How to Win at Craps

Look past the deceptively complex appearance of Craps and you'll find a surprisingly fun dice game that's actually a cinch to play. If you're anything like me, a first glance of that table is enough to trigger a wide-eyed grimace and a touch of fear. However, once you get the basics down (literally 30 seconds), you've got it and you can set your sights on how to win at Craps.

Of course, being a dice game, Craps outcomes are totally random and there's no getting around that. There are no guarantees when it comes to dice rolls. But you can still play smart by nailing the rules, choosing lower house edge bets, and managing your bankroll for a longer, more enjoyable Craps game.

Learn the Basics of the Craps Game

The Craps game basics are not as complex as the table itself would have you believe. A round of Craps can be broken down into two distinct phases: the Come Out Roll and the Point. Here's how each phase plays out.

Phase 1: The Come Out Roll

This is the very first phase of the Craps game. People start by placing their bets on the Pass Line (to indicate that they want a positive outcome, as opposed to the Don't Pass Line) and the shooter rolls the dice. The outcome of that dice roll dictates what happens next:

• 7 or 11: Pass Line bets win

• 2, 3, or 12 ('craps'): Pass Line bets lose

• Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10): That number becomes the Point and the round proceeds to phase 2

Phase 2: The Point

At the start of this phase, the dealer places a button face up showing ON on the Point number. The shooter now throws the dice continuously, with outcomes determining winners as follows:

• The Point: Pass Line bets win

• 7: Pass Line bets lose

• Any other number: Nothing happens and the shooter rolls again

And that's the basics of the game of Craps. Here's a quick recap of the basic bets over these 2 phases:

• Pass Line: You're betting that the dice roll will be positive, ie. anything other than craps

• Don't Pass: The opposite of the Pass Line bet, you're betting for a negative outcome, ie. craps

• Come Bet: Same as the Pass Line bet, but for phase 2

• Don't Come Bet: Same as the Don't Pass bet, but for phase 2

All the other positions you see on the table are additional bets (referred to as odds bets) on what numbers will or won't appear during these rolls. They're not central to the game.

How to Win at Craps by Choosing Better Bets

The best approach for how to win at Craps is to choose bets with the lowest house edge. Namely, they are the Pass Line, Don't Pass, Come, Don't Come, and odds bets. Playing these means you're exposed to less risk, your bankroll stretches further, and you can enjoy the game for a bit longer.

The Pass Line and Don't Pass bets are the most popular: they're easy to place, settle quickly, and have a low house edge of just 1.41% maximum. Don't Pass, also known as 'playing the dark side' (ie. betting against the shooter), actually has a slightly better chance of winning due to the increased odds of the shooter 'sevening out' (losing by rolling a 7, due to more possible combinations).

Come and Don't Come bets are really just the same as Pass and Don't Pass bets, but for once the Point has been set. They carry the same odds too. Again, Don't Come has a very slight advantage over Come.

Odds bets cover pretty much every other bet and can only be placed behind a Pass or Come bet. This is where you can predict the specific outcome of the dice roll, rather than just whether it wins or not. These bets are particularly attractive because, unlike every other bet in a casino, they have no house edge. That's also the reason they are tied to Pass/Come bets - you don't get a no house edge shot for free.

Bets to Avoid in a Craps Game

While low house edge bets are a good aim, high house edge bets are best avoided. They may seem attractive due to their higher potential payouts, but remember that the chances of them coming up are lower. Here are the Craps bets to avoid, how they work, and their house edges (compare to the Pass Line's 1.41%):

Bankroll Tips for Playing Craps

Quickfire Pass Line bets can easily eat away at your bankroll. Here are some tips to make your balance stretch further when playing Craps:

• Set your budget beforehand: Think about a hard limit for your session spend and stick to it.

• Bet small: Keep your bet sizes small and your bankroll will go much further.

• Don't chase losses: Craps is all about luck and sometimes that means things won't go your way. Plan for those losses: never rage bet in an attempt to win them back.

• Take breaks: Limit your play sessions and take a breather if you find yourself getting frustrated.

• Know when to stop: If you're down and feeling tempted to up stakes, or getting annoyed the game isn't going your way, those are good signs to quit.

Common Mistakes Players Make

Both new and experienced players can easily make mistakes at the Craps table without even knowing it. Here are some of the biggest Craps mistakes to avoid:

• Betting only on high payouts: Going for those big odds might seem tempting, but remember the chances of them happening are much lower. You'll inevitably spend more trying to chase them than they're worth.

• Ignoring the house edge: Use the house edge as an indicator of how to bet. The smaller the house edge, the bigger your margin in the long run.

• Erratic strategies: Switching up your strategy on every roll just means your outcomes will be equally erratic. Stick to the simple bets.

• Not learning the game: Trying to play without knowing the rules and the table is a recipe for disaster. As scary as Craps might seem at first, the basic rules are very simple. Save yourself the confusion with a 30 second rule check.

• Increasing stakes after losses: This is called chasing your losses and it almost never pays. Dice outcomes are completely random and upping your stakes each time just means you'll lose more, faster.

How to Enjoy Craps Without Chasing Wins

To get the very best out of my Craps game, I like to think of it as a form of paid entertainment, rather than a way to win money. If wins come, I consider myself lucky. At the same time, I remind myself that losing is all part of the game, so I take the Ls in my stride. Keep an eye on your balance, take breaks when you need to, and set up PlayOJO's deposit limits and session reminders beforehand for backup.

The Final Word on How to Win at Craps

While you can't swing those dice rolls in your favour, you can vastly improve your enjoyment of the game by making a few small but important tweaks. Learn the rules, stick to lower house edge bets, and place odds bets sparingly. Be mindful of your time and money spend, play within your limits, and keep the focus on fun.