Is 7 Good In Craps
Craps is the most charming game of chance ever devised. It features a large array of wagers and several phases, which gives players freedom of choice. You can get decent winnings by using one or two basic bets or make things interesting by utilizing a Craps system.
In essence, these strategies are a series of stakes that you make throughout a round. In this article, we will highlight the most popular systems, discuss their strong and weak sides, and give recommendations based on your budget and risk tolerance. Once you find the right approach, you can test it by visiting one of the casinos we recommend.
A Pass Line bet wins if the come out roll is 7 or 11. However, you lose the bet if the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12. If a point number is established, pass line bets win if the point number is rolled again. It loses if the number 7 is rolled before that. The house edge on a Pass bet is 1.41%. Dec 18, 2017 Another bonus is that the 7 at least gives you one option to win on the come out roll. This is good because 7 has better odds than any other number in craps. 6 out of the possible 36 dice combinations can form a 7. Downside of Crapless Craps The biggest problem with crapless craps is that its pass line bet carries a 5.38% house edge. Here is an overview of craps bets with medium odds that you can make. Have a 16.7% chance of winning an Any 7 bet, with a payout of 4/1. This gives the house a substantial edge of 16.9%. This is quite high compared to some of the bets we’ve seen above, yet still a solid choice if you’re chasing more slightly more daring bets.
The Truth about Craps Systems
Many people and “experts” will brag about “perfect” strategies that will “win you money every time.” The cold hard truth is that Craps is a gambling game. The casino will always have an advantage, which means that there’s no such thing as an unbeatable Craps system.
The risk of losing is omnipresent, so it’s best to look at the dice-rolling classic as a form of entertainment. We know it’s cheesy, but betting within your means and knowing when to stop is absolutely essential.
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Still, what systems can do is manipulate the exposure levels. Some combine several bets to reduce your potential losses and give you a good chance of winning. Others are high-risk and require a larger bankroll but can pay off huge if you can get a streak going.
Thus, to find the best Craps system for your needs, you’ll want to establish how much you can spend on one session and how much risk you can withstand. Knowledge of the bets is also a must. If you need to brush up on the basics, we’ve explained all the wagers on our home page. Now let’s check out the systems!
Craps System: Iron Cross Variation
| Difficulty : Advanced | Recommended Budget : $420 – $540 | Risk Level : Medium |
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This is perhaps the most popular strategy for the game of Craps. It’s called “Iron Cross” because when you place all the required chips on the table, their shape resembles that of a cross. You’re going to need $42-$54 per shooter, so a session of 10 rounds will require a bankroll of $420-$540.
It’s not the cheapest Craps betting system, so you might want to continue browsing if you’re new or on a tighter budget. Several variations exist, but here, we’ll take a look at one that uses the pass line bet and odds wagers. Here’s what you need to do:
On the come-out roll, put down $5 on the pass line.
Once a point is established, place:
a. $10 in odds bets (you can also max out the limits if you wish)
b. $5 on the field bet
c. $10 place bet on 5, and $12 on the 6 and 8 each.
Let it roll! Don’t forget to load up your positions when bets are resolved.
Note: What’s nice about this Craps betting system is that you can save money in certain scenarios. If the point is on 5, 6, or 8, you can skip doing a place wager on that number. It’s also possible to withdraw your stake on the point number in the following rounds.
The Pros: With Iron Cross, you will win money on every roll that is not a 7. It also utilizes the wagers with the highest RTP in Craps, including odds bets, which have a 0% house edge.
The Cons: You’ll lose every stake on the table once a 7 appears. As you might know, the 7 is the most common dice combination, as there are six ways to roll it. A Craps system that works like that can demolish your bankroll on an unlucky streak.
The Hammerlock Craps System
| Difficulty : Advanced | Recommended Budget : $300 – $600 | Risk Level : Medium |
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This one was made famous by Martin J Silverthorne in his book “Hammerlock Craps!” It promises “profit under any circumstances at the Craps table.”
That’s a bold claim, and it’s simply not true. You can’t beat the house over the long run, but if you’re lucky, like with all other decent strategies, it can help you make some wins. You’re going to need between $300 and $600 at the lowest betting tier, but the bankroll can be adjusted for high rollers.
Let’s see how the Hammerlock Craps system works:
Before the come-out roll, start with $5 bets on the pass and don’t pass. A point needs to be established, so replace the starting two wagers if needed. Silverthorne says that this type of hedging protects you on the come-out roll. That’s fine and dandy, but the protection is gone on a roll of 12, as 12 is a tie on don’t pass and a loss on pass.
After a point is set, it says to lay $30 odds (do an odds bet on don’t pass). This is where another problem with the Hammerlock Craps system occurs. Most tables won’t allow a $30 odds bet unless the point is a 6 or 8, and there are harsher limitations on other games. You can find land-based casinos that have looser restrictions, but you’ll have to do research. You can still max out the odds bets on restrictive titles but know that your losses won’t be covered entirely in the event of a 7.
