Craps Strategy: Odds & Best Online Winning Strategies
With its complex-looking board and a plethora of bet types, craps can be an overwhelming game to start and strategize for. However, this could not be further from the truth. Craps is one of the most popular table games for any online casinos player, and its lengthy history has led to the development of a few effective winning strategies.
Any sort of casino table game is a luck-based game at the end of the day. However, there are ways to bet and utilize the odds in your favor to secure more winnings than most.
Below, you can learn more about the most popular craps betting strategies and how you can use them to give yourself a boost at the craps table.
Best Craps Strategies: Understanding Craps Odds
Before diving into the popular online craps betting strategies, it is important to understand how craps odds work. With so many bets available in craps, it can be easy to lose track of them all.
The four most popular bets that you can make in craps are as followed:
- Pass Bet (1.41% house edge)
- Don’t Pass Bet (1.36% house edge)
- Come Bet (1.41% house edge)
- Don’t Come Bet (1.36% house edge)
These four are the most important due to their low “house edge.” House edge simply translates to how much of an advantage the house has compared to the player.
Is There a Foolproof Craps Strategy?
Since craps is a table game, there is no one single strategy that is completely foolproof.
However, that does not mean there are no effective strategies that can improve your ability to win big at the online craps table. Let’s go through some of the effective craps strategies that might help you win big, including some of my personally preferred methods.
Effective Craps Strategies for Online Gaming
At its core, craps is a luck-based game that hinges on the outcome of a dice roll.
The best craps strategy for beginners is sticking to the Pass and Come Bets. This is the simplest way to bet on online craps and allows you to bet vs. the lowest house edge. It’s a safe way for new players to get familiar with playing real money Craps, and remains one of my favorite ways to play.
Best Craps Strategy for Beginners – Stick to Pass and Come Bets
Pass and Come bets are so popular with beginners due to the low house edge percentages compared to more exotic wagers. You perform these types of bets by wagering on the first dice roll of the game.
After your Pass and Come bets, there is an extensive list of more complex bets you can make like 7 Out, Hi-Lo, Big 6 or 8, and others. These are considered more exotic bets due to the fact they all have much higher house edges. Plenty of online craps bettors will avoid these exotic bets altogether and still win money solely by utilizing the Pass and Come Bets.
Low-Risk Craps Strategies – Take Advantage of Free Odds
After making your Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet, you can add a “Free Odds” bet in conjunction with it. This is the absolute best type of bet that you can make in online craps, as you are getting a house edge of 0.0%.
If you are placing a Pass or Come Bet, a good strategy is to always combine that with a Free Odds bet. It is an effortless way to increase your winnings without adding more risk.
Effective Betting Patterns in Craps Strategy – Parlay Betting
Parlay Betting or “Pyramid Betting” is one of the more popular craps betting strategies. Instead of collecting your winnings after a Pass or Come Bet, you can “let it ride” and increase your potential profits.
The risk is still the initial wager on that first Pass or Come Bet. However, your possible winnings have now increased to include two rolls.
You can continue “pyramiding” this strategy until you are comfortable collecting your winnings, or you fail to win a Pass/Come Bet.
Best Craps Strategies for Consistent Wins – Avoid Single Roll Bets
In addition to taking advantage of the Free Odds, another successful craps strategy is avoiding the single roll bets.
This includes any Field bet, any Craps bet, and any 7.
These types of bets attract craps players due to the exciting nature of them. However, they are frowned upon when it comes to strategy since they come with a high house edge. For example, placing an “Any 7″ bet has a house edge of 16.67%.
Sure, you are getting a fantastic payout on these types of rolls – as great as 30-to-1. However, any winnings that come from a single roll are purely luck based. They are too risky for players who are trying to maximize their winnings at the craps table.
Top Craps Strategy for Maximizing Long-term Profits – Hedge Your Bets
If you are looking to secure the highest number of consistent payouts while playing craps, hedging your bets is a strong strategy. An effective way to do this is by utilizing Place 6 and Place 8 bets.
- If the point is 6, place 8.
- If the point is 8, place 6.
- If any other point is rolled, hedge by placing a 6 and 8 bet.
The house edge on these types of bets is on the lower side, which keeps losses at a low over the course of a craps game. Your payouts will not always be the highest. However, hedging your bets generates a higher rate of payouts, leading to a more consistent stream of winnings.
Craps Strategy for High Rollers – Playing for the Glory
As is true with any online casino table games, there is an element of fun that needs to be taken into consideration. Most craps players are not looking to optimize every second of their time at the table. They want to get in on the action and make a handful of higher risk bets.
This is called “playing for the glory” and involves placing the occasional single-roll bet with payouts up to 30-to-1.
This can be an extremely fun way to play online craps and can result in the occasional large winnings. However, the key to playing for the glory is to know when to quit. Start the craps game with a limited bankroll and do not allow yourself to go over.
Playing for the glory certainly adds some excitement to craps, but you never want to get caught in the cycle of consistently betting more and more money on high-risk craps bets with high house edges.
How to Choose a Craps Strategy
When it comes to building out your own personal online craps strategy, there is a good step-by-step guide that you can follow to maximize results.
- Establish your bankroll.
- Start with the basics, master the Pass and Come Bets.
- Add in Free Odds bets.
- Hedge your bets.
- Mix in some exotic bets when your bankroll permits.
- Experiment with higher payout bets and identify which ones you like.
Bankroll Management Tips for Craps Strategy
One of the most important aspects of craps strategy is ensuring that you manage your bankroll.
Here are a couple of tips and tricks to utilize to ensure you are managing your money properly:
- Set limits on how much you can afford to lose.
- Set “win goals” signaling when you should stop playing and take the profit.
- Never play with more money than you can afford to lose.
- Know which bets are “good” and “bad.”
- Have a firm understanding on the craps odds chart.
FAQs related to Craps Strategy
What is the best Craps strategy for beginners?
The best craps strategy for beginners is sticking to the Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come Bets, plus utilizing free odds.
Are there any proven strategies to increase Craps odds?
Yes, utilizing “Free Odds” is the best way to increase your Craps odds.
How do I minimize losses when playing Craps?
Hedging your bets is an excellent way to minimize losses and increase total number of payouts when playing craps.
Can I use a betting system to improve my Craps game?
Yes, there are several time-tested Craps betting strategies that you can use. This includes beginner strategies that limit the total amount of risk, and more advanced strategies that can result in large winnings.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid in Craps strategy?
The most common mistake in Craps strategy is spending too much time utilizing “exotic” bets, betting on single roll bets too often, and not setting a bankroll limit.
Are there specific strategies for playing Craps online?
Popular online Craps strategies include focusing on Pass and Come Bets, Parlay/Pyramid Betting, utilizing Free Odds, avoiding single roll bets, avoiding exotic bets, hedging your bets, and playing for the glory on occasion.
What is the importance of bankroll management in Craps strategy?
As is true with any online casino table game, it can be quite easy to lose track of your finances while playing. By managing your bankroll during a Craps game, you are setting strict and clear guidelines regarding how much you are allowed to gamble during a given game. This ensures you never spend more than you can afford.