If you watch a game of craps closely, you can easily tell the difference
between the new players and the experienced players. New players will bet
erratically and will make a series of basic mistakes. This is due to not
understanding the probabilities efficiently. If you know the probabilities of
the different bets in craps then you will know which bets to place and build
your strategy around your betting.
Unlike other games, there is no way to sway the game in your favour by doing
anything different - such as in poker or blackjack where playing strategy
features very prominently in winning and losing. The key is to understand how to
bet and when to bet as the game comes down to the throw of the dice.
The Two Extremes
We can start off by looking at the two extremes. Due to the fact that
different dice combinations can all add up to the same total, there are some
numbers that will appear more frequently than others. The number 7 is the most
common number (1 + 6, 2 + 5, 3 + 4 and the converse) that can be hit with a
probability of 16.67%. The hardest numbers to hit are 2 and 12 due to the fact
that it is only 1 + 1 and 6 + 6 that can make up this number. These odds are
35:1 of hitting.
It is quite simple to calculate the probabilities in craps once you
understand the basics. In craps, there are 36 different combinations. The main
aim of the shooter is to throw a 7 or 11 in the come out roll. If there are six
different ways to hit 7 and two different ways to hit 11 then you just add these
up (6 + 2) and work out that your odds of hitting a 7 or 11 are 8 in 36.
Try It For Yourself
It is also simple to work out the losing potential. Knowing that the losing
numbers on a come out throw are 2, 3 and 12, all you need to do is add up the
odds of each of these numbers and you will work out that it stands at 4 in 36.
Use Your Head
By getting to grips with this basic probability guide, you will be able to be
in a position to work out any winning/losing statistic. However, this is not
enough to base your entire craps strategy on. You need to still play smart and
place your bets according to both your bankroll and basic common sense.
The more you play, the easier it will become to work out what your odds are.
The great thing about playing online craps is that you can make yourself a
probability list and keep referring to it throughout the game.