At the same time, do two $12 place bets on the 6 and 8. Wait until you win once on the 6 or 8, take the other place bet down, and substitute it with an “inside 22.” Craps system reviews will tell out that inside 22 consists of four place bets – $5 on the 5 and 9, and $6 on the 6 and 8.
If one of the inside 22 bets wins, take down the remaining place bets, so only your pass + don’t pass + lay odds remain. Here, you’re hoping for a 7. Still, if the point number rolls before it, you’re going to be at a loss.
The Pros: In case you find a suitable table and the dice rolls in your favor, you can win good money.
The Cons: While we did a simplified version of the system (the book has progressive/regressive betting levels), the house edge isn’t negated at any point. Hammerlock is not a 100% winning Craps system, nor one that will make you a profit in the long run.
A Strategy for Low Rollers
| Difficulty : Beginner | Recommended Budget : $120 | Risk Level : Low |
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Strategies involve the placement of multiple bets, which means that you’ll often need a larger bankroll to support them. This system is great for those on tighter budgets because you’ll only risk $12 per round, meaning that you need $120 at most for 10 shooters.
It’s also a relatively low-risk approach, which is great if you’re price-conscious. Follow these steps to pull it off:
Start by placing $5 on the pass line and $5 on the field bet before the come-out roll. If you can find a table that pays triple on the 12 or 2, this Craps system will work even better.
a. perfect scenario would be for a 4 or 9 to roll. That way, you can use the field bet winnings and another $2 to cover two $6 place bets on the 6 and 8 as a follow-up.
b. If a 2 or 12 appears, your total payout is $5. On an 11, you take home $10. Again, you can use the winnings for the 6 & 8 place bets.
c. If a 3 or 7 appears, it’s a push. You won’t lose or win anything, so keep going.
d. The chink in the armor of this and similar Craps systems is that you’re going to lose $5 if 5, 6, or 8 become the point. Here, you can stop further wagering, hoping to recoup your losses on the pass line and start from step 1 on the next come-out roll. The alternative is to use the remaining $2 set aside for the round and take a long shot by staking them on the two proposition bets that pay 10:1 (hard 6 and hard 8). If you get a hit from the propositions, use $6 to cover the corresponding place bet and collect the rest.
Rinse and repeat! The nice thing about this Craps betting system is that you have the freedom to do whatever you please if you’re in the green zone. You can use the funds to take odds on the pass line, double up on the place stakes, and so on.
What Does 7 Mean In Craps
The Pros : Relatively low bankroll requirements and risk exposure.
The Cons : If 5, 6, or 8 appear often on the come-out roll, the chances are that you won’t have a good time. Still, you have enough time to cut your losses and try another day.
The Knockout Craps System
| Difficulty : Beginner | Recommended Budget : $250 | Risk Level : Low |
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Ah, yes. Another sensationalist strategy that is marketed as a way to get rich. The official site for the Knockout Craps system claims that you can “make $5,000 in a day” and “turn $60 into $2,252 in an hour.” Don’t fall for this type of scheme! The house has an advantage in every Craps bet, so making multiple ones doesn’t magically negate or remove it. Sure, odds bets are paid fairly, but they are attached to wagers with a house edge, so it doesn’t matter.
Besides, this approach is just a re-branded version of “Doey-Don’t.” On a $5 table, you’re going to need $250 for 10 shooters. Let’s see where the “magic” happens:
Place two $5 stakes on pass and don’t pass. With the Knockout Craps system, the only way you’ll lose is if a 12 appears, which happens once on 36 rolls on average.
Follow it up by maxing out with odds bets behind the pass once a point is established.
That’s basically it. The book adds progression/regression betting, 5-count elements, and a bunch of smoke and mirrors to make it sound like it works.
The Pros : It’s a way to win small amounts frequently.
The Cons: When you lose, it’s going to be grand. It’s likely that all the winnings you made will evaporate, and you’ll go in the red zone. Sadly, with the Knockout Craps system, your bankroll will be on the receiving end of the K.O.
“The Best” Craps System
| Difficulty : Beginner | Recommended Budget : $500 | Risk Level : High |
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Are you an aggressive player with a big budget? Then this approach might suit your style. It was introduced by Sam Grafstein, an esteemed Craps player known as “The Dice Doctor”. Interestingly, it involves the utilization of the field bet, which has a larger house edge than what we would consider as optimal. For this reason, it’s essential that you locate a table where the 2 or 12 pay triple on the field. That way, the RTP goes from 94.4% to 97.2%, which is almost identical to that of European Roulette.
A Craps system that works quickly without being too complicated is always a plus. This one will win or lose big quite fast, so at least you won’t be playing for hours. It also involves both progression and regression elements. Here’s how it goes:
You only need to focus on the field bet. Begin by placing $10 there on the come-out roll. Remember, you need a “pays triple” sign on the 2 or 12.
If you win, double up with your payout (bet $20). If you win again, take your chips and leave $15 on the field. On the following win, you double up again, and on a fourth lucky roll, your wager becomes $25.
