Craps Strategy

Considering that craps is another gambling game that leaves a lot to luck and chance when it comes to winning, you may be tempted to write off craps strategy as another waste of time, for who could predict wins or losses when it all depends on luck? However, that approach is not entirely accurate; while it is true that one may not be able to influence the outcome of a game definitively using craps strategy, it is possible to make sure you are on top of your game by following a few tips that constitute what you can call craps strategy. This basically means that you should ensure that you're playing the game as well as it could possibly be played.

Many of the top craps players in the world use these strategies and methods quite successfully. In this article, we will review various craps strategies and what players can do to improve their chances of winning at craps.

Basic and Effective Craps Strategy
One of the most fundamental points of effective craps strategy is for you, as a player, to know how to play the game tactically , not recklessly. Even with the understanding that the game relies heavily on chance for determining the outcome, if there is some level of consistency and method in your approach, you can minimize your chance of losing.

One of the most fundamental craps strategies is setting yourself a maximum limit in terms of cash that you are willing to lose while playing craps. A good rule of thumb that is followed by many professional craps players is to stop playing once you've lost 20% of your initial stake. Some prefer to play it safer and use an even smaller percentage before cutting their losses. Always remember to set limits for yourself and never bet more than you can afford. 

Effective bankroll management is the next vital step that constitutes effective craps strategy. While many questionable betting systems exist – Martingale (doubling your bet after each loss), Paroli (doubling your bet after each win), and other less popular but similarly flawed theories – it is critical that you stick to the same strategy throughout. It is risky to switch strategies midway, mainly due to the fact that it often seems that once you abandon a failing strategy, you find that it would have finally won you a nice payout. 

There are other things that you can include in your craps strategy. One such practice, which should be obvious yet is vital for long-term success, is to be able to keep from losing your cool while playing. Excitability can be disastrous when playing craps, as any decision taken in a heated moment or a moment of excitement can cost you dearly later on. Allowing your emotions to take control of your betting strategy is a fast way to lose your bankroll.

More Craps Strategy
Other than the basics, there are a few other things that form a critical part of a good craps strategy. For one, it's always a good idea to go with the best odds during a game. When it comes tocraps, the best odds are those that give the minimal advantage to the house, i.e. Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come.

Basically, it all boils down to the percentages. For instance, a Pass bet could give the house an advantage of about 1.41%, while a Don’t Pass bet would be a closer to 1.36%. Any of the other bets provide the house with a bigger advantage, and as such should generally be avoided.

In case of the Field, the house advantage is 5.6%, while in the case of the Big 6/Big 8 the house advantage is an even higher 9.1%. It grows progressively bigger from there on, with the Horn giving a 12.5% advantage to the house, Craps 2/Craps 12 giving an even higher 13.9% house advantage, and Any 7 yielding the highest house advantage – 16.7%. The lone exception to this is that Pass Odds and Don't Pass Odds, which may be wagered only after throwing a point, give absolutely no advantage to the house.