Betting Ideas on a Craps Table
Decisions, decisions, decisions... the number of possible bets in craps often overwhelm novice or even contemporary players. Let's clear up the fog and figure out which ones are risky, which ones return big payoffs, and in what amounts do we usually should make our bets.
When making Place Bets use different denominations, this maximizes payoff odds. Remember that casinos will round down amounts when a payoff amount turns up uneven. To avoid this, you should bet in multiples of $5 for 4, 5, 9, and 10, wager in multiples of $6 for 6 and 8. Many players make place bets on 6 and 8 because the house edge is often reduced to 1.5% there.
Since Proposition Bets have a very high house edge it's wise to stay away from these. But if you are willing and can afford to try a high payoff/low win probability gamble then feel free to go. It is advisable to make these every once in a while.
Most players avoid Lay Bets. One reason is that often casinos will peg a vigorish. This is usually up to a 5% commission on your winnings and the odds at winning aren't that pretty. But if you're up to it then make sure you're betting in set amounts. Casinos usually put the 5% vig for every $20. So if you wager on a 4 and 10 use multiples of $40, 5 and 9 at $30 multiples, 6 and 8 in multiples of $24.
For example you wager on 10, it should at least amount to $40. Naturally, if a roll turns up a 7 before the 10 you get to win $20. The house edge on the 10 is around 2.44%.
Buy bets also have a commission of 5%, but the odds are higher than that of lay bets. The 4 and the 10 often produce higher odds than any number on buy bets. When making buy bets do them in multiples of $20 since a $5 bet and a $20 bet will both be charged the same commission.
Field bets are quite alright in a way since the house edge is usually lower than other bets. The scary part is that the win/loss result is determined by a single dice roll (obviously a big risk compared to extended bets). A lot of players either shy away from this or they use it to set up mixed bets.
The pass line is the most basic of all the bets. So are the don't pass, come, don't come and free odds. With these, you have a good probability of winning but since that is the case the payoff isn't as much compared to the more risky bets in craps.
To maximize payoffs on the basic (and usually safer) bets in craps it is advisable to make free odds wagers whenever possible. Free odds wagers are always paid on true odds. One good news is that casinos don't make money off the winning free odds bets since they already made money on the original bet.
Betting in craps usually becomes a thrilling and confusing moment of the game. Weigh the risks versus the payoffs versus the odds. And remember the amounts a player should wager. Your decisions will be much easier and well made when these elements of betting in craps are known.