Craps Tournament Strategy
It’s no hidden secret that the house always wins in casino games. This is the only way the casino can make enough money to pay their costs including staff, operations and maintenance etc. But in Craps in particular, the house edge can be very high compared to other games. The % of winning at Craps can be improved if you know the best way to play craps.
Keep in mind, no strategy will change the house edge (casino advantage) on the bets placed. The goal is find the betting strategy that works for you and your bankroll and apply it at the right times at the table. Feel free to share your own (6) and (8) betting strategies in the comments below. Craps Secrets has merged with the Black Chip Club. The consideration of the craps odds is still maintain in the same way for tournament strategy as the ordinary game strategy, so you need to be fluent with every craps bet before you try out the tournament. Prizes affect your tournament strategy - The prizes for these tournaments also vary, and influence you craps tournament strategy as well.
Some craps bets for instance can have up to a 14% edge. This means if you play craps recklessly in a casino, without learning any craps strategy and how to win at craps, you’ll lose a lot of money in a short space of time.
By reading up our Craps strategy, before you play online craps or live craps, you’ll minimise your losses (and maximise your chance to winning at craps) by sticking to profitable bets with a low house edge. You can avoid the costly bets that only suckers make, and in the long term you’ll increase your expected value from the game. You can also check out the various Craps betting systems which have been published online and used a lot by craps players. So let’s read and learn how to win at craps.
Craps Strategy : Best Craps Bets
The best bets to place, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, are the Pass Line bet and Don’t Pass Line bets. These bets are similar to Blackjack and roulette in that you basically have a 50/50 chance of doubling up and the house only has a 1.41% advantage.
“Betting Against the Line” means you are betting against the run of play. These odds are actually slightly better than Pass Line bet as the house only has a 1.40% edge. You win by laying the person rolling and hoping that he hits a 7 before his Point. Be careful when placing this bet however, because it tends to mean you are betting against everyone else at the table i.e. when you win they lose.
The second range of optimal betting includes place 6, place 8, buy 4 and buy 10. Buying the 4 and 10 is cheaper than placing them. Just remember that placing the other numbers is cheaper than buying them.
Most players are unaware of this but there are a few bets you can make that have a 0% house advantage. These are the Taking the Odds and Laying the Odds. Unfortunately, you need to have previously placed the minimum bet on Pass Line of Don’t Pass Line to place these, which happens to give the House a marginal advantage overall. Most casinos also limit the amount you can wager on the odds bets. This is related to your Pass Line/Don’t Pass bets e.g. limit of 2-5x.
Take a look at our craps bets guide for in-depth guide about the best craps bets.
We also have to mention that we found some good strategy articles at www.casinosformoney.com for both craps and other casino games.
Worst Craps Bets
Generally speaking, the higher the real odds the larger the House’s mark-up. This means betting on an unlikely event like “Big 6/Big 8” gives the house a massive 9.1% advantage. These are horrible odds for any gambler. Even though the payouts are high I would avoid these hit-and-miss bets.
The worst thing you can do in Craps is make “Big Round”, Hard Way or Field bets. Punters who bet on individual numbers is the big money maker for casinos. The odds can be even worse for Hard numbers like Hard Eight where the real odds of 10:1 are replaced by Casino odds of 9:1. The worst proposition bets give the House a 16% advantage in some casinos. Snake Eyes (1 and 1) is one of the most popular proposition bets but it is also costly. It gives the house a 14% advantage.
Craps Tips
When playing craps at casinos, get comfortable with the pass, come, and free odds wagers. The only good wagers are the pass, don’t pass, come, don’t come, free odds, and placing the 6 and 8 wagers. In the beginning, stay with the pass line and a come wager or two (with odds). The house edge is good for pass (1.41%) and don’t pass (1.36%) wagers.
By laying odds, these numbers will be reduced, too. It’s best to ignore all systems when online gambling and playing craps. This game is full of energy and excitement. Just be sure to be familiar with the above wagers before you start playing this popular game. Have fun!
- It is best to make your betting selection(s) or establish a pattern of play and stick to it.
- For those of you who want to play longer and enjoy the action, it is best to stick to the ‘pass/don’t pass’ and ‘come/don’t come’ bets.
- For those of you who wish to ‘hit and run’ and winning is your priority, go for the high-odds bets.
- Raise your betting if you are winning, lower your betting if you are losing.
- You should never quit after a win.
- Last but not least, do not plan to win with every roll of the dice.
If you are the shooter at a craps table, your must make sure that you throw the dice far enough to bounce off of the far or side wall. This is a requirement when shooting craps. By bouncing off of the wall casinos can be sure that the winning numbers are random.
