Craps

Craps is one of the most popular games played at internet casinos and in land-based settings.

If you see a craps table for the first time you might feel a little intimidated  by it since it’s layout is quite complex. We aim to help you understand the game and its betting structure by explaining craps bets and which bet offers you the lowest vigorish (house edge).

Furthermore, we will examine the etiquette one should follow at the craps table. In this article we explore the various spin-offs that casinos offer. We offer some tips on money management and we will show you some betting strategy tips that will stand you in good stead.

Not only is Craps an exciting and dynamic game, it also offers the average punter a decent shot at beating the casino. If you find yourself on your own in Las Vegas there is no better way to join a busy Craps table. If the house is winning there is a strong bond among the losers; when the players are on a hot streak the atmosphere is usually electric with high fives all round and a loads of cheering. 

One of the problems with Craps is if you don’t know the rules of the game it can be like climbing Mount Everest. In fact, the game itself is easy. The secret of Craps’ appeal is that the table is covered in what looks like tempting bets, but are in fact terrible bets-some of the worst in the entire casino! If you avoid these distractions and stick to the Basic Strategy, you can play a game where the house has less than 1 percent edge against you. 

How would one describe the game of Craps? First of all the game involves two dice on a table that is like a sunken pit with groovy rubber-studded walls. The player who throws the dice and the Shooter. The aim of the game is not be manipulated by the Shooter.

Crapless Craps

This craps variation was developed in Las Vegas at the old Vegas World. Although not as popular as it used to be it’s still played now and again. In this variation of the game, on the pass line bet a 7 comeout roll still wins. Any other number becomes the point which includes numbers like 2, 3, 11 and 12. Initially it might seem like a positive change, since the player hopes to land a 2, 3, and 12 in exchange for giving up the sure winner on the 11.

The problem is that 2, 3, and 12 are not winning numbers, while the 11 changes from a winner to a likely loser. In this variant of craps, the house edge is 5.38% on the pass line. This is almosr four times as high as conventional craps.

Fire Bet

Only a few casinos offer this type of bet. What does it entail? The shooter wins if he makes at least four different point numbers before evening out. If the player makes the same point twice, only different point numbers count.The house edge in this craps varianthovers around 20.76%.

Strategy

Try and cut down the house edge as much as possible. It’s not bad play if you wager on the pass or come instead of the don’t pass or don’t come. The difference is that the house edge is relatively small. It’s more fun to bet with the other players instead of betting against them. On condition you stick to the line bets (pass, don’t pass, come, don’t come) and back them up with the odds. If you can manage this, you’ll be getting the best game deal at the craps table.

Never hedge your bets in craps. In fact, you should never hedge your bets in any casino game. The reason why I mentioned this is because so many players make this mistake, especially when playing craps. The reason why they make hedge bets is to ”safeguard” on bet with another. For instance, a hedge player might bet any craps on the come-out roll if the shooter craps out. Or if the shooter makes a point, a hedge player could bet any seven to safeguard his pass line bet and odds against a seven-out.

Conclusion

To lower the house edge as much as possible, stick to the line bets and use odds. Above all, avoid hedging and the high-edge proposition bets. Some players think that if they make hedge bets it might minimize losses instead they minimize wins much more. Despite what system salesmen would have you believe, unfortunately there’s no magic combination of bets in craps that will beat the house edge.