: Myth or Reality?
Some players believe in the concept of “dice control,” which suggests that you can influence the outcome of the dice by how you throw them. While it’s an attractive idea, dice control is highly controversial and not widely accepted as a reliable strategy. Most experts agree that the safest way to consistently win is by sticking to bets with a low house edge and avoiding high-risk wagers.
Conclusion
Craps can be one of the most rewarding casino games if played strategically. By focusing on bets with a low house edge, understanding how the best bets work, and potentially incorporating Odds bets, you can significantly increase your chances of walking away a winner. Remember, while strategies can improve your odds, craps is still a game of chance, and no method can guarantee a win every time.
