Understanding the Craps odds and bets that you can place is vital to ensuring you don't lose all your money or embarrass yourself in a live game.
- Craps Table Odds
- Blackjack Odds Explained
- Craps Or Blackjack Better Odds Poker
- Best Craps Odds In Vegas
- Odds In Craps Explained
- Craps Or Blackjack Better Odds Against
For even better odds, you can play the Don't Pass line. This, however, has a bit of superstition attached to it amongst 'serious' Craps players. Basically, Craps is a social game: on the Pass Line, everyone is betting against the house. They're betting on the shooter to beat the house, so when the Pass Line wins, everyone wins. The question 'Does craps or blackjack offer better odds' was posed to me at breakfast this morning with Ryan. I said 'Blackjack'. Ryan replied, 'I'll make you a $10 bet that Craps has better odds than Blackjack'. I took that bet. The problem with this bet is a common one in business it's a very poorly defined contract. $50 with Does Blackjack Or Craps Have Better Odds no upper limit. Size of bet- a casino bonus will most likely restrict the amount you can wager, such as you should not exceed a particular percentage of the remaining bonus balance. Fraud- you should not claim your bonus more than Does Blackjack Or Craps Have Better Odds once. Beginner craps players, if you can remember only one bet, make it the pass line bet. This is the starting bet for all craps games and has one of the lowest house edges at 1.41% and highest odds of landing (251 to 244 to be exact). This is one of the best bets craps players can make, with payout odds of 1 to 1. If you're willing to put in a little work, blackjack offers the best odds. I'm talking about a.5 percent casino edge, depending on which table you're sitting at. (Meaning for every dollar you gamble, you'll lose only half a penny on average.) But to get these ultra-good odds, you have to know what you're doing.
You might hear people shouting all types of lingo and vernacular terms such as 'Horn Bets' or 'Lay 10' which often confuse or put off even the biggest casino degenerates.
Thankfully, the rules of Craps are actually quite simple even if it takes time to learn the jargon. Make sure to read all information on this page, before You play craps for money.
We can predict the odds of any particular number coming up on a roll and why the craps rules are made how you will see.
For example: the odds for you to roll a 4 on your next roll are 11 to 1.
You can figure this out by taking the number of ways a four can be made with two dice (with a one and a three, a pair of twos, or a three and a 1) compared to the number of combinations that two dice can make, which is 36.
So we have a 3 in 36 chance, or 1 in 12 chance that a 4 will come up on any given roll. To express these odds as ‘against', you would say the odds against rolling a four are 11 to 1 (think of it as 11 non 4's to one 4 for a total of 12 rolls). The calculation we've just done determines the ‘true odds' of rolling a 4.
As many of you may know, the casino doesn't like to pay back its players with ‘true odds', it prefers to alter them.
Craps rules, like so many other casino game rules, pay back odds which guarantee the house a profit in the long run. Say for instance you were to place a bet on ‘any sevens', meaning you're betting that the next roll will be a seven.
The odds against hitting a seven on the next roll are 5 to 1 (you can calculate that out the same way we did for 4), which means that if you bet one dollar and win, you deserve to win 5 bucks, but the casinos only pay you 4.
Most bets in most games at the casino have been altered in this way. In fact, this is exactly the phenomenon that gives the casino a house edge in many situations.
We've covered all the major types of bets and odds you receive here.
Understanding Craps Odds
For instance, odds can be related either as 2-1 or 2 to 1, where a 1 credit bet returns 2 credits. In other words, 2 to 1 odds returns the original 1 credit bet and a 1 credit profit.
The Best Craps Bets
The best bets in craps are the pass line bet, taking the odds, the don't pass bar, the come bet, and placing the 6 or the 8. Let's look at each:
Pass Line
This is the most basic and popular of bets when playing Craps. It has one of the lowest house edges (1.41%) and it is very simple to place. Betting on the pass line bet or betting 'with the dice' is the most common bet in craps and you will see many players or shooters choosing it.
A pass line bet requires you to place chips on the 'Pass Line' section of the table. If the shooter's come out roll is a 7 or 11, you win even money (1:1). However, if the come out roll is 2,3 or 12 (craps) you lose.
If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) it's called the point. The shooter continues to throw the dice until he/she roles a 7 or the Point. If the point is rolled first, you win even money. If the 7 is rolled first you lose your bet.
Interestingly, in a game of Crapless Craps, the ability to lose a Pass Line bet to craps on a come out roll is removed – hence the name 'crapless' craps. This improves your odds of winning by removing the house edge and increasing your expected value.
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Don't Pass Line
You can also bet on the 'Don't Pass' line, which is basically when you are betting or laying the shooter on his first roll. This is simply the opposite of the pass line bet and is also known as betting against the dice.
To make this bet place your chips in the narrower section just beyond the pass line labelled don't pass.
If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 (Craps) than you win straight away (1:1 even money). If a 7 or 11 is rolled before the Point is scored you lose. A 12 is considered a Push (draw) and normally you can relinquish this bet.
If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10) this is established on the point number. After this happens you'll win your money back if a 7 is rolled before the Point number, and lose if a 7 comes first.
Taking the Odds
After the point has been established, you can make an additional bet known as Taking the Odds or Pass Odds. You are betting on the Point number being rolled before a 7. The pay out odds are normally displayed on the Casino craps table.
The odds vary for different numbers based on the likelihood of them being rolled.
