Craps strategy: How to win in craps, best bets, tips, basic craps strategy

Understanding all of the rules and preparing an optimal craps strategy is crucial to having success with this popular real money online casino game. In this guide, we'll thoroughly cover how to win at craps, including tips on some of the best bets in craps strategy to place and how to manage your bankroll properly.

The game of craps is a little more complex compared to some others you'll find at the best online casinos. However, once you understand basic craps strategy, you'll realize it's a fairly simple, yet entertaining game.

Essentially, craps is a dice game where players make wagers based on what they think the shooter will produce with their next roll. Let's take a deeper look at how the game is played and everything you need to know about the craps table layout.

Every new turn in craps begins with a come-out roll. This is when the shooter with the two six-sided dice rolls both of them onto the table to get things started.

The come-out roll can either win or lose the game for bettors within seconds, or it can also establish the point. Of course, the results are determined by what number is generated by the two dice.

Prior to the come-out roll occurring, players put chips down on the table to solidify their initial craps bet. You can either wager on the Pass Line or the Don't Pass Line.

If the shooter's first throw rolls out a 7 or 11, all Pass Line bets are marked as a win immediately. However, these wagers are also deemed a loss if the come-out roll lands at 2, 3, or 12.

Basically, the exact opposite holds for the Don't Pass Line initial bets. A 7 or 11 result means an automatic loss, whereas a 2 or a 3 produces a win. A roll of 12 ends in a push (tie) for the Don't Pass Line.

Any other numbers generated by the come-out roll that haven't been mentioned already would see the game continue. Results of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 create the point instead and move players onto the next portion of the game.

The point is then used as the number that the shooter is looking to duplicate with their next rolls. If they can hit the point number again before rolling a 7, all Pass Line bets will win, in addition to any Odds bet you make behind it. On the other hand, any roll of a 7 prior to the point number would bring about a loss for the Pass Line, but a victory for Don't Pass Line players.

Craps tables at online casinos are nearly identical to the ones you'd find inside a brick-and-mortar casino. They show the same exact layout, just in a more condensed version so that everything fits within your mobile screen.

Players are able to clearly identify the major betting spots on the craps table. These consist of the following:

The majority of these options fall near the outside part of the table near where players are positioned. On the inside, bettors will find all of the side wager places. These consist of some longer craps odds, like hardway and prop bets.

Players just need to simply place their chips where they would like to wager and press a button to begin the action.

Now that you've got the board layout down along with some of the basics for starting the online casino game, let's examine some of the details about the craps best bets strategy and how to win at craps.

While Pass Line bets are of course very common and well known to even mostly inexperienced craps players, it's still among the best wagers you can make in the game. The reason for this is that the Pass Line comes equipped with a very favorable house edge for players. At just 1.41%, players are seeing one of the lowest house edges within the game and about a 98.6% return-to-player (RTP) rate on the Pass Line.

Betting on the Pass Line provides even-money odds as players are rooting for the shooter to roll a 7 or 11 with the come-out throw. While those would mean an automatic win, a 2, 3, or 12 means an instant loss. Any other result continues play, which allows for more betting to occur behind your Pass Line wager. 

The number that's rolled then becomes the point, also known as the number the shooter will try to hit again. If they can do so before rolling a 7, Pass Line bets win. Naturally, if a 7 roll happens before hitting the point, Pass Line bets are a loss.

The Come bet for online craps real money is just about the same as the Pass Line, except for the fact that you place it following the come-out roll. Once the game makes it past that opening stage and a point number is established, you can make a Come bet.

These act in the same way as the Pass Line bets in that the following turn will act as your come-out roll. The rules are the exact same as far as which results provide a win or a loss.

The tricky part for Come bets is that you're also actively still playing your initial wager, so you'll have multiple things in play here. Players can even decide to place an additional second or third Come bet if your first one moved to a different number.

Although this obviously gives you more chances to win, it can be difficult to keep track of all of your bets and their specific odds when doing this. It's recommended that players limit themselves to only two or three active Come bets per turn.

Again, just like you see on the Pass Line, these bets pay out at even money and have a 1.41% house edge attached.

