Craps Strategy Guide

Basic Rules of Craps

Craps is a lively dice game often found with crowds cheering around the table. It has a variety of bets, but the game fundamentally revolves around the roll of two six-sided dice and the outcome of the “Pass Line” bet. If you’re new, craps can look intimidating – people shouting “yo 11!” or “hard eight!” – but you can start with one or two simple bets and expand from there.

Here’s how a round of craps (a “hand”) works:

• One player is the shooter, who will roll the dice. Players take turns being shooter, but you can bet regardless of who shoots.
• The first roll of a new round is the Come-Out roll. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, it’s called a “natural” and Pass Line bets win even moneywizardofodds.com. If the come-out is 2, 3, or 12, that’s called “craps” and Pass Line bets lose immediatelywizardofodds.com. These are the only immediate outcomes on the come-out.
• If the come-out roll is any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the Point. The dealer marks that point on the table (e.g. a puck placed on the number).
• Once a point is established, the game enters the second phase: the shooter continues to roll the dice until either they roll the Point number again (in which case Pass Line wins), or they roll a 7 (in which case Pass Line loses)wizardofodds.comwizardofodds.com. Rolling a 7 after a point is set is called “seven-out” which ends the round.
• So, Pass Line is essentially a bet that the shooter will win by making their point before rolling a 7.

If the Pass Line bet wins (either by a natural on come-out or hitting the point), it pays 1:1. If it loses, you lose your wager. If a point was set and the shooter keeps rolling numbers other than 7 or the point, nothing happens to Pass Line bets until resolution – those intermediate rolls can matter for other side bets but not for the Pass outcome.

There’s an opposite bet to Pass Line called Don’t Pass (betting against the shooter). Don’t Pass wins on come-out if 2 or 3 rolled (and pushes if 12 is rolled, as a balance rule), and loses on 7 or 11. If a point is set, the Don’t Pass bet wins if a 7 comes before the point is rolled (i.e. you’re betting the shooter will “seven out”). Don’t Pass also pays even money.

The dice combinations: Two dice produce totals from 2 (1+1) to 12 (6+6). Key totals:

• 7 is the most common total (6 ways to roll a 7 out of 36 possible dice combinations).
• 11 has 2 ways, 2 has 1 way, 3 has 2 ways, 12 has 1 way (hence why 2,3,12 are “craps” on come-out – they are less frequent).
• 4 and 10 each have 3 ways; 5 and 9 have 4 ways; 6 and 8 have 5 ways each.

Understanding the probability of each total is useful for strategy, as different bets revolve around these totals.

The basic flow: The shooter keeps rolling until they “seven out” (roll a 7 after a point), which ends the round; then a new come-out begins for the next shooter. If the shooter makes the point, the same shooter continues with a new come-out roll (so a shooter can roll multiple points before losing).

Common Bets and Variations (and How They Affect Strategy)

Craps has a wide array of bets, but let’s categorize them:

• Pass Line / Don’t Pass: As explained, Pass Line is the fundamental bet on the shooter. Come / Don’t Come bets are basically the same as Pass/Don’t, but you can place them after a point is already established (on the next roll, a Come bet treats that roll like a personal come-out for you). They follow the same win/loss rules as Pass (Come) and Don’t Pass (Don’t Come), just that they can be initiated mid-round. They are equally good bets with the same odds/edge as Pass/Don’t.
• Odds bets: This is one of the best aspects of craps. After a point is established, you can take Odds behind your Pass Line (or lay odds behind Don’t Pass). Odds bets have 0% house edge because they pay true oddswizardofodds.com. For example, if the point is 4, the true odds of rolling a 4 before 7 are 2:1 against (there are 3 ways to make 4, 6 ways to make 7). So a $10 odds bet on 4 will win $20 if 4 hits before 7. Taking odds means you’re increasing your bet on the favorable outcome without increasing house edge. Common variations: Casinos limit how much odds you can take, usually expressed as “3-4-5x odds” or 2x odds, 5x odds, etc. 3-4-5x odds means you can bet up to 3x your Pass bet if point is 4 or 10, 4x if point is 5 or 9, 5x if point is 6 or 8. This structure equalizes max win (because 6 & 8 are easier points, they let you bet more on harder points). Some casinos allow 10x, 20x, even 100x odds. The more odds you can afford to take, the lower your overall house edge on total bet becomes (since the base Pass has ~1.41% edgewizardofodds.com but the odds bet 0%). For instance, 5x odds brings the overall house edge on Pass line down to ~0.33%readybetgo.comreadybetgo.com! Strategy: always take odds if you can – it’s the best bet in the casino (no edge to house)thesportsgeek.comthesportsgeek.com.
• Place Bets: You can bet on specific point numbers (4,5,6,8,9,10) to roll before a 7 (like making your own point bet). A Place 6 or Place 8 bet, for example, wins if a 6 (or 8) is rolled before a 7. These bets have set payouts (not true odds, so there is a house edge). For instance, place 6/8 pays 7:6 (because true odds are 6:5). The house edge on placing 6 or 8 is about 1.52%wizardofodds.com, which is quite low. Placing 5 or 9 pays 7:5 (true odds 3:2), house edge ~4%. Placing 4 or 10 pays 9:5 (true 2:1), house edge ~6.7%wizardofodds.com. So the best place bets are 6 and 8. Strategy tip: If you missed the come-out and there’s a point, a common strategy is to place 6 and/or 8 because they hit frequently and have low edge, giving action during the roll.
• Buy Bets / Lay Bets: Functionally similar to place bets, but for 4 or 10 especially, casinos allow “buying” the number – you pay a 5% commission on your bet, and then you are paid true odds (2:1 on 4/10). If the commission is only charged on wins (some casinos do that), buying 4/10 brings the edge down (~4% if commission on win only, ~5% if on bet). Lay bets are the Don’t version – you can lay odds against a number (e.g. lay 4, meaning you bet a 7 will come before 4; you pay commission and get true odds payout). These aren’t typically needed for beginners; they are for players who want to bet against specific numbers.
• Field Bet: A one-roll bet that the next roll will be 2,3,4,9,10,11, or 12. It pays even money for most of those and usually 2:1 for 2 and 12 (some casinos 3:1 for one of them). House edge on the Field depends on payouts: the standard (2:1 on 2 & 12) is 5.56% edgewizardofodds.com; if one of them pays 3:1, edge goes down to 2.78%wizardofodds.com. Field is tempting (covers many numbers), but note that 5,6,7,8 are the holes (16 combinations out of 36 are not in field). It’s not the worst bet, but not the best either. Many newbies play Field for fun – moderation is key.
• Proposition Bets: These are the center-table bets (one-roll bets like Any Craps, Any 7, 11 (Yo), individual hardways, etc.). Generally, these have high house edges. For example, Any 7 (bet that next roll is 7) pays 4:1 but true odds are 5:1, giving a whopping 16.67% house edgethesportsgeek.com. Hardways (like hard 6: rolling 3+3 before any 6 easy or 7) have edges around 9-11%. Any Craps (bet next roll is 2,3,12) pays 7:1, edge ~11.1%thesportsgeek.com. So, these are fun longshots, not good value for your money. Advanced players might throw a small “yo” or “hard eight” for excitement, but they know it’s negative EV.
• Come/Don’t Come with odds: As mentioned, these are analogous to Pass/Don’t but can be used anytime. Good strategy once you’re comfortable is to treat every roll like a new opportunity: after a point, you can make a Come bet, which on the next roll might travel to a number (say you bet Come, shooter rolls 9 – your Come bet moves to 9 as its own point). Now you can take odds on that Come point as well. This way you have action on multiple numbers, all with low house edge. Many experienced players play Pass + 2 Come bets, all with maximum odds – this covers 3 numbers (the line plus two “come points”) and is a classic strategy called “Three-Point Molly”. It ensures you always have bets working with odds, and once one resolves you can put up another Come bet.
• Don’t strategy: Some players bet Don’t Pass (and/or Don’t Come). Don’t Pass has a slightly lower edge (1.36% vs 1.41% on Pass)wizardofodds.com and wins more often (because 7 is the most common). Strategically, betting Don’t means you are hoping for a 7-out. It can be a smart play since mathematically it’s a tiny bit better than Pass. However, note that as a don’t bettor (a “dark side” bettor), you’ll be betting against the table’s momentum (most people cheer for the shooter). If you’re comfortable with that, Don’t betting with odds (called laying odds) is one of the best edges. Variation: Some avoid betting Don’t on the come-out (because 7,11 win for Pass, but hurt Don’t). One approach is “Doey-Don’t” – bet both Pass and Don’t Pass at come-out to hedge those, then after point is set, place odds on the Don’t side (not really recommended for newbies; it’s a bit of a hedging trick, typically not necessary).