Normally, the payouts are as follows:
- 4 pays 2:1
- 5 pays 3:2
- 6 pays 8 pays 6:5
- 9 pays 3:2
- 10 pays 2:1
The odds bet is the best bet you can make in the game of craps, because the house has no built-in advantage. Free odds bets are paid back at true odds, so when you're making these bets the casino has no house edge whatsoever, it's an even game!
Come Bet
This is similar to a Pass Line bet, but it is made after the point has been established (dealer button is ON). The next roll then becomes the Come Out roll for your bet and establishes your Point. The payout depends on the Point:
- 7 or 11 pays 1:1 (also known as a Natural)
- 2, 3, or 12 you lose your money (also known as Craps)
- If neither of the above is rolled then (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) becomes the point for your bet. If a 7 comes before your point is rolled again you lose. If your point is won however your payout depends on the Point.
Come Bet Payouts:
Number | Payout |
4 | 2:1 |
5 | 3:2 |
6 | 6:5 |
8 | 6:5 |
9 | 3:2 |
10 | 2:1 |
Taking the Odds
This is similar to the Come Bet and has the same odds above (Come Odds). You can place this bet only after the point has been established. If the 7 is rolled before the point, you lose.
Laying the Odds
Opposite of Taking the Odds. This is a Don't Pass Line bet which can be made only after the point has been established. If a 7 is rolled before the point, you win.
Laying the Odds Payout:
Number | Payout |
4 | 1:2 |
5 | 2:3 |
6 | 5:6 |
8 | 5:6 |
9 | 2:3 |
10 | 1:2 |
Don't Come Bet
Oppose of Come Bet. This is similar to a Don't Pass Line bet, but it is made after the Come Out roll. To make this bet all you need to do is to put your chips in the area labeled 'Don't Come' on the layout. You lose on a 7 or 11, and win on a 2 or 3. 12 is a 'stand-off.'
Here you win if 7 rolls before your 'come-point' is repeated, and lose if the 'come-point' is made before a 7 is rolled.
Place Bets
Craps Table Odds
You can bet on specific point numbers. If your number is rolled before a 7, you win. If a 7 comes before your point number, you lose. You're paid out according to the table below.
Place Bets Payout:
Number | Payout |
4 | 9:5 |
5 | 7:5 |
6 | 7:6 |
8 | 7:6 |
9 | 7:5 |
10 | 9:5 |
Placing the 6 or 8
When you make a place bet you bet that one of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will be hit before a 7 is hit. You can make a place bet any time by throwing your chips on the table while telling the dealer ‘I want to place the 6' or whatever number you want to place your bet for.
So, if the number you bet on is rolled before a 7 you win and you are paid as follows: 4 or 10 placed – 9:5 odds, 5 or 9 placed – 7:5 odds, 6 or 8 placed – 7:6 odds.
As you can see the best for you is to place a bet on 6 or 8, because these bets have the best odds and also they have a good chance of hitting.
If you get the feeling like you want to place the 4 or 10, you should buy them instead, because although there is a Vig (a fee for winning bets) on these numbers, the edge comes out in your favor, however slightly.
However, the pass line bet is still the best one with the best odds and in the long run you should stick with it.
Although you can technically place a place bet at any time, it is impossible for it to come into effect until the shooters point is set, therefore it is more acceptable to ask for this bet after the come out roll is over.
Craps table
Bets with Poor Craps Odds
Big 6/Big 8 Bet
This is a Bet on a Big 6 or Big 8, put down after the point has been established. If a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7, you win (1:1). This is a bet that you should not play because you can Place a bet on 6 or 8 and receive better odds.
Field Bets
Kind of what the name suggests, field bets are open to everyone who bets on the next number rolled. To place one you simple throw your chips into the table (as little chips as possible) and tell the stick man what you want. The payout for field bets:
- 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 all payout 1:1
- 2 pays 2:1
- 12 pays out either 2:1 or 3:1 (depending on the casino)
Proposition Bets
Placed before any throw. The house edge on all of these bets are over 11%. Therefore, you should not bet these very often or you should hedge your bets when you do so.
You can bet on any number as follows:
- Betting on the next throwbeing a 2, 3 or 12 (Craps)
- Any Seven: Betting on the next throw being a 7
- Eleven: Betting on the next throw being an 11
- Horn Bet: Betting on the next number being a 2, 3, 11, or 12. The payout is determined by the number rolled
Proposition bets are those placed in the middle of the table layout, and those bets never have a good house edge. You should make these bets only for fun and to make your game more exciting.
So, here they are:
- With the 'any seven' bet you're betting the shooter will hit a 7 on the next roll. It has a horrible house edge of 16.67%. Never make this bet.
- With the 'snake eyes' bet you're betting the shooter will throw a two on the next roll.
- With the 'yo eleven' bet you're betting the shooter will hit an 11 on the next roll.
- With the 'any craps' bet you're betting the shooter will throw a 2, 3, or 12 on the next roll. It holds a house edge of over 11%
- With the 'any three' bet you're betting the shooter will throw a 3 on the next roll.
- With the 'midnight' bet you're betting the shooter will throw a 12 on the next roll.
- With the 'horn' bet you're combining the snake eyes, 3, yo 11, and midnight bets.
Hardway Bets
A Hardway Bet is also made regarding the outcome of the next die throw. A Hardway roll occurs when doubles are thrown with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10.
For example: rolling a pair of threes would produce a 'hard 6'. An Easy roll is produced when the same outcome is achieved, but without rolling doubles.
For the previous example, rolling a 4 and a 2 would produce an 'easy 6'. For a Hardway Bet to win, the shooter must roll a double with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10. The wager loses if either a 7 or any Easy number is rolled.
