HOW TO WIN AT CRAPS: EXPERT TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR BEATING THE ODDS

Craps is one of the most popular casino games in online casinos. With the right craps strategy and the right craps bets, you could find yourself walking away with a nice profit.

What are the most crucial factors to take note of when it comes to playing craps online? How will you be ensured that you will walk away from this table game with extra money in your pocket?

This is your guide for how to win at craps. 

CRAPS BASICS: THE CRAPS TABLE AND ITS LAYOUT

Before we can get into how to win at craps, you need to have a full understanding of what a typical craps betting table looks like. You also need to be aware of every type of bet that you can place in a craps game.

There are about 25 different betting possibilities that you can uptake, and not all of these can be done at the same time. However, the vast majority of them can be done on any single roll.

One of the first types of bets you will fine is the Pass Line. You also have the option to wager on Don’t Pass bets. Here are some of the other types of bets that you’ll find at online craps games:

• Come bet
• Don’t Come bet
• C + E bet
• Field bet
• Individual Numbers
• Hard Rolls
• Horn Bet

The above betting options can be split into one-roll bets and multi-roll bets. Do not worry, all of these bets will be explained in further detail below. For now, let’s focus on some crucial tips that you can use to gain some edge when you play craps online.

BEST TIPS ON HOW TO WIN AT CRAPS

Now, it is time to find out how you can use the table and its layout to your advantage to win at craps. Here are some of the most notable things that you should keep in mind:

KNOW YOUR BANKROLL

The first thing you need to remember before formulating a betting strategy is to be aware of your bankroll. This helps you avoid spending money that you don’t have and can also help you avoid betting recklessly, especially if you’re using an aggressive craps strategy. You might be tempted to place the maximum bet, but this is not always the best move!

STICK TO YOUR UNITS

When you establish a bankroll, you can break that down further into how many units you are willing to bet. Units are typically a percentage of your total bankroll, and it gives you an idea of how many bets you can make before you lose all of your money.

Knowing your bankroll and the table minimum is essential to get the most accurate idea of how many units you have available.

Let’s say you have €/$500 dedicated to playing craps. Then, you see that the table minimum is €/$10. This means you can place up to 50 bets before losing all of your money.

This knowledge will help you stay disciplined when it comes to placing bets and formulating a betting strategy.

START SIMPLE

If you’re new to craps, your best bet is to start with the most basic wagers in the game.

An example can be wagering on the Pass bet. The Pass bet is the very first bet on a dice roll, so it could be an extra incentive to get in on that bet. On top of this, it is hard to lose this type of bet on the first roll of a turn, so it could entice newcomers to stick around.

Another simple bet that you can place is the Come bet. Here, you simply back up whatever number you hit on the Pass Line before the number seven gets rolled.

Now that you know these few tips, let’s get down to the tips and instructions for each specific craps bet.

MASTERING PROPOSITION BETS

The first type of bet we are going to talk about is a proposition bet. Here, you’ll be betting on the outcome of the next roll.

Prop bets are single-roll bets, which means that while there is high risk, there is also high reward. Prop bets are not for the faint of heart, as they can easily end in a loss.

One of the main single-roll bets you can make is betting on the field, which involves betting that the upcoming roll will be a two, three, four, nine 10, 11, or 12. If it hits, you win the bet and earn even money. If a different number lands, you lose this one-roll bet.

Among other single-roll bets, you have what is called a C + E bet. This bet involves wagering on craps (two, three, 12) to come out, or you can bet on 11 to be the next roll. If you want to combine these two into one bet, you can do what is called a Horn Bet.

A Horn Bet allows you to win on any of the four numbers mentioned above. However, the odds are stacked against you with two and 12 having 30-1 odds plus three and 11 having 15-1 odds.

THE PASS LINE BET

One of the easiest bets that you can place when you play craps games is the Pass bet. The Pass bet is a fundamental bet in craps and one of the only bets that you can make before the first roll of the dice.

How this works is during the Come Out roll phase, the dealer will try to establish a number for the Come bet later. Betting on the Pass Line implies that the shooter will not bust out on their first roll.

There is only one way to lose when you place Pass Line bets — if the shooter rolls any of the craps numbers (two, three, or 12). However, if the point is rolled on the Pass Line roll, this single-roll bet pays a payout of 1:1. So, if you put €/$10 on the Pass Line, you win €/$10 extra if seven or 11 hits.

The Pass Line has a house edge of 1.41%.

THE ODDS BET

Next, let’s talk about Odds bets that you can make at the craps table. Odds bets involve betting on a specific number rolling before a seven is rolled.

This is a simple bet to understand because all you have to do is bet on a specific number. These are the remaining numbers that you can find outside of the craps numbers (two, three, or 12), along with 11 and seven. In other words, you can bet on four, five, six, eight, nine and 10.

Many players tend to place bets on six and eight. The reason for this is that these two numbers have the most combinations that can result in those numbers being rolled. As a consequence, the payout is relatively low.

Conversely, the numbers four and 10 tend to be the most difficult to roll, with five and nine sitting in the middle, having medium odds of hitting.

Odds bets have a varying house edge of 2.44%-4.00%, depending on the numbers you bet on.

THE COME BET

Besides the Pass bets, Come bets are arguably some of the easiest bets that you can make in an online craps game.

