Craps Betting

Las Vegas Craps Odds. Most craps tables on the Las Vegas Strip offer 3/4/5 times odds. This means that a player can wager three times the flat bet on a 4 and 10, four times on a five and 9, and five times on a six and eight. The Field betting areas is a big section on the craps table. A bet placed on the field wins if the next roll is a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11. If the next roll is a 3, 4, 9 or 11 you win even money. If a 2 or a 12 is rolled you win 2 to 1. Craps is a game with a lot of bets. There are field bets, proposition bets, hardway bets, and more to choose from. There are almost 100 different bets you could make on every roll of the dice. The casino is counting on you to make those bets because most of them are bad for the player.

Online craps is an exciting game. In fact it is often thought of as the most exciting game in the casino and usually has crowds of people around the table observing the game and hooting and hollering.

Craps

Online craps is a game that is a bit misunderstood, not unlike the local bully who chases his friends away being mean, but really wants friends more than anything else in the world. Most players are shocked when they learn how simplified the game of online craps really is. However, it can appear complicated because of all the betting options, but it is one of the best games to beat the “house” odds on, and is truly riveting in nature. Once you become familiar with the “craps” lingo, it is easy to follow; it just takes a little time to get used to the terminology.

Basic Game
The game is played with 2 dice, which are rolled by “the shooter.” The shooter may place a bet. If the shooter gets a 7 or an 11 on the first roll, he wins; if you roll a 2, 3, or 12, you lose immediately or as they call it “crap out” (which is what it feels like incidentally). If you roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 (called a point), you continue rolling until you get the matching number (a 4 on the first roll and then another 4) and you win. However, if you roll a 7 before you roll the matching number, you loose.

The first roll is the “come out” roll. In a casino you can roll or pass the roll. In online craps casino play, you are generally the roller. The only bets that can be made before the first roll are the Pass-Line and Don’t-Pass bets.

  • Pass-Line: betting that the shooter will roll an immediate 7 or 11, or a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10). You lose if the first roll is a 2, 3, or 12.
  • Don’t-Pass: wagering that the 1st roll will be a 2 or 3, (12 is a stand-off or tie). You lose if the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11 on the 1st roll. If a point is made (roll a 4 as an example) you are betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before he will roll another 4 (just think the exact opposite of a Pass-Line Bet).

The next possible bets are the Come and Don’t Come bets. These are made after the shooter makes the first roll.

  • Come Bet: the shooter will make the point (for example: roll a 5, and then another 5) before he/she rolls a 7. After the Come Bet is placed, ff a 7 or an 11 is rolled, you win; if you roll a 2, 3, or 12, you lose.
  • Don’t-Come Bet: your bet is that the shooter will roll a 7 before he/she makes the point. After the bet, if a 7 or 11 is rolled, you lose; however, a 2 or 3 is a winner, and a 12 is a tie (or stand-off). You are betting that the shooter won’t make the point (Don’t Come Point).

The next types of betting are Place Betting, Buy Betting, and Lay Betting. All of these bets are based on the point numbers of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.

  • Place Betting: you pick one of the possible points (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) and bet that that number will come up before a 7. You must choose a point, other than the existing point. If 6 is the point, you cannot make a place bet on a 6, but you can on all others.
  • Buy Betting: A Buy Bet is the same as a Place Bet, but you are betting that a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) comes up before a 7. You are buying a point number. You usually have to pay a 5% commission on this bet to the on-line casino, but you are given better odds.
  • Lay Bet: betting that a 7 will come up before a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10. You choose a number (let’s say 6)and bet that a 7 be rolled before a 6. Since a 7 is has the most possible combinations, the on-line casino usually takes a 5% commission if you win, as a 7 is the most likely to be rolled.

Some Other types of bets are:

  • Field Bets: The Field Bet is betting that a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 will come up on the next roll. This bet only covers 1 roll-the next one. If that number doesn’t come up, you lose.
  • Big 6 and Big 8 Bets: Betting that a 6 or an 8 will come up before a 7. Generally worse odds than making a Place Bet, though it is exactly the same thing as a place bet; you are just picking a different box on the crap table with worse odds.
  • Proposition Bets: These bets are placed at the center of the table, where you will see pictures of dice, and dice combinations. Here, you are betting on one roll-the next one. You are betting that a number, or even a set of numbers will come up on the next roll. You can choose “any craps” which is a 2, 3, or 12 bet; a 2 or 12 bet; 3 or 11 bet; or “any seven” bet. The pay-offs are high, but the chances are very low that you will win, as you only have 1 roll.
  • Hardway Bets: This is betting that 4 (double 2), 6 (double 3), 8 (double 4), or 10 (double 5) will come up before a 7 is rolled, or a different combination of that chosen number. For example, instead of double 3’s coming up for a 6, a 4 and a 2 come up for a 6.
  • Horn Bet: The next roll will either be a 2, 3, 11, or 12. You must put a bet on each number (for example, bet $20, and each number would have $5 on it), but only one number will win and three numbers will lose. So, only $5 can actually win.
  • Horn High Bet: You bet on the next roll: You choose 3 horn numbers (2, 3, 11, 12) and two numbers that you want. On the two numbers you choose, the bet is increased.

Dice Chart:

There are different numbers that come up because there are several ways it can appear. For example, an 8 can be rolled as a 2-6, 6-2, 5-3, 3-5, 4-4. However, a 2 can only come up one way: 1-1. It is helpful to see the dice and what the probabilities are that any number may come up on a dice roll.

Roll (Dice Combinations) Probability

Should

2 (1-1) 1/36

3 (1-2; 2-1) 2/36 or 1/18

4 (1-3; 3-1; 2-2) 3/36 or 1/12

Betting

5 (1-4; 4-1; 3-2; 2-3) 4/36 or 1/9

6 (1-5; 5-1; 4-2; 2-4; 3-3) 5/36

7 (6-1; 1-6; 5-2; 2-5; 3-4; 4-3) 6/36 or 1/6

8 (2-6; 6-2; 5-3; 3-5; 4-4) 5/36

9 (3-6; 6-3; 4-5; 5-4) 4/36 or 1/9

10 (4-6; 6-4; 5-5) 3/36 or 1/12

Online savings account

11 (5-6; 6-5) 2/36 or 1/18

Craps Betting

12 (6-6) 1/36

Suggestions For Playing Craps
Craps appears to be complicated because of the huge variety of different types of bets, and so many online gaming enthusiasts choose to avoid it altogether. However, if you stick to a few, basic bets, that have the best odds, you can build on more complicated bets later. The key, at first is to keep it simple and diversify after you have a good grasp of the game.

A good strategy to learn the game is to visit an online casino and try the Pass/Don’t Pass bets. There are plenty of online casinos where you can play for free until you get used the game. After playing for awhile add the Come/Don’t Come bets. From there, you can decide whether or not you want to add the additional bets, depending on your own personal style of gambling, with poor odds-big payoff, good odds-lower payout, etc.

Online craps casino play is a little different than going to a casino and playing a “live” game with other people. First, in a live game, you take turns throwing the dice around the table, and you don’t have to throw if you don’t want too. Second, you are always the shooter when playing at an online casino. Third, there may be a psychological edge working against you. Since you are the only “shooter” you may be reluctant to bet against yourself to bet Don’t Pass, Don’t Come. You are betting to make money, however, to bet against yourself may make you feel that you are betting negative-that you won’t Pass or make the Point. Some may find it difficult to do this.

Different books and online websites give varying advice on what is considered a good verses a poor bet. Here is a chart to help with deciding on what odds you want to live with.

Bet Types Probability/Odds House Edge

Come Out Roll
7 6/36 or 1/6

11 2/36 or 1/18

Pass Line Bet Even money 1.41%

Don’t Pass Bet Even money 1.36%

Doubledown casino 100 million

Come Bet Even money 1.41%

Don’t Come Bet Even money 1.36%

Place Bets (to lose)

4 or 10 5 to 11 3.03%

5 or 9 5 to 8 2.50%

6 or 8 4 to 5 1.82%

Place Bets (to win)

4 to 10 9 to 5 6.67%

5 or 9 7 to 5 4.00%

Craps Betting

6 or 8 7 to 6 1.52%

Field Bet Even money 5.56%

Big 6/8 Even money 9.09%

Hardways

Any Craps 7 to 1 11.11%

Any 7 4 to 1 16.67%

11 or 3 15 to 1 11.11%

12 or 2 30 to 1 13.89%

Horn Bet What house specifies 12.50%

Want to know how to improve your craps game? Craps is all about the betting, not the dice roll. Knowing when and how to bet will make you invincible when you play craps—whether you play craps online or in casinos. These 5 simple tips on how to win at craps will improve your odds of winning while playing craps.

There are 11 numbers possible with a pair of dice; some easier to roll than others.