While the Pass Line and Come bets offer a solid RTP to craps players, the Odds bets are where the best mathematical craps strategy takes place. Unlike every other wager you can place across any available online casino games for real money, these Odds wagers don't have any house edge applied to them. With a 0% house edge, players can learn to take advantage.

Like with the Come bet, these can only be placed after the initial come-out roll. If no point is created and the opening roll determines a winner, you must wait another round before getting your Odds bet in.

This wager essentially is doubling down on your initial Pass Line bet, as you'll need the shooter to hit the point number once more prior to throwing a 7. If they do, you receive even better odds than the 1:1 payout for the Pass Line. These Odds bets feature true mathematical odds based on the point number and its actual chances of appearing. 

The 4 and 10 carry 2:1 odds, 5 and 9 have 3:2 odds, while points of 6 and 8 consist of 6:5 odds.

Once the point is set, players who want to place the Odds bet will put another chip directly behind their Pass Line wager. This can simply match the size of the Pass Line bet, or can be multiplied based on the online casino. Some allow your Odds bet to be 5x your initial wager, with even a few high-limit options allowing up to 10x and a maximum wager.

Since these specific wagers don't face any house edge, players will often look to capitalize on them to enhance their profits.

Clearly, the free Odds bets tied to zero house edge are a point of emphasis when it comes to basic craps strategy. Since this type of advantage isn't available anywhere else within the game or with online casinos in general, you must make the most of it.

One way to do so is by attempting to limit the house edge as much as possible with a smaller Pass Line wager. By keeping this portion of the bet as small as the table minimum and following that up with a maximum Odds bet, you're in essence reducing the combined house edge overall. This makes online craps one of the casino games with best odds.

Here's how the house edge looks after placing a free Odds bet on either your Pass Line or Don't Pass Line wager:

The other main craps bet one can place to start a new round is the Don't Pass Line. As its name might suggest, this is almost the exact opposite of the Pass Line wager.

These even-money bets are placed prior to the come-out roll and, like the Pass Line, can either win or lose immediately depending on the initial roll's result. Instead of hoping for a 7 or 11, the Don't Pass Line players actually want to see a 2 or a 3 come out. These outcomes would produce a winning bet on the Don't Pass Line, as the 7 or 11 does the opposite and solidifies a loss.

One little wrinkle occurs with a 12 roll. Even though this generates a loss for Pass Line bets, the reverse isn't true for the Don't Pass Line. A 12 actually provides a push where you don't win or lose, and your chips remain on the table.

These craps wagers are paid out at even money. The house edge is also down to just 1.36% for the Don't Pass Line.

When determining how to approach the craps best strategy, look no further than the Odds bet. As noted, it's the only casino wager that doesn't include a built-in house edge. By utilizing minimum wagers for your initial Pass Line or Don't Pass Line bet, then multiplying that Odds bet, you'll have very valuable odds.

Another easy craps strategy is to continue wagering with the bets that carry the lowest house edge. Both Don't Pass Line and Don't Come bets feature a lower house edge than your initial Pass Line, sitting at just 1.36%.

These bets are very similar, as you're wagering against the shooter and hoping for the opposite results. 

Don't Come bets are also placed following the point being set. Similar to the Don't Pass, these wagers win with a 2 or a 3, and push with a 12. If another point is created, you'll likely be in the minority rooting for a 7 to pop up so that the shooter loses. Luckily with online craps, you don't need to worry about going against the shooter or majority of the table.

The Come bet should be listed as a top craps strategy wager thanks in part to its small house edge. What separates the Come bet from your Pass Line wager is the ability to place multiple of these actually tied to different results. 

While your Odds bet is attached to the same point as your Pass Line wager, Come bets can end up covering several different numbers depending on how the turn goes. Having the chance to win through maybe three separate numbers significantly increases your likelihood of seeing a return.

The final craps betting strategy wager players should know is the Place 6 and Place 8. These are again among some of the best odds you'll find within the online casino game, aside from the line wagers. In fact, these are the most profitable bets within the place bet options, with both showcasing a house edge of 1.52%.

While lots of novice players tend to ignore the middle of the board, it can be beneficial to have a basic grasp of the plays in there. The best part about Place 6 and Place 8 wagers is that you have direct control over your choice. As opposed to waiting to see how the point is determined by the shooter, you can actively secure number 6 or 8.

