QUESTION: I'm a new craps player, and I've been trying to figure something out that doesn't make sense to me. The house edge on pass is listed at 1.41 percent, and the house edge on placing 6 or 8 is 1.52 percent. I don't get how pass can have the lower house edge when sometimes the point number is going to be 4, 5, 9 or 10. House Edge for all the Major Craps Bet on Both a Per Bet Made and Per Roll Basis Introduction. One argument that comes up a lot is how to quantify the house edge in craps. Normally the house edge is defined as the ratio of expected loss to the initial bet.
Thanks to it energetic crowds and exciting gameplay, craps is one of the most entertaining games in the casino. It also offers you some of the best odds.
You can look forward to as little as a 1.36% house edge with certain bets. Therefore, craps should give you a great chance of winning, right?
Actually, many players surrender a much bigger edge to the casino. The numbers from Vegas reveal that gamblers are surrendering 16% the house, or $16 out of every $100 wagered.
How is it possible for a game that features such great odds to give so much money to the house? I'll answer this question by covering optimal craps strategy along with why many players fail to make good decisions and suffer huge losses as a result.
What Do Smart Craps Players Do?
Unlike with blackjack or Texas Holdem, craps strategy isn't that complicated. You simply need to make the right bets to minimize the casino house edge.
However, many players are clueless on exactly which bets they need to make. Here are the four common wagers to concentrate on when playing craps:
- Past line = 1.41% house edge
- Don't pass line = 1.36%
- Come = 1.41%
- Don't come = 1.36%
These bets already look favorable enough in comparison to other propositions throughout the casino. But you can improve your odds even further through 'odds.'
Here's an example on how this works:
- You bet $5 on pass line.
- The shooter rolls 5, which establishes a point number of 5.
- You put 2x odds behind your original bet.
- $5 (pass line) + $10 (odds) = $15 total bet
- You need a 5 to be rolled before a 7 to win.
- The odds of this happening are 3:2.
- Your payout will also be 3:2.
The odds of winning vary based on the specific point number. But given that these bets pay at true odds, you're always facing a 0% house edge no matter what.
You can also place odds bets that are worth a larger multiple of your original wager. You're only limited by where each casino caps the odds at.
Here's how much the house advantage is lowered varies based on the size of your odds:
- 1x odds = 0.848% house edge on pass line; 0.682% house edge on don't pass line
- 2x odds = 0.606% on pass line; 0.455% on don't pass line
- 3x odds = 0.572% on pass line; 0.431% on don't pass line
- 3x-4x-5x odds = 0.374% on pass line; 0.273% on don't pass line
- 5x odds = 0.326% on pass line; 0.227% on don't pass line
- 10x odds = 0.184% on pass line; 0.124% on don't pass line
- 20x odds = 0.99% on pass line; 0.065% on don't pass line
Of course, you don't need to take the biggest odds available in the casino. But you can see how doing so pays off.
You can also see that basic strategy for playing real money craps isn't so difficult to learn either. You simply make the right bets and hope for a tiny bit of luck.
Numbers Show That Vegas Craps Players Aren't Too Smart
Las Vegas wasn't built on wise gamblers who use expert strategy. Instead, it attracts many players who know little to no strategy.
Statistics from the UNLV Center for Gaming Research back up this claim. According to their numbers, Vegas' craps win percentages over the past few years are as follows:
- 2019 = 16.03% win rate
- 2018 = 14.86%
- 2017 = 15.30%
- 2016 = 14.80%
- 2015 = 13.94%
If everybody knew to make pass line and don't pass line bets, then there's no way that Vegas would win this much money. This would be even more true if everybody backed pass line and don't pass line wagers with odds.
However, the statistics clearly show that this isn't the case. The average craps player loses big to Sin City.
They're obviously not making the best available wagers. Instead, these gamblers are indulging in some or all of the following prop bets:
- Yo (11) = 11.11%
- 3 = 11.11%
- 2 or 12 (Hi-Lo) = 11.11%
- Craps (2, 3, or 12) = 11.11%
- Hard 4 / Hard 10 = 11.11%
- Horn = 12.5%
- Whirl = 13.33%
- 2 = 13.89%
- 12 = 13.89%
- Any 7 = 16.67%
These wagers represent the worst of the worst. For some reason, though, gamblers are still making these bets and losing serious money while doing so.