Gamblers Fallacy
There is a common tendency for gamblers to make predictions. The thing that you should be doing is trying to plan out your bets based upon your previous bets. Let me give you a couple of examples:
Best 5 Craps Strategies
STRATEGY #1: Using Classic Regression
Goal: To earn profit on a single hit.
1) Wait until the shooter establishes a point before placing your bets.
2) Once the point is determined, place $6.00 (two units) on both the 6 and 8 (For a total wager of $12.00).
3) After a single hit, ask the Dealer to go down one unit on both the 6 & 8.
Results: You have earned $2.00 and can no longer be taken by the Seven. You also still have $12.00 working for you. After a second hit, bring down all your wagers and wait for the shooter to roll the point or a 7. When this is achieved, start the process over.
On two hits your total earning is $21.00. You can bring down your wagers after the first hit, earning $14.00. Or, you can keep betting on the 6 & 8. If you choose to continue riding your wagers, make sure both the 6 & 8 are covered.
Behind the Strategy: There are exactly ten different combined ways to create a 6 and 8. There are exactly six combined ways for creating a seven.
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STRATEGY #2: Putting the ” Three Point Molly” to Use
Goal: To have three numbers working for your advantage at all times.
1) Place a Pass Line wager.
2) Backup your Pass Line wager by placing single or double odds on it.
3) Place a Come Line wager.
4) Backup your Come Bet wager by placing single or double odds on it (Two Come bets maximum).
5) When a Come Bets wins, immediately place another.
6) Repeat this process until the shooter rolls the point or a seven (Seven-Out).
Behind the Strategy: Every Come Bet you place will protect your original Pass Line wager. This will allow you to take advantage of a hot and lucky shooter.
STRATEGY #3: Winning with “Anything But Seven”
Goal: To win with any rolled number besides a seven.
1) Wait until the shooter establishes a point before placing your bets.
2) Once the point is determined, place $6.00 (two units) on the 5, 6 and 8 (For a total wager of $36.00).
3) Place one unit on the Field ($3.00).
Result: If the shooter keeps the dice for at least three rolls, you can earn $15.00-$27.00. If a two or twelve are thrown, you will earn even more. It is advisable to remove all your wagers after three rolls. Since this is a high risk bet with $39.00 invested, it is a safe precaution to do so.
Behind the Strategy: The average shooter rolls the dice 4 to 6 times before throwing a 7.
STRATEGY #4: Playing a “6/8 Play”
Goal: To earn substantial profit on just two hits.
1) Wait until the shooter rolls one more time after making a point.
2) Make a Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line wager.
3) Place $18.00 on both the 6 & 8 for a net wager of $36.00.
4) After a 6 or 8 is rolled, tell the dealer you want $22.00 Inside.
5) On the very next hit, tell the dealer to take down the 5 and 9.
6) Let the shooter throw the dice three more times, and then bring down the 6 & 8.
Results: After the First Hit you will get back $21.00, and $14.00 from the takedown to 22 Inside. Your net exposure after the first hit is $1.00, with $22.00 in your favor. The second hit will make $7.00 plus the return of $10.00, resulting from the 5 and 9 takedown. After two hits you will have earned $16.00 profit, and will still have $12.00 working in your favor. At this time, you can choose to either have the 6 and 8 continue working for you, or, take your $12.00 off the table.
Behind the Strategy: If the shooter has not rolled the point or a 6 or 8 by the fourth roll, you should take down all wagers and wait for another shooter. You can lay down $24.00 instead of $36.00 to begin with if you do not want to risk as much. With a hot and lucky shooter you may want to keep the 5 and 9 up and playing for more than just one throw.
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STRATEGY #5: Using Regressive and Pressing Methods
Goal: Letting your earnings ride after recovering your beginning investment.
1) After the player makes their point, place $18.00 on both the 6 and 8 for a total investment of $36.00.
2) After the first hit, tell the dealer you want $22.00 inside.
3) Remove the 5 and 9 after the second hit has occurred.
4) Immediately place the 5 and 9 back up after the third hit has occurred.
5) After the fourth hit, press the 6 and 8 up to $12.00 each for a total of $24.00.
6) After the fifth hit; return to Step #1 and repeat the process.
Results: After the first hit, you will get back $21.00 and $14.00 from the takedown to 22 inside. Your exposure risk is $1.00. After the second hit has occurred, you will get back $7.00 plus an additional $10.00 by removing the 5 & 9. Your total profit after two hits is exactly $16.00, with $12.00 working for you.
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Craps is one of the oldest casino games, and has existed in its current form for over a century.
This long history means craps is a popular game that has passed the test of time. But casinos like to put a fresh spin on older casino games – especially if it increases their edge.
