I've gathered a list of 19 craps books for all players. These books include information for people who know nothing about craps, to people who are on their way to being professionals. These books are all written by popular gambling professionals, with seven of these books from Frank Scoblete, the most well-known craps author of all time.
1 – John Patrick's Advanced Craps
John Patrick's Advanced Craps was written by John Patrick and published in 1995. This book is intended for players that already have a good understanding of the fundamentals of craps.
It introduces players to the Patrick system; this is where you bet on the pass line and don't pass at the same time. He claims this gives you the best odds. Patrick lays out the information in this book in an easy to read approach that the casual player or high roller can benefit from.
He gives players information on:
- Money management
- Keys to success
- Discipline
- Bankroll
- And more
- Advanced Craps Topics. Analysis and advice for experienced players who have mastered basic strategy, and are looking to add an extra edge to their game. Calculation of the player's edge for all the major bets in craps. House edge for all the major craps bets. Dice Setting Expectations for the Dice Setter.
- How to Play Craps. Craps Lessons & Practice. Last update: June 2020. Craps is one of the bet bets in the casino. The house edge is a mere 1.41%, which is four times better than roulette, and several times better than most slot machines. That means you stand to get back around 99¢ of every dollar bet, on average.
Patrick focuses on winnings over time, his book is not a one and done win. With his strategies you'll learn how to make smaller consistent wins.
Craps is a much easier game to learn than most people think. The basic premise is simple: you are betting on the outcome of the roll of two dice.
2 – Casino Craps
Casino Craps was written by Frank Scoblete and published in 2010.
Here's a look at some of the topics covered in this book:
- How craps is played
- Golden Touch
- Developing your own golden touch throw
- Buy bets
- 5-Count
- Best bets
- Worst bets
- Gaining an edge
- Controlling the dice
- And more
Scoblete's book was written to turn the beginner into a pro. It starts with explaining the basics of the game and then goes into betting strategies, after this he talks about getting the most from the casino. A majority of the book is focused on controlling the dice with a golden touch.
He also includes anecdotes and stories for entertainment and knowledge.
3 – Craps Take the Money and Run
Craps Take the Money and Run was written by Henry J. Tamburin and published in 1995. The main point of this book is to teach you how to win the money and the leave the table with a pocket full of cash.
Tamburin has over 25 years of experience in gambling, along with that he has taught countless people how to better their game at craps through his schools, seminars, and instructional videos. He puts all his knowledge into this book to teach players how to win at craps wherever they're.
Here's a look at some of the topics covered in this book:
- Basic rules
- How the game is played throughout the U.S.
- Game etiquette
- How to make bets
- How bets win or loose
- Best bets to make
- Casino edge
- Increased odds playing
- New crap games popping up in casinos
- Money management
- And more
4 – Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution!
Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution! was written by Frank Scoblete and Dominator and published in 2005. This book was written before their other book, Casino Craps, and has a focus solely on dice control and how to use it to win craps. If you're interested in only dice control and not the basics or betting information offered in Casino Craps, then Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution! is a better fit for you.
Here are the topics they cover:
- Scan
- Dice sets
- Stance
- Grip
- Grap
- Pickup
- Backspin
- Throw
- Bounce
- Where to land the dice
- How to land the dice where you want it
- Hitting the back wall
- Which arc to use based on table
- Betting to get the edge
- Betting against random rollers
- Spreading techniques
- 5-Count
- Camouflaging your dice control
- Bankroll
- Educated risk takers P.O.W.E.R plan
- Common problems that affect your shooting
- Dice control teams
There's also advice and tips from craps instructors:
- Howard 'Rock ‘n Roller'
- Jerry 'Stickman'
- Billy the Kid
- Street Dog
- Wordslayer
- Finesse
- Bill Burton
- No Field Five
- Chip
- Tenor and Satch
- Pit Boss
5 – Winning Casino Craps
Winning Casino Craps was written by Edwin Silberstang and published in 1979. Silberstang wrote this book to teach players just as much about craps as anyone else knows. The information he provides gets you to the same level as casino managers, dealers, pit bosses and other players. It's also the first book to put into print some strategies that had only been word of mouth before.
Silberstang wrote this book in an easy to understand and enjoyable format that teaches everything you need to learn about craps. You'll learn from the basics of playing to the strategies that win. You'll learn about odds, the best bets to make, and more.