The Allure of Placing Dumb Bets
Casinos do a good job of dressing up unfavorable craps bets. They offer big payouts on some wagers, including 11 (15:1 payout) and 2 or 12 (30:1).
You need only study strategy for a short while to realize that these propositions are absolutely terrible. Again, though, the large payouts are what make these bets enticing.
Of course, if every gambler knew the poor odds and house edges behind such wagers, they might not be so quick to make them. But the average player doesn't know, which is why they keep making mistakes when playing craps.
The desire for more action also leads players to try a variety of wagers. Gamblers tire of placing pass line, come, don't pass line, and don't come bets in each round. So, they start making extra prop bets to get more entertainment from a session.
The whole point of craps is to have fun. Therefore, I can't blame people for making prop wagers.
However, you can have fun and still enjoy decent odds of winning. Here are some propositions that aren't so hard on your bankroll:
- Place 6 / Place 8 = 1.52% house edge
- Lay 4 / Lay 10 = 2.44%
- Lay 5 / Lay 9 = 3.23%
- Place 5 / Place 9 = 4.0%
- Lay 6 / Lay 8 = 4.0%
- Buy 4 / Buy 10 = 4.76%
- Buy 5 / Buy 9 = 4.76%
- Buy 6 / Buy 8 = 4.76%
Craps Tips to Win More Often
You can see that the average craps player definitely doesn't know the correct path towards more winnings. You can differ from the pack and win more often by following the tips presented below.
Keep It Simple
You don't need to have worldly knowledge of craps to win more money. All you must know is the best bets and how to back them with odds.
Everything starts with placing a pass line or don't pass line wager on the come-out roll. From here, you wait and see if a point number is established, then back your original bet with odds (covered next).
As discussed before, craps does offer a few reasonable prop bets. But you're better off when sticking with pass line and don't pass line in the long run.
Back Your Bets With Odds
The next step to good gambling strategy involves backing your original wager with odds. To do this, you wait until a point number has been established on the come-out roll.
Afterward, you put chips behind your initial wager, thus indicating you'd like to take odds. When playing at land-based casinos, you should let the dealer know that you're backing your bet with odds. This way, there won't be any confusion and you'll be paid the relevant amount on wins.
Your stand to benefit more by betting higher odds. For example, 5x odds lowers the house edge more than 3x.
Of course, you don't want to get carried away with these bets either. After all, you need a lot more money to bet 5x odds or higher.
Capitalize on VIP Rewards and Bonuses
Many land-based and online casinos offer VIP rewards to craps players. You simply need to be a member of a loyalty program to take advantage of these programs.
Online casinos automatically enroll you in the loyalty plan when you sign up and make a deposit. Gaming sites also offer special deposit bonuses.
A deposit bonus works by matching a percentage of the money you deposit up to a certain amount (e.g. 200% up to $600). You then meet terms and conditions before cashing the funds out.
Conclusion
Casinos wouldn't make much money off craps if they only offered solid bets. So, they throw in attractive prop wagers to boost their bottom line.
Prop bets are enticing from the perspective that they offer larger payouts than just even money. They also provide a refreshing break from the typical drill of don't pass line/pass line backed with odds.
However, they also feature worse house advantages. Some of these wagers carry between a 13.33% and 16.67% house edge.
Luckily, nobody's forcing you to make these bets. You can boost your chances of winning just by sticking with basic strategy. Assuming you ever get bored of the same wagers, you can switch things up with reasonable 'place' and 'lay' bets.
In my video Bellagio Craps, Part 3 of 3, I comment on the All, Tall, and Small bet. This is a breakdown of the ‘All, Tall, and Small' bet.
