If you walk into a casino and hear a lot of people yelling and cheering, chances are they are centered around the craps table. This is arguably one of the most exciting and intense casino games you will ever play. Even the most enthusiastic slot machine player cannot even come close to generating the level of noise, cheering and high-fiving that generates from the table with the active dice.
Although this game has many key aspects and more betting options than you can imagine, most professionals will tell you that if you bet on the pass line and make an odds bet, you will consistently have the best odds against the house. Don’t let the dice intimidate you. Craps is a relatively easy game to play. All you need to bring to the table is a few key pointers.
To Pass or Not to Pass
As the shooter, you are the person who rolls the dice across the table. However, before you begin, it is important to note that there are several betting options available to you. The simplest and most straightforward are pass and no pass. A pass bet is the central wager of a craps game. If you hit 2, 3, or 12 on your first roll, you lose. If you hit 7 or 11 on the pass line, you win. If you hit any other number, that number becomes the point and you try your luck with a different strategy.
Getting to the Point
If you roll point on your first try, then you must hit again before rolling a 7. If you roll anything other than 2, 3 12, 7 or 11, a marker is placed on that number, and a pass odds bet can be made. This greatly reduces the house edge and gives you the true odds of hitting the number. For example, if the craps table offers 2-times odds, you can play double your initial bet on the pass odds bet.
Are You Coming or Not?
The come bet is a wager you can place after making the first point. It is quite similar to the pass and don’t pass bet. However, unlike the pass bet, this one is totally optional. Thus, if you want to be extra careful, you can leave this one alone. If you decide to place it, all you have to do is follow the previous wager. For example, if you hit a 2, 3 or 12, you lose, but your pass bet is not affected. If you roll a 7, you win the come bet, but lose your pass bet on the point.
Playing the Field
This area pertains to players who want to bet on the shooter. By betting the field, you will receive additional winnings for some of the numbers the shooter hits. For example, if the shooter you are betting on rolls a 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11, you are paid out a 1 to 1. If they hit 2 or 12, you get a 2 to 1 payment. When taking up this option, keep in mind that field bets only apply to one roll of the dice.
Learning the Hard Way
You want to place hard way bets very infrequently. If you want to show everyone you’re an amateur, this is the way to do it. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be profitable. A hard way bet is like playing Monopoly, as you get more for rolling a double. For example, if you roll two 4s before making 8 with 5 and 3 or 6 and 2, you win the hard way bet and receive a higher pay out.
A Proposition for You
Proposition, or simply prop bets, is a type of wager most experienced players stay away from. Because there is only one way to roll a snake eyes, which is simply the total of 2, the payout is tremendous at 30 to 1. Though very tempting, it very unlikely that you will roll this total on a regular basis. This is one of many types of prop bets and almost all of them are risky. Prop bets are single rolls so you only get one chance to work your magic.