Beginner’s Guide to Craps
Post on 17 Apr, 2024 By Admin
Feeling intimidated?
It’s understandable. Many new players are often daunted by the craps table, with its intricate layout resembling an ancient script. But, don’t worry—the game is much simpler than it first appears. When played correctly, craps can offer a solid chance to take on the house, making it both exciting and rewarding. The key to success lies in knowing which bets to make.
Craps is frequently misunderstood, with many players opting for some of the worst bets in the game. These poor decisions increase the casino’s edge, making it harder to win. However, once you know what you’re doing, you can approach the table with confidence and have a better chance of success.
Getting Started
Even if you’re new to craps and don’t know the ins and outs of the game, there’s a simple way to get started. Grab any amount of money in multiples of $6, and approach the table. Place your chips down and say, “Twelve dollars on the six” or “Twelve dollars on the eight.”
The dealer will place your chips on the number you’ve called. If the shooter rolls that number, you’ll win $14. If the shooter rolls a 7, you’ll lose your $12. Why do you win more than you lose? Because a 7 appears six times out of 36 rolls, while a 6 or 8 appears five times. All other numbers are irrelevant to your bet.
Note: The house edge for this strategy is 1.52%, meaning you’ll lose approximately $1.52 for every $100 you wager. This is one of the best bets in craps and one of the best bets in any casino. You don’t need to know the game’s details to make this bet, but it’s only available after the come-out roll when the shooter sets the point number.
Understanding the Game
Here’s the most important thing to know: most bets in craps aren’t worth making. To maximise your chances of winning, you should only focus on a select few good bets, ignoring the rest of the confusing symbols on the layout.
If you’ve already played but want to improve your strategy, this guide will help you up your game.
The Basics of Craps
The most significant line on the craps table, running along the layout’s edge, is the Pass Line. This is where the game begins.
The shooter, who is the player rolling the dice, selects two dice from a set of five. The first roll is called the “come-out roll.” A 7 or 11 wins the Pass Line bet, while a 2, 3, or 12 loses. The shooter keeps rolling until either a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 appears, establishing a point number. Now, the aim is to roll that point number before rolling a 7, which would end the shooter’s turn and lose the Pass Line bet.
The house edge for the Pass Line bet is 1.41%, meaning you’ll lose roughly $1.41 per $100 wagered. This is one of the best bets you can make.
What About Other Bets?
While you might see other players making different bets on the come-out roll, these are rarely beneficial. One example is the dark side bet, where players bet against the shooter, hoping for a 7 instead of the point number. As a beginner, it’s best to avoid these kinds of wagers.
Come Bets
Another solid bet is the come bet, which you’ll find in a designated area of the table. After the shooter establishes a point, you can place a come bet, which works similarly to the Pass Line. It wins on a 7 or 11 and loses on a 2, 3, or 12. Once the shooter rolls a point number, your come bet is placed on that number, and you win if that number appears before a 7.
The house edge on the come bet is also 1.41%. Stick to these bets, and you’ll be making smart choices.
How Many Bets Should You Place?
While it’s tempting to place multiple bets, this can quickly become expensive. Each wager comes with a house edge, and the more you bet, the more you’re likely to lose in the long run. To maximise your chances, stick to one bet at a time.
The Odds Bet
Once a point is established, you can place a side wager known as the odds bet. This bet has no house edge and pays out at true odds: 2:1 for a 4 or 10, 3:2 for a 5 or 9, and 6:5 for a 6 or 8. It’s always wise to take the odds bet when you can afford it, as it significantly improves your chances.
For example, if a casino offers double odds, you can bet $10 on top of your initial $5 Pass Line bet, giving you a better return if your point number is hit.
Avoiding Bad Bets
Now that you know the good bets, it’s time to avoid the bad ones. Here’s a breakdown of the cost of certain bets per $100 wagered:
- $16.67
- $13.89
- $11.11
- $9.09
- $8.33
- $6.67
- $5.56
- $4.00
As you can see, these bets are far more costly than the Pass Line or come bets. So, why risk losing more money on bets with higher house edges?
Less is More
Some players argue that betting smaller amounts on poor bets is a safer strategy, but this doesn’t hold up. A bad bet is still a bad bet, no matter the size. Instead, consider increasing your stake on the better bets, like the Pass Line or come bet, for lower risk and higher return.
Final Thoughts
To increase your chances of winning at craps, stick to the Pass Line, come bet, and odds. Avoid multiple numbers and bad bets—your bankroll will thank you.
Once you feel comfortable with these strategies, you can dive deeper into the game by exploring more advanced tactics.
