Zane | February 22, 2023 | Updated on: February 18th, 2025
Online Craps is a fun and exciting casino game. To win more, you need a good craps strategy. While luck is important, smart betting and managing your money can help lower losses and boost your success at the table.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✔ The best craps strategies for beginners and advanced players.
✔ Which bets offer the best odds and lowest house edge.
✔ How to manage your bankroll effectively.
Whether you’re playing at online casinos or in a land-based casino, these advanced craps strategies will help you play smarter and win more.
Why Use a Craps Strategy?
Unlike games like roulette or slots, craps allows players to make strategic decisions that impact their chances of winning. The right craps strategy helps you:
✅ Make smart bets with the lowest house edge.
✅ Manage your bankroll for long-term play.
✅ Avoid common mistakes that cost players money.
👉 Need a refresher on the basics? Read Craps Tips.
Best Bets for a Winning Craps Strategy
Not all craps bets are created equal. Some have low house edges and are strategically sound, while others are designed to drain your bankroll.
The Best Bets in Craps (Lowest House Edge)
| Bet Type | House Edge | Why It’s Good |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line Bet | 1.41% | The best beginner bet; wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12. |
| Don’t Pass Bet | 1.36% | Opposite of Pass Line; wins on 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11. |
| Come Bet | 1.41% | Similar to Pass Line but placed after the point is set. |
| Don’t Come Bet | 1.36% | Like Don’t Pass but placed after the point is set. |
| Taking Odds Bet | 0.0% | No house edge! Pays true odds on Pass/Don’t Pass bets. |
💡 Pro Tip: Always take full odds when placing an Odds Bet—it has no house edge, making it the best bet in craps!
👉 Learn more about craps odds in Odds of Craps.
Bets to Avoid in Craps (High House Edge)
Some craps bets have extremely high house edges, making them a bad choice for players who want to win consistently.
Worst Bets in Craps (High House Edge)
| Bet Type | House Edge | Why to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Big 6 & Big 8 | 9.09% | Worse payout than a standard Place Bet. |
| Hard 4 & Hard 10 | 11.11% | Hard to win, poor payout. |
| Any 7 | 16.67% | Worst bet in craps—avoid it completely! |
| Horn Bet | 12.50% | High-risk bet with poor returns. |
💡 Pro Tip: Stick to Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Odds Bets for the best long-term results.
Best Craps Strategies for Beginners
If you’re new to craps, these beginner-friendly strategies will help you maximize your bankroll and stay in the game longer.
1. The Simple Pass Line Strategy
✅ Place a Pass Line bet before the come-out roll.
✅ If a point is set, take full Odds Bets behind it.
✅ If you have extra bankroll, place a Come Bet and add odds.
💡 Why It Works: The Pass Line bet has a low house edge, and Odds Bets have no house edge at all!
Advanced Craps Strategies for Bigger Wins
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, try these advanced craps strategies for even better results.
1. The 3-Point Molly Strategy (Low Risk, High Reward)
✅ Start with a Pass Line bet.
✅ Add Odds Bets behind the Pass Line.
✅ Place two Come Bets, each with odds.
💡 Why It Works: This strategy spreads your bets across multiple numbers while keeping the house edge low.
2. The Iron Cross Strategy (More Frequent Wins)
✅ Place a Field Bet and Place Bets on 5, 6, and 8.
✅ This covers every roll except 7.
💡 Why It Works: You win on every roll except 7, but the payouts are smaller.
⚠ Risk: The strategy loses if a 7 is rolled before you collect enough wins.
3. The Don’t Pass & Don’t Come Strategy (Playing Against the Shooter)
✅ Place a Don’t Pass Bet (opposite of Pass Line).
✅ Once the point is set, place a Don’t Come Bet.
💡 Why It Works: The house edge is slightly lower (1.36%), but many players dislike betting against the table.
Craps Bankroll Management Tips
Even with the best craps strategies, poor bankroll management can cause you to lose money quickly.
How to Manage Your Bankroll in Craps
✔ Set a budget before you play – Only gamble what you can afford to lose.
✔ Use the 5% Rule – Never bet more than 5% of your total bankroll on one roll.
✔ Take advantage of table minimums – Start small and increase bets when ahead.
✔ Walk away when ahead – Set a win goal (e.g., double your bankroll) and quit when you reach it.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re on a losing streak, take a break instead of increasing bets.
Common Craps Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Placing high house-edge bets – Avoid Big 6, Big 8, and Any 7 bets.
🚫 Ignoring the Odds Bet – Always take full odds when possible.
🚫 Betting too aggressively – Don’t go all-in on one roll.
🚫 Chasing losses – Stick to your bankroll limit.
💡 Pro Tip: Smart players focus on low house-edge bets and bankroll discipline.
Conclusion & Next Steps
By following these craps strategies, you’ll have a much better chance of winning more and losing less at the tables.
✔ Stick to low house-edge bets (Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Odds).
✔ Manage your bankroll wisely and avoid risky bets.
✔ Use strategies like the 3-Point Molly for better results.
Want to Learn More? Check Out These Guides:
👉 Craps Tips – Essential advice to improve your game.
👉 Odds of Craps – Learn which bets have the best payouts.
Start applying these winning craps strategies today and take your game to the next level!
FAQs About Craps Strategy
1. What is the best craps strategy for beginners?
The Pass Line + Odds Bet strategy is the best for beginners.
2. What is the safest bet in craps?
The Odds Bet is the best bet because it has zero house edge.
3. Can I use a betting system in craps?
Yes, systems like the 3-Point Molly and Iron Cross can help manage risk.
4. Should I bet on Don’t Pass?
It has a slightly lower house edge (1.36%) but is unpopular with other players.
Final Thoughts
Using the right craps strategy can help you win more and lose less. Stick to smart betting, bankroll management, and proven strategies to maximize your success.
📢 Next Step: Learn Craps Tips or Odds of Craps to refine your game!