Craps Strategy Guides

In-depth breakdowns of every major craps bet — odds, payouts, house edge, and when to use each. Backtest any strategy for free in the simulator.

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Craps for Beginners Your first table, first bet, and what not to do. Zero jargon — just what you need for session one. Beginner How to Play Craps Come-out roll, the point, seven-out, and the full round sequence explained clearly. Rules Best Craps Strategy We ran 6 strategies for 50,000 rolls each. Don't Pass + Lay Odds wins the math. Here's the full data. Comparison Craps Odds — Full Table Every bet ranked by house edge — from Free Odds at 0% to Any 7 at 16.67%. The reference you'll bookmark. Reference

Line Bets & Odds

Pass Line Bet The foundation of craps. 1.41% house edge, wins on 7/11 come-out, loses on craps. Light Side Don't Pass Bet The dark side mirror of the Pass Line. Wins when most players lose — 1.36% edge. Dark Side Pass Line Odds Zero house edge — the only bet in the casino that pays true odds. Always take max. Light Side Don't Pass Lay Odds Lay odds against the point for true-odds payouts on the dark side. Dark Side Put Bet + Odds Skip the come-out and place directly on a point with full max odds backing. Light Side Come Bet The Pass Line's mid-hand twin — same 1.41% edge, placed on any roll after the point is set. Light Side Come Odds Zero house edge. The only bet in any casino that pays true mathematical probability. Always take them. Zero Edge Don't Come Bet Dark side mid-hand betting. 1.36% edge flat, drops to 0.27% with Lay Odds — lowest in craps. Dark Side Lay Bets Standalone bet that the 7 shows before a specific number. 2.44–4.0% edge with a 5% vig on the win. Removable any time. Dark Side

Place & Buy Bets

Place 6 & 8 The most popular place bet combo. 7:6 payout, 1.52% house edge — best of the place numbers. Place Bet Place 5 & 9 7:5 payout, 4% house edge. Higher risk than 6/8 but more coverage across the numbers. Place Bet Buy Bets Pay 5% vig for true-odds payouts. Buy 4/10 at 1.67% edge (vig on win) beats Place 4/10 by a mile. Buy Bet Field Bet Covers 7 of 12 totals, resolves every roll. 2.78% edge at 3:1 tables. Used in the Iron Cross. One-Roll

Multi-Bet Strategies

Iron Cross Field + Place 5/6/8. Wins on every number except 7 — maximum coverage, higher variance. Strategy 3-Point Molly Pass Line + two Come bets with max odds. Three numbers always working — disciplined and efficient. Strategy $44 Inside $10 each on 5/9, $12 each on 6/8. Covers all inside numbers for a flat $44. Strategy Inside Regress Start tall on inside numbers, regress after one hit to lock in profit and reduce exposure. Strategy $54 Outside Cover the outside numbers (4/5/9/10) for shooters who avoid the 6 and 8. Strategy Doey-Don't Pass Line + Don't Pass simultaneously. Hedges out come-out risk, profits purely from free odds. Strategy

Progression Systems

Field Martingale Double the field bet after every loss. High variance, works in short bursts — understand the risk. Progression Pass Line Martingale Double after each losing come-out. Extends sessions but requires deep bankroll. Progression Paroli System Positive progression — press wins three times then reset. Rides hot streaks with limited downside. Progression Fibonacci System Follow the Fibonacci sequence on losses, step back two on wins. Slower escalation than Martingale. Progression

Advanced Techniques

5-Count Method Don't bet until the shooter has rolled five times. Filters out quick seven-outs and reduces exposure. Strategy Hop the Sevens One-roll bets on all three 7 combinations. High house edge but big potential on come-out rolls. One-Roll

Proposition & Bonus Bets

Hardways Bet that 4, 6, 8, or 10 rolls as a matching pair before a 7 or easy way. Hard 6/8 pay 9:1; Hard 4/10 pay 7:1. Prop Bet Horn Bet One-roll split across 2, 3, 11, and 12. Pays 27:1 on aces or boxcars, 12:1 on 3 or yo. High house edge. Prop Bet Fire Bet Tracks unique points made in a single hand. Make all six and you're looking at a 999:1 payout. Bonus Bet All / Tall / Small Roll all numbers on one side before a 7 — Small (2–6) pays 34:1, All pays 174:1. High edge, big payouts. Bonus Bet Dice Combinations The 36-outcome probability table behind every craps bet. Understanding this is the foundation of the game. Reference

Casino Guides

Craps Bankroll Calculator How much do you really need? Bankroll by strategy, denomination, and session length — with a live simulator and custom estimator. Calculator Table Flow Betting order, payout sequence, dealer roles, and the customs every player should know before sitting down. Guide Craps Terminology Complete glossary — every term from action and boxcars to wrong bettor and yo-leven. Glossary