Feeling intimidated?
It’s understandable. Many new players are often daunted by the craps table, with its intricate layout resembling an ancient script. But, don’t worry—the game is much simpler than it first appears. When played correctly, craps can offer a solid chance to take on the house, making it both exciting and rewarding. The key to success lies in knowing which bets to make.
Craps is frequently misunderstood, with many players opting for some of the worst bets in the game. These poor decisions increase the casino’s edge, making it harder to win. However, once you know what you’re doing, you can approach the table with confidence and have a better chance of success.
Getting Started
Even if you’re new to craps and don’t know the ins and outs of the game, there’s a simple way to get started. Grab any amount of money in multiples of $6, and approach the table. Place your chips down and say, “Twelve dollars on the six” or “Twelve dollars on the eight.”
The dealer will place your chips on the number you’ve called. If the shooter rolls that number, you’ll win $14. If the shooter rolls a 7, you’ll lose your $12. Why do you win more than you lose? Because a 7 appears six times out of 36 rolls, while a 6 or 8 appears five times. All other numbers are irrelevant to your bet.
Note: The house edge for this strategy is 1.52%, meaning you’ll lose approximately $1.52 for every $100 you wager. This is one of the best bets in craps and one of the best bets in any casino. You don’t need to know the game’s details to make this bet, but it’s only available after the come-out roll when the shooter sets the point number.
Understanding the Game
Here’s the most important thing to know: most bets in craps aren’t worth making. To maximise your chances of winning, you should only focus on a select few good bets, ignoring the rest of the confusing symbols on the layout.
If you’ve already played but want to improve your strategy, this guide will help you up your game.
The Basics of Craps
The most significant line on the craps table, running along the layout’s edge, is the Pass Line. This is where the game begins.
The shooter, who is the player rolling the dice, selects two dice from a set of five. The first roll is called the “come-out roll.” A 7 or 11 wins the Pass Line bet, while a 2, 3, or 12 loses. The shooter keeps rolling until either a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 appears, establishing a point number. Now, the aim is to roll that point number before rolling a 7, which would end the shooter’s turn and lose the Pass Line bet.
The house edge for the Pass Line bet is 1.41%, meaning you’ll lose roughly $1.41 per $100 wagered. This is one of the best bets you can make.
What About Other Bets?
While you might see other players making different bets on the come-out roll, these are rarely beneficial. One example is the dark side bet, where players bet against the shooter, hoping for a 7 instead of the point number. As a beginner, it’s best to avoid these kinds of wagers.
Come Bets
Another solid bet is the come bet, which you’ll find in a designated area of the table. After the shooter establishes a point, you can place a come bet, which works similarly to the Pass Line. It wins on a 7 or 11 and loses on a 2, 3, or 12. Once the shooter rolls a point number, your come bet is placed on that number, and you win if that number appears before a 7.
The house edge on the come bet is also 1.41%. Stick to these bets, and you’ll be making smart choices.
How Many Bets Should You Place?
While it’s tempting to place multiple bets, this can quickly become expensive. Each wager comes with a house edge, and the more you bet, the more you’re likely to lose in the long run. To maximise your chances, stick to one bet at a time.
The Odds Bet
Once a point is established, you can place a side wager known as the odds bet. This bet has no house edge and pays out at true odds: 2:1 for a 4 or 10, 3:2 for a 5 or 9, and 6:5 for a 6 or 8. It’s always wise to take the odds bet when you can afford it, as it significantly improves your chances.
For example, if a casino offers double odds, you can bet $10 on top of your initial $5 Pass Line bet, giving you a better return if your point number is hit.
Avoiding Bad Bets
Now that you know the good bets, it’s time to avoid the bad ones. Here’s a breakdown of the cost of certain bets per $100 wagered:
- $16.67
- $13.89
- $11.11
- $9.09
- $8.33
- $6.67
- $5.56
- $4.00
As you can see, these bets are far more costly than the Pass Line or come bets. So, why risk losing more money on bets with higher house edges?
Less is More
Some players argue that betting smaller amounts on poor bets is a safer strategy, but this doesn’t hold up. A bad bet is still a bad bet, no matter the size. Instead, consider increasing your stake on the better bets, like the Pass Line or come bet, for lower risk and higher return.
Final Thoughts
To increase your chances of winning at craps, stick to the Pass Line, come bet, and odds. Avoid multiple numbers and bad bets—your bankroll will thank you.
Once you feel comfortable with these strategies, you can dive deeper into the game by exploring more advanced tactics.