Table Variations: Not many in craps aside from odds limits and minor layout differences. There is a variant called “Crapless Craps” (no 2,3,12 losing on come-out – they become points; only 7 loses). This sounds good (you can’t lose on come-out except 7), but it dramatically increases house edge on Pass (because now points of 2 or 12 are extremely hard to make, yet you’re stuck needing them). Crapless craps Pass line edge is ~5.38%. So avoid novelty variants like that – standard craps is the best.

Another variation: ATS (All, Tall, Small) side bets – longshot bets that the shooter will roll all small numbers (2-6) or all tall (8-12) or all (make every number except 7) before 7ing out. These are fun but high edge (~7-20% depending on payout). Good for a tiny bet if you enjoy, but not part of a main strategy.

Optimal Player Strategies (Low House Edge Bets and Odds Utilization)

The optimal approach to craps is to stick to bets with the lowest house edge, and maximize the use of free odds. This means focusing on:

• Pass Line / Come bets (1.41% edge) and/or Don’t Pass / Don’t Come (around 1.36–1.40% edge)wizardofodds.com.
• Taking maximum odds behind those bets (0% edge on odds)readybetgo.com. The more you can afford to take, the better your overall odds getwizardofvegas.comreadybetgo.com. For example, if you play with 3-4-5x odds, the house edge on total Pass+Odds combined can drop under 0.4%casinocenter.com. At 5x odds ~0.33%readybetgo.com; at 10x odds ~0.18%; at 100x odds ~0.02%readybetgo.com – basically negligible (assuming you have the bankroll).
• Place bets on 6 and/or 8 (house edge 1.5%) as secondary bets if you want more action beyond Pass/Come. These are the next best thing if you’ve already taken full odds and maybe want to press winnings. Some players, for instance, bet Pass Line with odds and also “place the 6 and 8” each round because those numbers occur frequently and yield a decent payout (7:6).
• Avoiding or minimizing high-edge bets. This means not getting carried away with propositions in the middle. For optimal play, you’d actually avoid them entirely. No hardways, no yo, no field (field is moderate but still worse than any of the above – if it pays 2:1 on both 2 and 12 the edge 5.56% is comparable to a roulette bet, not catastrophic, but not greatwizardofodds.com).