This is an important basic craps strategy, as these two digits show up more often than every other dice value except 7. With a 7:6 payout for both Place 6 and Place 8 wagers, players can find some success here.

Another way to form an optimal craps strategy is to lock in and examine the craps payout chart as closely as possible. Understanding which bets offer better odds is typically fairly straightforward for most online casino games; however, craps gets a little more complicated.

When looking at the craps payout chart as a whole, you're able to get a better idea of which bets are worth your while. By comparing the provided odds and the different house edges, one can see that certain craps wagers are more advantageous than others.

The craps payout chart can also help you see where the game might not be giving you exact true odds. For example, a Place 4 or Place 10 should have odds of 2:1, but the game only delivers a payout of 9:5, with a house edge at 6.7%.

Many online casino games feature different strategy systems that have evolved. Craps is no different, as there are several notable systems in place to help tell players how to win at craps.

Let's take a closer look at some of the top options available, including the best mathematical craps strategy.

If you've been reading this guide carefully, then you'll know where to start in regard to a simple craps strategy. Once more, the Pass Line and the follow-up Odds wagers are some of the best and most strategic wagers you can make in online craps for real money.

With a house edge set at just 1.41% for the Pass Line, in addition to the 0% edge for the additional Odds wagers, players won't find a better deal elsewhere. Clearly the math supports this move, as the house edge drops to below 1% combined following just a 1x Odds bet. 

The best part about this system using the best mathematical craps strategy is that you can utilize it for any craps game, including live dealer, and for those building a bubble craps strategy.

The Don't Pass and Don't Come bets follow right behind the Pass Line and Odds wager. These bets also give players the opportunity to utilize the 0% house edge Odds bets, putting them among the best craps strategies.

In fact, their provided 1.36% house edge is a tick lower than the Pass Line, making the Don't Pass wager technically the smartest opening play.

The math supports each of these plays fading the shooter, and they're both available for all online craps games.

The Come bet is another example of a great craps betting strategy. Just like some of those mentioned, it carries a very low house edge of just 1.41% and pays out at even money.

One of the best parts of the Come and Don't Come bets is that you're potentially given the chance to wager on multiple point numbers during one turn, expanding your chances of winning. Both options also allow you to place Odds wagers once the initial wager moves to a number, giving players a great opportunity to cash in. The math backs it up.

As mentioned above, the Place 6 and Place 8 wagers are a craps strategy that many like to utilize, as well. These feature just a 1.52% house edge, the best among the available place bets.

Players love both of these moves because they're able to control exactly what number they want to back instead of waiting to see where their Come bet might move to. With 6 and 8 appearing more than any other number except 7, it's a mathematically sound move that's used a lot online.

There are several other slightly more complex systems available for those wondering what the best strategy for craps out there.

A craps strategy that's well known involving multiple numbers is the 3-Point Molly. This move incorporates placing Come bets until you have three total points covered overall. After making your Pass Line wager, add multiple Come bets until you have three different numbers in play.

For your Pass Line and each of the two Come bets, you should be placing a maximum Odds wager. With your action spread across the table, you have more chances to win. You also are taking advantage of the free Odds bets in three areas, lowering the house edge and giving yourself the best mathematical odds.

Another crap strategy that is a bit more creative is the Iron Cross. Here, you're placing wagers that take up the majority of the craps board and are relying on the shooters not to roll lots of 7s.

By placing a field bet, in addition to a Place bet on 5, 6, and 8, players occupy 30 of the 36 possible outcomes within the game.

While this plan might seem like a good move as it does generate lots of smaller wins, it's not highly recommended. This craps strategy actually features a negative expected value and is considered higher-risk. Since the 7 appears more often than any other number, the math isn't backing up this system.

A different wrinkle in craps strategies is the ability to buy a bet rather than simply place it. When buying the 4 and 10 spots as opposed to the regular Place bet, you receive adjusted "true odds" of 2:1 compared to 9:5.

While this reduces the house edge on the play, it does cost you 5% of your wager to do so. It should be noted that Lay bets are designed for the Don't wagers and actually bet against the number.

