Craps Rolling 7
Roll a 7 Same as 'throwing a 7'. In craps, this is when you are finished, or ' crap out '. While the average craps roll ends in a seven out after eight tosses, Demauro soon left that benchmark in the dust. Every time she threw the dice, a number showed up to pay off bets across the table — all of them except the dreaded 7 which ends the roll. The first roll of the dice is called the ‘come out roll’. If you roll a 7 or 11 in the come out roll, the pass bets win and don’t pass bets lose and the round finishes. If the shooter rolls a 2,3 or 12 (known as the craps numbers), then the pass bet loses and don’t pass bets win, and the round ends. The any seven craps bet, also known as big red, is perhaps the most popular and well known wager in the game of craps. Basically all you are doing is betting that the shooter will roll a 7 on the next roll.
Beginning gamblers often shy away from the craps table because the game looks complicated. It’s actually easy to play craps because the math keeps everyone honest. A rule of thumb to live by in any casino game is “the more they pay the less likely you are to win the bet”. Hence, there is no shame and a lot of wisdom in playing a conservative craps strategy. Here is a look at 12 secrets every craps player should learn to improve their game.
1. Why are Casino Dice Special?
Casinos use transparent dice because they hide no flaws. Opaque dice can be manufactured to varying standards and can hide balancing flaws. Unbalanced dice do not roll randomly.
And casinos replace their dice often. Casino dice have machine-tooled straight edges. These edges eventually wear down, accumulating imperfections. Imperfections add bias to rolls.
Casino dice are larger and straighter than board gaming dice because players must throw the dice so far on a craps table. The felt top and lining help the dice bounce more randomly than a smooth table top does.
So while you may be practicing your die throws at home, you’re not going to get the same action as at a casino, especially if you never replace your practice dice.
2. How the 5-Count System Works
Since 1994 craps players have debated whether the Captain’s 5-Count system is legit. This system tells you when to bet on a shooter other than yourself. Here are the 5 counts:
- Any point on the Come Out roll roll.
- Any good roll after the 1st Count roll.
- Any good roll after the 2nd Count roll.
- Any good roll after the 3rd Count roll.
- The first point rolled after the 4th Count roll.
You begin placing low bets on the shooter after he hits his 5th Count roll. If he never gets there then you never bet on that shooter. Never bet big on another shooter.
The 5-Count method reduces the number and size of bets you place on other shooters, thus reducing your overall risk. The downside of using the 5-Count method is that you watch more than play, but betting on a drunk guy to throw dice the way you want is a pretty risky bet.
3. You Can Stop the Game for a Dispute
Sometimes the dice roll funny, or maybe you’re not sure you were paid correctly. Before the dice are thrown again, if you are certain something is wrong, you can stop the game. You can ask the dealers to recount or reconsider or, if you disagree with their decisions, ask to speak to the pit boss. This is an option of last resort when you are sure you are right. Casinos want to keep the table in play and will work to resolve disputes quickly but they’ll also ask troublesome or argumentative players to leave.
Stopping play is a mix of courtesy, privilege, and right. It’s not a gambling strategy, at least not a winning one.
4. The More Bets You Place the Worse Your Chances of Winning
This is true in any table game, but some craps players love to place multiple bets. You’re taking on more risk, not spreading the risk, when you place several bets at the same time.
5. Know the Die Roll Probabilities
In a completely random game the chances of any given number on either die being rolled is 1 in 6. The chance of rolling any combination of numbers on the dice is 1 in 36. This “1 in 36” number can mislead you. There are only 11 possible values (2 through 12) that you can roll.
“7” is the most frequent die roll combination. There are 6 ways to roll a “7”. Some writers say there are three ways to roll a “7”: 1 and 6, 2 and 5, or 3 and 4. However, the math has to account for each die separately; hence, the probability of rolling a “7” in craps is 1 in 6.
In declining order of probability, the possible combinations in craps are:
- 7 (1 in 6)
- 6 or 8 (5 in 36)
- 5 or 9 (4 in 36)
- 4 or 10 (3 in 36)
- 3 or 11 (2 in 36)
- 2 or 12 (1 in 36)
6. The “Pass” Bet is More Likely to Pay on Come Out than the “Don’t Pass” Bet
Both Pass and Don’t Pass pay even money so you can bet either way. Still, when you look at the probability table above, the shooter has 8 chances in 36 of rolling 7 or 11 on the Come Out roll and 3 chances in 36 of rolling a 2 or 3. If you are just hoping to win on the Come Out roll, go with the “Pass” bet.