6 – Beat the Craps out of the Casinos
Beat the Craps out of the Casinos was written by Frank Scoblete and published in 1991. This book is great for everyone, even beginners that have little to no knowledge about craps.
This book is not a how to book, it's written in a narrative that is easy to read and comprehend. Scoblete covers his three-point rule, super system, bankroll, and the 5-count.
7 – The Dice Doctor
The Dice Doctor was written by Sam Grafstein and published in 1981. With over 60 years of experience at the craps table, Grafstein puts all his knowledge on the game into this book.
He covers:
- Qualified shooters
- Locking up wins
- Converted come bets
- Legitimate winning steaks and how to find them
- Bankroll control and protect
- Making 5-10 times more on a hot roll
- 21 strategies
- Professional plays
- And 30 charts and tables
8 – Cutting Edge Craps
Cutting Edge Craps was written by Frank Scoblete and Dominator and published in 2010. This book is written in an easy to understand format and includes pictures to further readers understanding.
Basic Craps Betting Strategy
Here's a look at some of topics covered in this book:
- Betting styles
- Playing methods based on player edges
- Dice sets to hit selected numbers
- Dice shooting evaluation
- Pyramids
- V-Spread
- Single Point Pop
- Dice Correspondence
- Super-bouncy tables
- Group play
- Team play
- Throws
- Dice setting
- Non-dice-set casinos
- Meditation
- Visualization
- Railbirds and thieves
- 5-Count
- 147-number roll
- And more
9 – I Am a Dice Controller
I Am a Dice Controller was written by Frank Scoblete and published in 2015.
Here's a look at the topics covered in this book:
- Sets
- Stance
- Throw
- Grip
- Backspin
- Proper betting
- Arc
- Landing
- And the 5-Count.
He also includes stories of the past 25 years playing with dice control experts and the betrayals he has faced during that time and the 'The Arm' a woman who he calls the greatest dice controller ever.
There's also information from:
- Chris 'Sharpshooter'
- Jerry 'Stickman'
- Pawlicki
- Bill 'Ace-10' Burton
- Howard 'Rock ‘n Roller'
- John 'Skinny'
- Bob 'Mr. Finesse'
- Daryl 'No Field Five'
- Arman 'Pit Boss'
- Randy 'Randman'
- Billy 'the Kid'
- Mark 'Dice Pilot'
- Tim 'Timmer'
You'll also read about dice control teams:
- The Lee Brothers
- Marilyn 'the Goddess' and Charlie 'Santrap'
- The Five Horsemen
- The Captain's Crew
- Pat 'Dr. Crapology' and Janis 'Alligator Rose'
- And Heavenly Kitten and Star Shine
10 – The Smarter Bet Guide to Craps
The Smarter Bet Guide to Craps was written by Basil Nestor and published in 2003. Nestor has a series of different Smarter Bet Guides.
This book includes:
- Table layout
- Analysis of craps bets
- Mathematical strategies
- Dice-shooting techniques
- Advantage shots
- Most common gambling mistakes
- Possible combinations
- How to make smarter bets
- Wagers
- Gaining an edge
- And more
This book is small enough for you to carry around and refer back to. You can use the charts and strategies on the go to improve your game.
11 – Fundamentals of Craps
Fundamentals of Craps was written by Mason Malmuth and Lynne Loomis and published in 1995. The authors of this book made this an easy to understand and follow guide that has the math involved explained so easily that anyone could understand it.
This book is not a dice controlling guide, like many other craps books. They start with basic information about the game. They then give you a simplified look at the layout of the game. They teach you about right and wrong bets, odds, and other various topics relating to craps.
Craps can be intimidating to players that don't understand it but with this book you learn everything you need too in order to win. Online roulette for money.
12 – Get the Edge at Craps
Get the Edge at Craps was written by Sharpshooter, was published in 2002, and has a foreword by Frank Scoblete.
This book is all about dice control and how Sharpshooter uses it to win. You'll learn how to roll the dice to increase the odds of certain numbers appearing. This book includes some mathematical calculations and with those and disciplined practice you can get as good as Sharpshooter at dice control to win the game of craps.
13 – The Craps Answer Book
The Craps Answer Book was written by John Grochowski and published in 2001. This book is for players that already has a good understanding of the game and have practiced playing it before.