The Lay Bet
The lay bet is almost similar with the don't pass and don't come bets, because with this bet your are playing against the dice. You can make this bet at any time in the game and it can be placed on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. A lay bet wins when 7 rolls before the number.
7 is more likely to come up than any other number so the casino requires you to wager more than you could win. This bet also requires a commission of 5% on average. If the bet is on 4 or 10 you get 1:2 odds, on 5 or 9 2:3 odds, on six or 8 5:6 odds.
The Buy Bet
When you choose this bet it means that you will buy numbers instead of placing them.
The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 can all be bought but there are only two numbers that really make buy bets worthwhile and those numbers are 4 and 10 because they pay off better than the other numbers. You win if the buy number comes up before a 7 is rolled.
The odds are higher for a buy bet. 2:1 on a 4 or 10 buy, 3:2 for a 5 or 9, or 6:5 for a 6 or 8. Player pays 5% 'vigorish' to get true odds on all numbers.
Depending on how much you bet, buying a bet can make you more money in the end even after accounting for the ‘vig'. The odds are only in your favor on a buy bet for a 4 or 10, so stick with the place bet on any others.
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When you walk past the craps table in any casino, the urge to stop and stare for a moment is only natural.
The craps pit is reliably one of the most exciting areas on the casino floor, with a dozen people crowding around a large, ornate table. It takes three dealers and stickmen to run the game, and every few minutes the table seems to erupt – either in laughter and cheers, or a collective groan.
Truly, there's not another game like craps in the casino gambling industry.
Using a basic buy in and common sense, even a rank beginner can quickly see their chip stacks soar, courtesy of craps' binary base bets (Pass Line and Don't Pass Line).
And those base bets are supplemented by literally dozens of other 'exotic' wagers – on everything from the exact results of a two-dice roll (Hard Eight, etc.) to the Any Craps save.
With odds running as high as 30 to 1, these exotics are capable of turning any roll of the dice into a major windfall – which is why you'll typically see a craps table covered from corner to corner in chips.
Even for an experienced gambler, taking the dice in your hand and letting them fly – with a table full of fellow players watching intently – is an unbeatable experience. This is gambling as it was meant to be done, offering a refreshing departure from the sanitized, silent table games that have risen to prominence today.
Once you've taken the time to learn craps, the urge to improve your skills is only natural. This game just has so much to offer between its base bets and exotic wagers, so it's important to have a firm grasp of the game's fundamentals.
This page is here to provide a full primer on improving your dice bona fides, so without further ado, I present seven steps to becoming a better craps player:
1 – Study Before Your First Session
If you're anything like me, you've probably stood and stared at plenty of craps tables before ever summoning the courage to get in the game.
The whole scene is just intimidating to the uninitiated, what with all those players surrounding the table, the constant barking of commands to the dealer staff, and those occasional celebrations punctuating it all. Craps players also tend to be a serious crowd, and they don't suffer rookie mistakes slowing up their game all that lightly.
If you've never played before, walking into that lion's den can be quite difficult indeed, which is why so many casino gamblers never quite cross craps off their personal bucket list.
Thanks to cool craps simulators – designed by renowned casino games analyst Michael Shackleford of Wizard of Odds fame – players can load up a perfect recreation of the table layout to see how things really work. This simulator allows you to place bets using the actual chip denominations you'd find at a genuine craps table.
Start out with the basic Pass Line bet (more on this down below) on the come-out roll, then click 'ROLL' to let the dice fly. Once a point number has been established, you can mess around with the odds bet, come bets, and the various hard way exotics until you get a firm grasp for how they really work.
The simulator includes a running bankroll counter, while also displaying results for each wager, so after a half hour or so playing virtual craps, you should have a much clearer understanding of the game play mechanics.
Keep going though, and challenge yourself to run up a bankroll of virtual chips. Craps isn't necessarily a skill based game in the purest sense, but savvy players can definitely reduce their variance by sticking to the most favorable bets. Use your judgment – combined with a crash course on basic craps strategy – to get a feel for your personal betting style.
Some players go with the standard Pass Line > Odds Bet > Place Win on 6 and 8 betting structure, while others like to mix in Field bets and the like. The beauty of craps is its diversity, and with so many wagers on board for every roll, you'll have plenty to choose from.
Taking a whirl on the craps simulator to see what the game is all about really is the best way to prepare yourself for the real deal.
2 – Look, Listen, and Observe
You've put in a few hundred simulated craps sessions, and now the time has come to hit the casino and test your newly gained knowledge.
When you get there, I advise taking your time to study the table from afar. You can get close enough to see the action – just don't crowd the players too much – and from that vantage point the goal should be observation only.
Simulations are all well and good, but they can't compare to the noise, excitement, and speed of a real table.
Based on your simulation studies, you should be able to track a particular player and know what they're doing. Don't worry if a few crazy bets get away from you, just focus on the base wagers for now. Watch how they place their initial Pass Line (or Don't Pass Line) bets, keeping a keen eye on the motions and verbal commands used along the way.
One of the most difficult aspects of live craps for beginners to grasp is the physical nature of the game. You'll be rolling dice when your turn as shooter arrives, that's a given – but in between, you'll need to handle chips and deploy them across the table by directing the dealer. This can be easier said than done, as craps has a certain slang vernacular all its own.
By staying out of the fray for now, and watching to see how the veteran players do it, you'll prepare yourself to fit in from the start. Pay attention to the words and phrases players use regularly, along with how the dealer responds.
