There are few casino games as well-known as Craps. The game is seen in dozens of films, generally portrayed as some of the most fun it’s possible to have in a casino. This is not only because it happens to have some of the fastest rounds and engaging betting options, but also because it utilises dice. Virtually no other casino game has physical objects that can be picked up and tossed by the player, making the game a truly unique experience.
But, throwing dice alone won’t make you a good player. Anyone can pick up the dice, make a bet, and hope for the best. How do you play Craps like a true professional?
Understanding The Game
Craps has marginally more complicated rules than other casino games, but understanding the basics is all that is needed in order to participate. Much of the game is determined by the first roll, otherwise referred to as the Come Out Roll.
If the first role equals a 7 or 11, the round ends immediately. However, those who have bet on Pass Line receive an instant payout of even money. Even money is your bet back, plus that some amount again as a win.
But if the dice roll equals 2, 3 or 12, all bets on Pass Line fail. But all those on Don’t Pass earn even money.
The third outcome is the dice landing on any other number; 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 19. If this is the case, that number is established as the Box Point. It is then possible for anyone who made a Pass bet to place bets on this number, otherwise known as an Odds bet.
The game will then continue, with the shooter rolling again and again, either until the same number is rolled a second time, in which case bets are paid out, or a 7 is rolled, in which case the bets lose.
The Best Bet In Craps
The Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets are great for beginners, and offer pretty good odds. The house edge on either is just 1.41%, making them some of the most generous bets to make in the world of casinos. So, you can use either and be safe in the knowledge that you’re getting a good deal.
But do keep in mind that the Don’t Pass bet is seen by some as betting against the Shooter, which makes it bad luck. Though, if you’re playing online, this isn’t really a problem.
The overall best possible bet in the game, however, is the Odds bet. It is one of very few bets in the casino world to have a 0% house edge.
Though the key is that a Pass bet, one way or the other, will have to be made before this option opens up. So technically speaking, house odds will have to be taken into account in that regard before placing the additional wager.
Either way, there is no question that Craps is an excellent game, and playing like a professional is just a matter of knowing the options.