Sample Optimal Strategy:
A good simple strategy for a newcomer:

1. Bet the Pass Line for say $5 (or whatever unit fits your bankroll).
2. When a point is established, take odds. If you can do 2x odds, put $10 behind. If you can do 5x and have bankroll, put $25 behind a $5 pass. This significantly boosts your potential win with no increase in house edge.
3. Optionally, Place $6 on 6 and $6 on 8 (assuming a $5 table, $6 is the typical unit for 6/8 because of the 7:6 payout). Now you have those working too. These bets can be taken down or off at any time (unlike pass line which stays until win/loss).
4. As shooter continues, if point is hit, you win on Pass+Odds. If 6 or 8 rolls, you win $7 on that place bet (press it or collect as you like). If 7 rolls, you lose everything on the table (Pass and place bets all lose, which is the downside – but that’s craps).
5. If you want continuous action, you can also after the come-out, make a Come bet. If it travels to say 9, take odds on it too. Now you’re basically covering multiple numbers with odds, which is the idea of the three-point molly mentioned. This further lowers variance compared to just one Pass line bet, and you’ll be hitting wins more frequently (though also a 7 will take more bets down at once).

Using these methods, the overall house edge on your total action might be around 1% or less, which is excellent. For perspective: craps with full odds and focusing on low-edge bets is one of the best bets in the casino along with blackjack basic strategy and baccarat banker.

Don’t Pass Strategy: For those inclined, an optimal strategy could be Don’t Pass with maximum Lay odds (when point established). Don’t bettors have a slight math edge and also they get to lay odds (meaning you have to bet more to win less, since you’re on the 7’s side). For example, on a point of 4, true odds are 2:1 (7 is twice as likely as 4), so you might lay $20 to win $10. You still get 0% edge on that odds portion. Don’t and Do come out roughly equal in expectation after factoring the push on 12. Don’t Pass edge 1.36%wizardofodds.com is a tad better than 1.41%. But socially, many prefer the Pass side, and it’s more fun rooting with the table.

Specific Odds Advice: If your bankroll is limited, prioritize making the odds bet even if it means your flat bet is small. E.g. it’s better to bet $5 Pass with $10 odds, than $15 on Pass with no odds, in terms of lowering house edgereadybetgo.com. The latter puts all $15 at 1.41% disadvantage; the former puts $5 at 1.41% and $10 at 0%. Your expected loss is much lower with the odds-heavy approach. This is why some craps strategy guides say “Always take the odds. Always.”readybetgo.com It’s the only bet where the casino has no advantage.

Pressing and Money Management: Many craps players have systems for pressing wins (increasing bet after wins). A common tactic: if a place bet hits, you might “press” it (increase it) to capitalize on streaks. For example, you have $6 on 6, it wins $7, you tell dealer “press 6 and 8 each one unit” – now you have $12 on 6 or maybe you press just that 6 to $12, etc. Pressing is optional and doesn’t change edge, but can yield bigger payouts if numbers repeat. An optimal mathematical approach might actually be collecting rather than pressing (since pressing increases variance without changing expectation). It comes down to personal style. A semi-optimal compromise: press one unit after a couple hits, but ensure you lock in some profit along the way (many follow “press one, collect one” alternating).

What about the Field or Big 6/8? Big 6/8 (which are bets that 6 or 8 will roll before 7, pays even money) are terrible – they are basically place 6/8 but pay worse (no reason to ever bet the Big 6/8 on the layout; a place 6/8 pays 7:6 which is better). Field we covered – not the worst but ~5% edge typically, so not optimal. Only bet field for fun or if table has a special (some have 3x on 12, which still isn’t great but better).

Summary of Best Bets and Edges:

• Pass/Come: 1.41% edgewizardofodds.com.
• Don’t Pass/Come: ~1.36% edgewizardofodds.com.
• Odds on any of the above: 0% edgewizardofodds.com.
• Place 6 or 8: 1.52% edgewizardofodds.com.
• Place 5 or 9: ~4.0% edgewizardofodds.com.
• Place 4 or 10: ~6.7% edgewizardofodds.com.
• Field (2:1 on 2,12): 5.56% edgewizardofodds.com (if 3:1 on 12 or 2, then 2.78%wizardofodds.com).
• Any 7: 16.67% edgethesportsgeek.com.
• Hard 6/8: ~9.1% edge.
• Hard 4/10: ~11.1% edge.
• Any Craps (2,3,12): 11.1% edgethesportsgeek.com.
• Yo (11): ~11.1% edge (since 11 has 2 ways, pays 15:1 usually).
• Fire Bet / Bonus bets: vary, usually high edge as well.

