| Updated: There are many ways to play craps, and while some players stick to safer, more conservative bets, others prefer a more aggressive approach for a chance to win big. Before developing their own betting styles, however, novices can benefit from creating a betting pattern that suits both their skill level and bankroll, then using it consistently.
Betting patterns can be described as a combination of two or more bets placed simultaneously that provides broader coverage of the betting layout. Their usefulness depends on several factors, including the size of the player’s bankroll and tolerance for risk. These patterns can sometimes cost more than initially expected, so a solid money-management plan is helpful for those who are just entering the world of craps.
If used aggressively, these strategies can quickly lead to significant losses. Players should be aware that, in many cases, covering one bet with a second, a practice known as hedge betting, does not fully protect them against losses. On the contrary, while they may win one of the bets, they could lose much more on the second. This article explains different betting patterns in craps, along with the potential benefits they offer and the risks they pose when used hastily or without care.
Pass Line Betting Patterns
Many players use Pass Line betting patterns at the craps table. These systems are simple, relatively easy to track, and less risky than proposition bets, for example. Centered on the Pass Line wager, these patterns can be used by both novices and experienced players, depending on their preferred level of difficulty.
Pass Line Bet Plus 1 Come Bet
This betting pattern should be easy for anyone who understands the fundamental craps bets, the Pass Line and the Come bet. Players who decide to use this tactic should first wager 1 betting unit on the Pass Line and take double Odds on it once a point is established. Betting units are typically used in game theory to simplify examples. A unit could be $1, $5, $10, or $100, depending on the player’s bankroll.
After the shooter has established the point, players make a 1-unit Come bet and back it with x2 Odds when the Come point is established. In total, they risk 6 units and have two numbers working for them. Whenever the shooter makes either of the two points and the Pass Line or Come bet wins, the player collects their winnings and places the same bet with Odds again. When the shooter rolls any other number, the two bets remain “riding” without being resolved. If the shooter rolls a 7, however, both bets lose.
As this example shows, players can lose 6 units with this pattern. Whenever one of the bets wins, the profit will be between 3.4 and 5 units, depending on the point. Both bets can win or lose, but they will often remain riding, which means players wager relatively small amounts and can make their bankrolls last longer.
3 Point Molly: Pass Line Bet Plus 2 Come Bets
This pattern is more aggressive and riskier because players make three wagers and risk up to 9 units. They place a 1-unit bet on the Pass Line and two 1-unit Come bets, each backed by double Odds. Because these wagers are placed on separate rolls, any individual bet can be resolved before the pattern is complete. When that happens, players continue placing bets.
Once again, these bets may win or lose, but they will often remain riding. The purpose of this betting pattern is to help players keep the house edge to a minimum while having three numbers working for them. The Pass Line also provides opportunities to win on come-out rolls. This pattern is known as the 3 Point Molly, a name that reflects the fact that players can win with three different points.
Whenever the Pass Line wins and another come-out roll is about to occur, the Odds on the Come bets are inactive and cannot be lost if the shooter rolls a 7. The original Come bet, however, will be lost.
Pass Line, 2 Come Bets and Place 6/8 Bets
This pattern carries even greater risk and, compared with more conservative betting styles, is certainly not cost-effective. With it, players make five different bets and add Odds while covering two inside numbers. The Place bets on 6 and 8 have a house edge of 1.52%, which is slightly higher than that of the Pass and Come wagers. Still, the 1.52% edge is far lower than the house edge of most other bets in the game.
Once again, the pattern starts with a 1-unit bet on the Pass Line, followed by double Odds on it and a 1-unit Come bet in the second phase. If the shooter establishes another point, players make a second Come bet, backing both Come wagers with x2 Odds. If neither 6 nor 8 has been covered with chips by that time, players place two 3-unit Place bets on 6 and 8.
The maximum exposure for this pattern is 15 betting units. In the worst-case scenario, players can lose it all if the shooter rolls a 7 after all the chips for the pattern are on the table. At the same time, 7 is the number most likely to appear because it can be rolled in six different ways, more than any other total. This is why this betting pattern is unsuitable for novices or players with smaller bankrolls.
Don’t Pass Betting Patterns
There are several betting patterns based on the Don’t Pass bet, and they are very similar to those centered on the Pass Line. These systems, however, wager against the shooter, which is why they are often avoided by players in land-based casinos. That being said, wrong bettors typically face a lower house edge – the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets, which are the opposites of the Pass and Come bets, carry a house edge of only 1.36%.
