Craps

[gaming_mouse]

[ QUOTE ]
A behind the line bet will pay the true odds, which, as you say, are 3:36. For ever 3 bet, you win 36.

You point bet, however, will be getting slightly less than that. I don't remember offhand what it is, but it will be something like 3:35 or 3:33.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wooops. These numbers are off -- sorry if I confused you. The concept is correct though.

The reason the numbers are off is that the bet is not hitting your point on a single roll, but hitting your point before a 7.

gm

[DrPublo]

This is a common fallacy. People think that if betting with the shooter is -EV, then betting with the house must be +EV. The problem is that the house takes away 12 from you on the dont pass, so they both wind up being -EV. Although I think the don't pass is slightly better for you.

The reason most people don't play the don't pass is because instead of taking odds, you have to lay odds. Example, you bet $10 on the don't pass. The shooter makes a 10. Now you have to bet $20 to win $10, instead of the other way around (as it would be on the pass line). This is an unattractive option to most players even though its still a true odds bet.

Also some players get annoyed at the one guy who's betting against the shooter, while the whole table is betting with the shooter. Karma or something. While this is mathematically meaningless, if you're looking to have a good time you might not want to be the singled out guy on the table.

The Doc

[Abagadro]

Playing "wrong" as its known (nothing wrong with it, it is just nomenclature for playing against the shooter) with max odds on your don't pass and don't come bets will give you a tiny advantage over doing the pass and come, but it is miniscule and it is a bummer being on a hot table watching everyone win while you lose. If the don't is hot, the table usually is somber or breaks up as everyone else is losing. Also, because you are laying odds you put more money out there on the table and if you run into a hot shooter you can get wiped out unless your bankroll is huge (i.e. high risk of ruin).

[Ritter]

[ QUOTE ]
Being new to craps, I am looking for the best strategy. Are the odds always against me? Which bets give me the best "odds"?

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Yes, whether you bet the pass or don't pass ("right" or "wrong") the odds will always be against you and the house will always win in the long run. That said, if you play a good strategy, craps offers one of the lowest house edges available in the casino and can be a lot of fun to play in the right crowd. Just don't delude yourself into thinking you can beat the game in the long term - you can't.

As for the best strategy, it's pretty simple.

Make a pass line bet.

Once a point is established, take either the maximum odds the house will allow, or the highest odds your bankroll will permit (this is the bet placed behind the pass line bet, which the house pays "true" odds on).

Simultaneously with placing your odds bet behind the pass line bet, make a come bet equal to your pass line bet.

Take max odds on your come bet once another number hits.

Make another come bet with max odds so that you have three numbers working with max odds and stop betting until something hits.

When you hit one of your numbers, replace the bet with another come bet or pass line bet as appropriate.

Playing this way will reduce the house edge to somewhere between 1 or 2% depending on how much odds you're placing (greater the odds bet in relation to the line bet, less of a house edge).

If you can afford to play 100x odds, I think this reduces the house edge to less than 1%, but it's still enough to break you if you play long enough.

You can play in a similar fashion on the don't pass with a similar edge, but as previously mentioned, it's not as fun and people will hate you.

All other bets on the table suck - don't make them unless you just want to "gamboooool" and have fun.

Go for a short-term win. Walk away when you're up or be prepared to give it all back.

Just remember there's no professional craps players - anybody who tells you so is lying or has an illegal angle.

The first time I played craps, I ran $500 up to 14k. The next year was a little fuzzy, but I know what I'm talking about - the house always win.

That said, have fun with your entertainment money.

Peace,

Ritter

[dantheman_05]

thxs for the input, it is really helpfull. what about betting teh big 6 &8?

[tylerdurden]

Stay away from ALL of the other bets. Big 6 and Big 8 are really bad (~9% house edge), though not the worst bets on the table.

http://wizardofodds.com/games/craps/

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