Eventually, if you're paying close attention, you'll develop a natural knack for the flow of craps game play.
And when that knack arrives, it's time to step up and put your money in play.
3 – Make the Dealer Your Best Bud
This tip is an extension of the second step, with the goal being to get yourself comfortable at the craps table.
That table is huge, offering space for a dozen players to ring around and roll some dice. You'll see three casino employees handling things from either side of the table, however, setting up a few choice spots that are directly near a dealer.
As a craps newbie, I always preferred to park myself right next to a dealer. I'd immediately make it clear that I was inexperienced, and with a few chips toked their way, I usually had a new friend standing by my side.
Blackjack Odds Explained
Craps dealers can seem surly and brusque, but that's just because the job requires so much mental exertion. These people have to calculate odds on the fly, for 10 players or more, with dozens of wagers being played on every roll. The task is far from easy, so craps dealers tend to have a look of concentration, or exasperation, etched on their face.
Even so, these are professionals and they know where their bread is buttered. Without new blood entering the games from time to time, a casino's craps pit would eventually suffer from shrinkage and contraction.
For this reason, most craps dealers in a respectable casino have no problem assisting inexperienced players as the game progresses. That was my personal experience anyhow, and I sincerely hope you find a friendly craps dealer during your first forays to the table.
If you're not sure how many chips are required for a Place Win bet, just pick up a few of them and gesture towards the number you'd like to back.
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Understanding the Craps odds and bets that you can place is vital to ensuring you don't lose all your money or embarrass yourself in a live game.
- Craps Table Odds
- Blackjack Odds Explained
- Craps Or Blackjack Better Odds Poker
- Best Craps Odds In Vegas
- Odds In Craps Explained
- Craps Or Blackjack Better Odds Against
For even better odds, you can play the Don't Pass line. This, however, has a bit of superstition attached to it amongst 'serious' Craps players. Basically, Craps is a social game: on the Pass Line, everyone is betting against the house. They're betting on the shooter to beat the house, so when the Pass Line wins, everyone wins. The question 'Does craps or blackjack offer better odds' was posed to me at breakfast this morning with Ryan. I said 'Blackjack'. Ryan replied, 'I'll make you a $10 bet that Craps has better odds than Blackjack'. I took that bet. The problem with this bet is a common one in business it's a very poorly defined contract. $50 with Does Blackjack Or Craps Have Better Odds no upper limit. Size of bet- a casino bonus will most likely restrict the amount you can wager, such as you should not exceed a particular percentage of the remaining bonus balance. Fraud- you should not claim your bonus more than Does Blackjack Or Craps Have Better Odds once. Beginner craps players, if you can remember only one bet, make it the pass line bet. This is the starting bet for all craps games and has one of the lowest house edges at 1.41% and highest odds of landing (251 to 244 to be exact). This is one of the best bets craps players can make, with payout odds of 1 to 1. If you're willing to put in a little work, blackjack offers the best odds. I'm talking about a.5 percent casino edge, depending on which table you're sitting at. (Meaning for every dollar you gamble, you'll lose only half a penny on average.) But to get these ultra-good odds, you have to know what you're doing.
You might hear people shouting all types of lingo and vernacular terms such as 'Horn Bets' or 'Lay 10' which often confuse or put off even the biggest casino degenerates.
Thankfully, the rules of Craps are actually quite simple even if it takes time to learn the jargon. Make sure to read all information on this page, before You play craps for money.
We can predict the odds of any particular number coming up on a roll and why the craps rules are made how you will see.
For example: the odds for you to roll a 4 on your next roll are 11 to 1.
You can figure this out by taking the number of ways a four can be made with two dice (with a one and a three, a pair of twos, or a three and a 1) compared to the number of combinations that two dice can make, which is 36.
So we have a 3 in 36 chance, or 1 in 12 chance that a 4 will come up on any given roll. To express these odds as ‘against', you would say the odds against rolling a four are 11 to 1 (think of it as 11 non 4's to one 4 for a total of 12 rolls). The calculation we've just done determines the ‘true odds' of rolling a 4.
As many of you may know, the casino doesn't like to pay back its players with ‘true odds', it prefers to alter them.
Craps rules, like so many other casino game rules, pay back odds which guarantee the house a profit in the long run. Say for instance you were to place a bet on ‘any sevens', meaning you're betting that the next roll will be a seven.
The odds against hitting a seven on the next roll are 5 to 1 (you can calculate that out the same way we did for 4), which means that if you bet one dollar and win, you deserve to win 5 bucks, but the casinos only pay you 4.
Most bets in most games at the casino have been altered in this way. In fact, this is exactly the phenomenon that gives the casino a house edge in many situations.
We've covered all the major types of bets and odds you receive here.
Understanding Craps Odds
For instance, odds can be related either as 2-1 or 2 to 1, where a 1 credit bet returns 2 credits. In other words, 2 to 1 odds returns the original 1 credit bet and a 1 credit profit.
The Best Craps Bets
The best bets in craps are the pass line bet, taking the odds, the don't pass bar, the come bet, and placing the 6 or the 8. Let's look at each:
Pass Line
This is the most basic and popular of bets when playing Craps. It has one of the lowest house edges (1.41%) and it is very simple to place. Betting on the pass line bet or betting 'with the dice' is the most common bet in craps and you will see many players or shooters choosing it.
A pass line bet requires you to place chips on the 'Pass Line' section of the table. If the shooter's come out roll is a 7 or 11, you win even money (1:1). However, if the come out roll is 2,3 or 12 (craps) you lose.