This book is all fact, and rids players of any misconceptions they have about the game. It has loads of knowledge all put together to answer any questions you have about the game. It also has fun trivia, lingo, and is set of in a quiz format that tests your knowledge and teaches you everything you need to know.
14 – Forever Craps
Forever Craps was written by Frank Scoblete and published in 2004. This book is a life story of Scoblete and tells about his life from his Brooklyn childhood, to his title of Captain of Craps. This is an entertaining book that gives you background on a famous gambling professional and teaches you about craps along the way.
15 – The Craps Underground
The Craps Underground was written by Frank Scoblete and published in 2004. The title says it all for this book. It's a look at the professional craps players who have mastered dice control and how they're winning millions of dollars from casinos.
This book is several stories about these craps players compiled together for readers to learn about who they're, where they're from, and how they got here.
16 – No Nonsense Craps
No Nonsense Craps was written by Richard Orlyn and published in 2008. This book is all about putting to rest table charting, dice control, point counting and other popular craps methods. It gives a straightforward look at the two-dice probability theory, betting, and money management skills to win the game. You also get a look at Orlyn's trademarked personal strategy, Table Time Plus.
17 – How to Make Your Living Playing Craps
How to Make Your Living Playing Craps was written by Larry Edell and published in 1996.With this book, Edell teaches you how to change your whole lifestyle.
Topics in this book include: John daly salary.
- Free gambling coupons
- Free diners
- Free rooms
- Free shows
- Making up to $640 a day
- Making up to $200 an hour
- Making up to $300 an hour before they established the point
- And more
This book teaches three main systems which are Sixes and Eights, Horn Bets, and Pre-setting the Dice. He also includes a glossary and several charts.
18 – Learn to Play Craps from Part Time Dice Pros
Learn to Play Craps from Part Time Dice Pros was written by C. 'Judge' Johnson and Bryan Bonshell and published in 2011. This book was written for players of any skill level, from beginner to semi-professional.
It talks about Johnson and Bonshell's story about how they become professional craps players and the strategies they use. It teaches you from the basics of how to play to advanced methods they use such as dice control.
19 – Wong on Dice
Wong on Dice was written by Stanford Wong and published in 2005.Wong teaches math and logic with his book and is intended for readers that already have a good understanding of the basic fundamentals of craps.
While reading you learn how to play, why to play that way, and when you're good enough to play at casinos without losing it all. Wong teaches dice control and the physics of it to get a deeper understanding at how to properly control the dice. After learning how to control the dice he gives you the knowledge to keep your edge on the casino and come out a winner.
Conclusion
By reading the books on this list you'll learn winning strategies like dice controlling, mathematical methods, and probability. You can also find entertaining tales and tips from famous craps players.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.How to Play Craps
Craps is one of the most exciting Casino games around as it is high in Player involvement. You will regularly hear yelling and shouting at one of the tables in a land-based casino. It is played on a purpose-built table using two dice.
Like most Casino games, you play against the House (Casino) as opposed to other players and as there are lots of different betting options you can bet on when guessing what numbers will come up when the dice are rolled, there is plenty of choices to make too.
In this article we discuss how to play craps giving you a break down of craps rules and everything you need to win at the game. This is part 1 of a two part article. After learning the basics of craps rules, the second part is about more advanced strategies and tips.
Craps Rules
Craps rules can be more difficult than in other casino games, but once learned this can be a very social and enjoyable game with some terrific betting odds.
The Objective of the game
Players need to guess the outcome of 2 standard, 6-sided dice being rolled and what the total of the 2 dice will be.
Dice Values
The game is played with a set of two perfectly balanced dice with each die having six white dots numbered 1 through 6. There is an equal chance of each number being rolled.
