Craps has been popular since the Middle Ages. However, the game has evolved since then, with players today enjoying the game at brick-and-mortar casinos and online. As the game has advanced, so have the strategies players use to up their chances of winning. In this guide, we look at the ins and outs of applying a craps strategy and how they work.
Aspects to Consider Before Picking a Craps Betting Strategy
Before you can get a plan of action together and choose the best strategy for craps, consider several aspects. Below we look at a few things you may want to decide which will help you settle on the craps strategy that will work best for you.
Budget
Each craps strategy requires players to put down a certain amount of their bankroll. We recommend taking a look at your budget before choosing a strategy and then finding one that suits what you’re willing to risk.
Goals
Consider what it is you want to achieve going into the game. If your sole focus is turning a profit, consider whether you’re willing to play the long game offering a greater payout guarantee. Or perhaps you are after a quick game that comes with long shots which offer bigger payoffs but come with significant risk.
Risk
Another factor to take into account is the risk you’re willing to take. While betting against the craps shooter where the odds are greater is the less popular move, it can sometimes be more lucrative.
Craps Strategy – How to Beat Craps
Once players have taken the time to learn how to play craps and understand craps odds, implementing the best strategy for craps becomes important, especially for those looking to boost their profit. Because players are at different levels and have unique goals, there are a number of strategies designed to help all players who want to know how to win at craps. Below, we introduce you to the top strategy to use for where you’re at and what you want to achieve.
What is the Simplest Craps Strategy for Beginners?
There is a craps strategy for everyone, including beginners. However, before testing these out on real money wagers, we suggest putting them into practice on free games first. Below, you can find two top strategies that make it easy for new players to improve their chances without upping the risk too much.
Pass Line Craps Strategy
Wagering pass line bets is the most straightforward craps betting strategy. When putting this option into play, players bet on the pass line on the come-out roll, and if the dice produces a seven or an 11, it is a win. Since the house edge is low (1.41%) and the wager offers even money (1:1), it is a simple way to boost your earnings.
Don’t Pass/Don’t Come Craps Strategy
While the Pass Line strategy is ideal for online or in-person, play, this next option is perfect for online gaming. Since craps is a relatively social game, most players bet with the shooter. However, this strategy requires bettors to wager against the shooter using a Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet.
The Don’t Pass bet sees players winning if the shooter throws a two or three but a seven or 11 thrown results in a loss. But in the instance where the dice land on a 12, the Don’t Pass wager ends in a push, and here players are refunded their wager.
A Don’t Come bet works the same way as a Don’t Pass bet, but it is wagered when the shooter throws a point.
However, keep in mind that this wager has a slightly lower house edge (1.46%) and lesser odds.
What is the Best Mathematical Craps Strategy?
Players who have been playing craps for some time and have a good understanding of the ins and outs of the game may find themselves looking for the best mathematical craps strategy that offers a challenge but adds in a fair dose of logic. Below, we discuss the best craps strategy that ticks these boxes.
Craps Odds Strategy
This is another craps betting strategy where bettors are betting against the shooter and other players. In this strategy, a player will wager that the shooter will roll a seven (or seven-out) before landing a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 once they have rolled the point. While the chances of this occurring are statistically even (there are more ways to roll a seven than any other number), no house edge applies. But because of this, the payout odds are not so great.
What is the 6 and 8 Craps Strategy?
The 6/8 craps betting strategy is what we call a progression strategy, and it is popular because it generally comes with a low house edge. However, a player often goes for extended periods without a win and typically relies on a streak to boost their profits.
As we discussed in the beginning of this guide, players need to consider whether they have the budget to put specific strategies into play and whether they would be willing to play the long game. In this case, players must have a far-reaching budget for this strategy to pay off.
Since a six and an eight have the greatest odds (other than a seven) of being thrown, players choose these numbers instead of other place wagers. Here, a player will wager a $6 bet on six and eight. If the dice roll one of these figures, players take the profit and wager the bet again. The progressive element comes in when there is a loss. If the player makes the bet and loses, they wager the same bet again, but they increase their stake. Players can opt to increase their bet value by doubling it or by increasing it in pre-selected increments set according to their budgets.