Enter crapless craps, which is a variation on this time-honored game. Crapless craps add an interesting rule where you can’t lose on a pass line bet.
But does this variation help you win more often? Or is this just a gimmick by casinos?
Find out as I cover the rules of crapless craps, why you should play this game, the downside of crapless craps, and how this version compares to traditional craps.
Rules of Crapless Craps
Pass line is a bet that you make on the come out roll, which is the first roll of a new round. This wager wins when a 7 or 11 is tossed on the come out, and loses when a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled.
Any other number establishes a point. The point must be rolled before a 7 in order for pass line to win.
Crapless craps differ because you can’t lose on the come out roll. The reason is because 2, 3, and 12 are all point numbers in crapless craps.
But the catch is that 11 is also a point number. This means that the only way for you to win on the come out roll is by tossing a 7.
Once you get past the come out, normal pass line rules apply. This means that you need the point number to be rolled before a 7 in order to win.
Also, keep in mind that don’t pass line and don’t come bets aren’t available in crapless craps. This is bad because you don’t have a viable alternative to pass line.
Why You Should Play Crapless Craps
The main reason to play crapless craps is if you want to try something different than the regular game.
Perhaps you’re bored with how pass line bets work at regular craps tables. In this case, crapless craps offer an interesting alternative.
Another reason to try this game is if you have bad luck on the come out roll.
Maybe 2, 3, and/or 12 come up far more often than you’d like on the come out. In this case, you’ll be glad to know that these numbers won’t cause you to lose in crapless craps.
Another bonus is that the 7 at least gives you one option to win on the come out roll.
This is good because 7 has better odds than any other number in craps. 6 out of the possible 36 dice combinations can form a 7.
Downside of Crapless Craps
The biggest problem with crapless craps is that its pass line bet carries a 5.38% house edge.
This is really bad in comparison to a regular pass line wager, which has a 1.41% house edge. If your primary goal is to win, then you need to avoid crapless craps.
Why does crapless craps give you such a poor chance of winning?
This game seems good at face value because 2, 3, and 12 don’t cause you to lose on pass line. Instead, they’re neutral because they become point numbers.
The only thing that you’re sacrificing is the ability to win with an 11 on the come out roll. But if you take a deeper look at the math, this is a bad tradeoff.
Your odds of getting a 2 or 12 on the come out are 17:1. Your odds of landing a 3 or 11 on the come out are 9:1.
The problem here is that converting 2, 3, and 12 to point numbers doesn’t offset what you lose by not winning with 11.
This is why you face a 5.38% house edge, which is among the worst in table games. Let’s look at how crapless craps’ pass line bet compares to other casino games:
- Video poker = 0.46% house edge (9/6 Jacks or Better)
- Blackjack = 0.5% to 2.0% (varies by table rules)
- Baccarat = 1.06% (betting on banker hand)
- French roulette = 1.35%
- Regular craps = 1.41% (pass line bet)
- Pai gow poker = 1.46%
- European roulette = 2.70%
- Let It Ride = 3.51%
- Online scratch cards = 5.0% (varies by provider)
- Caribbean stud = 5.22%
- American roulette = 5.26%
- Crapless craps (pass line) = 5.38%
- Keno = 10% to 40%
Strategy for Crapless Craps
Crapless craps is different from standard craps in terms of strategy.
This is because you’re facing a 5.38% house edge with the pass line bet. And you can’t get around this by making don’t pass line and don’t come bets because they don’t exist.
This means your best option is to make a Place 6 or Place 8 wager. Both of these bets have a 1.52% house edge, which makes them the best in crapless craps.
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With Place 6, you need a 6 to be rolled before a 7. The payout for winning is 7:6, and your true odds are 6:5.
Place 8 works the same as Place 6 in terms of the payout and true odds. But the difference is that you need an 8 to be rolled before a 7 to win.
Keep in mind that some casinos only let you make place bets on 2, 3, 11, or 12 in crapless craps.
This is a huge problem, because Place 2 and Place 12 carry a 7.14% house edge, while Place 3 and Place 11 have a 6.30% house advantage. This makes these bets even worse than the pass line wager.
One more point worth making here is that some casinos allow you to place free odds behind 2, 3, and 12.
This is good because an odds bet doesn’t have a house edge. Instead, it pays at your true odds of winning.
Odds behind 2 and 12 offer a 6:1 payout, while odds behind a 3 deliver a 3:1 payout. Here’s a look at how the house advantage changes based on the amount of odds you bet:
- 1X odds = 2.94% house edge
- 2X odds = 2.02%
- 3X odds = 1.54%
- 5X odds = 1.04%
Even at 1x odds, you’re almost cutting the house edge in half. Taking 3x odds makes these bets about as good as a Place 6 or Place 8 wager.