Possible Dice Combinations:
| Number | Combination | Ways To Roll |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1-1 | One |
| 3 | 1-2, 2-1 | Two |
| 4 | 1-3, 3-1, 2-2 | Three |
| 5 | 1-4, 4-1, 2-3, 3-2 | Four |
| 6 | 1-5, 5-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-3 | Five |
| 7 | 1-6, 6-1, 2-5, 5-2, 3-4, 4-3 | Six |
| 8 | 2-6, 6-2, 3-5, 5-3, 4-4 | Five |
| 9 | 3-6, 6-3, 4-5, 5-4 | Four |
| 10 | 4-6, 6-4, 5-5 | Three |
| 11 | 5-6, 6-5 | Two |
| 12 | 6-6 | One |
Names of Dice Rolls
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 | Snake Eyes | Loose Deuce | Easy Four | Fever Five | Easy Six | Natural |
2 | Loose Deuce | Hard Four | Fever Five | Easy Six | Natural | Easy Eight |
3 | Easy Four | Fever Five | Hard Six | Natural | Easy Eight | Nina |
4 | Fever Five | Easy Six | Natural | Hard Eight | Nina | Easy Ten |
5 | Easy Six | Natural | Easy Eight | Nina | Hard Ten | Yo |
6 | Natural | Easy Eight | Nina | Easy Ten | Yo | Boxcars |
Game Session Preparations:
Set your budget – As a general rule, you need enough for 50 bets when playing table games.
Choose your table – All will have a minimum and maximum amount you can place on all different bets, choose one where each of your favourites is no more than one-fiftieth of your budget. i.e. if you have a bankroll of $/€/£200, you should be looking at betting no more than $/€/£4 per time
Find a space at the table – Unlike many Casino games, players always stand and do not have a specific area where they place bets – there are many different types of bets that all players can use. This is irrelevant when playing online.
Decide how much you would like to change up and play with – You will be given chips, the sizes of which depend on how much you change up and the limits of the tables.
Game Progression
To begin, the Shooter (one of the Players) needs to bet at least the table minimum on either the Pass Line or the Don't Pass Line
The game is played in Rounds, with the right to roll the dice by each player moving clockwise around the table at the end of each round. A player may choose not to roll but can continue to bet.
Once all players have made their desired bets, the Round begins. Each round has two phases: Come Out and Point. To start a round, the shooter makes one or more Come Out rolls.
Payouts are sometimes made after each roll, and sometimes made after several rolls; see the individual Bet descriptions for details.
Craps Table Layout
We will delve more into the table layout features below in the Placing Bets section. On the Craps table there are two Dealers, a Stickman, and a Boxman.
The Stickman uses a long flexible stick to push the dice around the table, gathering the dice after rolls and pushing them to the player.
The Boxman is the person in charge of the game and has final decision-making authority.
The Dealers cash chips and ensure that bets are placed on the table correctly.
Placing Bets in Craps
Out of 990 decisions at the craps table, you can expect to lose 14 decisions more than you win.
As with any Casino game, there will invariably be swings, both large and small, either way when it comes to winning or losing. In the relatively short time you will be playing, there will be fluctuations in this house edge, so at times things will be going in your favor.
He also includes stories of the past 25 years playing with dice control experts and the betrayals he has faced during that time and the 'The Arm' a woman who he calls the greatest dice controller ever.
There's also information from:
- Chris 'Sharpshooter'
- Jerry 'Stickman'
- Pawlicki
- Bill 'Ace-10' Burton
- Howard 'Rock ‘n Roller'
- John 'Skinny'
- Bob 'Mr. Finesse'
- Daryl 'No Field Five'
- Arman 'Pit Boss'
- Randy 'Randman'
- Billy 'the Kid'
- Mark 'Dice Pilot'
- Tim 'Timmer'
You'll also read about dice control teams:
- The Lee Brothers
- Marilyn 'the Goddess' and Charlie 'Santrap'
- The Five Horsemen
- The Captain's Crew
- Pat 'Dr. Crapology' and Janis 'Alligator Rose'
- And Heavenly Kitten and Star Shine
10 – The Smarter Bet Guide to Craps
The Smarter Bet Guide to Craps was written by Basil Nestor and published in 2003. Nestor has a series of different Smarter Bet Guides.
This book includes:
- Table layout
- Analysis of craps bets
- Mathematical strategies
- Dice-shooting techniques
- Advantage shots
- Most common gambling mistakes
- Possible combinations
- How to make smarter bets
- Wagers
- Gaining an edge
- And more
This book is small enough for you to carry around and refer back to. You can use the charts and strategies on the go to improve your game.
11 – Fundamentals of Craps
Fundamentals of Craps was written by Mason Malmuth and Lynne Loomis and published in 1995. The authors of this book made this an easy to understand and follow guide that has the math involved explained so easily that anyone could understand it.
This book is not a dice controlling guide, like many other craps books. They start with basic information about the game. They then give you a simplified look at the layout of the game. They teach you about right and wrong bets, odds, and other various topics relating to craps.
