The best way to increase your probability of winning in craps is to stick to the bets with the lowest house edge, such as the pass line, don’t pass line, come bet, and don’t come bet, with a house edge of around 1.4%.
Additionally, after making a pass line or come bet, take advantage of odds bets, which have no house edge, and place maximum odds bets to reduce the overall house edge on your total bet. Be sure to avoid high house edge bets like proposition bets and bets like the Big 6 and Big 8, which have a higher house edge and a lower probability of winning.
The rest of the wagers offered on the craps layout offer worse conditions for you. Some of them are very bad. For instance, look at “hard-way 4” and “hard-way 10”. Those bets have a house advantage of 11%. If you don’t know how these bets work, we recommend that you read the craps rules before learning about strategy.
Alternatively, watch the craps strategy youtube video below. But if there’s one thing you should take with you from this article, make the low-edge wagers and avoid one-roll proposition bets, even if it’s tempting!
Having a solid foundation in other aspects of the game is also beneficial. First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the game’s rules, betting options, and probabilities, including understanding the difference between the “pass” and “don’t pass” line and other bets. Next, avoid superstitions, as craps are a game of chance, and decisions based on hunches or perceived luck are not sound strategies.
Managing your bankroll is essential; set a budget for your gambling session and adhere to it, avoiding chasing losses and knowing when to walk away to prevent losing more than you can afford. It’s also vital to know when to stop playing, even if you’re on a winning streak—greed can lead to substantial losses, so establish a goal for your winnings and stick to it. Maintain discipline by keeping your emotions in check and refraining from impulsive bets or getting carried away during a winning streak.
Finally, craps is a game where you can play with a very low house advantage. However, winning at craps is not guaranteed, as it is a game of chance involving rolling dice. Play free craps online to get a bit of practice or in a social setting to familiarize yourself with the game and sharpen your skills before playing at an online real money casino.
Best Craps Strategy: Pass and Come Bets
The best craps strategy is to play as a right-way bettor. You are considered a right-way bettor when you are playing the pass-and-come bets with the craps table. These bets are considered to be the very best out of all online and land-based casino games due to the low house edge and are considered the best strategy of craps when considering how to win at craps for beginners.
Pass Line Bets
The most popular of all the win-at craps best bets with a house edge at a deliciously low 1.41% with only 4 ways to lose (have a read through the dice combinations and payout tables further down). You only lose if the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out roll and if the shooter rolls a seven after the point number has been made.
Come Bets
Pretty much the same as the Pass line bet, but it is made at any point after the point number has already been made. You win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 after the come bet is made, and if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, you lose the bet. Your point number is made with any other number separate from the pass-line bet point number. There are more chances to win here than to lose, making this one of the most favourable bets you can make.
Betting Wrong Is Right – Don’t Pass and Don’t Come Bets
You can also opt for a wrong-way craps strategy. Wrong-way bets go against the majority of the players at the table who are betting the Pass and Come bets. Meaning you place bets on the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets. This way, you will find yourself winning when everyone else is losing and vice versa. Obviously, this can create some awkward moments when gathered around a table in a brick-and-mortar casino with other live players, which is why Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets often seem more palatable when playing craps online. However, you can’t ignore these bets when tossing up how to win at craps, as they are reliable.
Don’t Pass bet
The Don’t Pass bet stands in contrast to the pass line wager. You win the bet if the come-out roll is a 2 or 3. If it turns up a 7 or 11, you lose. 12 results in a push. If any other number is rolled, that becomes the point. The shooter continues to roll, and you hope a seven comes up before the established point. An additional factor you’ll want to bear in mind is that the house edge on the Don’t Pass bet is a very manageable 1.36%.
Don’t Come bet
Works in the opposite way of the Come bet, but just like the Come bet it can be made at any time after the point has been established. You win this bet if the 3 or 2 is rolled once the point has been made, and you tie if a 12 is rolled. Any other number becomes your point number, separate from pass-line bettors. To win a 7 has to be rolled before your point number is rolled. This bet pays even money and has a house edge of 1.41%.
Rare Craps Strategy: Taking and Laying Odds
Laying odds offers no house advantage if you’ve already bet on the Pass or Come bet first. After a point has been thrown, you can bet up to some multiple of your Pass line bet “on the odds.” This multiple can vary, but the most common is two or three times the first wager.
