A Guide To Winning At Craps With Math: Tips And Strategies
Knowing top Craps strategies can give you an advantage in any game of Craps. Read on to find the right strategy for winning at Craps with math.
- Craps: an overview of the game
- Introduction to the use of math in Craps
- Explanation of the standard Craps odds and probability
- Discussion of common Craps bets and the math behind them
- How to use Craps math to make informed decisions
- Tips for managing risk and maximising returns when playing Craps
- Math Craps bets summary
Craps: an overview of the game
Craps is a game where players follow the outcome of throwing a pair of dice. Although it looks simple on paper, the rules and pace of the bets can easily overwhelm you.
You can place bets on Craps, and having knowledge about the math behind it offers you an edge over the other shooters.
It also helps you avoid risky chances and those only promising for a short while.
Payout odds and house edges are important aspects players must consider in a game of Craps.
Introduction to the use of math in Craps
Any game of dice controls mathematical outcomes, as it solely depends upon the likelihood of any combination of numbers landing with a roll.
The game starts with a total of six numbers or dots, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, marked on the six faces of a dice.
The two dice involved in the game of Craps are rolled, making up for 36 outcomes.
Odds on winning at Craps according to different dice combinations
| Dice Roll | Required Dice Combinations | Number of possible ways | Probability of the outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
2 | 1-1 | 1 | 1/36 |
3 | 1-2 / 2-1 | 2 | 2/36 |
4 | 1-3 / 2-2 / 3-1 | 3 | 3/36 |
5 | 1-4 / 2-3 / 3-2 / 4-1 | 4 | 4/36 |
6 | 1-5 / 2-4 / 3-3 /4-2 / 5-1 | 5 | 5/36 |
7 | 1-6 / 2-5 / 3-4 / 4-3 / 5-2 / 6-1 | 6 | 6/36 |
8 | 2-6 / 3-5 / 4-4 / 5-3 / 6-2 | 5 | 5/36 |
9 | 3-6 / 4-5 / 5-4 / 6-3 | 4 | 4/36 |
10 | 4-6 / 5-5 / 6-4 | 3 | 3/36 |
11 | 5-6 / 6-5 | 2 | 2/36 |
12 | 6-6 | 1 | 1/36 |
When the table shows multiple dice result combinations, as is the case for the dice roll 5, 6 or 7, keep in mind that the outcome follows only one combination out of the ones listed, the multitude consisting of separate possibilities of game results.
Explanation of the standard Craps odds and probability
No matter whichever game you play in Craps, a few factors decide the odds in favour of a bet.
The odds results of a round of Craps equals the chances for a victorious round.
The chances of earning a round of this game are the total number of victorious outcomes to the number of loss outcomes.
In Pass Line Bets, the possibility of getting is 244 to 251, with a house edge of 1.41%. This house edge is simply the advantage the gambling house has over you in the long run.
On the other hand, the Don’t Pass Bets has earning possibilities of 949 to 976 to be victorious in a round, lowering the house edge to 1.36%.
Even if you win, over time, the casino makes sure that the house has an ‘edge’ over you. In order to benefit from it, make sure you put wagers on a lower house edge.
Both the Pass and Don’t Pass bets have even money payout, which means if you bet $5, you can either win $5 or lose the same amount.
Discussion of common Craps bets and the math behind them
In Craps, there are several common wagers Craps people can choose from.
Pass line wagers
You win if the die rolls 7 or 11 and you lose if it rolls 2,3 or 4. For other outcomes, a point is registered. You finally win the bet if the die rolls that point before 7.
The actual odds of this bet are 251:244, with a winning probability of 49.3%.
The house edge on a pass bet is a modest 1.41%, and the payout odds are 1:1.
Don’t pass line bets
If the come-out roll is 2 or 3, you can win, and you lose if the come-out roll is 7 or 11, and for any other value, a point is established.
12 is a tie, and roll 7 to win before the specified point.
The true odds of this bet are 976:949, with a winning probability of 29.2%. It lowers the house edge to 1.36%, giving a 1:1 payout.
Craps odds bets
You can only place a pass odd, or a don’t pass odd bet after placing the line bets.
In either case, an odd bet has a house edge of 0%, making your payout odds and true odds the same.
Hardway bets
This bet requires you to roll the same number on both dice.
You can roll 4 (2,2) or 10 (5,5), having a high house edge of 11.11% and true odds of 8:1.
And for a 6 (3,3) or 8 (4,4), the house has an advantage of 9.09% and true odds of 9:1.
Big 6 or 8 bets
In order to have a successful round, you must roll 6 (3,3) or 8 (4,4) in a double-number mix. Though the payout odds are 1:1, it has a high house edge of 9.09%.
Placing bets
To win, you need to choose a number before a seven is rolled.
The payout odds for a 4 or 10, 5 or 9, 6 or 8 are 6.67%, 4%, and 1.52%, respectively.
On a table with a $5 minimum, bets on the 6 and 8 should be placed in increments of $6 in order to achieve the exact payout of $6, paying $7.
How to use Craps math to make informed decisions
Placing maximum odds bet after passing bets increases your winning chances by lowering the house edge.
The house edge reduces to 0.8% with single odds, 0.6% with double odds, and up to 0.2% with 10x odds.
You can also combine your don’t pass bets with odds bets.
As the don’t pass bet already has the lowest house edge, start by betting table minimums and slowly increase your bet on odds for maximising returns.
A progression bet strategy is placing a bet on a predetermined number.
Players above other placing bets prefer the 6 or 8 Craps strategy due to the probabilities of the numbers 6 and 8 appearing on the dice being second-best to 7.
Though the chances of rolling a 6 or 8 are high, you should remember chances of getting the outcome are fixed and independent of the previous roll.
Tips for managing risk and maximising returns when playing Craps
Though betting is a game of chance, you can avoid bankruptcy by taking essential measures to lower risks and maximise returns.
Manage your bankroll
You must always know the amount of money you can afford to lose before betting on the Craps table.
For example, you should keep aside money for spending at the Craps table without financing it from your essential needs.
Set loss and win limits
No matter how much you win, it’s wise to put a cap on the amount you can spend. For example, if you lose $100 at the table, you can call it a day.
You will likely lose more money if you play for a long time, hoping to compensate for your loss.
Prioritise bets with the lower house edge
Knowing the math behind the game is particularly useful when understanding the house edge on a bet.
No matter how lucrative they seem, some bets are risky as they have a higher house edge.
For example, go for the maximum odds bet on a minimum pass line bet as it offers the lowest house edge of any other strategies.
This rule applies to both land-based casinos and online Craps casinos.
Place small and strategic bets
Putting small bets on Craps balances out the winning and losing possibilities.
Instead of gambling on a single roll of the dice, use your money sensibly and place cautious bets.
Another useful tip for Craps gambling enthusiasts would be to refine their technique by accessing casino bonuses on top online casinos, which will help them minimise the costs of gambling. Usually, Craps bonuses can vary, from bonus money to cashback bonuses.
Math Craps bets summary
Winning at Craps not only depends on a player’s luck, but, as you know, the math principles, including expected value, probability, and the volatility index, play a significant role.
Gambling with math knowledge can control its outcome, and it’s always wiser than risking your money with the hope of cashing in big.
To win more money on a low house edge, you must wager the minimum limit on Pass Line and Don’t.
Pass bets and then lay the odds. You can choose the best strategies that suit your bankroll and goals. Above all, hone your skills at the game and keep mastering the math involved.