Top Tips for Playing Craps Like a Pro
Craps is one of the most exciting and active games found in any casino. With its fast-moving action and variety of betting options, it's as popular with beginners as it is experienced players. Yet at first glance, all the different bets on the table make understanding Craps seem very complex indeed. This guide has been written to make sense of all that for you - by covering the basics and supplying practical advice where possible. With luck! You may stop throwing good money after bad (or worse still getting nowhere at all) simply because I can teach some key strategies with which to win at craps. You'll bungle play like an amateur and be out of cash far faster than if you squirrel away your winnings. After reading this guide, if you can avoid some of the common mistakes that other players make, then there's a good chance that you might walk off with some money in your pocket!
Understand the Basic Rules
Now that you've got the basic rules down solid, you can move on to more advanced strategies. This sport uses two dice and the aim is therefore to land a roll correctly in various ways. The person throwing the dice is called the "shooter". A round of craps opens with the "come-out roll", at which time the guy at the head of the table must throw a 7 or an 11 to win; if he rolls 2, 3 or 12 then all comes off, but with every other number besides these, that point becomes a point. In which case, rolling another identical number before rolling a 7 is your job now. Known to you and following these rules will provide a foundation for the rest of your game!
Focus on Low House Edge Bets
To play craps at a professional level, you have to focus on bets with the smallest house advantage. The "Pass Line" bet and the "Don't Pass" are both good choices here. The Pass Line bet has a house edge of just 1.41%. The Don't Pass bet is even better at 1.36%. "Odds" bets made together with either your Pass or Don't Pass bets can further decrease the house advantage, sometimes literally to zero. These are among the safest and most lucrative decisions you'll ever make in a gambling casino.
Master the Art of Bankroll Management
For long-term success in craps, it is important to manage your bankroll well. First of all, set a budget for the amount that you are willing to lose in a single session and stick with that figure throughout. To avoid blowing your entire bankroll at once, break it into smaller pieces. Someone also suggests separating out your gambling money entirely, putting it in a different pocket (or even wallet). So that you won't get carried away tempted to use any money meant for other things while gambling. Set win and loss limits: for instance, walk when you double your original stake or halve your bankroll. This way you will be the most relaxed and enjoy it most. That way your losses are minimized and enjoyment maximized.
Avoid High-Risk Bets
Although high-risk bets like "Field," "Big 6 and 8," and "Proposition" bets offer big returns if the player can guess correctly, they come with a much bigger house advantage. There are highly diverse house edge figures, reaching from 2.78 to 16.67% just for Proposition bets. These types of betting should be avoided by anyone gambling craps in the manner of a professional. To ensure a sustainable and profitable gaming experience, carefully pick those wagers with lower house edges.
Hone Your Observation Skills
By carefully observing the dynamics of the table and other players, you can gain some valuable insight. You can make better decisions by observing the patterns and routines of the shooter and other participants. Remember, craps is a social game, and the mood of the table sometimes has an effect on the outcome. Use your observations and instincts to make strategic wagers. And by learning how the game progresses, one can time wagers more accurately.
Utilize Betting Systems
Using different betting systems makes it easier to manage your risk and potentially increases winnings. For example, the "3-Point Molly" approach is to first bet on the Pass Line and then place two Come bets, ensuring constant action for numbers already bet on. Another major system is "Iron Cross," which involves just about every number but leaves out the seven. There are no guarantees in life, and certainly no foolproof betting system. But those mentioned above offer some kind of order and better odds of winning. Put yourself out there – try different systems to see what suits your style.
Stay Calm and Enjoy the Game
In Craps, luck is critical, but skill and strategy can also increase your odds of coming out ahead. Always keep emotions in check, whether on a winning spree or running into the rocks in your pocket. Panic or enraged frustration can develop into must bet-the-last-ditch wagers, which do not take long to be regretted. Remember, craps is not just about coming out with money in your pocket, but the excitement and satisfaction of the game, too... With a more upbeat state of mind, you will have much better luck at the casino.
In order to play craps like a pro, you need to know the game and how it works, make intelligent bets, and use your money properly. So by concentrating on the small house edge bets, not going for risky punts, and employing some very good betting systems, you could very much improve your craps play. Watch the dynamics of the table, observe discipline, and above all enjoy yourself. With these pointers in mind, you should be well on your way to conquering the fascinating world of craps.