Although this system might scare some bettors away because it takes an upfront vig, it's actually very strategic for those who like to wager on the 4 and 10 anyway. Getting the true odds is extremely beneficial, making this a mathematically intelligent option.

Since we just discussed it, the buying and laying system seems like a good one to start with for sports bettors crossing into craps. Sports bettors are used to paying a vig with every wager, as online sportsbooks take a slight piece of your initial stake. The buying and laying in craps utilizes a similar system, one sports bettors would be familiar with.

Even though it's slightly different, sports bettors have also been exposed to the ability to buy points or move the point spread in their favor, but at the cost of a higher vig. That's essentially what's happening when you buy a number in craps, getting a friendlier deal for a little more money upfront.

The other recommendation for sports bettors is to keep it simple with a basic craps strategy. Players should focus on finding the best odds possible and the lowest house edge like they would at a sportsbook. In craps, betting on the Pass Line and utilizing as many maximum Odds bets would do the trick.

Online craps can also involve using different forms of progression betting systems. The most famous is the Martingale, which is when players double their wagers within even money places following a loss. It's worth noting that systems like these only affect bet sizing and not the house edge.

In theory, craps statistics show that these results should rotate evenly over time, thus allowing a player to recoup any losses by doubling their bet.

There are a couple of issues with this plan, though. The first is that nothing guarantees it's going to work. While different numbers should pop up on dice rolls, nothing is actually stopping 20 straight 7s from coming out.

The other side of this is the bankroll needed to progressively wager. If you're doubling the bet each time, you might need a good amount of cash in order to cover this plan even if you start off with small units.

That presents another issue in the individual table limits you're playing with. Certain online craps tables might not have a massive maximum wager, getting you into even more trouble when attempting to double each bet.

The Martingale is not recommended for any online casino game.

The Paroli system is known as the reverse Martingale because you are doing the opposite. Here, instead of doubling your wager when you lose, you actually double it when you win.

The goal is to solidify three straight wins overall. Players would double their bet following each win until you've secured three consecutive wins, or you lose.

The thought process behind the Paroli system is that you're looking to maximize a winning streak and keep losses to a minimum.

Two more similar betting systems tied to those looking for the best craps betting strategy are d'Alembert & Fibonacci.

The d'Alembert system consists of increasing your bet unit size by one following a loss, while reducing the wager by a unit after a win. This system leans into the fact that the even-money results should be mostly balanced over a long period of time.

The Fibonacci system, of course, uses the Fibonacci sequence, a number pattern developed by an Italian mathematician. The craps betting strategy says to use the sequence when gambling, following right along the pattern.

For every losing bet, move up one number in the sequence to find how many units to wager. On the other side of that, move back two digits in the sequence after every win.

The plan here is to make sure you've recovered all of your losses and actually end up with a profit over time.

The press and pull craps strategy is applied to Place bets on the 6 and 8. After hitting for a win, players should implement a system where they increase their original bet slightly, while banking the remainder of that profit.

Once you've done this a couple of times after a few wins, you can regress your Place wager back down to the table minimum. This way, you've secured some winnings and can start up with the strategy once again.

Players should do lots of research prior to using any of these betting systems, as you want to be an expert on something like this before actually wagering. Even though some come with advantages, none impact the actual house edge, so be sure to proceed with caution.

Other betting options within craps games to be conscious of include the following:

 These craps bets should mostly just be avoided due to their sizable house edges.

A minor pivot from online craps brings us to the best Bubble craps strategy. This game is played mostly the same way as online craps; however, this version uses two physical dice in a clear bubble that determine each roll.

Just like with normal online craps, players set their wagers through their handheld digital device. Except when it's time to start the turn, a random number generator (RNG) doesn't produce the roll; the actual bubble dice do.

Since this craps variation uses these real dice, this game is only offered online through live dealer craps.

The main difference between Bubble craps and normal live dealer craps is the lower table minimums. The majority of live dealer tables that offer Bubble Craps are set with $1 minimum wagers, making it an ideal choice for some beginners not looking to wager much.

These games also tend to move a little quicker than normal craps games, getting more rolls in than usual.

Odds multipliers can also be another factor that's slightly different, which could affect your bubble craps strategy. Some online casinos allow Odds bets for normal craps to be multiplied 5x or even 10x the Pass Line, but most of the bubble craps games seem to be limited to 2x.