7. The 6 and 8 Points Pay the Most over Time
The 6:5 odds for the 6 and 8 points are the worst and the 2:1 odds for the 4 and 10 points are the best. But the probabilities are best for the 6 and 8 and worst for the 4 and 10.
The premium on a 6:5 payoff for 6 or 8 is 20% over your bet. The premium on a 3:2 payoff for a 5 or 9 is 50% of your bet. The premium on a 2:1 payoff for a 4 or 10 is 100% of your bet. In a perfect distribution of 36 die rolls your expected total premiums are:
- 5 * 20% = 100% (betting on 6 or 8)
- 4 * 50% = 200% (betting on 5 or 9)
- 3 * 100% = 300% (betting on 4 or 10)
Although the 300% ROI for 4/10 looks great there is a slight edge for 6/8 bettors. Because you are losing all those other bets, you lose the least amount of money with the 6/8 points. Note also that multiplying (bets + premiums) by expected wins across the board results in a 600% return. The distribution with the fewest losses is the way to bet.
8. The More Complicated Your Strategy the More Risk You Take
The more you have to think about where your money goes, the odds and probabilities, and when you can bet, the more likely you will make a mistake. High risk strategies pay off less often than low risk strategies. Most experts agree that the long, slow game works best in craps, especially for non-expert players. Keep your money on the Pass Line until you’re way ahead.
9. Avoid Hedge Bets
Ignore dealer calls for “any craps” bets. Your expected return declines your risk grows when you hedge bets. “Any craps” betting is a bet on a bet. This just adds conditions to your Pass Line bet. The strategic way to gamble is to minimize risk while maximizing potential return on bet. The house will drain your bankroll any way it can and hedge bets are a favored gimmick.
10. Use the Tower of Hanoi Method to Manage Your Betting
The Tower of Hanoi is a math puzzle about moving stacks of disks among three pegs. You can never place a disk on a smaller disk. The Tower of Hanoi rule assumes you are willing to lose everything in your bankroll. To conserve your money and manage risk, begin by making minimum bets. Increase your bets only when your bankroll is above its starting value.
Many craps players only risk 5% of their stakes on any bet. The 5% method works well enough but you’ll eventually run into the table minimum. The Tower of Hanoi method starts with the minimum bet as a floor, not 5%. As long as your bankroll is growing you can increase your bets toward the table maximum.
11. Never Return to Your Starting Stake
Let’s say your betting strategies have paid off enough that you have doubled your money. Once you reach that goal you should set a new floor. Walk away from the table if your stake drops to 150% of your original bankroll. This way you walk away a winner.
But there is another reason to do this. If you play any game too long you become tired, especially if you have been drinking. Your decision-making suffers when you are tired. Take “winner’s breaks” as often as possible so that you can give your brain a chance to rest.
12. The House Edge is not Determined by the Odds
Some gamblers assume the house loses more money on the basis of the odds on a given bet. It doesn’t work that way. The game is designed to pay about the same over time on any basic bet but to dilute your return with extra bets. In other words, the house edge is determined by the math behind the game. The odds are just what they are willing to pay you to maintain that edge over time.
Conclusion
Craps is a fine game for any gambler who enjoys taking risks, but you do need to understand the game. Fortunately, craps is designed for players of all experience levels. You don’t have to play all the different types of bets. And isn’t it interesting that the best strategies favor beginner-level bets anyway?
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Just like other casino games, Craps has plenty of terms, slang and jargon that can be heard at the Craps table or around it. Knowing these terms makes the game a little easier to understand and play. Don’t be afraid to ask a fellow player or one of the casino employees about any slang terms you hear at the craps table.
Aces – Betting that the next roll will be the total sum of 2.
Any Craps – A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, or 12.
Any Seven – A bet that the next roll will be 7.
Arm – Term used to describe a player who is skilled at throwing the dice, sometimes even suggesting that the player can alter the result by the way he throws.
Back Line – same as the Don’t Pass Line.
Betting Right – Pass Line and Come bets.
Betting Wrong – Don’t Pass Line and Don’t Come bets.
Big Eight – Even money bet that an 8 is rolled before a 7.
Big Six – Even money bet that a 6 is rolled before a 7.
Big Red – Betting on any 7 being rolled.
Boxcars – Two 6s.
Boxman – The casino employee who sits behind the table between the two dealers and is in charge of the houses’ chips and overseeing all activity on the table
Buffalo – Betting on all the Hard Ways and Any Seven.
Buy Bets- 5% commission paid to the house so that the correct odds are paid
C &E – One time bet that the next roll will be any craps (2, 3, or 12) or 11.
Capped Dice – non standard, crooked dice which are no longer playable.
