Craps is a simple dice game with a variety of betting strategies, some of which are high risk, high reward, while others are always looking for the lowest risk bet possible.
Let’s go over some of our favorite craps strategies for newcomers to online casinos. We’ve arranged these strategies in ascending order, beginning with the one you should learn first and progressing to the strategies used by more experienced online craps players.
- Don’t get lost in the theory, and play a little online craps with each strategy to fully understand the game.
Strategy #1: Betting the Lowest House Advantage at All Times
This strategy is also referred to as a “pass line and come bet.” The house has a percentage advantage on almost every bet in the casino.
The Pass line and Odds bet or Come bet have the lowest two percentages of house advantage. The Pass Line bet has a house advantage of 1.41%. You’re betting before the shooter rolls the come out. This bet pays on a 7 or 11 roll, and fails on a 2,3, or 12.
If the come out is any other number after the first roll, the pass line pays if that number is rolled again before rolling a 7, for example, if the shooter rolls a 6 on the first roll and another 6 on the second roll, the pass line pays.
The Odds Bet
Strategy #1 should be placing an odds bet after your pass line bet. If the pass line doesn’t pay out, wait for the come out to roll a 6 or 8.
After seven, these are the two most common numbers on the dice. Now is the time to place your odds bet. In the entire casino, the odds bet is the only 1:1, 0% house advantage bet. The odds bet is placed behind your passline on the table. In most cases, it cannot exceed a certain multiple of your initial pass line bet.
Now both the pass line and odds bet payout if the shooter rerolls the come out.
Pass Line Strategy Keys
- Place the pass line bet first.
- Place an odds bet on your pass line bet if the come out is a 6 or 8. Think of this like doubling (or tripling) down on your initial bet.
- Place minimum pass line bets and small odds bets. Your goal is to keep playing, not to win big in a one off roll.
- Stick with these two bets, and avoid thinking you can ‘read the dice.’ Craps is a game of luck and probability, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you know when numbers will come up.
Strategy #2: Field Bet Strategy
This qualifies as an actual strategy and is often called the Iron Cross. Basically, you’ll place multiple bets to set yourself up for a win on any number but seven.
Place a minimum bet on Place 5,6, and 8 then place a field bet.
The place bets stay until a seven is rolled, and the field bet stays until a shooter craps out.
- This strategy offers you more frequent wins and losses. If you feel like craps is too slow, the field bet strategy should speed up your returns, but also cause you to lose big on a seven.
- Contrary to popular belief, this collective strategy doesn’t put the odds in your favor. The house has a .44% advantage across multiple rolls. You often can’t clear the bets from the table unless they pay out on many online casinos, locking you into greater losses if you’re unable to clear your place bets.
- The return on place bets is 3:2 on your 5 place bet, and 5:6 on your 6 and 8 place bets. Field bets offer 1:1 on 3,4,9,10, or 11 and 2:1 on 2 and 12. Your payout will differ depending on which die is rolled.
- Field bet strategy is fun, but can be frustrating to lose on a seven. Betting the pass line is easier if you’re working with less overall cash.
Don’t overcomplicate it! You can’t predict numbers, despite many craps players believing they can.
Strategy #3: Martingale Strategy.
To Martingale means to double your bet after each losing bet. Start with a minimum bet, then double it after it’s lost.
If you have an infinite pool of money, this strategy makes sense from a probability and game theory perspective.
It works, but it’s scary. One of the main Martingale methods for online craps is to ‘Martingale one number’
Martingale One Number
To ‘Martingale one number’ means to bet over and over again on one of the main place bets. You’ll be hovering around a number that you think will pay out.
- Martingaling one number requires the biggest bankroll, in that you will regularly lose, but you’re betting the payout will overcome your losses. With this place bet, you’re still doubling each lost bet.
For this craps strategy, start with a place bet on one number. 6 or 8 offers better odds of winning but smaller payouts; 4 or 10 gives you larger payouts but lower odds of winning. Then, continue to bet that number until you’ve won more than you came with, and walk away.
Martingale Place Bets
For this craps strategy, you’re running strategy #1 with an added Martingale component. You’re simply doubling your initial minimum bet, while adding the Martingale doubling strategy after every loss.