As you can see, craps has some of the best bets in the casino and also some of the worst. The key to optimal strategy is to stick with the best.

Betting Systems in Craps (Martingale, etc.) and Their Pros/Cons

Craps lends itself to various betting systems, but it’s important to distinguish between bet selection strategy (which numbers to bet, covered above) and money management strategy (how to size or change bets). We already discussed common systems (Martingale, Paroli, etc.) under other games, and the logic remains the same:

• Martingale in craps: One could Martingale on any even-money type bet (Pass/Don’t or Field perhaps when 2:1 and 3:1 are considered it’s not exactly even, but some do on field). Martingale on Pass Line technically yields a slightly worse scenario than roulette because if you hit a long losing streak, table limits or your bankroll will bust before the house edge is overcome. Pros: You might win many small sessions by doubling after each loss, as the chance of, say, 6 or 7 losses in a row on Pass is not huge (but definitely possible). Cons: If that unlikely series happens, the loss will be hugepokernews.com. Also craps rounds take time, so Martingale can tie up your funds across multiple shooter rounds. Not recommended as a “beat the game” strategy – craps doesn’t allow infinite doubling safely any more than roulette. Some players adjust by not doubling on come-out losses like 2,3 for don’t, but it’s all the same principle.
• Iron Cross strategy: This is a popular system unique to craps: you bet on Field, and place 5, 6, and 8. This covers every number except 7. So any roll (besides 7) gives a win: Field covers 2,3,4,9,10,11,12; place bets cover 5,6,8. So you win some amount on any non-7. Pros: You get the excitement of winning very often (about 30 out of 36 outcomes will pay something). Cons: When 7 comes (6 out of 36 outcomes), you lose all the bets at once, which wipes out those small gains. The house edge combined is not actually improved – in fact, Iron Cross is less optimal than just playing the pass line with odds. The field part has >5% edge, and you always have many bets exposed. It creates an illusion of constant wins, but the losses on seven are larger. Essentially, it’s a grind that will slowly bleed money (the overall house edge of the combo is roughly 2.2% per roll in one calculation). Iron Cross is a fun adrenaline strategy, not a mathematically good one.
• Pressing and Regression systems: These are common in craps. For example a player might “press” bets when hitting and then “regress” (bring bets down) after a certain profit is reached. These systems manage volatility. Pros: You might lock in profits after a streak, or limit risk after an initial outlay. E.g. some do a “mid-press” where each time a number hits they increase it partway and take some profit. Cons: No effect on house edge; if numbers don’t roll as needed, you might not hit your regression point and just lose initial bets. But as money management, pressing/regressing can be fun and mitigate the feeling of leaving too much money on table. For instance, an advanced strategy: Start with place $18 each on 6 and 8. If one hits (pays $21), press it to $30 (cost $12) and bank $9 profit. If it hits again from $30 (pays $35), press to $42 (cost $12) and bank $23, etc. They are trying to parlay some winnings into bigger bets for a possible hot roll. Pitfall is if a 7 comes early, you lose the initial bets. Some people use a regression: start with bigger bets for 2-3 rolls then drop them down – hoping to catch a couple hits then reduce exposure, making the remaining bets “free” so a 7-out later doesn’t hurt as much.
• Dice control claims: Some advanced (and controversial) craps strategies involve the shooter trying to control the dice (setting dice in a certain way and trying to minimize rotation etc. to reduce seven frequency). This is not a betting system per se, but a technique to get an edge if real. Casinos officially treat dice influencing skeptically, but they allow dice setting as long as you hit the back wall (which randomizes). Most math experts doubt dice control yields a significant, reproducible edge for most people – the dice bounce too much. However, a minute subset of skilled shooters claim to achieve slightly less 7s than random, which if true could turn Pass/Come bets with odds into a player advantage game. For the average player, assume craps is random – any “strategy” relying on shooter skill is not something to bank on. Better to focus on the bets you choose. If you are shooting, one fun superstition: only make Pass/Odds or place bets when you shoot (so you have some influence) and play don’t when others shoot (since you trust yourself more). But that’s more gambler’s lore than proven method.