Don’t Pass Bet Plus Don’t Come Bet
This betting pattern relies on the simplest wrong-side wagers, the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets, which win when the Pass Line and Come bets lose. This combination is easy to use and does not require much experience. Once players understand the basics of craps, they should be able to employ it.
The pattern starts when the player places a 1-unit bet on the Don’t Pass line. The bet wins with 2 or 3 and loses with 7 or 11, while 12 results in a tie. If any other number is rolled, it becomes the point and the second phase of the game begins. To make the most of favorable situations, wrong bettors are advised to lay double Odds on this bet. They then make a Don’t Come bet equal to the Don’t Pass wager. If the shooter establishes a second point, the player also backs the Don’t Come bet with x2 or greater Odds.
In this phase of the game, the Don’t Pass bet has a house edge of only 0.43% with x2 Odds and wins if the shooter rolls a 7, losing if the point number appears. If the roll in question is the come-out roll for the Don’t Come bet, that wager wins with 2 or 3 and loses with 7. Once its point is established, however, the Don’t Come bet wins with 7 and loses when its own point repeats.
The maximum exposure here is 6 units if players limit the Odds bet to x2. Unlike “right” betting patterns, which are highly vulnerable to 7, this pattern benefits from that roll after the points are established. Neither wager loses if a 7 is rolled; they lose only when their respective point numbers appear. Because the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets have different point numbers, they cannot lose simultaneously.
Don’t Pass and 2 Don’t Come Bets
This pattern is slightly more complex because it combines the Don’t Pass bet with two Don’t Come bets. Once again, players back every bet with double Odds and hope the shooter will seven out after all the points are established. Play begins with a Don’t Pass bet. If the shooter establishes a point, the Don’t Pass is backed with x2 Odds. A Don’t Come bet is then made, and if neither wager is resolved, a second Don’t Come bet follows. Both Don’t Come bets are also backed with double Odds.
At some point, one of the bets may lose, but as explained above, it is impossible for all wagers in the pattern to lose at the same time. With some luck, the shooter will roll a 7 and all remaining bets will win together, producing a substantial combined payout. Of course, this pattern is still risky, and players may experience several losses before achieving a big win. Such strategies are suitable only for experienced players with sizable bankrolls that can withstand multiple losing streaks, with no guarantee that a winning streak will occur.
Don’t Pass Bet, 2 Don’t Come Bets, a Field Bet, and Lay 4/10 Bets
This combination of bets is extremely risky because it requires players to put a lot of money on the line. The pattern begins with a 1-unit bet on the Don’t Pass and a 1-unit bet on the Field box. The Field bet covers seven numbers: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. While the Don’t Pass wins with 2 and 3, the Field bet wins if any of those seven numbers appear on the come-out roll.
The Field wager pays even money, except for the payouts on 2 and 12. Usually, casinos pay 2:1, resulting in a house edge of 5.56% for this bet. If the casino pays 3:1 on 12, the house edge falls to 2.78%. Another important point is that the Field bet is settled on a single roll. It either wins or loses immediately. For this reason, the strategy calls for placing this bet only on the come-out roll.
After a point has been established, players continue by making two Don’t Come bets with maximum Odds. They also place two Lay bets on 4 and 10. Lay bets are multi-roll wagers, and they remain active until they win on a roll of 7 or lose when the shooter rolls 4 or 10. The active multi-roll bets in this pattern can all win on a roll of 7, resulting in a substantial combined payout.
This strategy is suitable only for players with larger bankrolls and, more importantly, for those willing to accept several losses before potentially turning a profit.
- Craps History: How Craps Evolved from Ancient Times to 21st Century
- Craps Table and Etiquette
- How to Play Craps: Basic Rules
- Dice Combinations and Probabilities in Craps
- Understanding the Game of Craps: Odds and House Edge
- The Line Bets: The Basic Wagers in Craps
- Multi-Roll Bets in Craps
- Craps Proposition Bets
- Basic Craps Strategy
- Craps Variations
- Craps Side Bets
- Advantage Play and Cheating in Craps
- Online Craps: Top Software Providers
- Progressive Betting Systems for Craps
- Bankroll Management Tips for Craps Players
Combining Bets with Low House Edge
Some craps players use so-called hedge betting, believing they can protect one bet with another. Others think that the more chips – and therefore the larger portion of the betting layout – they cover, the better their chances of winning. Many experienced players employ complex patterns and systems based on the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets. None of these strategies, however, can guarantee long-term profits at the craps table.
