Craps, the exhilarating dice game that captivates casino enthusiasts worldwide, offers a range of betting options. Among these, identifying the best craps bet can significantly enhance your chances of success. This article delves into the best strategies and bets in craps, aiming to improve your gaming experience and maximize your potential returns.
Understanding Craps Basics
Before diving into the best craps bets, it’s essential to grasp the basic mechanics of the game. Craps is played with two six-sided dice, and the primary objective is to predict the outcome of the dice rolls. Players place their bets on the table, and the shooter (the person rolling the dice) tries to roll a number that the players have bet on or avoid rolling numbers that would result in a loss.
Types of Bets in Craps
Craps offers a variety of betting options, each with different odds and house edges. The key to successful gameplay is understanding these bets and identifying which ones are the best craps bets based on their odds and payouts.
Pass Line Bet
The Pass Line bet is one of the most fundamental and popular bets in craps. It’s made before the come-out roll (the initial roll of the dice). If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the Pass Line bet wins. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, the bet loses. Any other number rolled becomes the “point.” The shooter must then roll the point number again before rolling a 7 to win the bet.
Why It’s a Great Bet: The Pass Line bet has a low house edge of approximately 1.41%, making it one of the best craps bets for beginners and seasoned players alike.
Don’t Pass Line Bet
The Don’t Pass Line bet is essentially the opposite of the Pass Line bet. It wins if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3 and loses if it’s a 7 or 11. A roll of 12 results in a push (no win, no loss). If a point is established, the player wins if a 7 is rolled before the point number.
Why It’s a Great Bet: With a house edge of about 1.36%, the Don’t Pass Line bet is another strong contender for the best craps bet due to its favorable odds.
Come Bet
Similar to the Pass Line bet, the Come bet is placed after the come-out roll. The shooter’s roll after the bet is made will determine the outcome. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the Come bet wins. If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, the bet loses. Any other number rolled becomes the “come point,” and the player wins if this number is rolled again before a 7.
Why It’s a Great Bet: The Come bet also has a house edge of approximately 1.41%, aligning with the Pass Line bet as one of the best craps bets.
Don’t Come Bet
The Don’t Come bet is the counterpart to the Come bet and is made after the come-out roll. The bet wins if the next roll is a 2 or 3, loses if it’s a 7 or 11, and pushes if it’s a 12. Once a come point is established, the bet wins if a 7 is rolled before the come point.
Why It’s a Great Bet: With a house edge of 1.36%, the Don’t Come bet is as strong as the Don’t Pass Line bet, making it one of the best craps bets in terms of favorable odds.
Odds Bets
Once a point is established, players can place an Odds bet in addition to their original Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come, or Don’t Come bets. This bet is placed behind the original bet and is based on the point number. The Odds bet pays true odds, meaning there’s no house edge on this portion of the bet.
Why It’s a Great Bet: The Odds bet is considered the best craps bet due to its lack of house edge. Players can increase their total bet with the Odds bet to maximize potential returns without increasing the house advantage.
Best Bets for Maximizing Winnings
To maximize your chances of winning, combining various best craps bets is essential. Here’s a strategic approach to achieving optimal results.
Combining Pass Line Bet with Odds Bet
By placing a Pass Line bet and then adding an Odds bet once a point is established, you benefit from the low house edge of the Pass Line bet and the zero house edge of the Odds bet. This combination represents one of the most effective strategies for increasing your odds of winning in craps.
Combining Don’t Pass Line Bet with Odds Bet
For those who prefer betting against the shooter, combining the Don’t Pass Line bet with an Odds bet offers a similarly advantageous strategy. The low house edge of the Don’t Pass Line bet, combined with the no house edge of the Odds bet, makes this a strong approach for maximizing winnings.
Utilizing Come Bet with Odds Bet
Placing a Come bet and then adding an Odds bet when a come point is established follows the same principle as the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets. This strategy combines the favorable odds of the Come bet with the zero house edge of the Odds bet, offering an excellent chance for returns.
Combining Don’t Come Bet with Odds Bet
For those who prefer betting against the shooter’s come point, the Don’t Come bet combined with an Odds bet presents another strong strategy. This combination utilizes the low house edge of the Don’t Come bet and the favorable Odds bet.
Avoiding High House Edge Bets
While there are many great bets in craps, it’s equally important to avoid bets with high house edges. Here are some bets to steer clear of:
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets are placed on individual rolls or specific outcomes. These bets, such as betting on a specific total or a particular combination of dice, have significantly higher house edges compared to the best craps bets mentioned earlier. For example, betting on a specific total (e.g., 2 or 12) can have a house edge of around 13.9%.
Hardways Bets
Hardways bets involve betting that the shooter will roll a specific hard total (such as 4, 6, 8, or 10) with matching pairs. These bets offer high payouts but come with a house edge of approximately 9% to 11%, making them less favorable compared to the best craps bets.
Place Bets on 4 or 10
While Place bets allow players to bet on specific numbers, the house edge varies depending on the number chosen. For numbers like 4 or 10, the house edge is around 6.67%. This is higher than the bets discussed as the best craps bets.
Tips for Optimal Craps Strategy
To make the most of the best craps bets and enhance your overall strategy, consider the following tips:
Manage Your Bankroll
Effective bankroll management is crucial for long-term success in craps. Set a budget for your gaming session and avoid exceeding it. Proper bankroll management ensures that you can take advantage of the bets without risking more than you can afford.
Understand the Odds
Knowing the odds of various bets helps you make informed decisions. Stick to bets with lower house edges and utilize Odds bets to maximize your potential returns. Understanding the odds is key to making the most of the best craps bets.
Practice and Learn
Before hitting the casino floor, practice your craps strategy through online simulations or low-stakes games. Familiarize yourself with the various bets and their outcomes to refine your approach and increase your chances of success.
Conclusion | Best Craps Bets
In craps, the best craps bets are those that offer the lowest house edge and the highest potential for winning. By focusing on bets like the Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come, Don’t Come, and incorporating Odds bets, you can significantly improve your chances of success. Avoiding high house edge bets and managing your bankroll effectively will further enhance your gaming experience. With these strategies in mind, you’re well-equipped to make the most of your time at the craps table and maximize your winnings.