After the Pass Line bet, the shooter rolls the dice to establish a point. And, once the point has been established, the shooter has to roll that number again before they roll a seven.

This is where it gets interesting for the punter. Come bets imply backing the shooter and believing that they can roll that number again.

Depending on what number they roll originally, this can be either a good or bad bet to make. If the shooter rolls a six or eight, punters may be eager to place a Come Bet. However, if they roll something more difficult such as a four or 10, players may be hesitant to place this bet.

Most of the time, Come bets can essentially mean doubling down on your Pass bet, and have a house edge of 1.41%.

DON’T PASS AND DON’T COME BETS

Now, we are going to talk about two of the most controversial bets in craps. Contrary to Pass and Come bets, you are betting against the shooter with these bets. When it comes to etiquette in craps games, this is considered taboo for regular gamblers.

With Don’t Pass bets, you earn a payout if the numbers two, three, or 12 hit before the point is established. However, the bet loses if the seven or 11 hits before the point is established. Once the point is established, you win this bet if seven comes out before the shooter rolls the point number again.

The Don’t Come bet can be placed while the point is established, and like the Don’t Pass bet is the opposite of a Come bet.

Here, you earn a payout if two, three, or 12 hit before the point number hits again. However, like the Don’t Pass bet, you lose this bet if the point hits again before a seven is rolled.

Both wagers have a house edge of 1.40%.

FIELD BETS

Field bets are when you bet on a specific group of numbers in the middle of the table. When it comes to this type of bet, the beauty of it is that you win the bet if you hit any number in the field.

That is, with Field bets, you win if you hit a, three, four, five, nine, 10, 11, or 12. There are eight numbers available for you out of 11 that can be rolled. So, what is the catch?

The three numbers not listed in Field bets have the three highest odds of being rolled. The numbers six, seven, and eight have the most possible combinations out of any number on the board.

However, if you are willing to take a chance on the Field, there could be a good chance for you to make a quick buck. Just remember that when it comes to Field bets, these are single-roll bets. So, there will be quick winners and quick losers with these types of craps bets.

Fields have a house edge of 5.56%.

HARDWAY BETS

The last type of bet we are going to talk about is the Hardway bet. This is another type of bet that you can make at a craps table.

This wager is not simply betting on a number rolling, but it actually involves wagering on a pair of numbers rolling and hitting a particular total. So, you can place a Hardway bet on four, six, eight or 10. Winning bets pay on a pair of twos for a hard four, a pair of threes for a hard six, a pair of fours for a hard eight, and a pair of fives for a hard 10.

That said, this wager loses if the numbers come out in any other combination or if a seven is rolled. The house edge is 9.09% and 11.10% on six or eight and four or 10, respectively.

Remember, Hardways are not the only craps bets you can place. Additional bets also include Lay bets (Lay Odds bets), Buy bets, and the Place bet.

HOW TO MAKE SMART CRAPS BETS WITH THE BEST ODDS

So, how do you begin smart betting? By betting on craps bets with the best maximum odds! But the first thing you need to do is be aware of what the best odds are.

According to craps rules, you can see that the seven actually has the best odds of being rolled on a two-dice roll. There is a 16.66% chance of landing a seven, whereas one of the most unlikely rolls outside of a craps number (two, three, or 12) is a four or 10, which have an 8.33% chance of hitting.

This is where unpopular but smart craps strategy may come into play.

Let’s say a roller hits a four after the Pass Line bet on the Come Out roll phase, and now the point is four. Now, you have to decide on whether to place the Come bet. In this situation, you can choose to stick with table etiquette, knowing that the point number only has half of a chance of hitting compared to a seven, or you can place a Don’t Come bet.

This is when knowing the odds can work in your favour because, in this situation, you are twice as likely to roll a seven first than a four. It is always beneficial to formulate the best craps strategy you possibly can. You can choose from many craps betting strategies, but a solid craps strategy can make all the difference.

TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR BANKROLL AND MAXIMISING YOUR WINS

Some of the biggest craps strategy tips for managing bankroll were mentioned above, but let’s expand further. Before stepping onto a casino floor, only bring a certain amount of money with you before you even leave your home. Similarly, if you’re playing online casino craps games, only deposit the necessary amount of cash, depending on your craps betting strategy.

Review your daily living expenses and your overall savings to see if what you plan to take with you to the casino is doable without getting in the way of your overall lifestyle.

If you want to maximise your wins, it is recommended that you stick to wagers that have the highest chances of rolling and avoid getting reckless with your bets. That means not going all-in on a bet such as a Horn bet that has some of the worst odds. You can also try taking the maximum odds bet every time you place a Pass or Don’t Pass wager.

Bet smart and bet consistently to maximise your profit.

HOW TO SPOT AND AVOID COMMON CRAPS BETTING MISTAKES

So, how do you avoid common craps betting mistakes? Well, one way you can do this is to know the odds of each bet you place.

That can make you avoid possible trap bets, such as blindly following the shooter. Instead, the best craps strategy you can utilise is taking the odds of each number into account and seeing if that is truly a smart bet to place. It may also be helpful to consider the payout and house edge of every bet.

Another example can be betting the Field on every roll. Some players may do this because of how many numbers are available to win. However, just because you can win on half of the numbers does not make it an easy bet. The three numbers with the most combinations can still beat you here.

Just keep an eye on things like this, and you can avoid making rookie mistakes.