Four Craps Tips for Those With Limited Funds

Craps players have a rare opportunity to play with a house edge of less than 1%. Unfortunately for low rollers, this may necessitate wagers that are too large for their comfort level.

What should a low-budget player do? We'll conduct some comparison shopping after we've determined what is required to achieve the lowest house edge.

To get the less than 1% offer, players either back pass and come bets with free odds or lay the odds behind pass and come bets.

There is no house advantage on the odds, and the house edge on pass or come combined with single odds is 0.8 percent, dropping to 0.6 percent with double odds, 0.5 percent with triple odds, and so on-the lower the edge, the more of your wager is taken in odds.

The same goes for don't pass, don't come, and laying the odds. The house edge on the combination is 0.7 percent at single odds, 0.5 percent at double odds, 0.3 percent at triple odds, and so on.

However, most players do not limit themselves to only one bet at a time. One typical strategy is to follow a pass bet with two come bets, resulting in three numbers working at the same time.

If the minimum bet is $5, a pass and two comes implies a total of $15 is at stake. If each is backed with single odds equal to the initial bets, the total is $30, rising to $45 with double odds and $60 with triple odds.

If the shooter rolls a 7, all of those bets might be lost at once.

It's enough to make a $5 betor a bit concerned.

What if you don't have that kind of cash? What if your bankroll limits the minimum bets at the table? Should you just skip craps and play anything else?

You can still play and win at craps, but the house edge will be slightly bigger than in the previous technique.

Here are some strategies for keeping the house edge under 2% while preserving your bankroll.

TIP #1: WITH ODDS, STICK TO ONE PASS OR DON'T PASS BET.

Instead of working with three numbers, use only one.

You still reduce the house edge to less than 1%, but instead of putting $30 on the line with a pass and two comebacks with single odds, you put $10 on the line. The sum increases to $15 at double odds, $20 at triple odds, and so on.

Where you stop is up to you, your cash, and the number of odds permitted at your preferred casino. However, you may reduce the house edge to less than 1% while risking only twice the table minimum.

One disadvantage is that many players find this strategy tedious. Craps' quick action and several wagering options appeal to them. The methods that remain are for such players.

TIP #2: AVOID THE ODDS.

Some craps players feel this is wrong because the odds are the best bargain at the table, but there's no use in low rollers worrying about wagers they can't afford.

If they apply the tried-and-true strategy of following a pass bet with two come bets to have three numbers working, they will have $15 at risk at one moment at a $5 table.

If they are prepared to limit themselves to one bet after the pass, the risk is decreased to $10, and they can spend as little as $5 with just the pass bet.

When you include free odds in the equation, the stakes are nowhere near as high.

Bottom line: this approach has a 1.41 percent house edge. It's not as excellent as the odds for those who can afford them, but it's still one of the finest bets available in casinos.

TIP #3: USE 6 AND/OR 8

The most common number rolled in craps is 7. Six of the 36 potential two-dice combinations total 7.

The numbers 6 and 8 are frequently rolled after that. Each of those numbers can be made in five different ways, making them numbers that players want to have working.

When you wager on 6, you're betting on the shooter rolling a 6 before the next 7. The same is true when you place an 8 - you want that 8 to appear before a 7.

The house pays 6 and 8 at 7-6 odds, so you'll need to bet in multiples of $6 to get that payoff.

If you stick with just one number, you'll be betting $6 at a $5 minimum table. If you stake both, the total is $12, which is still significantly cheaper than backing numerous pass and come bets with odds.

In conclusion, the house edge on 6 or 8 is 1.52 percent. You receive a low house edge without risking too much of your bankroll all at once.

TIP #4: AFTER A PASS BET, PLACE A 6 AND/OR 8 BET.

For those who enjoy having multiple bets active, this ensures that you will have the two most frequent winners.

Begin with a $5 bet on the pass line. Make a $6 place bet on the other number in this combination if the shooter rolls a 6 or 8 on the comeout to establish that as the point.

At a $5 minimum, this offers you $11 in wagers.

If the point is not 6 or 8, then place $6 bets on both numbers, for a total risk of $17.

The house edge on pass bets is 1.41 percent, while the house edge on place bets is 1.52 percent, offering you a solid combination of often rolled numbers at a modest house edge.

SUMMARY

If you can afford free odds, that's fantastic. You can take advantage of the best craps has to offer. However, if your bankroll is small—and you should never bet more than you can afford to lose—you can still play with house edges of less than 2%.

These alternative approaches may not be the ideal craps strategy, but sometimes getting the best bargain you can afford is the best option.