If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) it's called the point. The shooter continues to throw the dice until he/she roles a 7 or the Point. If the point is rolled first, you win even money. If the 7 is rolled first you lose your bet.
Interestingly, in a game of Crapless Craps, the ability to lose a Pass Line bet to craps on a come out roll is removed – hence the name 'crapless' craps. This improves your odds of winning by removing the house edge and increasing your expected value.
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Don't Pass Line
You can also bet on the 'Don't Pass' line, which is basically when you are betting or laying the shooter on his first roll. This is simply the opposite of the pass line bet and is also known as betting against the dice.
To make this bet place your chips in the narrower section just beyond the pass line labelled don't pass.
If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 (Craps) than you win straight away (1:1 even money). If a 7 or 11 is rolled before the Point is scored you lose. A 12 is considered a Push (draw) and normally you can relinquish this bet.
If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10) this is established on the point number. After this happens you'll win your money back if a 7 is rolled before the Point number, and lose if a 7 comes first.
Taking the Odds
After the point has been established, you can make an additional bet known as Taking the Odds or Pass Odds. You are betting on the Point number being rolled before a 7. The pay out odds are normally displayed on the Casino craps table.
The odds vary for different numbers based on the likelihood of them being rolled.
Normally, the payouts are as follows:
- 4 pays 2:1
- 5 pays 3:2
- 6 pays 8 pays 6:5
- 9 pays 3:2
- 10 pays 2:1
The odds bet is the best bet you can make in the game of craps, because the house has no built-in advantage. Free odds bets are paid back at true odds, so when you're making these bets the casino has no house edge whatsoever, it's an even game!
Come Bet
This is similar to a Pass Line bet, but it is made after the point has been established (dealer button is ON). The next roll then becomes the Come Out roll for your bet and establishes your Point. The payout depends on the Point:
- 7 or 11 pays 1:1 (also known as a Natural)
- 2, 3, or 12 you lose your money (also known as Craps)
- If neither of the above is rolled then (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) becomes the point for your bet. If a 7 comes before your point is rolled again you lose. If your point is won however your payout depends on the Point.
Come Bet Payouts:
Number | Payout |
4 | 2:1 |
5 | 3:2 |
6 | 6:5 |
8 | 6:5 |
9 | 3:2 |
10 | 2:1 |
Taking the Odds
This is similar to the Come Bet and has the same odds above (Come Odds). You can place this bet only after the point has been established. If the 7 is rolled before the point, you lose.
Laying the Odds
Opposite of Taking the Odds. This is a Don't Pass Line bet which can be made only after the point has been established. If a 7 is rolled before the point, you win.
Laying the Odds Payout:
Number | Payout |
4 | 1:2 |
5 | 2:3 |
6 | 5:6 |
8 | 5:6 |
9 | 2:3 |
10 | 1:2 |
Don't Come Bet
Oppose of Come Bet. This is similar to a Don't Pass Line bet, but it is made after the Come Out roll. To make this bet all you need to do is to put your chips in the area labeled 'Don't Come' on the layout. You lose on a 7 or 11, and win on a 2 or 3. 12 is a 'stand-off.'
Here you win if 7 rolls before your 'come-point' is repeated, and lose if the 'come-point' is made before a 7 is rolled.
Place Bets
Craps Table Odds
You can bet on specific point numbers. If your number is rolled before a 7, you win. If a 7 comes before your point number, you lose. You're paid out according to the table below.
Place Bets Payout:
Number | Payout |
4 | 9:5 |
5 | 7:5 |
6 | 7:6 |
8 | 7:6 |
9 | 7:5 |
10 | 9:5 |
Placing the 6 or 8
When you make a place bet you bet that one of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will be hit before a 7 is hit. You can make a place bet any time by throwing your chips on the table while telling the dealer ‘I want to place the 6' or whatever number you want to place your bet for.
So, if the number you bet on is rolled before a 7 you win and you are paid as follows: 4 or 10 placed – 9:5 odds, 5 or 9 placed – 7:5 odds, 6 or 8 placed – 7:6 odds.
As you can see the best for you is to place a bet on 6 or 8, because these bets have the best odds and also they have a good chance of hitting.
If you get the feeling like you want to place the 4 or 10, you should buy them instead, because although there is a Vig (a fee for winning bets) on these numbers, the edge comes out in your favor, however slightly.
However, the pass line bet is still the best one with the best odds and in the long run you should stick with it.
Although you can technically place a place bet at any time, it is impossible for it to come into effect until the shooters point is set, therefore it is more acceptable to ask for this bet after the come out roll is over.
Craps table
Bets with Poor Craps Odds
Big 6/Big 8 Bet
This is a Bet on a Big 6 or Big 8, put down after the point has been established. If a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7, you win (1:1). This is a bet that you should not play because you can Place a bet on 6 or 8 and receive better odds.
Field Bets
Kind of what the name suggests, field bets are open to everyone who bets on the next number rolled. To place one you simple throw your chips into the table (as little chips as possible) and tell the stick man what you want. The payout for field bets:
- 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 all payout 1:1
- 2 pays 2:1
- 12 pays out either 2:1 or 3:1 (depending on the casino)
Proposition Bets
Placed before any throw. The house edge on all of these bets are over 11%. Therefore, you should not bet these very often or you should hedge your bets when you do so.