Those unfamiliar with the game of craps are usually put off by the large betting fields and seemingly endless rules and betting combinations. But the secret to winning at craps is to have some sort of understanding of the house edge, so you know when, where, and why to bet on each roll of the dice. All casino games are based on probability, so a little understanding of the math behind the game goes a long way. Some bets are better than others—and often at different times during the game.

Reference

Follow the basic strategy outlined below; it’s easy to remember and to implement. Get ready to boost your bankroll and your craps skills with these 5 easy-to-master tips.

Craps Betting

Craps Betting Chart

1. Don’t Pass and Don’t Come With Odds

The rule of thumb is as follows: Put the smallest amount on the Don’t Pass or the Don’t Come lines and wager the largest amount behind them. The house edge is on the Don’t Pass/Don’t Come bets, which only pay out 1:1 if you win. But the player has the advantage on the Free Odds bets (those behind the don’t pass/don’t come line), which pay out at the actual mathematical odds. This means if you play it right, the house has no advantage at all.

Free Odds bets are the only bets in the casino where the house has no advantage. It’s important to bet in the right increments, because most casinos won’t pay out in fractional dollars. For example: Free Odds payouts on 6 and 8 are at a 6:5 ratio (i.e. bet $5 get paid $6), so bet in increments of $5. Free Odds payouts on 5 and 9 are at a 3:2 ratio, so bet in increments of $2. Free Odds payouts on 4 and 10 are 2:1, so bet in whatever increments you like.

2. Place the 6 or 8 Bet to Win

Instead of waiting for the shooter to establish a point, pick your own numbers: 6 or 8. When you’re playing in multiples of $6.00 (or the currency of your choice), place the 6 or 8 place-to-win bet. The 1.52% house edge makes this bet a popular choice. The winning bets are paid at 7:6 odds, which means that you’ll be paid out $7 when you bet $6 and the number hits.

The 6 and 8 are the most frequently rolled numbers other than 7. Stay away from other place bets because the house edge is higher: 4% on 5 or 9 and 6.67% on 4 or 10.

3. Place the 6 or 8 Bet to Lose

This tip is the opposite of the previous tip. You’re betting on the shooter to lose, which might make you ‘unpopular’ at a table cheering on the shooter. But you’re not gambling for them; you’re playing the odds. Place a $5 bet on the table and announce “6 (or 8) to lose.” If the 7 shows (which is a very high frequency number) then you win $4.00 as the house edge is only 1.82%. Remember, there are 11 numbers that can be rolled with a pair of dice and some numbers are much easier to roll (come up more frequently) than others. Check out the list below of numbers and the ways to roll them:

2 – one way – 1-1

3 – two ways – 1-2, 2-1

4 – three ways – 1-3, 2-2, 3-1

5 – four ways – 1-4, 2-3, 3-2, 4-1

6 – five ways – 1-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-1

7 – six ways – 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1

8 – five ways – 2-6, 3-5, 4-4, 5-3, 6-2

9 – four ways – 3-6, 4-5, 5-4, 6-3

10 – three ways – 4-6, 5-5, 6-4

11 – two ways – 5-6, 6-5

2 – one way – 6-6

4. Lay against the 4 or 10

This tip is similar to the place the 6 or 8 to lose but the payouts are much higher as, while there are six ways to roll a 7, there are only three ways to roll a 4 or a 10 as opposed to five ways to roll a 6 or 8. In this case you take the more “optimistic” approach and place $20 on the table and say “Lay against the 4 (or 10).” If you win, you get back $40!

You must pay the house a 5% commission to make lay bets, but they pay out at true odds. Also, you’re betting against the shooter, so try not to gloat if you win large amounts betting against them. And if you’re playing craps online, you’re not offending anyone.

5. Place the 5 or 9 to Lose

In this bet, you put down $8.00 (remember you have to bet in increments of $2 as the odds are 3:2, meaning for every $2 you bet you get $3 if you win) and bet that the numbers above will lose. Why? The house edge on this type of bet is low – only 2.5% so when the 7 shows (again, that happens often), you’ll win $5.00.

In addition to these tips, always remember that craps is a negative expectation game, so the longer you play, the higher the chances you have of losing. But this is how casinos stay in business, and how the house edges make or break bettors who don’t make smart bets—or know when to walk away.

These are 5 of the most effective bets to make on craps to win. By reducing the house odds you are increasing your own chances of winning big when the table is hot. Try this for yourself at Slots of Vegas Craps Table today and walk away a winner!

See also: “Fall in love with the game of craps”