The Five Best Bets at Craps
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 3:04 pm
Everyone thinks that their betting strategy is the best, and they are probably correct at certain times. But over a lifetime of play, given an adequate bankroll, there are definitely bets that out-perform others and should be part of your arsenal. Let's start at the top of the list.
1. Free Odds. This wager is so strong that it's not even displayed on the layout. But taking odds on the right side and laying odds on the don'ts is smart play. Does that mean you have to take or lay 100X odds if it's available? Of course not. When you get up above around 10X odds there's not a lot of advantage to be gained by betting more - at least on a percentage basis. And taking or laying odds can increase short-run volatility. But over the long run you'll be dollars ahead taking advantage of the free odds bet. Why? Because free odds are paid off at correct odds, which means the only advantage the casino has over the wager come from the underlying flat bet. Some will argue against laying odds, saying that it doesn't make sense to risk more money to win less. For example, you'd lay $100 odds on the four and ten to win $50 (less the commission). On the other hand, that same player might think nothing of risking $110 inside to win $35 on the next roll of the dice. Think about it. Free odds - the best bet on the table.
2. Don't Pass - Don't Come. Let's face it. More shooters seven out without making a pass. In fact, roughly two out of three shooters won't make a pass. They establish a point, roll a couple of numbers, then seven out. That's the nature of the game. So why isn't everyone playing the Don'ts? Well, for one thing, most craps players are eternal optimists. They live for the long roll, dream of the hot hand. Also, there's the problem of getting a Don't bet established. You have to buck the seven and the eleven. Of course, there are hedge strategies you can utilize to help negate those numbers, but over the long run you're better off forgetting about hedges and just playing straight up. The Don't Pass and Don't Come bets are marginally better wagers than the Pass and Come bets - but only marginally.
3. Pass - Come. If you are going to toss the dice then everything starts with a Don't Pass or a Pass Line bet. Most shooters prefer to toss the dice from the right side. For dice setters - a Pass Line bet is the price of admission if you're trying to toss a monster hand. The Pass Line and Come wagers carry a house edge of approximately 1.41%. It's a miniscule edge, and one you can easily overcome through the expeditious application of free odds bets and dice influencing. With that said, in most cases you should stick with betting table minimums on the Pass Line. Instead of betting $50 on the Pass Line with $100 (2x) odds, bet $10 on the Pass Line with $100 (10X) odds. You'll be dollars ahead over the long run.
4. Buy or Lay the Four or Ten. I list this before place betting the six and eight for one reason - the odds on this bet are better than the six and eight place bets if the casino collects the commission only on the win as opposed to up front - and if they'll let you push the breakage (the point at which they increase the commission to the next level). For example, if you are buy betting, the 5% commission on a $20 buy bet on the four or ten is $1. Pretty much all casinos allow green chip bettors to buy the four and ten for $25 and still pay $1 juice. Some casinos will allow you to push that bet up to $30 before rounding up and charging the extra buck. And a rare few will book a $39 bet for $1 commission. Of course, if you're in craps heaven - also known as the Santa Ana Star in Albuquerque - all buy and lay bets on the four or ten are free.
5. Place the Six and Eight. I often say that I'll bet a six or eight on anyone who touches the dice. I've also said that more money has been lost on the six and eight than any other numbers on the layout. Why? Because so much more money is wagered on the six and eight. The house edge on the six and eight is just 1.51%. If, like some people Just about every craps write around advises new players to play the pass line with odds, place the six and eight, and, if they want more action, to make a couple of come bets - keeping two to three numbers covered.
That strategy - Pass Line, Free Odds, Place the Six and Eight, Continuous Come Bets with Odds - is about as good as it gets wen the table gets hot. Of course, at the end of the day the best bet on the table is a WINNING bet.
1. Free Odds. This wager is so strong that it's not even displayed on the layout. But taking odds on the right side and laying odds on the don'ts is smart play. Does that mean you have to take or lay 100X odds if it's available? Of course not. When you get up above around 10X odds there's not a lot of advantage to be gained by betting more - at least on a percentage basis. And taking or laying odds can increase short-run volatility. But over the long run you'll be dollars ahead taking advantage of the free odds bet. Why? Because free odds are paid off at correct odds, which means the only advantage the casino has over the wager come from the underlying flat bet. Some will argue against laying odds, saying that it doesn't make sense to risk more money to win less. For example, you'd lay $100 odds on the four and ten to win $50 (less the commission). On the other hand, that same player might think nothing of risking $110 inside to win $35 on the next roll of the dice. Think about it. Free odds - the best bet on the table.
2. Don't Pass - Don't Come. Let's face it. More shooters seven out without making a pass. In fact, roughly two out of three shooters won't make a pass. They establish a point, roll a couple of numbers, then seven out. That's the nature of the game. So why isn't everyone playing the Don'ts? Well, for one thing, most craps players are eternal optimists. They live for the long roll, dream of the hot hand. Also, there's the problem of getting a Don't bet established. You have to buck the seven and the eleven. Of course, there are hedge strategies you can utilize to help negate those numbers, but over the long run you're better off forgetting about hedges and just playing straight up. The Don't Pass and Don't Come bets are marginally better wagers than the Pass and Come bets - but only marginally.
3. Pass - Come. If you are going to toss the dice then everything starts with a Don't Pass or a Pass Line bet. Most shooters prefer to toss the dice from the right side. For dice setters - a Pass Line bet is the price of admission if you're trying to toss a monster hand. The Pass Line and Come wagers carry a house edge of approximately 1.41%. It's a miniscule edge, and one you can easily overcome through the expeditious application of free odds bets and dice influencing. With that said, in most cases you should stick with betting table minimums on the Pass Line. Instead of betting $50 on the Pass Line with $100 (2x) odds, bet $10 on the Pass Line with $100 (10X) odds. You'll be dollars ahead over the long run.
4. Buy or Lay the Four or Ten. I list this before place betting the six and eight for one reason - the odds on this bet are better than the six and eight place bets if the casino collects the commission only on the win as opposed to up front - and if they'll let you push the breakage (the point at which they increase the commission to the next level). For example, if you are buy betting, the 5% commission on a $20 buy bet on the four or ten is $1. Pretty much all casinos allow green chip bettors to buy the four and ten for $25 and still pay $1 juice. Some casinos will allow you to push that bet up to $30 before rounding up and charging the extra buck. And a rare few will book a $39 bet for $1 commission. Of course, if you're in craps heaven - also known as the Santa Ana Star in Albuquerque - all buy and lay bets on the four or ten are free.
5. Place the Six and Eight. I often say that I'll bet a six or eight on anyone who touches the dice. I've also said that more money has been lost on the six and eight than any other numbers on the layout. Why? Because so much more money is wagered on the six and eight. The house edge on the six and eight is just 1.51%. If, like some people Just about every craps write around advises new players to play the pass line with odds, place the six and eight, and, if they want more action, to make a couple of come bets - keeping two to three numbers covered.
That strategy - Pass Line, Free Odds, Place the Six and Eight, Continuous Come Bets with Odds - is about as good as it gets wen the table gets hot. Of course, at the end of the day the best bet on the table is a WINNING bet.