If you’re able to bet 5x odds or higher, then you’re dealing with an even lower house edge than a regular pass line or don’t pass line bet.
Here are the instructions for how you place odds bets in crapless craps:
1. Make a Place 2, 3, or 12 bet.
2. Tell the dealer that you’re going to put odds behind your wager.
3. Place your chips behind your original bet (there’s no official space for odds).
4. You need your place bet number to be rolled before a 7 for both your regular bet and odds to come through.
How Does Crapless Craps Compare to Regular Craps?
The biggest difference between standard craps and crapless craps is the latter’s pass line rules.
As covered before, the pass line bet can’t lose on the come out because 2, 3, and 12 are all point numbers. But the drawback is that 11 also becomes a point, rather than delivering a win.
In standard craps, pass line wins with a 7 or 11 on the come out roll. And it loses with a 2, 3, or 12.
The other big difference is that crapless craps doesn’t offer don’t pass line and don’t come. This is a major downside because these wagers would normally help you bypass the unfavorable pass line wager.
Another notable change is that crapless craps allows you to bet free odds behind Place 2, 3, and 12.This doesn’t suddenly make crapless craps a great game, but it does help you reduce the house edge.
What’s the Best Craps Strategy?
If you want to exercise good craps strategy, then your first rule should be to avoid crapless craps.
This game features really bad odds on the pass line bet, despite the fact that you can’t lose on the come out roll. What’s worse is that you’re not able to make don’t bets.
Crapless craps only becomes further unplayable when you can’t make Place 6 and Place 8 wagers.
The best craps strategy begins with finding a regular table. If your casino only offers crapless craps, then you’re going to be at a major disadvantage.
The second step to perfect craps strategy is making either a pass line or don’t pass line bet and backing it with odds.
As explained earlier, odds bets don’t have a house edge. This means that you can improve your overall chances of winning by making this wager.
You must wait for a point number to be established before placing an odds bet behind your pass line or don’t pass line wager. You “take odds” when backing a pass line bet, and “lay odds” when betting behind don’t pass line.
Taking odds requires the shooter to roll the point before a 7 for you to win. Here are payouts on taking odds:
- 2:1 on point numbers of 4 and 10.
- 3:2 on points of 5 and 9.
- 6:5 on points of 6 and 8.
Laying odds requires the shooter to roll a 7 before the point for you to win. Here are payouts on laying odds:
- 1:2 for points of 4 and 10.
- 2:3 for points of 5 and 9.
- 5:6 for points of 6 and 8.
It’s to your advantage to take the highest odds available. But most casinos cap the amount of available odds to 5x or less.
Here’s how much the house edge drops based on the size of your odds bet:
Odds | Pass Line/Come | Don’t Pass Line/Don’t Come |
---|---|---|
0x | 1.41% house edge | 1.36% house edge |
1x | 0.848% | 0.682% |
2x | 0.606% | 0.455% |
Full Double Odds | 0.572% | 0.431% |
3x | 0.471% | 0.341% |
3x 4x 5x | 0.374% | 0.273% |
5x | 0.326% | 0.227% |
10x | 0.184% | 0.124% |
20x | 0.099% | 0.065% |
100x | 0.021% | 0.014% |
The Cromwell in Las Vegas is the only place I know of that has 100x odds. Vegas’ Main Street Station is one of the few that offers 20x odds.
Of course, you need to be wary of making bigger odds wagers, because you also need the money to back them. Here’s an example:
1. You place a $5 pass line bet.
2. You take 20x odds.
3. This means you have to bet another $100, or $105 total.
Most craps players don’t have $105 to place on every bet, even if there isn’t a house edge. This is why you need to take your bankroll size into consideration along with the odds.
Conclusion
New casino games are fun to try, especially when you’re tired of classic games like baccarat, blackjack, craps, and roulette. But as we’ve covered with crapless craps, you also need to be careful when playing gimmicky games.
Crapless craps fools players with the promise that pass line bettors can’t lose on the come out roll. But the rules behind this proposition create a 5.38% house edge.
What’s worse is that you can’t make don’t pass line and don’t come bets. Sometimes you can’t even choose Place 6 or Place 8 wagers, which takes away all of your good options.
If you must try crapless craps, then I suggest keeping your bets as low as possible. This is, after all, just a gimmick used to boost the casino’s advantage.
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Ideally, you’ll play regular craps games and back your pass line and don’t pass line bets with odds. This gives you the best chance to win and is much better than crapless craps.