The Best Craps Bet

11 May 2024

By Jerry Stickman

From Connie:

Hi Mr. Stickman,

At one time you wrote articles about other games such as blackjack or craps. Now it seems you focus on video poker. Do you still play craps? I am new to table games in the casino, but craps looks like a very exciting game. It also seems like a very complicated game to play. If I decide to play craps, which bet or bets would you recommend?

Connie,

Hi Connie,

You are correct. Craps can be a very complicated game because there are so many different bets available. That is also what draws so many to the game. When the table gets hot, there are usually several different bets made by each player.

As the shooter hits the numbers bet, players around the table collect the wins. As more and more numbers are thrown, the excitement builds and builds. The dealers take more and more time paying off bets on the table.

While the dealers tend to be very good, players have to be aware of what is going on to make sure they are paid properly. They must also be aware of the sequence that bets are paid so as to not interrupt the flow of the game.

Do not let that scare you away from the game. There is no need to make every possible bet. In fact, there are only a few bets that have a very low house edge. Some bets can have a house edge as high as 25 percent – meaning for every $100 bet, the player loses $25. That is not a good bet.

To answer your question, yes, I do still play craps. I still enjoy the game very much.

Here are my recommendations for you as a beginning craps player. By following this advice, you should:

• Have fun playing the game
• Minimize the house edge (and therefore your losses) on your play
• Learn for yourself if it is a game you would like to continue playing

Never buy in while a “point” is active. Point active is indicated by the white “ON” displayed on two pucks on either end of the dealer’s side of the table. Wait until the puck is turned over to show a black “OFF” and the dice are in the middle of the table before putting your money on the layout in front of you and asking for change.

When the dice are pushed to the shooter, keep your hands on the rack or by your side. Do not move them out over the table until the dice are back in the center of the table.

Make just one “pass line” bet by placing chips (usually at table minimum) on the pass line directly in front of you. After a point is established (and the puck displaying the white “ON” is placed on the point number), you can add an “odds bet” one or two times the pass line bet by placing the stack of chips behind (on your side of) your bet on the pass line.

Continue with just the one pass line bet (possibly with odds) until the shooter hits that point number and you win, or rolls a 7 and you lose. You then start the whole process over one more time.

This method is simple – only one bet to worry about. It has a low house edge – only 1.41 percent for a pass line bet with no odds. Any odds placed have no house edge.

Playing in this fashion will allow you to decide if the game of craps is for you with very little downside.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines and 888casino.com. He authored the video poker section of “Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!” You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com