Optimal Craps Strategy
Craps is a casino game similar to every other game in the sense that the casino always has an edge. However, there are certain bets in craps that have a significantly lower edge than other bets. This section of the website will explore which bets these are and how to optimally place these bets when playing craps.
If you have read through the rules or odds sections of this website, you should have already seen my preference for the "Pass" / "Don't Pass" and "Come" / "Don't Come" bets. But, did you actually know that even between these bets, there are some that are a little better than others. So, if you have read through the odds section, you should know that the "Don't Pass" and "Don't Come" bets have the lowest house edge. Therefore, it makes the most sense to always bet on either of these two bets.
However, it is also important to play the odds as much as you can. Always lay as many odds as you can because the casino doesn't have an edge on these bets, which then reduces the edge of the casino on the overall bet.
Depending on how much you can lay in the odds bet, you can decrease the house edge as low as 0.6%. If you can only get single odds, you can do as good as 0.8%, which are some of the best odds available in the entire casino.
Now that you know the best bets in the house, it's important to also know the following thing: The casino will only pay you in whole dollars, no cents! Therefore, make sure you bet the correct amounts when laying odds, so that you can receive the maximum payouts. So, if you bet on the "Don't" bets, make sure you always wager in multiple of 6. The reason therefore are that the payoffs on multiple of 6 will always be in whole dollars.
As long as you keep this in mind, you'll give the house the lowest edge possible and should have the most fun in the long term, while not having to spend as much money as others.
Some other general rules to help you play craps:
When you get a chance to take or lay the Odds, always wager the maximum amount allowed to decrease the edge of the house!
After the point is fixed, don't add to your original Pass/Come bet. Take the odds instead!
After the point is fixed, don't remove your Don't Pass / Don't Come bet.
Most importantly, because Craps is a game of chance and in the long run, the house will win, you should quit while you are ahead.
Set a limit for a maximum amount you are willing to lose, and make sure you can afford losing that money! And quit, should you hit your loss limit!