Walking up to a craps table can feel like stepping into a whirlwind of shouting, cheers, and flying dice. It's exhilarating, no doubt, but without a plan, it can also quickly lighten your wallet. For beginners and even those who've tossed a few times, understanding a solid strategy isn't about guaranteeing wins – it's about making the smartest bets, extending your playtime, and boosting your chances against the house.

Understanding the Foundation: Pass Line and Don't Pass

Before anything else, you need to grasp the core bets: the Pass Line and the Don't Pass Line. Most players gravitate towards the Pass Line, betting with the shooter. If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, you win. If it's a 2, 3, or 12 (craps), you lose. Any other number becomes the "Point." To win, the shooter must roll the Point again before a 7.

The Don't Pass Line is the opposite. You win on a 2 or 3, lose on a 7 or 11. A 12 is usually a push (or bar). If a Point is established, you want the shooter to roll a 7 before the Point. While seemingly simple, this initial choice sets the stage for everything else.

The King of Bets: Taking and Laying Odds

Here's where smart craps players really shine. Once a Point is established on a Pass Line bet, you can "Take Odds." This supplemental bet has zero house edge. That's right, none! It pays true odds. Similarly, if you're on the Don't Pass, you can "Lay Odds," also a zero house edge bet.

Think of it this way:

• Pass Line + Taking Odds: Bet on the shooter to make the Point, then back that up with a bet that pays correctly based on the probability of hitting the Point.
• Don't Pass + Laying Odds: Bet against the shooter, then back that up with a bet that pays correctly based on the probability of hitting a 7.

Always take or lay the maximum odds allowed by the table. This is the single best decision you can make at the craps table to reduce the overall house edge significantly.

Expanding Your Arsenal: Come and Don't Come Bets

Once you're comfortable with Pass/Don't Pass and their respective odds, you can add Come and Don't Come bets. These function exactly like Pass/Don't Pass bets, but they can be made after a Point has already been established for the Pass Line bet.

• A Come bet acts like a new Pass Line bet for the next roll, creating its own "mini-Point" if the roll isn't a 7, 11, 2, 3, or 12.
• A Don't Come bet is the inverse, acting like a new Don't Pass bet.

Crucially, just like with Pass/Don't Pass, you can (and should) take odds on your Come bets and lay odds on your Don't Come bets once a new point is established for them. This allows you to have multiple points working for you or against the shooter, all backed by those glorious zero-house-edge odds bets.

Bets to Steer Clear Of

While craps offers a huge variety of bets, many are simply traps for the unwary. Bets like the "Hardways" (e.g., a hard 4, meaning two 2s), "Any Craps," "Seven," or "Horn" bets have a significantly higher house edge, sometimes reaching over 10%. They might offer bigger payouts, but the odds are stacked heavily against you. Stick to the foundational bets – Pass/Don't Pass, Come/Don't Come – and always back them up with full odds. That's where the real value lies.

Craps is a fantastic game, but the excitement can sometimes overshadow the smart choices. By focusing on the fundamental bets and maximizing your odds, you'll be playing a much sharper game. Understand these core strategies, manage your bankroll wisely, and you'll find the game far more rewarding and enjoyable.