In reality, craps is a game of chance, and most of the time players are expected to lose because the house has an overall advantage over them. Although the house edge is a purely theoretical concept, its consequences are very real – it shows the average loss players can incur over time and how likely they are to win or lose when making certain bets. For that reason, the most effective approach is sticking to the types of wagers that offer the tiniest house edge.
Moreover, some experienced craps players rely on different combinations of bets to keep the game interesting, while maintaining the risk of losing very low. However, some strategies are more effective than others, and certain combinations of bets only appear to benefit the player.
Pass Line and Don’t Pass Bets
A common mistake among novices is to place the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets simultaneously, believing that because the two are opposites, they cancel each other out. This is a relatively popular betting pattern in which players make both wagers and take full Odds on the Pass Line. The idea is that the opposing bets offset each other, leaving the Odds bet, which has a 0% house edge, to produce consistent winnings.
The concept, however, is completely wrong. This becomes clear when examining the possible ways each bet can win or lose on the come-out roll.
- The Pass Line wins with 8 combinations (7 and 11), and it loses with 4 combinations (2, 3, and 12).
- The Don’t Pass bet wins with 3 dice combinations (2 and 3) and loses with 8 combinations (7 and 11). When 12 is rolled, the bet is pushed.
Since both wagers pay even money (1:1), we can calculate the average number of wins and losses when both bets are active. There are wins in 11 possible scenarios and losses in 12. It is clear that the two bets are not identical. To calculate the combined figure for the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets, the respective percentages are added: 1.41% + 1.36%. This means that players who place both bets simultaneously face a combined figure of 2.77%.
Adding Odds to either bet would reduce this advantage but would not eliminate it. The house advantage for the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets with full double Odds is calculated at 0.528%. The only way bettors could play without a casino advantage would be if a roll of 12 were a win for the Don’t Pass bet. Because it is instead a push, players receive the Don’t Pass stake back but lose the Pass Line bet, resulting in a net loss of 1 unit. Overall, this particular betting pattern is not only ineffective but also much more likely to result in a net loss than placing just one of the two bets.
Don’t Pass Bet with Odds and Place Bets on 6/8
Rather than trying hedge-betting techniques such as placing the Pass and Don’t Pass bets simultaneously, players should consider combining different wagers. One conservative approach is to play the Don’t Pass and combine it with Place bets on 6 and 8. Of course, many players prefer to avoid wrong-side bets and would not mix them with “right” bets such as Place wagers.
This betting pattern starts with players betting a single unit on the Don’t Pass. They immediately win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 and instantly lose on 7 or 11. If 12 is rolled, the bet is considered a push and is returned to the bettor. If any other number is rolled, it becomes the point, and players can take Odds on their Don’t Pass bet. They should opt for at least double Odds and place wagers on 6 and 8.
With Place bets, craps players wager that a particular selected number will appear before 7. These are multi-roll bets that remain unresolved until they win or lose. When the Don’t Pass bet is resolved and a new come-out roll is about to occur, the Place wagers are turned off. Once another point is established, they are activated again.
When players use this pattern, consisting of a Don’t Pass bet (1 unit) with x6 Odds (6 units) and Place bets on 6 and 8 (2 betting units in total), there are several possible outcomes. For this example, suppose the point is 10 and the total wager is 9 betting units:
- The shooter rolls a 7. The Don’t Pass pays even money (1 unit), and the Odds pay 1:2 (3 units), while the two Place bets lose. The net profit is 2 units.
- The shooter rolls 10, the point. The Don’t Pass and the Odds bet lose 7 betting units, while the Place bets are off. Players end up with a net loss of 7 units.
- The shooter rolls 6 or 8. The Don’t Pass bet neither wins nor loses and continues working for the next roll. One Place bet remains active for the following roll, while the other wins, paying at odds of 7:6 for a net profit of approximately 1.17 units.
As the example shows, this strategy covers three frequently rolled numbers: 6, 7, and 8. There are 6 possible ways to roll a 7, 5 ways to roll a 6, and another 5 ways to roll an 8. Note that if 6 or 8 becomes the point number, players may receive additional payouts if they win. Compared with most craps systems, this betting method is safer. Even if the shooter keeps rolling unfavorable numbers, players may lose money more slowly. Of course, potential profits may also accumulate slowly.