You can bet on any number as follows:
- Betting on the next throwbeing a 2, 3 or 12 (Craps)
- Any Seven: Betting on the next throw being a 7
- Eleven: Betting on the next throw being an 11
- Horn Bet: Betting on the next number being a 2, 3, 11, or 12. The payout is determined by the number rolled
Proposition bets are those placed in the middle of the table layout, and those bets never have a good house edge. You should make these bets only for fun and to make your game more exciting.
So, here they are:
- With the 'any seven' bet you're betting the shooter will hit a 7 on the next roll. It has a horrible house edge of 16.67%. Never make this bet.
- With the 'snake eyes' bet you're betting the shooter will throw a two on the next roll.
- With the 'yo eleven' bet you're betting the shooter will hit an 11 on the next roll.
- With the 'any craps' bet you're betting the shooter will throw a 2, 3, or 12 on the next roll. It holds a house edge of over 11%
- With the 'any three' bet you're betting the shooter will throw a 3 on the next roll.
- With the 'midnight' bet you're betting the shooter will throw a 12 on the next roll.
- With the 'horn' bet you're combining the snake eyes, 3, yo 11, and midnight bets.
Hardway Bets
A Hardway Bet is also made regarding the outcome of the next die throw. A Hardway roll occurs when doubles are thrown with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10.
For example: rolling a pair of threes would produce a 'hard 6'. An Easy roll is produced when the same outcome is achieved, but without rolling doubles.
For the previous example, rolling a 4 and a 2 would produce an 'easy 6'. For a Hardway Bet to win, the shooter must roll a double with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10. The wager loses if either a 7 or any Easy number is rolled.
The Lay Bet
The lay bet is almost similar with the don't pass and don't come bets, because with this bet your are playing against the dice. You can make this bet at any time in the game and it can be placed on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. A lay bet wins when 7 rolls before the number.
7 is more likely to come up than any other number so the casino requires you to wager more than you could win. This bet also requires a commission of 5% on average. If the bet is on 4 or 10 you get 1:2 odds, on 5 or 9 2:3 odds, on six or 8 5:6 odds.
The Buy Bet
When you choose this bet it means that you will buy numbers instead of placing them.
The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 can all be bought but there are only two numbers that really make buy bets worthwhile and those numbers are 4 and 10 because they pay off better than the other numbers. You win if the buy number comes up before a 7 is rolled.
The odds are higher for a buy bet. 2:1 on a 4 or 10 buy, 3:2 for a 5 or 9, or 6:5 for a 6 or 8. Player pays 5% 'vigorish' to get true odds on all numbers.
Depending on how much you bet, buying a bet can make you more money in the end even after accounting for the ‘vig'. The odds are only in your favor on a buy bet for a 4 or 10, so stick with the place bet on any others.
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When you walk past the craps table in any casino, the urge to stop and stare for a moment is only natural.
The craps pit is reliably one of the most exciting areas on the casino floor, with a dozen people crowding around a large, ornate table. It takes three dealers and stickmen to run the game, and every few minutes the table seems to erupt – either in laughter and cheers, or a collective groan.
Truly, there's not another game like craps in the casino gambling industry.
Using a basic buy in and common sense, even a rank beginner can quickly see their chip stacks soar, courtesy of craps' binary base bets (Pass Line and Don't Pass Line).
And those base bets are supplemented by literally dozens of other 'exotic' wagers – on everything from the exact results of a two-dice roll (Hard Eight, etc.) to the Any Craps save.
With odds running as high as 30 to 1, these exotics are capable of turning any roll of the dice into a major windfall – which is why you'll typically see a craps table covered from corner to corner in chips.
Even for an experienced gambler, taking the dice in your hand and letting them fly – with a table full of fellow players watching intently – is an unbeatable experience. This is gambling as it was meant to be done, offering a refreshing departure from the sanitized, silent table games that have risen to prominence today.
Once you've taken the time to learn craps, the urge to improve your skills is only natural. This game just has so much to offer between its base bets and exotic wagers, so it's important to have a firm grasp of the game's fundamentals.
This page is here to provide a full primer on improving your dice bona fides, so without further ado, I present seven steps to becoming a better craps player:
1 – Study Before Your First Session
If you're anything like me, you've probably stood and stared at plenty of craps tables before ever summoning the courage to get in the game.
The whole scene is just intimidating to the uninitiated, what with all those players surrounding the table, the constant barking of commands to the dealer staff, and those occasional celebrations punctuating it all. Craps players also tend to be a serious crowd, and they don't suffer rookie mistakes slowing up their game all that lightly.
If you've never played before, walking into that lion's den can be quite difficult indeed, which is why so many casino gamblers never quite cross craps off their personal bucket list.
Thanks to cool craps simulators – designed by renowned casino games analyst Michael Shackleford of Wizard of Odds fame – players can load up a perfect recreation of the table layout to see how things really work. This simulator allows you to place bets using the actual chip denominations you'd find at a genuine craps table.
Start out with the basic Pass Line bet (more on this down below) on the come-out roll, then click 'ROLL' to let the dice fly. Once a point number has been established, you can mess around with the odds bet, come bets, and the various hard way exotics until you get a firm grasp for how they really work.
The simulator includes a running bankroll counter, while also displaying results for each wager, so after a half hour or so playing virtual craps, you should have a much clearer understanding of the game play mechanics.
Keep going though, and challenge yourself to run up a bankroll of virtual chips. Craps isn't necessarily a skill based game in the purest sense, but savvy players can definitely reduce their variance by sticking to the most favorable bets. Use your judgment – combined with a crash course on basic craps strategy – to get a feel for your personal betting style.
