Effective Strategies to Win at Craps | Guide for Beginners in 2024

Have you recently started playing craps and want to learn how to play craps and win? In this article, we will share with you our top craps betting strategy tips to win at craps. Once you read this, you will be able to join a table with confidence and play to win. With some knowledge and a bit of practice you will have all the tools to have luck on your side. So, let’s get started and learn how to win at craps every time!

Getting Ready to Play Craps Effectively

The first few strategies we recommend come before you even sit at the table (figuratively, since you’re playing online). One of the major considerations when learning how to win at craps all the time is to try craps for free first. This is a great tip for practicing that will help you gain experience and an understanding of the rules and strategy without risking any losses.  

Once you feel comfortable, then you can begin learning how to win at craps with a small bankroll and practicing with a set budget. Never bet more than you can afford to lose because this can be very demoralizing for obvious reasons. The whole point is to have fun and if you have heavy losses from the beginning, this could sour your taste for the game.  

Next, make sure to budget and stick to it. It may not be the sexiest strategy out there, but money management strategy is super important. Most experienced gamblers know this and the ones who play for a while likely have their finances managed well.  

If you know how to win at craps with little money, then you can win when playing with a larger bankroll. However, it will take some time and patience to gain that level of experience. As you play and become more experienced, you will know when to leave the table. One practice that can assist with this is to set a target goal that you would like to win and walk away once you have reached that target. 

Lastly, take into consideration the odds and outcomes of each number that can be rolled with a pair of dice. Looking at the probabilities of the numbers and combinations helps you better understand the payouts of the different bets.  

For example, there is only one way to roll a 2 or a 12, making these numbers the least probable to hit. Whereas a 7 has the greatest probability of hitting because there are six possible combinations available to form a 7 with a pair of dice.  

When combining this knowledge with that of the betting options, it will be clearer to you how the payouts work. This is one smart way to decide how you make your bets. 

Betting Strategies

Now that you know you should practice with demo games first and get a money management strategy in place, let’s talk betting strategies next.  

The rules of online craps are simple, because you’re essentially guessing what the value of the roll of a pair of dice. Where it gets complicated is with the different betting options you have available.  

If you’ve gambled before, you know that not all betting options are created equal. Some will have a higher house edge with greater payouts, while others will be more favorable to the player but lower payouts. You can utilize these differences to set yourself up for winning.  

Pass Line Bet

One betting strategy for beginners that many use is simply to bet on the pass line. Read our other posts on how to play craps for more details on the pass line bet. Essentially, if the dice land on a natural (7 or a 11), then this is a win. This is a solid suggestion because the pass line bet has a very low house edge of 1.41% and a payout of 1:1.  

If you want frequent wins, this is a good one to bet on. Keep this one in your back pocket as a beginner strategy that doesn’t require much strategizing. Some players use this bet exclusively. At a land-based casino, especially, it creates a feeling of camaraderie when everyone wins or loses together. 

Don’t Pass Line Bet

The opposing strategy to the pass line bet is the don’t pass line. In a land-based casino, this type of bet can be alienating because you are betting against most players at the table. Therefore, an online game is the perfect time to use this betting strategy.  

With a don’t pass line bet, you win on a roll of 2 or 3 and lose on a roll of 7 or 11. Once a point is established, you win on a roll of 7 and lose if the point hits before it.  

This can be to your advantage because a pair of dice holds more ways to roll a 7 than any other combination. In addition, a don’t pass line bet has a slightly lower house edge at 1.37% than the pass line bet.  

Odds Strategy

Now let’s talk about the craps odds strategy. This bet is called “laying odds” or “taking odds” and is a bit more interesting as it sometimes slips past less experienced players. There is also no house edge with this betting strategy. Keep in mind that not all online games will accept placing odds bets and all casinos cap the amount you stake.  

You can only make this bet if you have made a pass or come bet first. Once the point is established, you can bet two or three times your pass line bet on the odds. How much you wager can vary but two to three times is typical. This bet is placed on the goal that the point will be rolled again before a 7 hits.  

Prop Bets

As for a betting strategy to avoid, we do not recommend prop bets. Short for proposition bets, these single-roll bets have a very high house edge, leaving little chance for a win. A single roll bet means the outcome of the bet depends on the next roll of the dice.  

As a beginner player, these are to be avoided. Although the payout is also very high and it can be tempting to play aggressively, it is nonetheless very risky. Even more experienced players only make these wagers on occasion since the casino advantage is so high. 

Finally, there are many more betting strategies out there, which is part of the fun and intrigue of craps. We have only scratched the surface of what is available. The numerous wagers that are available to players can get quite advanced and specific. They each have their own unique payouts and odds that you take into account when deciding your next wager. 

Familiarize yourself with these betting options so you know what is available to you and make the most of your gambling experience. While betting on the pass line is safe and conventional, we encourage you to have fun and try different betting options! 

Ready to Play

There you have it! These are our top strategies to win at craps, so you leave feeling like a winner rather than a loser. By applying these strategies, you are sure to start your gambling journey as a craps player on a positive note. Keep in mind that gambling is an ongoing process, so as you play more and more, you will discover what works for you and what doesn’t. At that point, keep the strategies you like and toss the ones that don’t do much for you! In the end, this is how to win at craps!  

FAQ: How to Win Craps Online?