How to Play Craps: Advanced Strategies for Casino Success
Craps is a popular casino game that involves rolling dice and making bets on the outcome. It is a game of chance, but there are certain strategies and techniques that can help you increase your chances of winning. In this article, we will explore advanced craps strategies that will help you succeed in the casino.
What is Craps?
Craps is a dice game that is played on a large table with high sides. The table is divided into different sections, each with its own betting area. Players take turns rolling two dice and making bets on the outcome. The game is played in rounds, with each round consisting of two phases: the come-out roll and the point phase.
Why Play Craps?
Craps is a fun and exciting game that offers the potential for big payouts. It is also a social game, with players often cheering and rooting for each other. Additionally, craps has some of the best odds in the casino, with a low house edge and the potential for big wins. With the right strategies and techniques, you can increase your chances of winning and have a great time playing craps.
Basic Rules of Craps
If you’re new to the game of craps, it can seem a bit overwhelming at first. But don’t worry, the basic rules are actually quite simple. Here’s a breakdown of the most common bets you’ll encounter when playing craps:
Pass Line Bet
The Pass Line Bet is the most basic bet in craps and is the one that most players start with. To make this bet, simply place your chips on the “Pass Line” area of the table before the come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, you lose. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the “point” and the shooter must roll that number again before rolling a 7 in order for you to win.
Don’t Pass Bet
The Don’t Pass Bet is the opposite of the Pass Line Bet. To make this bet, place your chips on the “Don’t Pass” area of the table before the come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, you win. If they roll a 7 or 11, you lose. If they roll a 12, it’s a tie. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the point and the shooter must roll a 7 before rolling the point in order for you to win.
Come Bet
The Come Bet is similar to the Pass Line Bet, but it can be made at any time after the come-out roll. To make this bet, place your chips on the “Come” area of the table and wait for the next roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, you lose. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the point and the shooter must roll that number again before rolling a 7 in order for you to win.
Don’t Come Bet
The Don’t Come Bet is similar to the Don’t Pass Bet, but it can be made at any time after the come-out roll. To make this bet, place your chips on the “Don’t Come” area of the table and wait for the next roll. If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, you win. If they roll a 7 or 11, you lose. If they roll a 12, it’s a tie. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the point and the shooter must roll a 7 before rolling the point in order for you to win.
Field Bet
The Field Bet is a one-roll bet that can be made at any time. To make this bet, place your chips on the “Field” area of the table. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12, you win. If they roll a 5, 6, 7, or 8, you lose.
Place Bets
Place Bets are bets on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that can be made at any time. To make a Place Bet, place your chips on the corresponding number on the table. If that number is rolled before a 7, you win. If a 7 is rolled before the number, you lose.
Buy and Lay Bets
Buy and Lay Bets are similar to Place Bets, but with different odds. Buy Bets are bets on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that pay out at true odds (minus a 5% commission). Lay Bets are bets against specific numbers that pay out at true odds (minus a 5% commission).
Now that you know the basic rules of craps, you’re ready to start playing! Just remember to always be courteous to your fellow players and have fun.
Advanced Strategies for Playing Craps
Once you’ve mastered the basics of craps, it’s time to move on to advanced strategies that can increase your chances of winning. Here are some advanced strategies to consider:
Odds Bet
The odds bet is one of the best bets you can make in craps. It’s a bet made after a point has been established and is based on the true odds of that point being rolled before a 7. The odds bet has no house edge, which means that it pays out at true odds.
To make an odds bet, you need to place your chips behind your pass line bet after a point has been established. The amount you can bet depends on the casino, but most casinos allow you to bet up to 3 times your pass line bet on odds bets for points of 4 or 10, up to 4 times your pass line bet for points of 5 or 9, and up to 5 times your pass line bet for points of 6 or 8.
Place Bets vs Come Bets
Place bets and come bets are both bets you can make on specific numbers, but there are some key differences between the two. Place bets are bets made on any of the point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) at any time, while come bets are similar to pass line bets but can only be made after the come-out roll.
If you’re looking for a bet with a lower house edge, come bets are the way to go. The house edge on come bets is only 1.41%, compared to the 4% house edge on place bets.
Hedge Bets
Hedge bets are bets that are made to protect your pass line bet or come bet. They’re essentially insurance bets that can help you minimize your losses if a 7 is rolled.
One popular hedge bet is the any craps bet, which is a bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3, or 12. This bet pays out at 7:1 and can help offset the loss of a pass line bet or come bet if a 7 is rolled.
The Iron Cross
The iron cross is a betting strategy that combines place bets on the 5, 6, and 8 with a field bet. This strategy gives you a chance to win on every roll except for a 7.