Some players go with the standard Pass Line > Odds Bet > Place Win on 6 and 8 betting structure, while others like to mix in Field bets and the like. The beauty of craps is its diversity, and with so many wagers on board for every roll, you'll have plenty to choose from.
Taking a whirl on the craps simulator to see what the game is all about really is the best way to prepare yourself for the real deal.
2 – Look, Listen, and Observe
You've put in a few hundred simulated craps sessions, and now the time has come to hit the casino and test your newly gained knowledge.
When you get there, I advise taking your time to study the table from afar. You can get close enough to see the action – just don't crowd the players too much – and from that vantage point the goal should be observation only.
Simulations are all well and good, but they can't compare to the noise, excitement, and speed of a real table.
Based on your simulation studies, you should be able to track a particular player and know what they're doing. Don't worry if a few crazy bets get away from you, just focus on the base wagers for now. Watch how they place their initial Pass Line (or Don't Pass Line) bets, keeping a keen eye on the motions and verbal commands used along the way.
One of the most difficult aspects of live craps for beginners to grasp is the physical nature of the game. You'll be rolling dice when your turn as shooter arrives, that's a given – but in between, you'll need to handle chips and deploy them across the table by directing the dealer. This can be easier said than done, as craps has a certain slang vernacular all its own.
By staying out of the fray for now, and watching to see how the veteran players do it, you'll prepare yourself to fit in from the start. Pay attention to the words and phrases players use regularly, along with how the dealer responds.
Eventually, if you're paying close attention, you'll develop a natural knack for the flow of craps game play.
And when that knack arrives, it's time to step up and put your money in play.
3 – Make the Dealer Your Best Bud
This tip is an extension of the second step, with the goal being to get yourself comfortable at the craps table.
That table is huge, offering space for a dozen players to ring around and roll some dice. You'll see three casino employees handling things from either side of the table, however, setting up a few choice spots that are directly near a dealer.
As a craps newbie, I always preferred to park myself right next to a dealer. I'd immediately make it clear that I was inexperienced, and with a few chips toked their way, I usually had a new friend standing by my side.
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Craps dealers can seem surly and brusque, but that's just because the job requires so much mental exertion. These people have to calculate odds on the fly, for 10 players or more, with dozens of wagers being played on every roll. The task is far from easy, so craps dealers tend to have a look of concentration, or exasperation, etched on their face.
Even so, these are professionals and they know where their bread is buttered. Without new blood entering the games from time to time, a casino's craps pit would eventually suffer from shrinkage and contraction.
For this reason, most craps dealers in a respectable casino have no problem assisting inexperienced players as the game progresses. That was my personal experience anyhow, and I sincerely hope you find a friendly craps dealer during your first forays to the table.
If you're not sure how many chips are required for a Place Win bet, just pick up a few of them and gesture towards the number you'd like to back.
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The dealer will recognize what you're trying to do, and if they're good at their jobs, they'll ask you something like '$6 on the 6?' to confirm.
In this fashion, you can slowly expand your knowledge of the craps table's layout and functionality, all without making mistakes that slow up the game. Soon enough, you'll be shouting out your bets and splashing chips around the betting area like a consummate craps pro.
4 – Stick with the Pass Line to Start
The prime directive of craps advice goes something like this: bet the Pass Line and the Odds only.
That's it, and that's all.
But if the game was so simple, why do you see so many exotic wagers spread across the table?
Well, because the casino likes to take your money, that's why.
Check out the table below, which lists the various craps bets you can choose from, along with their respective house edge rates:
Bet | House Edge |
Pass Line/Come | 1.41 percent |
Don't Pass/Don't Come | 1.36 percent |
Odds — 4 or 10 | 0.00 percent |
Odds — 5 or 9 | 0.00 percent |
Odds — 6 or 8 | 0.00 percent |
Field (2:1 on 12) | 5.56 percent |
Field (3:1 on 12) | 2.78 percent |
Any Craps | 11.11 percent |
Big 6,8 | 9.09 percent |
Hard 4,10 | 11.11 percent |
Hard 6,8 | 9.09 percent |
Place 6,8 | 1.52 percent |
Place 5,9 | 4.00 percent |
Place 4,10 | 6.67 percent |
Place (to lose) 4,10 | 3.03 percent |
2, 12, & All Hard Hops | 13.89 percent |
3, 11, & All Easy Hops | 11.11 percent |
Any Seven | 16.67 percent |
As you can see, craps bets come in all shapes and sizes.
The Odds bet which can be attached to your Pass Line / Don't Pass Line opener actually offers the house no edge at all, making it a favorite for sharp gamblers.
On the other hand, longshot exotics like the Any Seven can spike the house edge all the way up to 16.67 percent, making it one of the worst wagers in the room.
I recommend studying the full table to see how these bets each size up, but pay special attention to the Pass Line and Don't Pass Line entries. These are the base bets in craps, and if you'll notice, they're among the best on the board.
A bet on the Pass Line offers an extremely player friendly house edge rate of just 1.41 percent, which is on par with blackjack and video poker – two skill based games. Aside from the null house edge Odds bets, most of the craps table offers long shot wagers between 5 percent and 16.67 percent house edge.
This is basic common sense, and the Pass Line rule forms the basis of true craps strategy.
After all, the goal of any gambling game is to back the bets offering the best odds, which provides the highest expected return over the long run.
But what about that Don't Pass Line bet, which actually offers a slightly lower house edge rate of 1.36 percent? That would seem to be the best bet on the board, so it would stand to reason that focusing on the Don't Pass Line really represents optimal strategy.
