Craps is one of the most popular games in casinos, mainly due to its incredibly fun and exciting nature. It is also purely a game of chance, as the player’s fate hangs around the outcome of the roll of a pair of dice.
This and its seeming complexity make it daunting for many players. Do you want to play craps like a professional and increase your chances of winning? This post will provide detailed insight into everything you need. Let’s get into it!
The Basics
As mentioned above, craps is a purely luck-based game that involves betting on the outcome of a roll or a series of rolls. This means there are no skills to guarantee winnings. However, learning the basics and rules of the game is essential to play it like a pro, especially if you’re a beginner.
First, you must understand the types of bets available. The most popular ones include the following:
- Pass Line Bet
- Don’t Pass Bet
- Come Bet
- Don’t Come Bet
- Odds Bet
- Place Bet
- Field Bet
- Big Six and Big Eight
- Any Seven Bet
Understanding the different types of bets is essential because it helps you make informed decisions when placing your bets. In addition, you must understand the order of play to know the best time to play your wagers, from the Come-Out roll to the Point roll. Finally, you must learn the terminology used in the game to communicate effectively with the other players and a dealer, especially a live dealer with contemporary assets at land-based casinos.
The Pass Line Bet
The house edge is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player. Therefore, one of the best strategies of professional crap players is that they go for bets with the lowest house edges, one of which is the Pass Line wager.
The Pass Line wager is one of the most popular crap bets. Most players consider the best way to play the game as it involves betting on the shooter to win on the come-out roll. This wager has a house edge of 1.41%, one of the lowest in craps. This means that, over time, the player loses less money when making Pass Line bets than in many other types of bets, increasing their chances of winning.
The Pass Line wager wins if the come-out roll is a 7 or 11 and loses if it’s a 2, 3, or 12. Any other number becomes a point, and the shooter must roll that number again before a 7 for the player to win the Pass Line bet.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Pass Line Bet
Even the best type of bets has its own advantages and disadvantages. As for the Pass Line bet, its pros and cons are as follows:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Low house edge. The Pass Line bet has one of the lowest house edges in the game of craps, which makes it an attractive option for players looking to maximize their chances of winning. | Limited betting options. While the Pass Line bet is a good choice for beginners, more experienced players may find it limiting, as it only offers a few betting options. |
| Easy to understand. The Pass Line bet is one of the simplest bets in craps, making it an ideal choice for beginners. | Must wait for point to be established. In order to make additional odds bets on the Pass Line bet, players must wait for a point to be established. |
| Can be combined with odds bets. Once a point has been established, players can make additional bets known as “odds bets” on the Pass Line bet. |
The Don’t Pass Bet
The Don’t Pass wager is another excellent bet you can make to improve your chances of winning when playing craps. The house edge for this bet is 1.36%, meaning it’s lower than the Pass Line option. This house edge is also lower than many other casino games, including most slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and table games.
However, this type of wager can quickly get you enemies at the craps table in a land-based casino. As mentioned above, most players are rooting for the shooter to win. Therefore, placing Don’t Pass wagers means you are against the majority and may earn you some negative reactions. While this shouldn’t bother you much, this craps bet is best played at online casinos.
With Don’t Pass bets, the player wins if the outcome is a 2 or 3 and loses if it’s a 7 or 11. If the shooter rolls a 12, the bet is a push, and the player gets their wager back without winning or losing.
The Full Odds Bet
According to crap professionals, Full Odds is the best wager to place when playing the game. Unlike other casino games and bet types in craps, it has zero house edge and offers the player true odds of winning. This wager is placed on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass bets after a point has been established. With Full Odds, the shooter must roll the point number before a 7 for players who bet placed Pass Line wagers to win. Conversely, players who place Don’t Pass bets will win if the shooter rolls a 7 before the point number.
Another reason why Full Odds is an excellent craps wager is because it can significantly reduce the overall house edge on players’ bets. For example, if the player makes a pass line bet with full odds on the point of 5, the overall house edge on their bets is reduced to just 0.34% instead of the initial 1.41%. This is also the same for don’t pass line wagers, making full odds one of the best bets in the casino.
Bankroll Management
Like other games of chance, there is no specific strategy or skill to control your wins and losses when playing craps. However, every professional crap player controls their budget to be successful in the long term. Without proper bankroll management, even the most skilled craps players can quickly lose their money and be forced to leave the table.
Before you start playing, setting apart a specific budget is essential to avoid overspending. You must also create a staking plan and stick to it no matter the results you see. Proper bankroll management will help you stay disciplined and save you from losing significant amounts by chasing losses. It also prevents you from getting overconfident when losing all your winnings when on a winning streak.
Everyone loses when playing at a casino. However, by reducing your losses with proper money management, you can stretch your bankroll and enjoy longer playing time at the craps table. This increases your chances of hitting a winning streak and making a profit.
Play at Online Casinos
Although the social aspect of craps is best enjoyed at a land-based casino, you might want to consider playing at online casinos for some reasons. For starters, online casinos offer flexibility and privacy to enjoy the game from the comfort of your house.
In addition, many online casinos allow players to play their favorite titles for free, including craps. As a result, players can learn the basics of the game and develop helpful strategies by practicing at these casinos for free before committing real money.
Also, most online casinos feature bonuses and promotions to attract new customers and retain existing ones. From 300% deposit bonus UK to other exciting promotions, these offers can help you play more crap games with lesser risks to your bankroll, increasing your chances of winning significantly. Other popular types of bonuses you can use to play craps on online casinos include:
- Welcome bonuses
- No deposit bonuses
- Reload bonuses
- Cashback bonuses
- VIP rewards
- Loyalty programs
Conclusion
Playing craps like a professional requires knowledge, skill, and strategy. It’s essential to understand the rules of the game and the different betting options available, as well as to develop a solid betting strategy that works for you. Also, the best craps players understand the importance of managing their bankroll and avoiding impulsive betting.
As a beginner, one of the most effective ways to become good at craps is practice. Whether through free games or playing with small bets, consistent practice can help you refine your skills and develop a deeper understanding of the game. Also, ensure you maximize the bonus and promo offers to expand your bankroll and improve your chances of winning.
Lastly, remember that strategy is foolproof, especially in craps, where luck primarily controls the outcome. So, have fun, enjoy the game, and play responsibly.