The key here is that eventually, the bettor will win their bet and have made back all of their losses with the increased stake value.
The Press-and-Pull Craps Betting Strategy
Not all players have the budget to try out strategies like the 6/8. However, there is an exciting option for players to try when they don’t have an excessive bankroll. The Press-and Pull strategy is one of them and sees players using their winnings to play with, which allows them to use a minimal amount from their bankroll and still win big.
So, how does this strategy work? Here, players will press or double their bets when the place bet lands but pull their profits after it has landed four times.
Let’s look at an example, where player wagers a place bet on six. Since the payout odds here sit at 7:6, the player puts down a $6 wager. The bets wagered here must be in multiples of six. When the shooter rolls the dice, if they land on six, the bettor will earn a payout of $7 ($6 stake + $1 profit.) In this strategy, the player will keep their $1 profit and then double their $6 wager to $12.
If the shooter throws a six again before the point, the player will then win $14. Next, a player will press their bet to $30 by adding in $4. If they land a six again, they will then add a dollar to their $35 winnings to round it up to a $66 wager. If, for the fourth time, they land a six, they will receive $77 on that wager, leaving them with total winnings of $143. Since they landed their place four times, they now pull their winnings.
As is visible from the example, a player must land their place bet four times before a seven is thrown. Since the chances of this happening are minimal, many bettors view this as a rather harsh strategy that could cost them their stake rather than allowing them to win from it.
Should You Bet the Field in Craps?
While many players tend to stay away from field bets, this is an underrated wager that when used with the Iron Cross Strategy can be lucrative for bettors.
Field bets typically come with greater odds (1:1 or 2:1) and when using this strategy, bettors only have a 16.67% probability of losing and enjoy a house edge of 2.37%, making this a good one to try. However, because it is typcially applied by advanced craps players, we recommend practicing it a few times first.
The Iron Cross Strategy
The Iron Cross craps betting strategy involves a combination wager on two lots of numbers. Here, bettors wager the field (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12) and put money on a Place bet where a 5, 6, or 8 will be landed before a seven.
Essentially, each number is covered with one bet, so no matter what the shooter rolls, it results in a win. However, should the shooter land a seven here, the bettor loses their bet. Typically, players put this strategy into play once the Point is established.
While this may seem like a great way to win consistently, it is important to remember that it is easier to roll a seven than any other number. Since a seven cancels this entire wager, this is key to keep in mind. Additionally, this is the best strategy for craps for a once-off wager. However, it is unsustainable as a long-term betting option.
How to Win Craps with the Best Strategy
While each of these strategies has its place and provides a unique way to boost your chances of winning, one of them stands out as the best craps strategy overall. The Don’t Pass Line bet strategy has the lowest house edge (1.36%) and is one of the more straightforward strategies to follow.
Wagered on the first roll, players win their bets if a two or three is thrown at odds of 1:1. A push is awarded when a 12 is rolled, earning players their stake back, and it is only a seven or 11 that sees them losing the bet. Any other number rolled is the Point. Once the Point is determined, this bet continues until the Point is met, resulting in a loss, or a seven is landed, resulting in a win.
Although this wager is considered a “bet on the wrong side,” it is lucrative and has some of the best odds, making it worth your while to try when betting online.
Is Craps Beatable?
A common question among craps players, particularly those new to the game is how to beat craps and whether this is possible. Although craps has one of the lowest house edges and ranks as one of the best games for the best odds in a casino, it is difficult to win consistently.
Since it is predominantly a game of chance rather than a game of skill, there isn’t much a player can do to guarantee a win each time. However, by employing the best strategy for craps, players significantly improve their chances of winning and often can and do win big.
Craps Payout Cheat Sheet
When playing craps at an online casino, the payout odds are determined by the house edge. The payouts vary based on the bet made by the player.
When using a craps strategy, it is essential to factor in the house edge as it changes with each unique bet. Looking at the payout odds of a craps bet can help you determine whether the winnings offered by that bet are worth the risk.
