Best strategies for playing – and winning – at the craps table

Craps is considered one of the classic casino games, whether you play live in brick-and-mortar spots or online at some of the best bitcoin casinos. With so many ways to play and wager, it’s tough to know the best plan of attack – especially if you’re new to the craps table. Here is some basic strategy to help you cash in at craps:

Public relations manager David LaTorre shows dice before he tosses them during a demonstration at the craps table at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino during a media tour in Meadowlands, Pa., Tuesday, July 6, 2010. Some Pennsylvania casinos are going through the final tests before the scheduled opening of table games on July 8. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Avoid single-roll bets

These are wagers determined in one roll of the dice and are on specific outcomes. While the payoffs are tempting these wagers hold a massive house edge and most players avoid them. They have a bunch of catchy names for these wagers as well as their combos, but if you’re looking to play smart and conservative, single-roll bets should be ignored.

Playing the six and the eight

If you like math, than this bet is for you. Betting the six or the eight means you are wagering on the shooter to roll a six or eight before they roll a seven. There are five ways for the dice to equal either six or eight – making those the second-most common numbers – and six ways for it to land seven. This bet pays 7/6 odds and has a house advantage of just 1.52 percent.

Pass and Come

These are the two most common bets in craps – and for good reason. These have a slim house edge of 1.41 percent and offer even money payouts, so you may have to grind it out a bit to turn a profit but you will be making a safer wager. Betting the pass line means you are wagering on the shooter to roll and seven or 11 before they roll a two, three, or 12. If the shooter rolls any other number, you then are hoping they roll that point number before rolling a seven. The difference between the pass and come lines, is that the pass is made before the first roll while the come bet can bet made at anytime.

Don’t pass and don’t come

These are the exact opposite of the pass and come lines, except you are wagering against the shooter. Bets on the don’t pass are paid when the shooter rolls a two or three, pushed on a 12 and lost if they roll a seven or 11. If the shooter rolls any other number, you are hoping they don’t roll the point number and instead roll a seven on the point roll. This also pays 1:1 odds and has a slimmer house advantage at 1.36 percent.