Craps strategy is simpler than it looks. You walk up to the table, see chips flying everywhere, hear people shouting random numbers, and it feels like chaos—but any solid craps strategy comes down to one idea: stick to low house edge bets and don’t be careless with your bankroll. Everything else is just details layered on top of that.
How Craps Works
Every round starts with what’s called the come-out roll. The shooter rolls two dice, and one of three things happens:
- Natural (7 or 11): Pass Line bets win instantly. Round over.
- Craps (2, 3, or 12): Pass Line bets lose instantly. Round over.
- Point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10): Now the game actually begins. The shooter keeps rolling until they either hit that number again (you win) or roll a 7 (you lose—this is “sevening out”).
That’s really the core of craps. All the other bets—Place bets, Hardways, all that stuff—are just extra layers built around this basic loop.
House Edge by Bet Type
| Bet | House Edge |
| Pass Line | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass | 1.36% |
| Pass Line + Full Odds | ~0.37% (depends on odds rules) |
| Come Bet | 1.41% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 6.67% |
| Any 7 (Proposition) | 16.67% |
| Any Craps (Proposition) | 11.11% |
The gap between good and bad bets is enormous. You can be playing one of the best-value games in the casino—or one of the worst—just based on where you put your chips.
Core Bets You Need to Know for a Solid Craps Strategy
Pass Line Bet
The foundation of almost every craps strategy. Win on 7 or 11 on the come-out, lose on 2, 3, or 12, and if a point gets set, you wait for it to hit again before a 7. House edge: 1.41%.
Don’t Pass Bet
The opposite of Pass Line—you’re betting against the shooter. Win on 2 or 3, lose on 7 or 11, push on 12. After a point is set, you win if a 7 shows first. House edge: 1.36%. Slightly better, but you’re going against the table, which isn’t for everyone.
Odds Bets
The most important part of any craps strategy. Once a point is established, you back up your Pass Line (or Don’t Pass) with an Odds bet that pays true odds—zero house edge. That’s incredibly rare in a casino. Limits vary by table (3x-4x-5x or 2x/5x/10x are common).
Come and Don’t Come Bets
Think of these as Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets placed after the come-out roll. Each creates its own “mini point,” so you can end up with multiple numbers working at once.
Place Bets
Bet directly on 6 or 8 to hit before a 7. The 6 and 8 carry a 1.52% edge—solid for a craps strategy. The 5 and 9 jump to 4%, and the 4 and 10 hit 6.67%, so most players avoid those.
5 Craps Strategy Types for Every Player
1. Conservative Craps Strategy: Pass Line + Single Odds
The simplest craps strategy available. Bet the Pass Line, take a single Odds bet, ignore everything else. Not flashy, but it keeps exposure low. Best for: newer players or anyone trying to stretch their bankroll.
2. Standard Craps Strategy: Pass Line + 2–3 Come Bets + Full Odds
Once the point is set, add Come bets so you have multiple numbers working—all backed with Odds. Strong coverage with low edge, but a 7 wipes everything at once. Best for: regular players who can handle some swings.
3. Aggressive Craps Strategy: Place Betting the 6 and 8
Place the 6 and 8, press them or take profits as you see fit. Flexible and straightforward. Best for: players who like control and constant action.
4. High Variance Craps Strategy: Press and Regress
Start bigger, scale down after a hit to lock profit (regress), or keep pressing after wins. If a shooter gets hot, this snowballs fast. If not, it goes south just as fast. Best for: players comfortable with volatility.
5. Don’t Betting: The Contrarian Craps Strategy
Playing Don’t Pass/Don’t Come is technically the best craps strategy mathematically, but you’re rooting for the table to lose. Some players don’t care; others hate it. Best for: players focused purely on the math.
Craps Strategy Bankroll Management
Setting Your Session Bankroll
Craps can swing hard. A common craps strategy guideline is 20–30x your base bet. Playing $10 with odds? Bring $300–$600.
Unit Sizing
Your base bet should sit around 2–5% of your bankroll. With multiple bets working (Pass + Come + Odds), scale that down further.
When to Walk
Set a stop-loss before you touch the table. Losing 50–60% of your session bankroll is a reasonable cutoff. Same goes for winning—if you double your money, consider locking some up.
Craps Strategy vs Other Casino Games
If you play with proper Odds, craps is right up there with blackjack in terms of value:
- Blackjack: ~0.5% with perfect play
- Craps (with odds): can drop below 0.5% depending on rules
- Roulette: 2.7% (EU) / 5.26% (US)
- Slots: usually 5–10%
The key is simple: if you’re not taking Odds, you’re not getting full value from any craps strategy.
Bets to Avoid in Any Craps Strategy
Proposition Bets
Any 7, Any Craps, Hardways, Horn bets—all carry massive house edges. They look fun, but they don’t belong in a smart craps strategy.
Big 6 and Big 8
Same idea as Place bets on 6 and 8, but with a worse payout. No reason to use them.
Field Bet Dependency
Field bets aren’t terrible in isolation, but building a craps strategy around them is a mistake.
Quick Tips for Your Craps Strategy
- Always take Odds—non-negotiable
- Stick to Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come, Place 6 and 8
- Know your bankroll before you sit down
- If your bets feel too big, they are—drop your unit size
- Ask the dealer questions; they expect it
- Track your sessions to separate luck from patterns
FAQ
What is the best craps strategy for beginners? Pass Line with single Odds. It’s the lowest-risk craps strategy with solid mathematical value.
Is Don’t Pass actually better than Pass? Technically yes, but the difference is tiny. Most players stick with Pass because it fits better socially.
Can you use Martingale as a craps strategy? You can, but it doesn’t reduce the house edge—it just concentrates more risk into fewer bets.
How much should I bring to the table? At least 20x your base bet. More if you plan on taking full Odds consistently.
Does the casino matter for craps strategy? Yes—mainly because of Odds limits. Higher Odds multipliers mean better overall value for your craps strategy.
Is dice control a real craps strategy? Highly debated. Realistically, your edge comes from bet selection and discipline, not physics.