Craps can be intimidating to players that don't understand it but with this book you learn everything you need too in order to win. Online roulette for money.
12 – Get the Edge at Craps
Get the Edge at Craps was written by Sharpshooter, was published in 2002, and has a foreword by Frank Scoblete.
This book is all about dice control and how Sharpshooter uses it to win. You'll learn how to roll the dice to increase the odds of certain numbers appearing. This book includes some mathematical calculations and with those and disciplined practice you can get as good as Sharpshooter at dice control to win the game of craps.
13 – The Craps Answer Book
The Craps Answer Book was written by John Grochowski and published in 2001. This book is for players that already has a good understanding of the game and have practiced playing it before.
This book is all fact, and rids players of any misconceptions they have about the game. It has loads of knowledge all put together to answer any questions you have about the game. It also has fun trivia, lingo, and is set of in a quiz format that tests your knowledge and teaches you everything you need to know.
14 – Forever Craps
Forever Craps was written by Frank Scoblete and published in 2004. This book is a life story of Scoblete and tells about his life from his Brooklyn childhood, to his title of Captain of Craps. This is an entertaining book that gives you background on a famous gambling professional and teaches you about craps along the way.
15 – The Craps Underground
The Craps Underground was written by Frank Scoblete and published in 2004. The title says it all for this book. It's a look at the professional craps players who have mastered dice control and how they're winning millions of dollars from casinos.
This book is several stories about these craps players compiled together for readers to learn about who they're, where they're from, and how they got here.
16 – No Nonsense Craps
No Nonsense Craps was written by Richard Orlyn and published in 2008. This book is all about putting to rest table charting, dice control, point counting and other popular craps methods. It gives a straightforward look at the two-dice probability theory, betting, and money management skills to win the game. You also get a look at Orlyn's trademarked personal strategy, Table Time Plus.
17 – How to Make Your Living Playing Craps
How to Make Your Living Playing Craps was written by Larry Edell and published in 1996.With this book, Edell teaches you how to change your whole lifestyle.
Topics in this book include: John daly salary.
- Free gambling coupons
- Free diners
- Free rooms
- Free shows
- Making up to $640 a day
- Making up to $200 an hour
- Making up to $300 an hour before they established the point
- And more
This book teaches three main systems which are Sixes and Eights, Horn Bets, and Pre-setting the Dice. He also includes a glossary and several charts.
18 – Learn to Play Craps from Part Time Dice Pros
Learn to Play Craps from Part Time Dice Pros was written by C. 'Judge' Johnson and Bryan Bonshell and published in 2011. This book was written for players of any skill level, from beginner to semi-professional.
It talks about Johnson and Bonshell's story about how they become professional craps players and the strategies they use. It teaches you from the basics of how to play to advanced methods they use such as dice control.
19 – Wong on Dice
Wong on Dice was written by Stanford Wong and published in 2005.Wong teaches math and logic with his book and is intended for readers that already have a good understanding of the basic fundamentals of craps.
While reading you learn how to play, why to play that way, and when you're good enough to play at casinos without losing it all. Wong teaches dice control and the physics of it to get a deeper understanding at how to properly control the dice. After learning how to control the dice he gives you the knowledge to keep your edge on the casino and come out a winner.
Conclusion
By reading the books on this list you'll learn winning strategies like dice controlling, mathematical methods, and probability. You can also find entertaining tales and tips from famous craps players.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.How to Play Craps
Craps is one of the most exciting Casino games around as it is high in Player involvement. You will regularly hear yelling and shouting at one of the tables in a land-based casino. It is played on a purpose-built table using two dice.
Like most Casino games, you play against the House (Casino) as opposed to other players and as there are lots of different betting options you can bet on when guessing what numbers will come up when the dice are rolled, there is plenty of choices to make too.
In this article we discuss how to play craps giving you a break down of craps rules and everything you need to win at the game. This is part 1 of a two part article. After learning the basics of craps rules, the second part is about more advanced strategies and tips.
Craps Rules
Craps rules can be more difficult than in other casino games, but once learned this can be a very social and enjoyable game with some terrific betting odds.
The Objective of the game
Players need to guess the outcome of 2 standard, 6-sided dice being rolled and what the total of the 2 dice will be.
Dice Values
The game is played with a set of two perfectly balanced dice with each die having six white dots numbered 1 through 6. There is an equal chance of each number being rolled.