THE PARLANCE
This bet is commonly written as the ‘ATS' bet. First, understand that most gambling writers refer to the All, Tall, Small bet as the ‘ATS' bet, when mentioned in written form (because it's easier to write ‘ATS). If you go into a casino, no one calls it the ‘ATS' bet. I was in Las Vegas this past weekend, and just being the curious cat that I am, I experimented by throwing out three red chips and said ‘A-T-S' (as in the letters, said phonetically; I didn't say the word ‘at' with an ‘s' at the end). Many dealers and boxmen – when there was a boxman – did know what I was betting. Some did, some didn't.
Contacting San Manuel Casino. We're here to help and answer any question you may have with team members available 24/7. Please call us for immediate assistance at 800.359.2464 or contact us online by completing the form below. We look forward to hearing from you. San manuel casino buffet phone number.
In a casino, the bet is known as the ‘features' bet, or just, ‘All, Tall, Small'. If you watch the video above, it's mostly called the ‘features'.
Craps 6 And 8 House Edger
If you're confused, watch my videos and then come back and read the explanation above. Nothing is better for learning than witnessing the actual event.
One more thing. On the layout, the ‘All' part of the bet is actually written as ‘Make 'em All', however, no one refers to the All bet as the ‘Make ‘Em All'.
That's the parlance of the ATS bet, which ironically, in an actual casino is not called the ‘ATS' bet.
So that I don't have to constantly write out ‘All, Tall, Small', I am going to refer to it as the ‘ATS'.
THE MECHANICS OF THE BET AND HOW TO BET IT
On a pair of dice, the only numbers that can be rolled from lowest to highest, are 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, and 12. The most likely number to roll is the 7, which will roll once in six times. All other numbers have mirror counterparts, as far as their likelihood to roll. The 6 and 8 both have five ways to each roll. The 5 and 9 each have four ways to roll. The 4 and 10 each have 3 ways to roll. The 3 and 11 each have 2 ways to roll. The 2 and 12 each only have one way to roll.
So of the mirrored counterparts, the lower numbers are considered the Small, while the higher numbers are considered the Tall.
The ATS bet is actually three separate bets. It's not one big bet. Most players bet all three because they fear missing out, but if you want, you can bet any combination of the ‘All', the ‘Small', or the ‘Tall'.
Craps 6 And 8 House Edgewood
The player decides to make an ATS bet. He should then toss in, to either the dealer, the stick or the box (but usually to the dealer) the amount that he wants to bet. The player is not required to make all three bets, although, as stated, the vast majority of players make all three bets. The player then clarifies to the dealer how he wants to split up his bet.
Another way of betting the ATS is throwing in a bet and saying three numbers that add up to the amount thrown in. For example, if you throw in $15 when the bet can be bet (more on that later), and you say ‘five, five, five', the dealers will know that you are betting $5 on the Small, $5 on the All, and $5 on the Tall. Or throw in $20 and say ‘five, ten, five'. The middle number is always the ‘All'.
Craps 6 And 8 House Edgewater
As the shooter rolls the numbers, you will see one of the employees covering the number that had just rolled. If the same number rolls again, the repeating number is not relevant. There is no penalty or bonus for rolling a number multiple times. The shooter only needs to roll the number at least once in order to progress the bet towards the win condition.
WHEN YOU CAN BET IT
The ATS bet is always available after a 7 has rolled. Always. (SPOILER WARNING!!!!) Notice in the video above at the 1:54 mark, the shooter rolls a 7 out. At the 2:00 mark, the stickman then leans over and moves the discs off the numbers. He is resetting the ATS bet. Now it can be bet because no numbers are covered.
The reason is that a 7 rolled will cause the bet to lose, thus wiping out the board and starting a new ATS series. Unlike the older FireBet, where the bet could only be made when a new shooter started, the ATS can be made several times with the same shooter, or it can be made in the middle of a shooter's roll.
Unlike some bets, where the bet is not live on the come out roll, the ATS bet is always live. At the 2:00 mark, you hear the player say, ‘I go back up'. He's saying that because the 7 winner (on the come out) caused his ATS to lose. The ATS bet is always live, even on the come out roll.
Depending on the casino, the ATS bet can also be made if no one has bet the ATS on any one of the bets, even if numbers have been rolled. For example, let's say shooter rolls a 2,3,4, requiring the dealer to cover the 2,3 and 4, but no one has made any bets on the ATS. In that case, the house will reset the discs and allow you to bet the ATS because there is no action and no one is affected by your new bet. Some casinos want you to wait until the 7 naturally resets the ATS board, so this rule varies from casino to casino.