The table below shows the most commonly placed bets, along with the craps odds and house edge, and comprises our handy craps payout cheat sheet.
| Bet type | Payout | House Edge |
| Pass Line Odds | 2 to 1 | 1.41% |
| Pass Line Odds (4 or 10) | 2 to 1 | 4.76% |
| Pass Line Odds (5 or 9) | 3 to 2 | 4.76% |
| Pass Line Odds (6 or 8) | 5 to 6 | 4.76% |
| Don’t Pass Odds | 2 to 1 | 1.36% |
| Don’t Pass Odds (4 or 10) | 2 to 1 | 2.44% |
| Don’t Pass Odds (5 or 9) | 3 to 2 | 3.23% |
| Don’t Pass Odds (6 or 8) | 5 to 6 | 4% |
| Place Bets (4 or 10) | 9 to 5 | 6.70% |
| Place Bets (5 or 9) | 7 to 5 | 4% |
| Place Bets (6 or 8) | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
| Field Bets (3, 4, 9, 10 or 11) | 1 to 1 | 5.50% |
| Field Bets (2 or 12) | 2 to 1 | 5.50% |
| Hardways (6 or 8) | 9 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Hardways (4 or 10) | 7 to 1 | 11.10% |
| Any 7 | 4 to 1 | 16.90% |
| Any Craps | 7 to 1 | 11.10% |
| 2 Craps or 12 Craps | 30 to 1 | 13.90% |
| 3 Craps or 11 Craps | 15 to 1 | 11.10% |
| Big 6 or 8 | 1 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Horn Bet (3 or 11) | 3.75 to 1 | N/A |
| Horn Bet (2 or 12) | 7.5 to 1 | N/A |
Top Craps Tips
Even those with the best craps strategy may find having several handy hints helpful. Although craps is predominantly a game of chance, there are a number of things that can be done to improve your game, boost the efficacy of your strategy, and offer a more exciting game overall. So, to help you out, we have listed our top craps tips below:
Tip 1 – Take the Time to Practice
One of the most essential tips to put into play when using a craps strategy is to practice, practice, practice. Whether you are a seasoned craps player or someone new to the game, we recommend taking the time to test out the strategy you want to use.
The best way to do this is to use free games offered by the best online casinos (we have several top options listed below) or by visiting some of the best online sweepstakes casinos.
Not only will this give you a feel for how the strategy works, but it will also help you see whether it is the best strategy for craps for you, based on your knowledge of the game and your budget, before you use it on real money wagers.
Tip 2 – Know When to Leave the Table
Craps is one of those famed table games thanks to its exhilarating action that comes predominantly from it being a game of chance. However, it is simple for players to get swept up in the game, especially if they are hoping for their craps strategy to payout. But it is essential to remember that this may not always happen and the longer you stay at the table, the greater your chances of running a big loss.
As a result, one of our top craps tips is to know when to leave the table. One of the best ways to go about this is by setting yourself a time limit. If you come to the end of your allotted time, leave the table irrespective of whether you’re up or down. This will save you from running at a greater loss or losing your winnings.
Tip 3 – Keep an Eye Out for Minimum or Maximum Bet Limits.
Many of the best online gambling sites apply a minimum or maximum bet limit. While this is fairly normal for an online casino to do, these limits could affect your craps betting strategy and how long you last at a table.
For this reason, we recommend checking these limits and how they fare compared to your bankroll or budget. If the minimum bet for a table is too high and will see you work through your bankroll too quickly, it is often best to try an alternative table or site.
Tip 4 – Test Your Craps Strategy Several Times
Another of our top craps tips is to test out your chosen strategy several times on different games. The only way to know whether this is the best craps strategy for you is to practice it a number of times to see whather it works the way you want it to. Trying a strategy only once or twice won’t give you a fair look at how it actually plays out.
Tip 5 – Review Your Results to Find the Best Strategy for Craps
Once you have played out your craps strategy several times, take a moment to review how it has worked for you. If you find that it isn’t a good fit, perhaps try a different option. Or, if you found it to work well, look at which areas of your game you could improve to better implement your strategy.
