Since craps is one of the most complicated games in a casino, craps tips can be somewhat overwhelming for a beginner. But the complexity of the game lies in the large numbers of potential bets available, not in the playing rules of the game itself. After all, it’s not very difficult to understand what it takes for a player to win at craps.
On a player’s first roll (or Come Out roll) the Player (or Shooter) can achieve a total score on the two dice of between 2 and 12. If the total is 2, 3 or 12 the Shooter has rolled craps (or crapped out). If the total is 7 or 11 the Shooter wins for certain bettors. Either way that Shooter continues to roll until a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 is rolled. That establishes the Shooter’s Point and the Come Out roll is finished. With the Point established the Player now continues the roll.
If the Player rolls the Point before rolling a 7 the Player wins the game and will start the next game with another Come Out roll. If the Player rolls a 7 before rolling the Point the Player loses the game and the dice are passed to the next player. Now that you’re familiar with the simple rules of the game it’s time to decide which craps tips make the most sense for your particular style of play.
The complexity of the game lies in the number of bets available to everyone at the table and the confusing odds of each bet. This is where useful craps gambling tips can come in handy. Even the most experienced players are unlikely to know every bet, so beginning players should limit their betting options to a manageable few and gradually introduce new betting options as they become more familiar with the game.
To learn the game as you go begin with craps tips involving a small number of betting options on the table’s best bets. The best bets, of course, are those with the lowest advantage for the house and, correspondingly, the best odds for a player to win. The best line bets consist of the “Pass” line, the “Don’t Pass” line and the “Come” line. You could also include two Place bets in your initial arsenal by placing bets on the 6 or the 8 only. All of these bets offer a house advantage of less than 1.5%, some of the best opportunities in the entire casino.
One of the best craps tips to follow as a beginner is known as “taking the odds”. After the Shooter has established a Point you can “take the odds” on any bets you have on the Pass Line, the Don’t Pass Line or the Come Line. You simply place an amount equal to or, depending on the casino, more than your original bet behind that original bet on the table. On this amount, you will receive the true odds on the bet, with no house advantage.
Before employing any craps tips, memorize the odds on these few good betting opportunities and avoid all of the other bets on the table. Some of these other bets give the house an overwhelming advantage of almost 17% and are rightfully referred to as “sucker bets”. As you become more familiar with the game and its odds you can begin to add other bets to your strategy.
Craps is a fast paced and highly entertaining game that can be very confusing to a beginner. Limit the number of craps tips that you try to follow until you have learned the game well. And remember that one of the best pieces of advice you’ll receive is that craps is a game of streaks. To be a winner you must play during a hot streak when Shooters are holding onto the dice for extended periods of time and not crapping out after a few rolls. If a table is cold, with no long runs by Shooters, walk away and wait until you happen upon a hot table before getting into some serious betting.
Cary Clark is an avid traveler & prolific writer who has written extensively for newspapers & travel magazines. For more on online craps, free craps tips and strategies visit Casino-Affairs.com