Let’s get one thing straight right away. The house has an edge on all Craps bets, except free odds and lay odds bets, and there’s nothing players can do to change that.
However, there are strategies that players can implement to reduce the house edge as much as possible and ensure that they have the best chance of winning. When entering a game of Craps, just like any other casino game, a well-thought-out strategy is essential.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most popular Craps strategies, focusing on how they work and their advantages and disadvantages.
Craps Strategy: Key Approaches for Players
There are several things you should consider before you start playing Craps and decide which strategy to use.
Try to answer questions such as:
- How much money are you willing to spend on a session?
- Do you have a large enough bankroll to use the method that gives you the best odds?
- What is your goal?
- Do you want to play for a while in the hope of making a small profit, or do you want to try going for a big win by betting on outcomes that pay more but have lower odds?
If you’re not sure of your answers to the above questions, check out the Craps strategies we’ve put together and decide later.
1. Pass and Come Bets with Odds
This is a popular and beginner-friendly strategy where players start with a pass line bet, placing bets on the shooter’s success. Adding odds to a pass or come bet - bets with no house edge - reduces the overall edge on these bets.
The come bet works like the pass bet but is placed after the point has been established. If there is no point on the pass line, bet on pass for the comeout roll. If there is a point, bet on come to add another number.
Players often pair a pass bet with two or three come bets for up to four numbers in play.
Aim to place as much of your bet as possible on free odds, which have no house edge. Start with the table minimum on pass or come, then use the odds to reach your total wager.
- Pros: With odds, the house edge is significantly reduced, sometimes as low as 0.02% at 100x odds - most casinos don't offer odds higher than 5x, 10x or, occasionally, 20x. But at 5x odds, the house edge on Pass/Come bets is reduced to about 0.33%, which is still a very low edge. It’s one of the best strategies for betting with the shooter.
- Cons: Placing multiple bets with odds can quickly increase the amount of money at risk. Players need to manage their bankroll or risk significant losses if a 7 is rolled too early.
2. Don’t Pass and Don’t Come Bets with Laying Odds
This strategy is the opposite of the pass and come bets. Here, players bet against the shooter, hoping they don’t make their point.
Are you willing to jump over to the dark side and pray that the shooter misses?
As with pass/come bets, the aim is to place most of your bets on the odds that have no house edge. The best strategy is to bet the table minimum on don't pass and don't come, then lay odds to reach your total desired wager.
- Pros: The edge is slightly better on don’t pass or don’t come bets (1.36%) than on pass or come bets (1.41%). Laying odds further reduces the house edge, giving you the best odds in Craps.
- Cons: Betting against the shooter isn’t popular among players, as it lacks the camaraderie of betting on the shooter. Large bets can also build up if multiple don’t come bets with odds are made.
3. Placing 6 and 8
With this strategy, players avoid waiting for the shooter to make a point and bet directly on 6 or 8, the most frequently rolled numbers besides 7. The house edge is modestly low, making it popular among budget-conscious players.
When betting on 6 or 8, make sure to bet in multiples of $6. Winning bets are paid at odds of 7-6, but if you don’t bet in multiples of $6, you’ll receive smaller payouts.
- Pros: By picking frequently rolled numbers, this strategy keeps a relatively low house edge (1.52%). It’s also more affordable than odds-based systems.
- Cons: There are no free odds on place bets, so the house edge remains slightly higher than on pass and don’t pass bets with odds.
4. Pass with Odds Plus Place 6 and/or 8
This hybrid system combines a pass line bet backed with odds and placing a bet on 6 or 8, maximising the odds while minimising the total amount at risk.
Start with a minimum pass line bet. Once a point is established, back it with as many free odds as you can afford. If the point is 6 or 8, place a bet on the other number; if the point is any other number, bet on both 6 and 8.
- Pros: Lower house edge than just betting on 6 and 8 alone. Allows players to bet on the most frequently rolled numbers.
- Cons: The house edge isn’t as low as the first two strategies. While the Pass Line with odds lowers the house edge, the addition of Place bets on 6 or 8 means this combination isn’t quite as low-risk as a strategy focusing only on Pass/Don’t Pass with odds.
5. Don’t Pass with Lay Odds, Plus Lay 4 or 10
This approach is similar to the Pass with Odds and Place 6 or 8 strategy, but in reverse, allowing players to choose which numbers they want to bet against.
Start with a minimum bet on don’t pass. Once a point has been established, lay odds on it in order to reduce the house edge significantly. If the point is a 4, lay the 10 as well; if the point is a 10, lay the 4. For any other point, lay both 4 and 10.
- Pros: This offers flexibility in choosing numbers to bet against, so players can reduce the house edge by choosing 4 or 10.
- Cons: The house edge remains higher on lay bets than on don’t come bets, making it less favourable in the long run.
Best Craps Strategy for Your Bankroll
Ultimately, the most efficient strategies with the lowest house edge are the pass-come-odds and don’t pass-don’t come-lay odds strategies.
If you are short on funds, betting 6 and 8 is an affordable way to stay in the game without significant losses. Players looking for big wins but willing to take more risks can explore alternative strategies, knowing they come with higher house edges.
May the dice roll you some good luck! See you at the tables!