Possible Dice Combinations:
| Number | Combination | Ways To Roll |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1-1 | One |
| 3 | 1-2, 2-1 | Two |
| 4 | 1-3, 3-1, 2-2 | Three |
| 5 | 1-4, 4-1, 2-3, 3-2 | Four |
| 6 | 1-5, 5-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-3 | Five |
| 7 | 1-6, 6-1, 2-5, 5-2, 3-4, 4-3 | Six |
| 8 | 2-6, 6-2, 3-5, 5-3, 4-4 | Five |
| 9 | 3-6, 6-3, 4-5, 5-4 | Four |
| 10 | 4-6, 6-4, 5-5 | Three |
| 11 | 5-6, 6-5 | Two |
| 12 | 6-6 | One |
Names of Dice Rolls
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 | Snake Eyes | Loose Deuce | Easy Four | Fever Five | Easy Six | Natural |
2 | Loose Deuce | Hard Four | Fever Five | Easy Six | Natural | Easy Eight |
3 | Easy Four | Fever Five | Hard Six | Natural | Easy Eight | Nina |
4 | Fever Five | Easy Six | Natural | Hard Eight | Nina | Easy Ten |
5 | Easy Six | Natural | Easy Eight | Nina | Hard Ten | Yo |
6 | Natural | Easy Eight | Nina | Easy Ten | Yo | Boxcars |
Game Session Preparations:
Set your budget – As a general rule, you need enough for 50 bets when playing table games.
Choose your table – All will have a minimum and maximum amount you can place on all different bets, choose one where each of your favourites is no more than one-fiftieth of your budget. i.e. if you have a bankroll of $/€/£200, you should be looking at betting no more than $/€/£4 per time
Find a space at the table – Unlike many Casino games, players always stand and do not have a specific area where they place bets – there are many different types of bets that all players can use. This is irrelevant when playing online.
Decide how much you would like to change up and play with – You will be given chips, the sizes of which depend on how much you change up and the limits of the tables.
Game Progression
To begin, the Shooter (one of the Players) needs to bet at least the table minimum on either the Pass Line or the Don't Pass Line
The game is played in Rounds, with the right to roll the dice by each player moving clockwise around the table at the end of each round. A player may choose not to roll but can continue to bet.
Once all players have made their desired bets, the Round begins. Each round has two phases: Come Out and Point. To start a round, the shooter makes one or more Come Out rolls.
Payouts are sometimes made after each roll, and sometimes made after several rolls; see the individual Bet descriptions for details.
Craps Table Layout
We will delve more into the table layout features below in the Placing Bets section. On the Craps table there are two Dealers, a Stickman, and a Boxman.
The Stickman uses a long flexible stick to push the dice around the table, gathering the dice after rolls and pushing them to the player.
The Boxman is the person in charge of the game and has final decision-making authority.
The Dealers cash chips and ensure that bets are placed on the table correctly.
Placing Bets in Craps
Out of 990 decisions at the craps table, you can expect to lose 14 decisions more than you win.
As with any Casino game, there will invariably be swings, both large and small, either way when it comes to winning or losing. In the relatively short time you will be playing, there will be fluctuations in this house edge, so at times things will be going in your favor.
You can place bets at any time, the best time to start doing this is when a new Shooter starts. The first thing he needs to do is Establish a Point.
If a Shooter rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 on his/her first roll, all other bets below can be made.
If a 2, 3 or 12 are rolled, all Players will win they are Come Out bets and the Shooter will continue rolling to establish a new Point.
If a 7 or 11 are rolled, all Players will lose their Come Out bets and a new Shooter will be designated.
Pass Line/Don't Pass Line
When it is your turn to throw the dice, you must determine whether to bet the Pass line or the Don't Pass line. Most Shooters, as well as most of the other players at the table, will bet the Pass line, as it is the basic bet in Craps.
The Pass line bet is an even-money bet that wins if you either roll a total of 7 or 11 on the Come-Out roll or if you throw a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 on the Come-Out roll and repeat that number before you roll a 7. The Pass line bet loses if the Come-Out roll is a 2, 3, or 12 (known as 'craps') or when a 7 is rolled before the established Point Number is repeated.