If in doubt, just look at the board. If there are no numbers covered by the disc, you can bet it. Alternatively, if there are no bets made on the ATS, then you can probably bet it. Just ask the casino because they may have different procedures in the second scenario.
THE WIN/LOSS CONDITIONS (HOW TO WIN)
- Yo (11) = 11.11%
- 3 = 11.11%
- 2 or 12 (Hi-Lo) = 11.11%
- Craps (2, 3, or 12) = 11.11%
- Hard 4 / Hard 10 = 11.11%
- Horn = 12.5%
- Whirl = 13.33%
- 2 = 13.89%
- 12 = 13.89%
- Any 7 = 16.67%
These wagers represent the worst of the worst. For some reason, though, gamblers are still making these bets and losing serious money while doing so.
The Allure of Placing Dumb Bets
Casinos do a good job of dressing up unfavorable craps bets. They offer big payouts on some wagers, including 11 (15:1 payout) and 2 or 12 (30:1).
You need only study strategy for a short while to realize that these propositions are absolutely terrible. Again, though, the large payouts are what make these bets enticing.
Of course, if every gambler knew the poor odds and house edges behind such wagers, they might not be so quick to make them. But the average player doesn't know, which is why they keep making mistakes when playing craps.
The desire for more action also leads players to try a variety of wagers. Gamblers tire of placing pass line, come, don't pass line, and don't come bets in each round. So, they start making extra prop bets to get more entertainment from a session.
The whole point of craps is to have fun. Therefore, I can't blame people for making prop wagers.
However, you can have fun and still enjoy decent odds of winning. Here are some propositions that aren't so hard on your bankroll:
- Place 6 / Place 8 = 1.52% house edge
- Lay 4 / Lay 10 = 2.44%
- Lay 5 / Lay 9 = 3.23%
- Place 5 / Place 9 = 4.0%
- Lay 6 / Lay 8 = 4.0%
- Buy 4 / Buy 10 = 4.76%
- Buy 5 / Buy 9 = 4.76%
- Buy 6 / Buy 8 = 4.76%
Craps Tips to Win More Often
You can see that the average craps player definitely doesn't know the correct path towards more winnings. You can differ from the pack and win more often by following the tips presented below.
Keep It Simple
You don't need to have worldly knowledge of craps to win more money. All you must know is the best bets and how to back them with odds.
Everything starts with placing a pass line or don't pass line wager on the come-out roll. From here, you wait and see if a point number is established, then back your original bet with odds (covered next).
As discussed before, craps does offer a few reasonable prop bets. But you're better off when sticking with pass line and don't pass line in the long run.
Back Your Bets With Odds
The next step to good gambling strategy involves backing your original wager with odds. To do this, you wait until a point number has been established on the come-out roll.
Afterward, you put chips behind your initial wager, thus indicating you'd like to take odds. When playing at land-based casinos, you should let the dealer know that you're backing your bet with odds. This way, there won't be any confusion and you'll be paid the relevant amount on wins.
Your stand to benefit more by betting higher odds. For example, 5x odds lowers the house edge more than 3x.
Of course, you don't want to get carried away with these bets either. After all, you need a lot more money to bet 5x odds or higher.
Capitalize on VIP Rewards and Bonuses
Many land-based and online casinos offer VIP rewards to craps players. You simply need to be a member of a loyalty program to take advantage of these programs.
Online casinos automatically enroll you in the loyalty plan when you sign up and make a deposit. Gaming sites also offer special deposit bonuses.
A deposit bonus works by matching a percentage of the money you deposit up to a certain amount (e.g. 200% up to $600). You then meet terms and conditions before cashing the funds out.
Conclusion
Casinos wouldn't make much money off craps if they only offered solid bets. So, they throw in attractive prop wagers to boost their bottom line.
Prop bets are enticing from the perspective that they offer larger payouts than just even money. They also provide a refreshing break from the typical drill of don't pass line/pass line backed with odds.
