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Basic Bets

Basic Bets

I highly recommend downloading this free casino simulation game from Sunset Casino. The suite has a craps game that is completely realistic and allows you to play for fun offline, testing various betting approaches. All the betting situations discussed herein can be simulated on the Sunset Casino download.

The unique thing about craps is that it allows the player to bet "with" the dice, as "right" (pass line/come line) bettors, or "against" the dice as wrong (don't pass/don't come) bettors. Most beginners start out as "right" bettors or "pass line" players. They bet "with" the dice or "with" the shooter. There are two reasons for this. First, most of the action is on the right (pass line) side of the dice and people tend to go along with the crowd. Second, betting the pass line is simple to understand and easy to execute.

The "pass line" bet comes into play only on the "come out" roll. This is the first roll a shooter takes and the purpose is to establish a "point" number or an immediate outcome. A player must have a bet on the pass line or the don't pass line to participate as a shooter. It is not necessary to roll the dice and a player can decline to roll (pass the dice) when the dice are passed to him.

The "pass line" bet is made by placing the appropriate amount of chips directly in front of the player before the "come out" roll. You will be able to recognize the "come out" roll in several ways. The "come out" roll is made immediately after a "seven out" roll, after a "point" is made, or after a previous "come out" roll resulted in a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12. Beginners don't have to worry about following the play that closely, just look at the black and white "puck" each dealer manipulates on either side of the layout. When the black side is up, the come out roll is next. In addition the stickman will verbally call the come out roll, usually by saying "dice are moving, coming out" as he passes the dice to the shooter.

Now it is the shooter's turn. The shooter must always leave the dice in plain view of the casino employees. He must hit the back (far) wall with the dice to achieve a legitimate roll. If the dice roll off the table, or do not reach the far wall, the stickman will call "no roll".

A 7 or 11 on the come out roll instantly rewards pass line bettors with an even money payoff. A 2, 3, or 12 (craps) is a loss for the pass line bettor. Any other outcome (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the "point". If the shooter repeats the point number before he rolls a 7, the pass line bettors win their original bet with an even money payoff. If the shooter rolls a 7 before the point number, the pass line bettors lose their original bet. After a point is established, no roll except a 7 (loss) or the "point" number itself (win) affects the original pass line bet. The pass line bet is a "contract" bet and cannot be "taken down" by the player before it is resolved.

Once a point is established the pass line bettors are allowed to increase their bet on the "point" number. This is known as a "free odds" or simply an "odds" bet. The amount allowed varies among casinos as a free odds bet lessens the casino's advantage. The amount allowed can range from 1X the original amount bet on the pass line to 10X the original amount. The "free odds" bets pay off according to the point number as follows:

Free Odds Payoffs
4 and 10 - payoff : 2 to 1
5 and 9 - payoff : 3 to 2
6 and 8 - payoff : 6 to 5

After the come out roll, the right bettors can put money in the "come" box and the bets work exactly the same way. 7 or 11 are instant winners. 2, 3, or 12 are losers. Any other number becomes the "point" for that particular come bet and the bettor can place free odds bets behind his original come bet with the same payoffs as the pass line free odd bets.

Another popular bet the beginner should be aware of is the place bet. This is a bet on the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 being rolled before a 7. This bet can be made at any time but is customarily "off" or "not working" on the come out roll unless the bettor specifies otherwise by informing the dealer that he wants his bets "working". Place bets pay off according to the following table:

Place Bet Payoffs
4 and 10 - payoff : 9 to 5
5 and 9 - payoff : 7 to 5
6 and 8 - payoff : 7 to 6

Because of the payoffs above, place bets are made in multiples of $5 except for the 6 and 8 when the correct multiple is $6. If you downloaded the Sunset Casino download software, you can start practicing the most common craps bet to see how they work. Open the Sunset Casino and click over to craps. A "unit" in this discussion is a betting unit. It could be $2, $5, $10 or virtually any other like amount. For the purposes of this discussion use $5 units to simulate your real world betting. Try these betting strategies:

Basic Pass Line:

Put 1 unit on the pass line on the come out roll.

This is the most common "right" bet. You win if the 7 or 11 is rolled, lose on a 2, 3, or 12. Player also wins if the "point" is subsequently rolled before a 7.

Basic Pass Line-No Lose Variation:

I like beginners to use this strategy to get used to the game because it seems, to them, like a "no lose" proposition. Put 1 ($5) unit on the pass line on the come out roll and, at the same time, put a dollar on the "any craps".

This strategy eliminates a loss higher than $1 on the come out roll. A 7 or 11 wins $5 and loses $1 for a net win of $4. A craps roll (2, 3, 12) wins $7 and loses the $5 pass line bet for a net win of $2. Any other number gets you a "point" and loses the $1 "any craps" bet. The most you can lose on the come out roll is $1, and you still get a chance to recoup if the point is made. Unfortunately, over time, the player loses overall because the odds on the "any craps" are killing him. But, for the beginner, it is a real painless way to learn how to play craps. If the table is "hot" however, the player will come out ahead.

Pass Line With Single Odds:

Utilize the Basic Pass Line (or No Lose Variation) and place single odds behind your bet once the point is made.

This is a somewhat more aggressive approach, it cuts the casino's edge.

Basic Pass Line With 2X to 10X Odds:

Utilize the Basic Pass Line and increase the odds on the point by 2X to 10X, depending on how aggressive you want to be and the limits imposed by the casino.

A very aggressive pass line strategy. Win big, lose big. Please note, Sunset Casino limits free odds to 3X the original bet. Real casinos likewise place limits on these bets.

Basic Pass Line With Come Bets:

After the pass line point is established, with or without odds, put a unit on the come on the next or even subsequent rolls. Place odds (or not) on these point numbers. Do not establish more than 3 points, including the pass line point. Note that you can use the No Lose Variation to hedge your come line bets just like your pass line bets.

This gives the player two or three points in play, and is a favorite strategy of many right bettors. It also establishes a small hedge against the 7 when the come is in play.

Place 6 and 8:

This is another basic bet and you will see a lot of players riding it. This bet is made, generally, after the come out roll, by placing multiples of $12 on the layout and instructing the dealer thus: "six and eight". If the 6 or 8 are rolled before a 7, you win $7 for every $6 you "placed".

This is a basic "right" bettor play. If the dice are hot, and the 6 and 8 are hitting, you can make money. If the dice are cold, you lose.

Basic Pass Line With Odds and Place 6 and 8:

Use the basic pass line with odds. After the come out roll, place the 6 and 8 unless one of them is the point number. In that case, place the 5.

The object is to have three numbers covered. The point and two other high percentage numbers. This is another betting strategy that works well with hot dice.

There are literally hundreds of other bets and variations to betting strategies. They will be covered in future ebooks. For the rank beginner, these are enough to get started.