And it does, but only if you're comfortable making enemies every night.
Remember, when you bet on the Don't Pass Line, you're wager wins when the come-out roll lands on a 2 or 3 – the very same numbers Pass Line bettors are hoping to hit for a quick winner. In other words, Don't Pass Line players win money when Pass Line players lose.
With this in mind, you'll have to ask yourself if that 0.05 percent difference in house edge is really worth the hassle. You'll enjoy almost identical odds by betting on the Pass Line, and you'll get to cheer along with the rest of the table.
Of course, you'll encounter your fair share of 'dark side' bettors in the craps pit, and these players will tend to be sharp in their action. There's nothing wrong with their approach, and indeed, Don't Pass Line strategies play out with the same level of effectiveness as the Pass Line style.
But when you go to the dark side, you'll be forced to weather withering stares from a table full of players, almost all of whom will be losing chips while you celebrate winners.
For my money, I prefer sticking to the 'safe' play of the Pass Line, because a craps session is about camaraderie with my fellow players more than anything else.
5 – Don't Fall for the 'System' Scheme
Craps is a beautiful game that has been around for several centuries, and over that span, countless players have attempted to get a leg up on the house.
Despite its status as a pure game of chance – where the roll of the dice cannot be influenced in any way by players – craps has given rise to an endless stream of strategies and systems.
Some players claim to have 'dice control' abilities, using subtle placement and movement while rolling to land on their preferred numbers more often than not. Others advise alternating bet patterns, or tracking the previous dice rolls to determine how they'll land next.
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Craps systems are a dime a dozen, but when you really examine them, their internal logic never fails to fall apart.
Unless you possess Professor X like telekinesis, the idea of controlling the dice as a shooter is simply a pipe dream. I'll admit that perhaps a few genuine dice controllers have mastered some aspect of the technique, but these people are more akin to magicians than gamblers.
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As for the betting sequence systems, unless they're advising you to bet the Pass Line or (Don't Pass Line) plus the Odds, the strategy involves nothing more than backing long shot exotics and hoping for the best.
Rules like 'only bet the Hard 8 after X' or 'hit the Any Craps when Y' may sound fancy and sophisticated, but they're not based on reality in any way, shape, or form.
Remember one thing – the odds for a craps wager remain fixed at all times, so you'll never find a 'good' time to chase an exotic. They'll always be long shots, offering significantly worse odds than the game's base bets.
And if you run into a system which claims the result of one dice roll can affect the next, run for the hills. These systems rely on the dreaded 'Gambler's Fallacy,' which suggests that streaks and other patterns in previous results can influence the future.
Logic and common sense combined should tell you that the next roll – and any roll for that matter – has absolutely nothing to do with previous rolls.
You may see the shooter turn up a Hard 4 on five straight rolls, and while that would be both impressive and improbable, it wouldn't mean a lick for that sixth roll. The odds of rolling a Hard 4 would remain the same, as the dice don't know what happened before.
It can be tempting to look into systems and strategies such as these, especially when many casino games like blackjack and video poker actually involve legitimate skill. Craps isn't one of them, however, and when it comes to this game of chance, the only strategy under the sun that really works involves backing the best bets above all others.
6 – Manage Your Money Well
This one applies to every game on the casino floor, and life in general for that matter, but craps players should take particular care when it comes to money management.
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In this game, bets can be left 'On' or 'Off' following a winning roll. If you're not careful, even an extended roll which should produce hefty payouts can end with the dealer scooping your chips up in a flash.
Part of craps game play involves tracking your various bets, and their payouts, on the fly. Never hesitate to turn a bet off if you feel it's the right move, and do your best to avoid getting caught up in the excitement of a prolonged roll.
Whatever that limit is should depend on your bankroll flexibility, along with other 'real life' factors, but always play with a loss limit in mind.
When that limit has been reached, exercise discipline and walk away from the table. Chasing losses is one of the worst things a casino gambler can do, and I know from experience that craps can get players chasing faster than most games.
If you apply sound money management skills to your craps sessions, you'll start to see a pattern develop. Winning nights will produce a roller coaster of profitable results – up $250, up $25, up $500, and so on.
But those inevitable losing nights will be capped, let's say at $100, each time out. In this fashion, craps players can mitigate the game's inherent variance, which allows for more play over the long run.
7 – Relax While You Roll
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I believe this about all gambling games, but it rings especially true for craps: fun should always be the priority.
Gambling involves money being risked, and I won't deny that I want to win on every roll, spin, and hand I play. That's just the competitive side of human nature coming through.
With that said, I know I won't win all the time. In fact, I know the odds inherent to craps dictate that I'll lose more often than I win – and that's definitely true if I'm chasing the exotics.
Craps, like any other form of gambling, is a source of entertainment first and foremost. High fives, celebrations, rounds of drinks, and all the rest – that's why I play craps.
Now, I like winning too, so don't get me wrong on that account. I play the game to the best of my abilities, and I try my best to make the right play whenever possible. Doing so gives me a better shot to leave the table up, and I know that.
I also know that, despite my best intentions, the natural variance of craps will cause the house to win more often than not over the long run. By recognizing this inevitability, you'll be much better prepared to handle downswings when they arrive.
When you can move past the profit chase to make craps fun, you'll feel like a winner after every session.
Conclusion
Use these 7 steps to becoming a better craps player to improve your chances to win. You can't beat the house edge at the craps table but you can keep it low.
When you keep it low your bankroll lasts longer and you give yourself the best chance to win a few sessions.
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