However, they also feature worse house advantages. Some of these wagers carry between a 13.33% and 16.67% house edge.
Luckily, nobody's forcing you to make these bets. You can boost your chances of winning just by sticking with basic strategy. Assuming you ever get bored of the same wagers, you can switch things up with reasonable 'place' and 'lay' bets.
In my video Bellagio Craps, Part 3 of 3, I comment on the All, Tall, and Small bet. This is a breakdown of the ‘All, Tall, and Small' bet.
THE PARLANCE
This bet is commonly written as the ‘ATS' bet. First, understand that most gambling writers refer to the All, Tall, Small bet as the ‘ATS' bet, when mentioned in written form (because it's easier to write ‘ATS). If you go into a casino, no one calls it the ‘ATS' bet. I was in Las Vegas this past weekend, and just being the curious cat that I am, I experimented by throwing out three red chips and said ‘A-T-S' (as in the letters, said phonetically; I didn't say the word ‘at' with an ‘s' at the end). Many dealers and boxmen – when there was a boxman – did know what I was betting. Some did, some didn't.
Contacting San Manuel Casino. We're here to help and answer any question you may have with team members available 24/7. Please call us for immediate assistance at 800.359.2464 or contact us online by completing the form below. We look forward to hearing from you. San manuel casino buffet phone number.
In a casino, the bet is known as the ‘features' bet, or just, ‘All, Tall, Small'. If you watch the video above, it's mostly called the ‘features'.
Craps 6 And 8 House Edger
If you're confused, watch my videos and then come back and read the explanation above. Nothing is better for learning than witnessing the actual event.
One more thing. On the layout, the ‘All' part of the bet is actually written as ‘Make 'em All', however, no one refers to the All bet as the ‘Make ‘Em All'.
That's the parlance of the ATS bet, which ironically, in an actual casino is not called the ‘ATS' bet.
So that I don't have to constantly write out ‘All, Tall, Small', I am going to refer to it as the ‘ATS'.
THE MECHANICS OF THE BET AND HOW TO BET IT
On a pair of dice, the only numbers that can be rolled from lowest to highest, are 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, and 12. The most likely number to roll is the 7, which will roll once in six times. All other numbers have mirror counterparts, as far as their likelihood to roll. The 6 and 8 both have five ways to each roll. The 5 and 9 each have four ways to roll. The 4 and 10 each have 3 ways to roll. The 3 and 11 each have 2 ways to roll. The 2 and 12 each only have one way to roll.
So of the mirrored counterparts, the lower numbers are considered the Small, while the higher numbers are considered the Tall.
The ATS bet is actually three separate bets. It's not one big bet. Most players bet all three because they fear missing out, but if you want, you can bet any combination of the ‘All', the ‘Small', or the ‘Tall'.
Craps 6 And 8 House Edgewood
The player decides to make an ATS bet. He should then toss in, to either the dealer, the stick or the box (but usually to the dealer) the amount that he wants to bet. The player is not required to make all three bets, although, as stated, the vast majority of players make all three bets. The player then clarifies to the dealer how he wants to split up his bet.
Another way of betting the ATS is throwing in a bet and saying three numbers that add up to the amount thrown in. For example, if you throw in $15 when the bet can be bet (more on that later), and you say ‘five, five, five', the dealers will know that you are betting $5 on the Small, $5 on the All, and $5 on the Tall. Or throw in $20 and say ‘five, ten, five'. The middle number is always the ‘All'.
Craps 6 And 8 House Edgewater
As the shooter rolls the numbers, you will see one of the employees covering the number that had just rolled. If the same number rolls again, the repeating number is not relevant. There is no penalty or bonus for rolling a number multiple times. The shooter only needs to roll the number at least once in order to progress the bet towards the win condition.
WHEN YOU CAN BET IT
The ATS bet is always available after a 7 has rolled. Always. (SPOILER WARNING!!!!) Notice in the video above at the 1:54 mark, the shooter rolls a 7 out. At the 2:00 mark, the stickman then leans over and moves the discs off the numbers. He is resetting the ATS bet. Now it can be bet because no numbers are covered.