By placing this bet, you’re hoping that the point will be rolled again before the appearance of a 7. You can also take odds bets on your Don’t Come and Don’t Pass bets. The attractive part of this bet is that it pays true odds; your chance of winning is the same as what you’re getting paid. As a result of this, the house only has an edge on your original Pass line bet, and the more you’re allowed to “bet on the odds” the lower the total advantage becomes, so always try to put down the maximum odds bet.
When to Play Craps Field Bet
Field bets are great options for those players who can’t resist the temptation of a one-roll bet but want slightly better odds on craps and a lower house edge. Field bets have a house edge of 5.56%, higher than some other bets but lower than all proposition bets. This is an easy bet to remember as well. You can place a bet on the 2,3,4,9,10,11, and 12. The best numbers to play are the 2 and 12 as they pay 2 to 1 and in some casinos, 3 to 1.
Big 6 and 8
Although these aren’t the best bets in craps overall, they are a good option if you want to bet on a 6 or an 8, as the house edge is at 1.52%, whereas the similar Big 6 and Big 8 bets have a house edge of 9.09%.
Strategy Tip: Bad Craps Bets to Avoid
Even though there are some bets in Craps with temptingly high payouts, the house edge is also equally high, making these bets a bit of hit-and-miss. If you miss, you can really lose a lot of money! If you want to take a huge risk, go ahead. We recommend the above strategies if you want to play with a conservative craps betting strategy.
Big 6 & 8
You should avoid the Big 6 and Big 8 bets – the house edge is a high 9.09%, and the payout is 1 to 1. The Place 6 or Place 8 bet is much more advantageous, with a house edge of 1.52% and pays 7 to 6.
Hardways 4, 6, 8, and 10
Hardways 4, 6, 8, and 10 should also be avoided as they have a house edge of roughly 10%, depending on the casino.
Proposition Bets
A proposition bet is a one-roll bet. As fun and exciting as they may look to play, you should also completely ignore all proposition bets unless you’re willing to risk a hell of a lot for only one roll of the dice. The payouts can go as high as 30 to 1 but the house edge is extremely high. Stay clear of the following proposition bets:
- Any Craps
- Any 7
- Every Eleven
- Craps Eleven
- Any 2 or 12
- Any 3.
Fire Bet
Another risky bet is called a fire bet. Craps fire bet strategy should be reserved only for the most confident and skilled players. It should also be noted that some casinos even ban their players from using craps fire bet at all.
The fire bet is not for the faint of heart. It requires a bit of luck, skill, and patience. The key to winning this bet is to hope for a shooter to go on a hot streak and roll as many different point numbers as possible. The payouts are extraordinary, with a maximum payout of 999:1 on a single $1 bet.
However, players should be aware that the odds of winning the fire bet are quite slim, making it a high-risk, high-reward kind of bet. Only experienced craps players with a deep understanding of the game should consider placing this bet.
Craps Bets Odds and Payouts
Before understanding the payouts for the different bets, it’s always a good idea to understand the probability that a particular number will be rolled, particularly in a game like craps where you are betting on the outcome of the roll of the dice. The payouts are also determined by the probability of particular numbers or combinations being rolled, so if you’re serious about the game (or also just interested), having an understanding of what your chances are will help determine which bets you want to make and the risks involved in taking them.
| Number on Dice | Dice Combinations | Number of Ways |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1-1 | 1 |
| 3 | 1-2, 2-1 | 2 |
| 4 | 1-3, 2-2, 3-1 | 3 |
| 5 | 1-4, 2-3, 3-2, 4-1 | 4 |
| 6 | 1-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-1 | 5 |
| 7 | 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1 | 6 |
| 8 | 2-6, 3-5, 4-4, 5-3, 6-2 | 5 |
| 9 | 3-6, 4-5, 5-4, 6-3 | 4 |
| 10 | 4-6, 5-5, 6-4 | 3 |
| 11 | 5-6, 6-5 | 2 |
| 12 | 6-6 | 1 |
Knowing the dice outcome probabilities alongside the payout and house edge of each particular bet will give you a great advantage when managing your casino bankroll and determining which bets you want to play.
