are you playing craps ?

[JohnMHinton]

This course is intended to teach you the basic rules for craps. First we'll discuss the basic rules of how to play craps and then we'll go over the rules for what bets can be made.

[JohnMHinton]

Many people find crap intimidating because the players are directly involved in the outcome. There are actually just a few simple rules for rolling the dice. Make sure you only handle the dice with one hand when throwing. This is so the casino can be assured you're not trying to switch dice or any other funny business. When rolling the dice, the thrower, or shooter, tosses to dice across the table to the other side.

[JohnMHinton]

The dice must hit the walls on the opposite side of the craps table for the roll to be valid. Do worry if you don't hit the other end or even if the dice fly off the table. This happens every now and then and no one is going to think any less of you if it happens to you. You don't have to take a turning throwing if you don't want to or aren't feeling particularly lucky.

[JohnMHinton]

Just pass and the dice will move on to the player to your left.The first roll of a new thrower's round is known as the "Come Out" roll. The roller is basically attempting to make a point. The thrower makes a point by rolling a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. If a 7 or 11 is rolled before the point then the roll is a winner

[BillPFrancis]

strategies in a game of chance what you're really talking about is the best way to maximize your odds. Like most casino games, craps is a game of probability, so the best craps strategy will give the highest probability of return on your bets. In craps, the best odds on the table are Pass, Don't Pass, Come, and Don't Come. These bets minimize the casinos edge. Don't think the casino still won't have the upper hand though. The fact is the casino will always have an advantage in craps.

[BillPFrancis]

According to the numbers, a Pass bet gives the house a 1.41% edge and a Don't Pass gives the house a 1.40% edge. The Come and Don't Come bets follow the same logic and percentages as the Pass bets. In comparison: the Field give the house 5.6%, Horn give the house 12.5%, Any 7 gives the house 16.7%, etc. This is why the optimum craps strategy sticks to the Pass, Don't Pass, Come and Don't Come bets. If you need a review on how to place these bets see

[BillPFrancis]

All right, so we know where to put our money down. Is this the best we can do? Nope. You can further improve your odds by Buying Odds on Pass/Come or Laying Odds on Don't Pass/Don't Come. You can place Odds on your original bet after the Come Out roll. How do Odds help improve your return? The house edge on Odds is a big fat zero.

[BillPFrancis]

You may have noticed that there's no section on a craps table for the Odds bets. Casinos take the position that's not their responsibility to inform players of all their betting options. Anything this hidden has to be a decent bet.

[ChadTMorgan]

Pass/Don't Pass Odds are made by supplementing an additional amount to your original bet after the Come Out roll. This bet is placed beside your initial bet on the Pass/Don't Pass line. Most casinos limit your odds bet to Single Odds, meaning you can match your Come Out bet with an equal amount. With Single Odds the house edge will be about cut in half, very good for you.

[ChadTMorgan]

To further supplement your Pass/Come bet you can Buy Odds. When Buying Odds your winnings are based on the Point number, or Come bet number. These numbers have different payout odds; 4 and 10 pays 2-1, 5 and 9 pays 3-2, 6 and 8 pays 6-5. If you made a Don't Pass/Don't Come bet then you'll be Laying Odds.