The reason is that a 7 rolled will cause the bet to lose, thus wiping out the board and starting a new ATS series. Unlike the older FireBet, where the bet could only be made when a new shooter started, the ATS can be made several times with the same shooter, or it can be made in the middle of a shooter's roll.
Unlike some bets, where the bet is not live on the come out roll, the ATS bet is always live. At the 2:00 mark, you hear the player say, ‘I go back up'. He's saying that because the 7 winner (on the come out) caused his ATS to lose. The ATS bet is always live, even on the come out roll.
Depending on the casino, the ATS bet can also be made if no one has bet the ATS on any one of the bets, even if numbers have been rolled. For example, let's say shooter rolls a 2,3,4, requiring the dealer to cover the 2,3 and 4, but no one has made any bets on the ATS. In that case, the house will reset the discs and allow you to bet the ATS because there is no action and no one is affected by your new bet. Some casinos want you to wait until the 7 naturally resets the ATS board, so this rule varies from casino to casino.
If in doubt, just look at the board. If there are no numbers covered by the disc, you can bet it. Alternatively, if there are no bets made on the ATS, then you can probably bet it. Just ask the casino because they may have different procedures in the second scenario.
THE WIN/LOSS CONDITIONS (HOW TO WIN)
Remember that the ATS is comprised of three separate bets. Here is the win condition for each bet…
The All Small bet wins if the player rolls a 2,3,4,5, and 6 before the player rolls a 7. The 7 will cause the Small bet to lose.
The All Tall bet wins if the 8,9,10,11, and 12 roll before the shooter rolls a 7. The 7 will cause the Tall bet to lose.
The All bet (actually written on the felt as ‘Make 'em All') wins if the player rolls a 2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11, and 12 before the shooter rolls a 7. If that list is too long for you to memorize, then have no fear. Just know that it is every number EXCEPT THE 7 (because the 7 always causes you to lose).
THE PAY OFF FOR WINS AND THE HOUSE EDGE
There are two pay tables for the ATS bet. I refer to them personally as the ‘stingy' and the ‘better' table.
Stingy pay table:
All pays 150 – 1, resulting in a house edge of 20.61%.
Tall pays 30-1, resulting in a house edge of 18.30%.
Small pays 30-1, resulting in a house edge of 18.30%.
Better pay table:
All pays 175-1, resulting in a house edge of 7.47%.
Tall pays 34-1, resulting in a house edge of 7.76%. Crown casino perth security jobs.
Small pays 34-1, resulting in a house edge of 7.76%.
The above house edge numbers are from the Wizard of Odds website. If you don't know about Michael Shackleford, you should know about the man, especially if you want to be a smart gambler.
Almost every Las Vegas casino that offers the ATS bet (and most do), uses the stingier pay table.
Most casinos outside of Las Vegas use the better paytable.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE ATS
Personally, I never bet the ATS when I'm in Las Vegas. 20% house edge is just a hammer to the toes.
I love the ATS bet outside of Las Vegas. Unlike the FireBet of old, the ATS hits on a regular basis. Considering that I'm usually betting only very minuscule amounts on it, it's a cheap thrill. My record on the ATS was when I hit the All bet, then hit the Small bet again during the same roll. On that roll, I won $20,000+ and won $277 on the ATS bet. It's a fun bet, and if you're looking to hit a jackpot, you should bet bigger on the ATS. That's just not my goal.
The ATS can also be a frustrating bet. Usually, if all three components of the ATS hits, it means that the shooter had a very long roll. But I once had an ATS hit where I actually lost a lot of money because the shooter did not repeat any of his points. Granted, that's very rare.
I see the ATS bet staying around for a long time. It's great for the house because it now is a way for the boxman to actually do something, other than watch the game. With the ATS bet, the boxman can watch and mark all the numbers and play for himself.
It's good for players because it's a relatively low house edge side bet that hits frequently. I was never a fan of the FireBet, which hits once or twice a year if you're lucky. The ATS bet can hit several times a day.
Give that ATS bet a try next time you're at the casino.
Let me know if you have any questions. Leave them in the comment below, and I'll be happy to answer them.
Good luck at the tables.
Posted in: Casino, Craps, Gambling
