Craps
Craps is the casino table game that popularized the numbers 7 and 11. By hitting 7 or 11 at the roll of two dice, some bets win and others lose. The line-ridden craps table comes across as a tad too intimidating to the uninitiated, as opposed, say, to minding a 52-card deck, multi-colored wheel, or one-armed machine.
Craps Game Rules
But the truth is simple: in craps, all you really need to do is bet on what numbers each roll of the dice will produce, and some of these bets are the most profitable you will ever make, whether in a land-based or Internet Casino.
The Object of the Game
The goal of playing craps differs between a player and a shooter, which refers to the player whose turn it is to throw the dice across the craps table. Each throw of the dice is known as a "roll". For a shooter, the object of the game is to establish a "point" number by throwing the dice, and then to roll that point number a second time before rolling a 7.
For the other players who are not the designated shooter, the object of the game is to wager on the outcome of each roll. A third goal for participants might be to watch out for that 7, known as craps, because when a 7 is rolled, certain bets lose and a session of the game is put to an end. Hitting an 11, known as a natural, makes and breaks specific bets as well.
Craps Strategy
Serious craps players tend to be loyal to this challenging casino game that boasts a low house advantage, to begin with, as well as some of the best bets you can make when casino gambling, like pass line bets in combination with odds bets, or place 6 and 8 bets. Craps involves many different types of bets, many of them challenging to the novice gambler, but winning the game easily depends upon the total value of numbers that come up with each roll of two dice.
Craps Gambling Tips
One advantage that craps provides is that you begin the game with a ready advantage—a low house edge. Capitalize on the good headstart by having a sound craps strategy that combines smart money management, a keen understanding of the smart bets on the table, and a relaxed straightforward attitude towards playing. Intelligent bankroll management can not be overstated as a strategy, especially in a table game as difficult to master as craps. You must manage your bankroll to maximize your wins and minimize your losses.
Check the odds. In craps, each roll of two dice can produce 36 different number combinations. Winning or losing a game is determined by all these possible outcomes. Some values can be rolled in many ways, like a value of 6 which can come out of five combinations (5/1, 4/2, 3/3, 2/4, 1/5). Other values can be made in a few specific ways, like the number 2 which makes no more than one combination (1/1). Wins and losses depend upon the number of ways that a two-die combination can be produced. As a rule of thumb, the less probable a two-die combination, the higher the payoff. For example, the probability of a 2 coming up is 1 in 36 (1/1), of 4 is 3 in 36 (3/1, 2/2, 1/3), of 7 is 6 in 36 (6/1, 5/2, 4/3, 3/4, 2/5, 1/6). So the actual odds for hitting a 4 is 6:3 or 2:1, although a 4 pays out at 9:5.
Stick with best bets . Key to making the most of your potential revenue is to find the smart bets on the craps table and stay with them while still mastering the game. For starters, there is already a specific number of low house edge bets in the game, and what you want is to maximize them. Pass line bets backed by free odds, come bets backed by free odds, and place bets on the 6 or 8 are some of the best bets in craps, and sure to have a lesser house advantage. An endless number of casino gambling experts advise these bets, which are easy to spot and make, and they can't be all wrong. On the other side, you would want to listen to everyone else's suggestion to stay away from bets that tend to be a bit more unwieldy for the non-expert, like alternative proposition bets.
Progress and regress. While you can not guarantee winning consistently in craps, it is possible to lose consistently. Betting the same amount each time is one way to dig deeper, as you will almost always lose. To progress and regress means to increase and reduce your wagers at a fixed rate. For example, you can progress to doubling the table minimum (x * 2), then regress back to the minimum (x * 2 / 2), and go along as you win. It is a good way to extend your bankroll and play for the long-term.
Hedge your bets. This is a valid suggestion, but one to consider depending on your expectations of the game. Craps is a streaky casino game, and on one hand, hedge betting curbs its volatility. On the other hand, it also constrains your likely winnings. The fewer the chances of winning more, the lesser the downswings threatening your bankroll. If you don't mind making smaller bucks at lower risks, hedge betting is for you.
Don't let your winnings ride. Perhaps it's alright to do this with other casino games, but you already know how volatile craps can be so you need your bankroll to stay solid as you move along. What if you ride on an initial win and experience an ensuing loss? Your bankroll needs to sustain up to some 25 to 30 bets whilst you wait to secure your win.
Related Pages: Craps Game Books | Craps Game Sites | Craps Lessons