Playing Craps Strategically

The game of Craps is known for its fast paced excitement. A typical game includes shouting, cheering, and a palpable sense of camaraderie. Because the game involves up to twenty players, most of them betting the same way, playing Craps can be a fun-filled experience for any casino goer.
But the question that many players have is how to increase their chances of winning. Craps is, after all, a game of chance. Nobody can predict which way the dice will turn. That said, there are still many steps players can take to improve their Craps strategy. Read on, to find out all about it.

Placing the Craps Pass Bet

The most important element of playing Craps strategically is to ALWAYS bet on the Pass or Don't Pass Bet. These initial bets carry the best odds possible. Many strategists even recommend that players always place the maximum bet at these opportunities. It may be fun to mix things up a little, but if you are playing to win, it's important that you follow this basic rule of strategy.



Whether you choose to play Pass or Don't Pass is really up to you. Placing a Pass bet will give you a better chance to win on the initial roll - there are eight ways to roll a winning seven or eleven with a pair of dice and only four ways to lose. Placing your bets on Pass will also allow you to share in the group dynamic of the table. You'll be able to root for your winning number without drawing stares of disgust from the other table members.



If you place your bets on Don't Pass, your chances aren't great for the coming out roll, but after that, your chance to win is much better than the Pass folks. The main drawback of this bet is that you'll be betting against most of the table.

Following With a Come Bet

Experts agree that the best way to maximize your winnings is to follow your initial bet with two rounds of Come or Don't Come bets, all backed with odds. Placing a Come bet is just the same as a Pass bet. The only difference is that the bet is not placed on the coming out roll. When you back these bets with odds, you not only get the wager you placed if your point number is rolled before the seven, you also get the true odds of rolling that number. That means that you'll win even more if you happen to be playing with lucky dice. And strategists say that playing this way lowers the house edge to only .8 percent.

Be Prepared for Craps

The last important element of playing craps to win, is to always carry enough money with you to the casino. Unlike many casino games, a game of Craps has the ability to burn a hole in your wallet fairly quickly. Most tables have a $5 minimum, and with all the various bets you are likely to place in any given round, you may spend as much as $100 per game. Make sure to bring along a few hundred dollars if you'd like to spend some time at the Craps table. Also important is to set a limit for yourself and stick to it. If you find yourself heading to the ATM machine every time you run out of cash, you will probably walk away a loser.



Follow these basic Craps strategies, and you'll be able to enjoy the game on a new level. Rather than being just a game of fun and excitement, Craps can become a pastime that will boost your confidence, as you play with skill and walk away a winner.