| Bets | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | 1 to 1 | 1.41% |
| Come | 1 to 1 | 1.41% |
| Taking Odds on Pass/Come 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 | 0% |
| Taking Odds on Pass/Come 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 | 0% |
| Taking Odds on Pass/Come 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 | 0% |
| Don’t Pass | 1 to 1 | 1.36% |
| Don’t Come | 1 to 1 | 1.41% |
| Laying Odds on Don’t Pass/Don’t Come 6 and 8 | 5 to 6 | 0% |
| Laying Odds on Don’t Pass/Don’t Come 5 and 9 | 2 to 3 | 0% |
| Laying Odds on Don’t Pass/Don’t Come 4 and 10 | 1 to 2 | 0% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9 to 5 | 6.67% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7 to 5 | 4.00% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
| Big 6 and 8 | 1 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Field 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 | 1 to 1 | 5.56% |
| Field 2, 12 | 2 to 1 | 5.56% |
| Lay 6 and 8 | 19 to 25 | 4.00% |
| Lay 5 and 9 | 19 to 31 | 3.23% |
| Lay 4 and 10 | 19 to 41 | 2.45% |
| Buy 6 and 8 | 23 to 21 | 4.76% |
| Buy 5 and 9 | 29 to 21 | 4.76% |
| Buy 4 and 10 | 39 to 21 | 4.76% |
| Hardways 6 and 8 | 10 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Hardways 4 and 10 | 8 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Proposition Bets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Craps (2, 3, or 12) | 8 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Any Seven | 5 to 1 | 16.8% |
| Any Eleven | 16 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Ace Deuce (3) | 16 to 1 | 11.11% |
| Aces (2) | 30 to 1 | 13.9% |
| Boxcars (12) | 30 to 1 | 13.9% |
| Horn 3 or 11 | 15 to 1 | 12.5% |
| Horn 2 or 12 | 15 to 1 | 12.5% |
How to Win at Craps with the 5-Count Craps Method
The 5-Count Craps Method is for those players who like to play on the safe side. This simple strategy simplifies the game and ensures you play coolly and collectedly. The 5-count method will help minimize losses at the table, but the house advantage on the bets remains the same. The 5-count method aims to stop you from losing money on bad shooters who seven out in the blink of an eye and instead cash in on the shooters who are showing their worth by counting to five points before you start betting. You need to count in the following way:
Count Zero: The come-out roll, the shooter’s first roll of the dice, is count-zero.
Count-1: The count remains zero until the shooter rolls a point number of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 then the count goes to one. The count remains zero with 2, 3, 7, 11, and 12.
Count 2-4: You count 1 point per roll of the dice after the point number is established until you reach count-4 regardless of the number rolled.
Reaching Count-5: Once you are at count-4, the shooter MUST roll a point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) again to add the 5th point, and you remain at 4-count with any other number.
Place Your Bets: Now you have 5 points to place a bet on the table. Stick to the Pass or Come bets, Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bets, and laying/taking odds. Avoid all proposition bets as outlined in our rules and bets guide.
Strategy FAQs
What is the best craps strategy?
The best craps strategy is one that focuses on minimizing the house edge while maximizing the odds in your favour. Bet on the “Pass” line and take the odds side bet with you. The house edge of the “Pass” line bets is 1.41%. The odds bet has no house edge at all.
Which craps bets have the smallest house edge?
The Don’t Pass bet has the smallest house edge at 1.40%. The pass-line bet isn’t much worse at 1.41%. Betting on the numbers 6 and 8 carries a house edge of 1.52%. Best of all is the Odds side bet, where you win if the point is confirmed before a 7 comes up. This one has a house edge of 0% – yes, you read that right, there really is a zero! Betting against the odds (that the 7 will be rolled before the point) is just as profitable.
What is the best craps strategy statistically?
Statistically, the best craps strategy involves placing bets with the lowest house edge and taking advantage of odds bets. Some of the craps bets with the lowest house edge include Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line bets, Maximize Odds bets, and Come or Don’t Come bets.
How do you win consistently in craps?
Winning consistently in craps is impossible because it is a game of chance, and the outcome of each roll is independent and random. However, you can improve your chances of winning and minimize losses by using sound betting strategies and managing your bankroll responsibly.
What is the safest bet in craps?
The safest bets in craps are those with the lowest house edges, which provide the best odds for the player. Among these, the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets are considered the safest. The house edge for Pass Line bets is approximately 1.41%, while the house edge for Don’t Pass Line bets is around 1.36%.
Is 3-point Molly the best craps strategy?
The 3-Point Molly is a popular craps strategy that can be effective for some players, but whether it’s the best strategy depends on individual preferences and playing styles. The 3-Point Molly aims to have three active numbers working for you at all times while protecting your Pass Line bet and Come bets with Odds bets.