Recap on Systems: The best strategy is no complicated system – just bet smart:

• Bet with the lowest house edge (Pass/Come + odds, or Don’t + odds).
• Avoid the sucker bets or keep them very minimal (maybe toss a $1 hardway for fun, but that’s entertainment).
• Manage your bankroll: craps can be quick due to the 7-out wiping many bets at once. Don’t overextend by placing every number unless you can afford it.
• Understand variance: Even with perfect strategy, short-term swings are large. You might go 10 shooters in a row never making a point (that hurts Pass bettors) or conversely see several hot rolls (big profit). Keep a level head and stick to the game plan.

Advanced Tip: If you are serious about minimizing loss, playing the Don’t side with odds is the slightly superior approach (house edge wise). Many professionals or bankroll-sensitive players do this despite its unpopularity among casuals. Statistically, you’ll win a bit more often on Don’t. But the difference is slight and the fun factor for many is higher on Pass (since you get to shoot and cheer for wins). So choose the side you enjoy – both are among the best bets in the casino.

Advanced Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid in Craps

Craps can be one of the most exhilarating games, but also confusing for newcomers. Here are some advanced tips and common pitfalls:

• Know the Etiquette: An advanced player is aware of how to behave at the craps table. For example, when placing bets, don’t toss chips after the dice are about to be thrown – the dealer will usually call “dice are out, no more bets.” Learn the lingo: “Two-way” means a bet for dealer and you, “parlay” means let your winnings ride, etc. Also, if you’re betting Don’t Pass, especially at a hot table where everyone else is on Pass, it’s polite to keep it low-key (you don’t want to cheer loudly when the shooter sevens-out, as everyone else loses). There’s a camaraderie on the Pass side; on the Don’t side, you quietly collect your win. Pitfall: calling out bets too late or throwing chips that hit dice is frowned upon. As you get advanced, you might do “put bets” or other nuanced moves, but always ensure the dealer acknowledges your bet.
• Dice Setting & Rhythm: If you’re the shooter and you have a ritual (setting dice faces, etc.), do it reasonably quickly so as not to slow the game too much. Casinos allow dice setting (with rules that both dice must hit the back wall to ensure randomness). Some shooters genuinely believe in setting a pair like “3V” or “Hardway set” to reduce 7s. Pitfall: Don’t get overconfident that you can control the dice – treat it as fun. If you do practice controlled shooting, more power to you, but maintain normal betting until you have evidence of an edge. Also, don’t get upset if a stickman asks you to hit the wall harder or randomize – they often will if they suspect someone is controlling throws.
• Bankroll and Odds Utilization: Advanced players calculate how much bankroll they need to weather volatility especially when taking high odds. A pitfall is over-betting your bankroll because craps can tempt you to press or add more bets in a hot streak. While pressing is fine, ensure you lock some wins and don’t have everything on the table when that inevitable 7 shows. A common approach: when you double your bankroll, pocket the original buy-in – now you’re playing with “house money.” Conversely, set a loss limit. It’s easy to bleed chips in craps because you might keep making small bets that add up. Discipline to step away for a bit if needed is key.
• Avoiding “Sucker” Prop Addiction: Even experienced players sometimes fall into the trap of those center prop bets because they’re exciting. But try to avoid chasing these. Pitfall: “Just $5 on Yo every roll” sounds small, but over a long roll you can throw away a lot on these 11.1% edge bets. If you must, maybe reserve it for come-out rolls (some do bet $1 on Yo or craps on come-out to hedge their pass line, but that hedge actually increases overall house edge). Generally, hedging one bet with another (like a $1 Yo to hedge a $5 Pass against the come-out 11 losing the don’t, etc.) lowers variance but increases expected loss.