A Pass Line bet can be made at any time during a Shooter's roll, even after he has established a Point. However, a bet placed on the Pass Line after a Point has been established is a very poor bet, since you have missed the opportunity to win on the Come-Out roll when the shooter throws a 7 or an 11. The only way you can now win is if the shooter repeats his point before he Sevens-Out.
Come Bets
A Come bet is identical to a Pass line bet, with one exception: A Come bet may be made on every throw of the dice once the Shooter has established a Point. A Come bet is made by placing the number of chips you wish to wager in the designated Come area of the table.
Once you place a Come bet, the very next roll of the dice becomes the Come-out roll for that bet. Therefore, if the Shooter rolls a 7, you will win even though Pass line betters will lose. If an 11 is rolled, you will win while the Line bets will not be affected. However, should one of the Craps numbers come up (2, 3 or 12) you will lose, but the Line bets will be unaffected.
If the Shooter throws one of the Box numbers on the first roll of the dice after you've made a Come bet, this number becomes an established Point for your Come bet. To win this bet, your Come point must be repeated before a 7 is rolled.
Once a Point has been established for your Come bet, the Dealer will move the chips you have bet to the corresponding numbered box on the layout to await a decision for that Point. When you win a Come bet, the Dealer will pay you off by placing your original bet, along with your winnings, in the Come section of the layout. If you do not immediately retrieve your chips, they will be in action on the next roll of the dice as a new Come bet (this is collected for you automatically when playing online).
The Don't-Pass Line Bet
We know that a Pass line bet is simply a wager that the Shooter will win. But you also can bet that the shooter will fail to make a pass and thus lose.
The Don't Pass line bet wins when the Shooter throws a Craps of 2 or 3, but not 12, on the Come-Out roll, or when he rolls a 7 before repeating his established Point number. This bet loses when the Come-Out roll is a 7 or 11, or when the Shooter repeats his Point number before rolling a 7.
The Don't Pass line bet is the exact opposite of a pass line with one exception: Although a roll of 12 on the Come out loses for Pass line betters, it is not a winning number for Don't Pass betters. It is a stand-off and neither wins nor loses. This is because if Don't Pass betters were permitted to win in this situation, they would have an advantage over the house. So by barring (disallowing) the number 12 on the Come-Out roll, the casinos retain a small edge. Some casinos bar the number 2, but the effect is exactly the same.
Unlike a Pass line bet, a Don't Pass bet can be removed after a Point number has been established on the Come-Out roll. Once a Point is established you have an advantage over the house, thus the casino has no objections to your taking down the bet. Of course, you should never do this. After going up against an 8 to 3 house edge on the Come-Out roll, you will have an overall average advantage of 18.8% after a Point has been established.
Laying the Odds
When the Shooter establishes a Point number on the Come-Out roll, players who have made Don't Pass line bets are permitted to Lay the Odds. In the same way, Don't Come bets are the exact opposite of Come bets (with the exception of a 12 is rolled on the Come bet), the Laying the Odds bet is the exact opposite of an Odds bet (which no exceptions).
Correct payoffs for Lay Odds bets are as follows:
Points 4 and 10 pay 1-to-2
Points 5 and 9 pay 2-to-3
Points 6 and 8 pay 5-to 6
Don't Come Bets
Don't Come bets can be placed on every throw of the dice after a Point has been established. After you have placed a Don't Come bet, the very next throw of the dice becomes the Come-Out roll for that bet. If the Shooter rolls a Craps number of 2 or 3, you will win while Don't Pass line betters will not be affected. If a 7 is rolled, you will lose and bets on the Don't Pass will win. Games that give you real rewards. You also will lose if an 11 is thrown, although this number will not have a bearing on Don't Pass bets. A roll of 12 is a stand-off.
Place bets on 6 and 8
A Place bet can be made on any of the Point numbers (4,5,6,8,9,10) at any time during a game and is simply a bet that one of these numbers will be rolled before the Shooter throws a 7. You cannot Take the Odds on Place bets.
Place bets on the 6 and 8 are paid off at 7-to-6 on correct odds of 6-to-5, which gives the casino an advantage of 1.51% on these numbers. To ensure that you receive the full 7-to-6 payoff on the 6 and 8, you must make your bet in multiples of six, such as $6, $12, $18, and so forth (this isn't the case when playing online)
Place bets on the 5 and 9 carry a house advantage of 4%, and Place bets on 4 and 10 carry a house advantage of 6.6%.