With the iron cross strategy, you place a bet on the field and place bets on the 5, 6, and 8. If any of those numbers are rolled, you’ll win a payout on your place bet and your field bet.
The 3-Point Molly
The 3-point molly is a betting strategy that involves placing pass line bets, odds bets, and come bets. This strategy gives you multiple chances to win on each roll.
To use the 3-point molly strategy, you start by placing a pass line bet. Once a point is established, you make an odds bet and a come bet. You continue making come bets after each point is established, and you can also make additional odds bets on your come bets.
| Strategy | House Edge | Chance of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| Odds Bet | 0% | Depends on point |
| Come Bet | 1.41% | Depends on point |
| Iron Cross | 2.78% | Every roll except 7 |
| 3-Point Molly | 0.5% | Depends on number of come bets |
Etiquette and Tips for Playing Craps
Craps Table Etiquette
Craps is a social game, and as such, it’s important to follow some basic etiquette rules to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone at the table:
- Always wait for the dealer to finish paying out before making your next bet.
- Keep your hands off the table when the shooter is preparing to roll the dice.
- Do not touch or move your bets once the shooter has rolled the dice.
- Do not throw your chips onto the table – place them gently in front of you or ask the dealer to place them for you.
- Be respectful to the dealer and your fellow players.
Bankroll Management
Craps can be an exciting and fast-paced game, and it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and spend more than you intended. To avoid this, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it:
- Decide how much money you can afford to lose and bring only that amount to the table.
- Divide your bankroll into smaller units and only bet a small percentage of your bankroll on each bet.
- Take breaks regularly to reassess your bankroll and adjust your strategy if necessary.
- Never chase your losses – if you’re on a losing streak, take a break and come back another time.
Emotional Control
Craps can be an emotional game, and it’s important to stay in control of your emotions to make rational decisions:
- Don’t get too excited when you’re on a winning streak – stay focused and stick to your strategy.
- Don’t get too down on yourself when you’re on a losing streak – take a break and come back with a clear head.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol – it can impair your judgment and lead to poor decision-making.
- Remember that losing is part of the game – don’t take it personally or get too upset.
| Etiquette | Bankroll Management | Emotional Control |
|---|---|---|
| Wait for the dealer to finish paying out before making your next bet | Decide how much money you can afford to lose and bring only that amount to the table | Don’t get too excited when you’re on a winning streak – stay focused and stick to your strategy |
| Keep your hands off the table when the shooter is preparing to roll the dice | Divide your bankroll into smaller units and only bet a small percentage of your bankroll on each bet | Don’t get too down on yourself when you’re on a losing streak – take a break and come back with a clear head |
| Do not touch or move your bets once the shooter has rolled the dice | Take breaks regularly to reassess your bankroll and adjust your strategy if necessary | Avoid drinking too much alcohol – it can impair your judgment and lead to poor decision-making |
| Do not throw your chips onto the table – place them gently in front of you or ask the dealer to place them for you | Never chase your losses – if you’re on a losing streak, take a break and come back another time | Remember that losing is part of the game – don’t take it personally or get too upset |
| Be respectful to the dealer and your fellow players |
Conclusion
Craps is a game that can be both fun and profitable if you know how to play it right. With the advanced strategies we’ve discussed, you can increase your chances of success at the craps table and walk away with more money in your pocket.
Remember to always start with the basics and work your way up to more advanced strategies. Take the time to learn the rules of the game, practice your skills, and develop a solid betting strategy. And don’t forget to manage your bankroll wisely to avoid losing more money than you can afford.
Key Takeaways
- Craps is a game of chance, but there are strategies you can use to increase your chances of winning.
- Start with the basics, such as understanding the rules and basic bets, before moving on to more advanced strategies.
- Advanced strategies include using betting systems, hedging your bets, and taking advantage of odds bets.
- Always manage your bankroll carefully to avoid losing more money than you can afford.
- Practice your skills and strategies in a low-stakes game before playing for real money at the casino.
Remember, the key to success at craps is to have fun while playing and to always gamble responsibly.
| Strategy | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Betting Systems | Can help you manage your bankroll and maximize your winnings. | May not work in the long run and can lead to big losses if you hit a losing streak. |
| Hedging Bets | Can help you minimize your losses and reduce your risk. | May reduce your potential winnings and can be complicated to execute. |
| Odds Bets | Can give you better odds and increase your potential winnings. | May require a larger initial bet and can be confusing for beginners. |
By following these tips and strategies, you can become a successful craps player and enjoy all the excitement and thrills that this classic casino game has to offer.