Center Bets – Also known as proposition bets, they are placed in the center of the table.
Cold Table – Something every Craps player hates! This table is losing often because shooters are not making points.
Come Bet – wager that the shooter will roll his point
Come Out Roll – The first roll by a shooter, either at the beginning of his turn or after he has made a point.
Craps Out – rolling a craps on the come out roll includes loss of pass line bets
Craps – The name of the game as well as a roll of 2, 3 or 12
Dealer 001f- the two casino employees on the sides of the Boxman who handle placing the bets and payouts
Don’t Come – Betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before he rolls his point.
Don’t Pass Bet – Making a bet against the dice before a Come Out roll.
Don’t Pass Bar – opposite of a Pass Line bet
Double Odds – Doubles the initial Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come, Don’t Come bets.
Easy Way – A dice roll of 4, 6, 8, and 10 with each die having a different number.
Edge – The casino’s advantage over the player.
Even Money – 1:1 payout
Field Bet – A bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12.
Floorman – casino employee who stands behind the craps table, dealers with players and credit
Free Odds Bet – Taken at true odds.
Front Line – Same as the Pass Line.
Craps Odds Rolling 7
Hard Way- Betting on a 4, 6, 8 or 10 when both dice are the same number
Hi-Lo – One roll bet that the next roll will be a 2 or 12
Hope Bet – Single time bet that the dice will land on specific numbers.
Horn Bet – A bet on 2, 3, 11 and 12 with the same amount.
Craps Odds Of Rolling 7
Horn High Bet – bet amount is split into five parts. Two parts on the high number 12 and three units for the other numbers 2, 3 and 11.
Hot Table – The best kind to play on! A Hot Table will have shooters making points and lots of money for other players. You can always spot these tables by the crowds around them and the noise coming from them.
Inside Numbers – 5, 6, 8 and 9. Used mostly when placing bets dice
Line Bet – Bet on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line.
Lay Bet – Betting that a point number will not be rolled before a 7 is thrown
Lay Odds – Additional odds bet against the dice
Layout – painted marks on the felt showing all bets that can be made
Little Joe – A Hard 4 or rolling 2 2s
Loaded dice – dice that are weighted, results in specific rolled numbers
MarkerBuck/Puck- A Plastic disk that the dealers use to mark the point on the Craps table; ‘Off’ or ‘On’.
Midnight – One time roll bet on 12.
Natural – 7 or 11 on the come out roll.
Odds – ratio of an event occurring, generally the amount paid out per winning bet
Off – bets will not be active on the next dice roll.
On – active
Craps Rolling 7
One Roll Bets – betting on a single dice roll
Outside Numbers – 4, 5 9, and 10.
Parlay – Using winnings to increase a bet, usually double (let it ride/ press the bet).
Pass Line (Bet) – Betting the dice will win or pass.
Payoff – winnings on a wager
Pit Boss – Casino employee responsible for all craps tables in one area of casino
Place Bet – betting a point number will be thrown before a 7 comes out.
Place Numbers – 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.
Point – number established on Come Out roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10
Point Number – One of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 determined on the come out roll.
Press (a Bet) – use winnings to double a bet.
Proposition Bets – Prop Bets – single roll bets and the hardway bet.
Rail – The grooved area along the top of the craps table where chips are kept
Right Bettor – A player who bets that the shooter will make the Point.
Roll- single throw of the dice
Rounding – Payout rounding. Rounding up or down the amount.
Seven Out – When a 7 is thrown after a point has been established and before the point number is rolled again thus ending the shooters turn.
Shooter - The player who is currently rolling the dice.
Snake Eyes – When you roll a two in craps. Each die looks like a snake’s eye
Stickman – A casino employee standing opposite the Boxman who calls out the dice rolls and returns the dice to the shooter, also responsible for the placing and paying the proposition bets.
Toke – A tip given to the dealer usually made on a line or prop bet
The Point – The number established on the come-out roll. Only place numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10) can become the point. The shooter attempts to roll the point number again before throwing a 7 in order to win that round of pass line or come betting.
Three-way Craps – A bet made in units of 3 with one unit on 2, one unit on 3, and one unit on 12.
True Odds- odds a particular number will be rolled on any single dice roll
Unit – bet size used as standard of measurement
Vigorish – or Vig. The casino edge or commission taken by the house.
Working – Bets that are active on any given roll
Whirl Bet – Betting on 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12 with the same amount.
Wrong Bettor – A player betting the dice will not pass. A player who bets the shooter will not make the point and instead he will Seven-Out.
Yo – The number 11. Also called Yo-leven