• Don’t Forget Odds on Come Bets: A mistake some intermediate players make – they place a Come bet, it travels to a number, and they forget to put odds behind it. Always remember: taking odds is where you gain advantage (or at least no disadvantage). If you can’t afford to put odds on a Come bet, you might consider not making so many come bets at once or reduce your flat bets. For instance, instead of $10 pass + $10 come (no odds because you’re short on chips), better to do $5 pass + $5 odds + $5 come + $5 odds, etc. Spread your money into odds rather than flats.
• Understanding Payouts: Advanced players know the payout for every bet, so they can verify they’re paid correctly. Dealers are human; if the game is busy, mistakes can happen. For example, if you have $18 on 6, you expect $21 payout. If you press to $30, you expect $35 next hit. Knowing these helps you follow the action and ensure you get what you should. Also know when bets are off – by default, place bets are off on the come-out roll (unless you call them “working”), whereas Come bets (once placed) are on. Pitfall: forgetting your odds on don’t come are working on come-out (that can bite if a come-out 7 appears). Just be aware of table default rules.
• Hot Hand Myth: Players tend to remember hot shooters and think they have the touch. In truth, every shooter’s chance to eventually seven-out is 100%. No one can roll forever. Avoid the fallacy of increasing bets just because “this shooter is always good.” Each roll is independent. That said, if a shooter is in a rhythm and you’re up, you might press a bit, which is fine – just know it’s luck, not a guarantee. Conversely, don’t assume a “cold table” will stay cold or that setting the dice guarantees anything. Randomness can defy expectations (10 bad shooters then 1 monster hand could recoup everything).
• Utilize Odds Fully if Low Bankroll: If you are short on funds, you could do a minimum flat bet and maximum odds. Example: Table minimum $10, but maybe you can do $10 Pass and if point 6, put $50 odds (if allowed 5x). If can’t afford that normally, one trick some do: skip some come-out rolls (don’t bet every time) to save for odds. However, missing come-outs means missing immediate 7/11 winners, so arguably it balances out. It’s more for money management if you feel a shooter might establish many points and you want to save bullets for odds. In general, always prioritize odds – even if that means playing fewer bets overall.
• Small House Edges Add Up: Because craps has multiple bets, you might think a little on field, a little on hardways won’t hurt. And indeed one or two small bets aren’t a bankroll killer. But recognize that each dollar on a high-edge bet is effectively costing you more in expected loss per roll. Advanced players often allocate like 90% of their action to the good bets and maybe 10% to “fun” bets at most. That keeps the blended house edge low. A pitfall is a newbie betting $5 pass, $5 field, $5 hardways, etc. The effective edge on their total $15 action becomes quite a bit worse because $10 of it is on high-edge bets. So be mindful how much you allocate to what.
• Enjoy the Game: Craps offers some of the best odds for players and a lot of excitement. An advanced perspective is to recognize that and enjoy it without falling for superstition or frustration. The pitfall to avoid: chasing losses in craps by increasing bets wildly or by hopping on every proposition because you’re desperate to hit a big payout. Stick to the statistical advantages you have (free odds, low-edge bets) and let the dice fall as they may. If the timing isn’t with you, don’t try to brute force it by making bigger risky bets – that’s how small losses become big losses.

In summary, craps strategy at its deepest comes down to bet smart, manage your money, and avoid the traps. By focusing on the bets that carry the smallest edge and making full use of the free odds, you’re essentially playing a game with nearly zero house advantage (especially at high odds multiple). This, combined with the social fun of craps, makes it an appealing game. Just be sure to keep the discipline to not get carried away with all the side bets and noise happening at the table. If you do that, you’ll be putting yourself in one of the best positions possible in the casino – and a little luck on the dice can then truly turn the odds in your favor.