Craps Strategy: Best Bets, Worst Traps & How to Win

They fire bets at anything that lights up. Hardways, Field, Horn bets—just bleeding chips while the house grins. You want to play sharp? Strip it down. Bet where the edge lives and leave the circus bets to the tourists.

Craps Is Fast, Loud, and Fun — But the House Loves a Bad Bet

craps playign across the table

Most craps players bleed chips because they chase every bet on the felt. They play the Hardways. They get sucked into the Field. They toss chips at every roll like it’s a lottery — and the house loves them for it.

This guide shows you how to play smart. I’m not giving you a miracle system — I’m showing you where the real edge lives: in the odds, the low-house-edge bets, and the discipline to ignore everything else. If you play craps for real money, this is how you survive the table and stack chips without playing like a tourist.

Craps Strategy

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🎯 Best Bets in Craps: Play Smart, Not Loud

If you want to beat craps long-term — or at least walk away with your bankroll intact — you need to ignore the flashy bets and focus on what works. These are the only bets serious players rely on. All others are just noise.

  • ✅ Pass Line — House edge: 1.41%
    The standard bet. You win on 7 or 11, lose on 2, 3, or 12. Once the point is set, you win if it’s rolled again before a 7. Clean and trusted.
  • ✅ Come Bet — House edge: 1.41%
    Works just like the Pass Line, but placed after a point. Great for layering safe bets as the roll continues.
  • ✅ Don’t Pass — House edge: 1.36%
    This “dark side” bet wins when the shooter craps out. Less popular at loud tables, but it’s the mathematically superior choice.
  • ✅ Don’t Come — House edge: 1.41%
    A Don’t Pass variation placed after the point is established. Great for strategic control late in the sequence.
Mark’s Tip: These four bets are the foundation of real craps play. They’re simple, low risk, and work best when paired with odds behind them.

🧠 Want more smart table game strategy? Visit our full guide to beating casino table games online.

📊 Best vs Worst Craps Bets – Know the Difference

Some bets stack your odds. Others stack the house’s. This quick-reference visual shows which craps bets give you the edge — and which ones bleed you dry.

best and worst crap bets infographic image

🧠 Use this as your cheat sheet before placing your next bet. The house counts on confusion — this puts you in control.

🎲 Taking & Laying Odds — The Only 0% House Edge in Craps

Most casino bets carry a house edge — even the good ones. But this is the exception. When you add odds to a Pass, Come, Don’t Pass, or Don’t Come bet, you’re betting at true odds with zero house advantage. The more you place behind your line bets, the lower your total edge becomes.

  • ✅ Taking Odds: You place this behind a Pass or Come bet after a point is set. You win if the point hits before a 7. Pays 2:1 on 4 or 10, 3:2 on 5 or 9, and 6:5 on 6 or 8. No house edge.
  • ✅ Laying Odds: The opposite — placed behind Don’t Pass or Don’t Come. You win if a 7 rolls before the point. Pays 1:2 on 4 or 10, 2:3 on 5 or 9, and 5:6 on 6 or 8. Also 0% house edge.
Mark’s Tip: Most casinos let you take odds up to 2x–3x your base bet. Always max this out when you can — it’s the only time the house doesn’t have an edge.

🎲 Craps Dice Probabilities – Roll Outcomes You Should Know

Every outcome in craps depends on two dice. Here’s how often each number appears — and which combos trigger it.

Number Rolled Dice Combinations Ways to Roll
2 1-1 1
3 1-2, 2-1 2
4 1-3, 2-2, 3-1 3
5 1-4, 2-3, 3-2, 4-1 4
6 1-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-1 5
7 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1 6
8 2-6, 3-5, 4-4, 5-3, 6-2 5
9 3-6, 4-5, 5-4, 6-3 4
10 4-6, 5-5, 6-4 3
11 5-6, 6-5 2
12 6-6 1

📊 Craps Bet Comparison – Payouts vs House Edge

Want to know which bets are worth your money? Use this table to compare payouts and house edge — so you know exactly what you’re risking vs what you’re getting paid.

🎲 Bet Type 💰 Payout 📉 House Edge
✅ Pass / Come 1:1 1.41%
✅ Don’t Pass / Don’t Come 1:1 1.36%
✅ Place 6 or 8 7:6 1.52%
🟢 Odds Bets (All) 2:1 / 3:2 / 6:5 0%
⚠️ Place 5 or 9 7:5 4.00%
⚠️ Place 4 or 10 9:5 6.67%
⚠️ Field Bet 1:1 or 2:1 5.56%
🔴 Big 6 / Big 8 1:1 9.09%
🔴 Hardways (4, 6, 8, 10) 8:1 / 10:1 9–11%
🔴 Any 7 4:1 or 5:1 16.67%
🔴 Proposition Bets 15:1 to 30:1 11–13.9%
Pro Tip: Stick to the top four bets above — Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Odds — and you’re playing craps with an edge most players never see.

🚫 Big 6 & Big 8 vs Place 6 & 8: One Pays, One Robs

Here’s a brutal truth: Big 6 and Big 8 are sucker bets. They look easy, but the house edge is a ridiculous 9.09% — and you get the same payout as a Place bet that offers nearly 7x better odds.

