Craps strategy...know your bets?

The key to playing smart Craps is knowing which bets return well, and which bets don't.  A simple and sound craps strategy is set out below.

1 Pick a simple bet that you are familiar with, and

2 Make sure that the simple bet that you choose is one with a low house edge!!!

Part 2 sounds obvious, but it is critical.  Craps is a game that is savage on ignorant players.  Some bets offer great player returns, others offer terrible returns.  A place bet on 6, for example has a house edge of just over 1%.  A bet on 'Big 6' has a house edge of over 9%.  In both cases you are betting that 6 is rolled before the 7.

So here are the smart bets to start with, all with a house edge of around 1.5% which is pretty good value:

- pass line
- don't pass
- come
- don't come
- place bets on 6 or 8 only, other place bets have higher house edge

Once you're familiar with pass line bets, try moving on to odds bets - this is where the really skinny house edges can be found - around 0.5% depending on just high high a multiple of your pass line bet the casino will let you lay or take the odds.  

And remember, always stay away from the 'big 6' and 'big 8', proposition bets or place bets on numbers other than 6 or 8 - this is where the casino really robs the player.

Good luck!