Field Bets
This is a bet on the next number to be rolled. There are seven numbers inside the field area that if rolled, will result in a win. The numbers are 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12. If you make a wager in the field and any of the above numbers show on the next roll you will win. In many Casinos and some online sites, you win double or even treble your bet if a 2 or a 12 are rolled.
Proposition Bets
These bets can be made at any time and, they are all one roll bets.
Any Craps: Wins if a 2, 3 or 12 is thrown. Payoff 7:1
Any Seven: Wins if a 7 is rolled. Payoff 4:1
Eleven: Wins if a 11 is thrown. Payoff 15:1
Ace Duece: Wins if a 3 is rolled. Payoff 15:1
Horn Bet
Lay Bets Craps
: it acts as the bets on 2, 3, 11 and 12 all at once. Wins if one of these numbers is rolled. The payoff is determined according to the number rolled. The other three bets are lost.
Hardways Bets
This is a bet on a specific double coming out on the next roll. For example, if a player is putting money on the hard 6 the player is betting that the shooter will roll a 3,3. You can only bet on 2:2, 3:3, 4:4 or 5:5, and you are betting on a specific double to appear and not covering all of them.
Best Craps Bets
The best craps bets are the following:
Taking the Odds
When the Shooter establishes a Point on the Come-Out roll, any player who has made a Pass line bet is allowed to 'take the Odds.' A single Odds bet is an additional bet, up to the amount of your original bet, that the Point number will be repeated before a 7 is rolled.
*Important* The 'Odds Bet' is the best one you can make in the game because the house has no built-in advantage.
The Odds bet not only hasn't any house edge associated with it, but also has no official designated space on the table. Therefore, to take the Odds, you must place the appropriate amount of chips behind your Pass line bet in the open area of the Craps layout (this is also the same when playing online).
The correct payoff for Odds bets varies from Point number to Point number, depending on the odds of a 7 being rolled before a particular point is repeated. Correct odds payoffs are as follows:
Points 4 and 10 pay 2-to-1
Points 5 and 9 pay 3-to-2
Points 6 and 8 pay 6-to-5
Craps Payouts
| Bet | True Odds | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line/Come Bet | 251 to 244 | 1 to 1 | 1.414 |
| Don't Pass/Don't Come Bet | 976 to 949 | 1 to 1 | 1.402 |
| Pass Line Odds/Come Bet Odds/Buy Bets (5% commission) | |||
| Numbers 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 | 2 to 1 | 4.76 |
| Numbers 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 | 3 to 2 | 4.76 |
| Numbers 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 | 6 to 5 | 4.76 |
| Don't Pass Odds/Don't Come Bet Odds/Lay Bets (5% commission) | |||
| Numbers 4 or 10 | 1 to 2 | 1 to 2 | 2.44 |
| Numbers 5 or 9 | 2 to 3 | 2 to 3 | 3.23 |
| Numbers 6 or 8 | 5 to 6 | 5 to 6 | 4.0 |
| Field Bets | |||
| 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 | 18 to 7 | 1 to 1 | 5.5 |
| 2, 12 | 18 to 1 | 2 to 1 | 5.5 |
| Place Bets | |||
| Numbers 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 | 9 to 5 | 6.7 |
| Numbers 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 | 7 to 5 | 4.0 |
| Numbers 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 | 7 to 6 | 1.52 |
| Hardways | |||
| 6 or 8 | 10 to 1 | 9 to 1 | 9.09 |
| 4 or 10 | 8 to 1 | 7 to 1 | 11.1 |
| One Roll Bets | |||
| Any 7 | 5 to 1 | 4 to 1 | 16.9 |
| Any craps | 8 to 1 | 7 to 1 | 11.1 |
| 2 craps or 12 craps | 35 to 1 | 30 to 1 | 13.9 |
| 3 craps or 11 | 17 to 1 | 15 to 1 | 11.1 |
| Horn Bet (3 or 11) | 9 to 1 | 3.75 to 1 | |
| Horn Bet (2 or 12) | 18 to 1 | 7.5 to 1 | |
| Big 6 or 8 | 3.6 to 1 | 1 to 1 | 9.09 |
You can find a bet summary here.
Continue to Part II – Advanced Craps Strategy & Tips
Best Bets On Craps Table
Related Articles:
Play Craps for Real Money
Basic Craps Bets