Crapless craps strategy comes into play through another alternative craps game. With this one, the rules are actually altered in multiple ways, like removing instant losses from the initial come-out roll.

Like with all online casino games, it's important to have quality bankroll management in order to game responsibly.

Players should do a little quick math before entering an online craps game. By figuring out what your available bankroll is and how much you're willing to lose in a single session, you can determine how many units to bring overall.

Players must be smart when setting this up, as you never want to wager with money you don't have or can't risk. By coming up with a gameplan ahead of time, you can know the exact amount you're willing to spend and how that should be distributed by unit size.

The same reasoning can be applied to setting a stop-loss or win-banking rule. All of the best online casinos feature responsible gaming tools that allow players to enforce limits, so you might as well use them to your advantage.

A stop-loss rule is essentially the same as knowing your given bankroll for a session, as it will stop play immediately when you hit that number. The opposite can work as well, as a take-profit tool can shut down the game once you reach your desired goal.

Both of these can be very helpful when gaming online.

Let's break down the best online casino operators to utilize when playing craps.

DraftKings Casino is unquestionably among the best online casinos to use for live dealer online casino titles. The same holds for its craps selection, as it offers more than enough variations and tables to enjoy.

In total, it features nine different craps tables to join between its regular table and Bubble craps. This gives players the flexibility to decide exactly how they'd like to enjoy their craps and ensures there's a spot for them to do so.

New players who don't have an account can utilize our DraftKings Casino promo code to sign up.

When it comes to online casino bonus codes for craps players, look to BetMGM Casino. The operator is always listed near the top of the pack when it comes to its generous welcome offer.

Most players who join will receive a 100% deposit match on their first deposit, as well as an instant sign-up bonus.

Once you're in, BetMGM has plenty of great craps games to play, with several different versions available. Those who are new to the online casino can take advantage of these deals and use our BetMGM promo code.

bet365 Casino provides an amazing platform for sports bettors looking to play more craps. Since its online casino is tied directly to its sportsbook app, players are just a few seconds away from transitioning between the two.

Once you've made the move onto the casino side, players will find multiple variations of the classic game, along with a live dealer version, too. This gives sports bettors more than enough options to get started with playing craps.

New bettors who want to sign up for the site can find our bet365 Casino bonus code here.

The best mobile experience for playing craps online has to be with FanDuel Casino. Overall, the app is noticeably smoother than some others when navigating its selections and playing games.

This held true during gameplay of its craps games, of which there are multiple to choose from. FanDuel is a great option overall, but its mobile app experience truly stands out.

Players who don't already have an account on the site can use our FanDuel Casino bonus codes.

The best craps strategy for beginners is to focus on the lowest house edges available in the game. Placing Pass Line wagers and then free Odds bets is the way to make the most of your gameplay while learning the ropes for the more intricate bets.

Odds bets feature the lowest house edge at 0% in online craps. Players should maximize these whenever possible to reduce the combined house edge overall. 

The Pass Line bet works as one of the most common opening moves in craps. It features a 1.41% house edge and wins automatically if a 7 or 11 is produced on the come-out roll.

An Odds bet is placed once a point is established for a number of different bets. It's the most important wager in the game because it carries a house edge of 0%, unlike any other online casino bet.

A Come bet can only be placed once a point is established following the come-out roll.

Bubble craps is a different live dealer variation of craps. While there are some slight differences, the same craps strategies can be applied to both games.

Yes. Online casinos in each of these four locations all showcase various craps games to enjoy.

Players should set their own individual bankrolls based on their own personal preferences and financial situations. Online craps offers plenty of options to place table minimum bets that can result in profits.

The toughest craps bets to win have the highest house edges. These include Any 7, Hardways, Big 6 / Big 8, Horn and Hop bets, C&E, and standalone Field wagers.

Any gambling winnings within the U.S. are fully taxable and must be reported. Players who win more often than not will likely be sent a Form W-2G from an online casino; however, those who don't receive one also still need to report. This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. If users have any questions regarding taxes on gambling winnings, they should consult with a tax professional for advice. 

Christopher Imperiale