Craps. The mere mention of the word conjures images of a bustling casino floor, dice tumbling across a felt table, and shouts of excitement (or groans of despair). It can look intimidating, but beneath the surface lies a game of probability and strategy. Understanding the house edge of different bets is crucial for any player hoping to extend their bankroll and potentially walk away a winner. This article will dissect the bets in craps with the lowest house edge, giving you the knowledge to make informed decisions at the table.
So, You Want to Win at Craps? Start Here!
Craps offers a dizzying array of betting options, each with its own payout and probability. The house edge represents the casino’s advantage over the player in the long run. A lower house edge means a better chance for you to win. Focusing on bets with the lowest house edge is the smartest way to play craps, increasing your odds and minimizing potential losses. Let’s dive into the specifics of these favorable bets.
The Holy Grail: Pass Line and Come Bets (House Edge: 1.41%)
The Pass Line and Come bets are the cornerstones of smart craps play. They offer the lowest house edge among the standard bets, making them the most player-friendly options. Here’s how they work:
- Pass Line: This bet is made before the come-out roll (the first roll of a new round).
- If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, you win.
- If the come-out roll is a 2, 3, or 12 (craps), you lose.
- If the come-out roll is any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the “point.”
- The shooter continues to roll until they either roll the point again (you win) or roll a 7 (you lose).
- Come Bet: This bet is essentially the same as the Pass Line bet, but it’s made after a point has already been established. Think of it as starting a new Pass Line bet within the current round.
- The next roll after you place the Come bet becomes the “come-out roll” for your Come bet.
- The rules are the same as the Pass Line bet: 7 or 11 wins, 2, 3, or 12 loses, and any other number becomes a point for your Come bet.
Why are these bets so good? The house edge is relatively low because the payout odds are close to reflecting the true probabilities of winning.
Boosting Your Odds: Taking the Odds Bet (House Edge: 0%)
This is where things get really interesting. The Odds bet is a supplemental bet you can make after a point has been established on either the Pass Line or Come bet. The beauty of the Odds bet is that it has no house edge!
- Pass Line Odds: After a point is established on the Pass Line, you can place an Odds bet behind your Pass Line bet, wagering that the point will be rolled before a 7.
- Come Bet Odds: After a number is established for your Come bet, you can place an Odds bet behind your Come bet, wagering that your Come bet number will be rolled before a 7.
The Payouts: The payout odds for the Odds bet depend on the point number:
- Point of 4 or 10: Pays 2 to 1
- Point of 5 or 9: Pays 3 to 2
- Point of 6 or 8: Pays 6 to 5
The Catch: Casinos typically limit the amount you can bet on the Odds bet, usually expressed as a multiple of your Pass Line or Come bet (e.g., 3x odds, 5x odds, 10x odds). The higher the multiple, the better, as it allows you to place a larger portion of your total wager on a bet with no house edge. Full odds (allowing you to bet enough to win the same amount as your Pass Line bet on the 4 and 10 points) results in a combined house edge of less than 1%.
Maximizing Your Advantage: Always take the maximum odds allowed by the casino. This significantly reduces the overall house edge on your combined Pass Line/Come and Odds bets.
Don’t Forget the Dark Side: Don’t Pass and Don’t Come Bets (House Edge: 1.36%)
These bets are the opposite of the Pass Line and Come bets. You’re betting that the shooter won’t make their point.
- Don’t Pass: Bet made before the come-out roll.
- Wins on a 2 or 3.
- Loses on a 7 or 11.
- Pushes (neither wins nor loses) on a 12 (some casinos may treat 12 as a loss).
- If a point is established, you win if a 7 is rolled before the point.
- Don’t Come: Bet made after a point has been established.
- Wins on the next roll if it’s a 2 or 3.
- Loses on a 7 or 11.
- Pushes on a 12 (some casinos may treat 12 as a loss).
- If a number is established, you win if a 7 is rolled before that number.
Why Consider These Bets? While betting against the shooter might feel a little taboo, the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets offer a slightly lower house edge (1.36%) than the Pass Line and Come bets (1.41%).
Laying the Odds: Just like with the Pass Line and Come bets, you can also take the Odds on Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets. This is called “laying the odds,” and it also has no house edge. However, the payout structure is reversed. You have to risk more to win less.
- Point of 4 or 10: You have to risk $2 to win $1.
- Point of 5 or 9: You have to risk $3 to win $2.
- Point of 6 or 8: You have to risk $6 to win $5.
Bets to Avoid: The Siren Song of High Payouts
While craps offers a plethora of betting options, many come with a hefty house edge. Steer clear of these bets unless you’re feeling particularly lucky (and understand the risks):
- Any 7: Pays 4 to 1 (House Edge: 16.67%) – A terrible bet.
- Any Craps (2, 3, or 12): Pays 7 to 1 (House Edge: 11.11%) – Another bad bet.
- Hardways (4, 6, 8, 10): Pays 7 to 1 (Hard 4 and 10) or 9 to 1 (Hard 6 and 8) (House Edge: 9.09% or 11.11%) – Tempting, but not worth it in the long run.
- Proposition Bets (e.g., 2, 3, 11, 12): House Edge varies, but generally very high (often above 10%).
These bets offer high payouts, but they also come with a significantly lower probability of winning. The house edge is so high that you’re statistically likely to lose your money quickly if you rely on these bets.
Putting It All Together: A Simple Craps Strategy
Here’s a basic strategy to get you started:
- Start with a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet.
- After a point is established, take the maximum Odds allowed by the casino.
- Consider placing Come bets with Odds to increase your action on the table.
- Avoid the high house edge proposition bets.
This strategy focuses on the bets with the lowest house edge, giving you the best chance to extend your playing time and potentially win.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the house edge? The house edge is the casino’s statistical advantage over the player, expressed as a percentage of each bet.
- Why is the Odds bet so good? The Odds bet has no house edge because the payout odds accurately reflect the true probability of winning.
- What does “taking the odds” mean? Taking the odds means placing an additional bet behind your Pass Line or Come bet after a point has been established, wagering that the point will be rolled before a 7.
- What does “laying the odds” mean? Laying the odds means placing an additional bet behind your Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet after a point has been established, wagering that a 7 will be rolled before the point.
- Is it better to bet Pass Line or Don’t Pass? The Don’t Pass has a slightly lower house edge (1.36% vs 1.41%), but the difference is minimal. Choose whichever you feel more comfortable with.
Final Thoughts
Craps can be a thrilling game, but it’s essential to understand the odds and make informed betting decisions. By focusing on the Pass Line, Come, Don’t Pass, and Don’t Come bets, and always taking or laying the maximum Odds, you can significantly improve your chances of winning and enjoy a more rewarding craps experience. Remember, knowledge is power – especially at the craps table.