Big 6 or 8: Pays 1:1 • House Edge: 9.09%

Place 6 or 8: Pays 7:6 • House Edge: 1.52%

The casino literally gives you worse odds on the exact same outcome if you place a Big 6 or Big 8 instead of a Place bet. Always choose the Place bet if you’re backing 6 or 8. It’s the same risk — but one actually pays you fairly.

Mark’s Tip: If you’re playing the Big 6 or 8, you’re not just playing badly — you’re tipping the house every spin.

🚨 Craps Bets to Avoid (Unless You’re Donating)

Not all bets on a craps table are created equal. These are the flashy, high-edge traps that casinos love — because they keep players broke and confused. Here’s what to skip:

  • ❌ Hardways (4, 6, 8, 10)
    They look fun, but the house edge is up to 11.11%. Unless you’re hunting YouTube clips, skip them.
  • ❌ Field Bets
    Tempting for fast payouts, but the house edge hits 5.56% on most tables. It pays more on 2 and 12 — but only if you hit them.
  • ❌ Any 7
    The worst bet at the table. Payout is 4:1 or 5:1, but the house edge soars to 16.67%. You’re betting against math.
  • ❌ Proposition Bets (Aces, Ace-Deuce, Yo, etc.)
    All smoke and mirrors. House edges range from 11% to 17%. Avoid unless you’re drunk or comp-hunting.
Mark’s Tip: Every one of these bets screams “entertainment only.” They’re fun for dealers, deadly for players. Stick to what pays.

🎯 5-Count Craps Strategy – When to Bet, When to Wait

The 5-Count filters out cold shooters. You’re not changing the odds — you’re changing how often you risk your bankroll. Wait for five successful rolls, then step in.

🎲 Count 0
Come-Out Roll

Don’t bet yet
🔁 Count 1
Point Established

Start watching
⏳ Count 2–4
No 7s Rolled

Stay on the rail
✅ Count 5
Now You Bet

Only if shooter is hot
Mark’s Take: This strategy won’t win you more bets. It’ll stop you from wasting money on bad rolls — and that’s a bigger edge than most players ever get.

🎯 Visual Guide: How the 5-Count Works in Craps

The 5-count strategy filters out bad shooters. You’re not betting until the table shows signs of a streak — and this graphic makes it crystal clear.

5 count craps how to infographic

🧠 Wait for five solid rolls before betting. That’s how you cut exposure and let the table prove itself.

🎯 What Actually Works If You Want to Win at Craps

  • ✔ Bet Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come only
  • ✔ Always take or lay odds — it’s the only true 0% house edge bet
  • ✔ Use Place bets on 6 and 8 only — avoid Big 6/8 or anything that looks “fun”
  • ✔ Skip all proposition bets — they’re for tourists and TikTok clips
  • ✔ Use the 5-count to filter cold shooters and extend bankroll
  • ✔ Never chase losses with systems like Martingale
  • ✔ Quit when you’re ahead — not when you’re broke
Mark’s Bottom Line: There’s no magic — just math and mindset. Play smart. Play slow. Walk when you’re up.

💣 Craps Systems to Avoid (Unless You Like Losing Fast)

  • 🚫 Martingale (Double After Loss):
    Looks smart on paper, destroys bankrolls in real play. You’ll hit the table limit — or your card limit — before it pays.
  • 🚫 Iron Cross / Anything But 7:
    Covers almost the whole board… except the most rolled number in the game. Casino wins when 7 shows up — and it always does.
  • 🚫 Reverse Martingale:
    Double up after wins? That’s fine — until your first loss wipes out your streak. No exit plan = no edge.
Mark’s Warning: These systems don’t beat craps — they beat your discipline. Avoid them unless you’re chasing comps or chaos.

🧾 Final Verdict: Craps Is About Precision, Not Luck

If you’re still chasing Hardways or falling for the Iron Cross, you’re playing their game — not yours. The real edge in craps comes from betting with math, managing your session, and knowing when to walk.

Use odds bets. Skip the gimmicks. Control your exposure. And never bet like it’s your last roll. The house wants volume. You want value. That’s the difference between a good night… and a dead bankroll.

Mark’s Final Tip: Craps is fast. Don’t let it rush your judgment. When in doubt, bet less — and bet better.

📚 Craps Strategy FAQ

What is the best craps strategy for beginners?

The safest strategy for beginners is to bet on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass, then take or lay odds behind that bet. These options offer the lowest house edge.

What’s the house edge on a Pass Line bet in craps?

The Pass Line bet has a house edge of 1.41%. When paired with odds bets (which have 0% house edge), your total risk becomes one of the best in the casino.

Is it better to bet Pass or Don’t Pass in craps?

Mathematically, the Don’t Pass has a slightly lower house edge (1.36%), but many players prefer the Pass Line due to table flow. Both are strong bets.

Should I bet the Big 6 or Big 8?

No. The Big 6 and Big 8 pay the same as Place 6/8, but with a house edge that’s 6x higher (9.09% vs 1.52%). Always Place the bet instead.

Are Hardways or Proposition bets ever worth it?

Not for serious players. These bets have house edges over 9% and are purely for entertainment. Avoid them if you care about long-term results.

What is the 5-Count strategy in craps?

The 5-count is a discipline tactic: you wait for a shooter to complete five successful rolls before betting. It helps you avoid betting on cold shooters.

Can you really win money playing craps?

Yes, but only with smart strategy. Craps is a game of odds and bankroll control. Playing safe bets and avoiding traps gives you the best shot at walking away with profit.

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