Winning and losing at craps. Don't be a sucker. Here's how:
Craps is a popular casino game known for its fast-paced action and thrilling atmosphere. While the outcome of each roll is purely based on chance, players can employ various strategies to make informed bets and potentially increase their chances of winning. In this article, we will explore strategies that have been associated with both winning and losing at craps.
Strategies that Win at Craps:
Pass Line and Come Bets: The Pass Line and Come bets are fundamental to craps and offer a low house edge, making them popular choices among players. Placed during the "Come-Out" roll, these bets win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 and lose on 2, 3, or 12. If a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is established, the bets move to that number, and players can take "odds" to further reduce the house edge, making these bets even more advantageous.
Odds Bets: Taking "odds" on Pass Line and Come bets after a point has been established is a savvy move. Odds bets have no house edge, meaning they pay true odds, making them one of the best bets in craps. Players should always take maximum odds allowed by the casino to maximize potential winnings.
Place Bets on 6 and 8: Placing bets on the 6 and 8 offers reasonable odds with a modest house edge. The payouts are slightly lower than true odds, but the probability of winning is higher compared to other place bets (such as 5 or 9).
Don't Pass and Don't Come Bets: For players seeking a lower house edge, the Don't Pass and Don't Come bets are excellent options. These bets are the opposite of Pass Line and Come bets and win when the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 on the Come-Out roll or sevens out after a point is established.
Strategies that Lose at Craps:
Prop Bets: Proposition bets, also known as "prop" bets, are tempting due to their attractive payouts, but they come with high house edges. Examples include Any 7, Any Craps, and Horn bets. While they may offer significant rewards for a successful roll, the odds are heavily stacked against the player, making them risky choices.
Hard-way Bets: Betting on Hard-way numbers (4, 6, 8, or 10 rolled with doubles, e.g., 2-2 for Hard 4) might seem appealing due to their high payouts. However, they have substantial house edges, and the likelihood of rolling a Hard-way number is relatively low, making them less profitable in the long run.
Field Bets: Field bets are often considered "one-roll" bets because they win or lose on the next roll. While they may appear to offer frequent wins, the house edge is typically high, especially when 2 and 12 only pay double, or when 5 and 9 pay triple.
Chasing Losses: One of the most significant mistakes in any form of gambling, including craps, is chasing losses. Betting more after losing in an attempt to recover losses can lead to further financial trouble and poor decision-making.
In craps, players can apply a mix of luck and strategy to enhance their gaming experience. Strategies such as Pass Line and Come bets, coupled with taking maximum odds, offer favorable odds and are commonly associated with winning at craps. Conversely, players should be cautious about engaging in high house edge bets like prop bets and Hard-way bets, which are typically associated with losing.
Remember, craps is ultimately a game of chance, and no strategy can guarantee consistent winnings. Responsible gambling practices, managing bankroll, and understanding the odds are essential elements of an enjoyable and potentially rewarding craps experience.