Craps betting strategies range from conservative to aggressive approaches, each with different levels of risk and reward. The Pass Line and Come Bet strategies are popular for their lower house edge, offering steady, low-risk action. Conversely, the Don’t Pass Line and Don’t Come Bet strategies are considered defensive, with a slightly lower house edge, though they can be less exciting as they involve betting against the shooter. The 3-Point Molly strategy balances risk by covering multiple bets, including the Pass Line and Come bets, while laying odds to reduce the house edge. For a higher-risk approach, the Iron Cross strategy covers most numbers but is vulnerable to the 7, which can wipe out your winnings. More advanced players might use the Hedge Strategy, which involves betting on multiple outcomes to minimize losses, or the Lay Odds strategy, which bets against specific numbers with higher payouts but greater risk. Ultimately, successful craps strategies hinge on understanding the odds and managing your bankroll carefully, as no strategy guarantees consistent wins.
Table of Contents
Pass Line Bet + Come Bet Strategy (The Conservative Strategy)
- Pass Line Bet: This is one of the simplest and most common bets in craps. It is placed before the come-out roll and wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, while losing if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled.
- Come Bet: After the point is established, you can make a Come Bet. This works similarly to the Pass Line Bet but after the come-out roll.
- Why it’s conservative: These bets have a low house edge, around 1.41% for the Pass Line and 1.36% for the Come Bet. It’s a steady strategy for long-term play.
Don’t Pass Line + Don’t Come Bet Strategy (The Defensive Strategy)
- Don’t Pass Line Bet: This is the opposite of the Pass Line Bet. It wins on a 2 or 3 and loses on a 7 or 11. A 12 results in a push.
- Don’t Come Bet: Like the Don’t Pass Line but placed after the point is established.
- Why it’s defensive: The house edge is a bit lower, especially for the Don’t Pass Line at around 1.36%. However, this is the “don’t win” approach, and some players find it less exciting.
The 3-Point Molly Strategy (The Balanced Approach)
- This strategy is designed to cover the Pass Line and Come Bets while minimizing risk.
- Place a Pass Line bet.
- Wait for the point to be set.
- Once the point is established, place a Come Bet.
- Then, on subsequent rolls, continue placing Come Bets to get three points covered.
- After that, you can lay odds on the Come and Pass bets, which reduces the house edge even further.
- Why it’s balanced: It offers a good mix of action and lower risk, though it requires more management as you add multiple Come Bets.
The Iron Cross Strategy (The Aggressive Strategy)
- This strategy involves betting on the Field (where you win on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12) and covering all the numbers between 5, 6, and 8.
- Place bets on 5, 6, 8, and the Field.
- You will have coverage on all possible outcomes except 7, which is the key number to avoid.
- Why it’s aggressive: It’s high-action and can yield frequent wins, but the major risk is the 7, as it will wipe out your entire wager. The house edge for the Field bet is higher (around 5.56%).
The Hedge Strategy (The Safety Net)
- The idea here is to place conservative bets but protect against potential losses by hedging your bets on certain numbers.
- For example, you might bet the Pass Line and lay odds, then hedge by placing a small bet on the 7 or 11.
- You could also bet on both the Place 6 and Place 8, plus other low-risk bets to spread your chances.
- Why it’s a safety net: This strategy helps reduce the risks, but it can be expensive to hedge frequently and may reduce overall winnings over time.
The Big 6 & Big 8 Strategy
- Bet on the Big 6 or Big 8 (which pays 1:1) when the shooter has established a point.
- The idea is to bet on these numbers consistently, believing they are the most likely to be rolled (6 and 8 appear frequently).
- Why it’s simple: It’s a low-risk and easy-to-understand strategy, but the payouts are low, and the house edge is higher than some other bets.
The Lay Odds Strategy (For the Risk-Taker)
- This strategy involves placing a Lay Bet against the point (such as laying odds on 4 or 10) after the point is set. You win if a 7 is rolled before the point number.
- Why it’s for the risk-taker: This is a riskier strategy with higher payouts, but it requires a good understanding of odds and the timing of the bet.
Key Tips to Keep in Mind:
- Use Proper Bankroll Management: No matter the strategy, always manage your bankroll. Set limits on how much you’re willing to risk and stick to them.
- Understand the Odds: Betting odds (particularly the “lay odds”) can reduce the house edge significantly. Whenever possible, take odds on your Pass Line or Come Bets.
- Avoid High House Edge Bets: Bets like the Big 6/Big 8 and certain Place Bets can have a higher house edge, so it’s typically better to stick to Pass/Don’t Pass or Come/Don’t Come with odds.