This winning Craps system relies on the good streak we outlined above. Remember this progression $10 > double > $15 > double > $25 > double > $35 > double > $50 > double > $75 > double etc.
So, what happens if the streak is broken? Return to the original $10 bet and start again.
The Pros : You can win massively with a succession of good rolls.
The Cons : There’s a good chance that a lucky streak won’t occur, which could erase your bankroll in less than 10 minutes. Be careful!
An Unbeatable Craps System Doesn’t Exist, but Bad Ones Do
After this detailed rundown on the most popular strategies, we’ve established that there’s no such thing as an unbeatable Craps system. Gambling is a form of entertainment, and the fact that one can win money with luck is exploited by those who want to sell you something. If you plan to use a system, do it for fun, and don’t forget that there’s always a risk of losing.
If you visit online iGaming forums, you’ll likely encounter other approaches used by less experienced players. Perhaps they got a lucky break with proposition bets or other high-payout, high-house edge wagers, and they’ve shared their experience in an overly-enthusiastic way. There’s nothing wrong in congratulating them, but it’s best to avoid Craps systems that primarily include:
Is 7 Good In Craps Machine
The Big 6 & 8
Any of the proposition bets (the big group of 8 dice combinations)
The C & E zones
Try Out What You’ve Learned
We’ve reached the end of our article. By this point, you might be wondering where to trial strategies and pick out your favorites. You could visit a real-life casino, but a quicker, simpler, and better move would be to go for an iGaming site that we’ve approved. These venues will allow you to play free demos, which are the perfect medium to test systems with no financial risk.
If you then decide to play with real money, you can deposit instantly and enjoy a wide array of table games, Slots, and specialty releases. Good luck, and remember that the best Craps system is staying disciplined!
- Appendices
- Craps Analysis
- Miscellaneous
Fire Bet
The Fire Bet pays based on how many unique points a shooter can make before sevening out. Please see my page on the Fire Bet for the rules rules and analysis.
Different Doubles
The Different Doubles pays based on the number of distinct doubles the shooter rolls before a seven. Please see my page on the Different Doubles for the rules rules and analysis.
Ride the Line
Details about this side bet can be found in my Ride the Line page.
Muggsy's Corner
This is a simple side bet that wins if the come out roll is a seven or a 'point-7' (point established and seven on the next roll). For the full rules and analysis, please see my page on Muggsy's Corner.
Hard Rockin' Dice
This set of three side bets, originally called the Hot Hand, can be found at the Hard Rock Cincinnati. They if various sets of totals are rolled before a seven. Please see my page on Hard Rockin' Dice for more information.
Low Dice, High Dice
This pair of bets are based on the total of the dice in one throw. The 'Low Dice' bet pays 1 to 1 on totals of 3 to 6 and 5 to 1 on a total of 2. The 'High Dice' pays 1 to 1 on totals of 8 to 11 and 5 to 1 on a total of 12. The following return table on the Low Dice bet shows the house edge is 5.56%. The High Dice bet is the opposite so has the same house edge.
Low Bet
| Total | Combinations | Probability | Pays | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 0.027778 | 5 | 0.138889 |
| 3 to 6 | 14 | 0.388889 | 1 | 0.388889 |
| 7 to 12 | 21 | 0.583333 | -1 | -0.583333 |
| Total | 36 | 1 | -0.055556 |
Card Craps
In some jurisdictions, namely California, dice alone may not determine the outcome of a bet. In the game of 'Card Craps' 24-card decks are used each consisting of ranks ace to six in all four suits. Two cards are drawn to simulate the roll of the dice. If the suits are different the 'roll' stands. If the suits are the same, then the roll is ignored for all craps bets. The odds on all craps bets are the same as if dice were used.
However, there is an extra bet called the 'No Call.' This bet pays 3 to 1 if the two cards are suited, otherwise it loses. The house edge depends on the number of 24-card decks used as shown below.
Card Craps - No Call Bet
| Decks | Probability | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.217391 | 13.0435% |
| 2 | 0.234043 | 6.383% |
| 3 | 0.239437 | 4.2254% |
| 4 | 0.242105 | 3.1579% |
| 5 | 0.243697 | 2.521% |
| 6 | 0.244755 | 2.0979% |
| 7 | 0.245509 | 1.7964% |
| 8 | 0.246073 | 1.5707% |
| 9 | 0.246512 | 1.3953% |
| 10 | 0.246862 | 1.2552% |
| 11 | 0.247148 | 1.1407% |
| 12 | 0.247387 | 1.0453% |
| 13 | 0.247588 | 0.9646% |
| 14 | 0.247761 | 0.8955% |
| 15 | 0.247911 | 0.8357% |
| 16 | 0.248042 | 0.7833% |
Midway Bet
The Showboat in Atlantic City I'm told has a Midway bet in the normal location of the Big 6 and Big 8 on a total of 6 to 8 in the next roll. A hard 6 or 8 pay 2 to 1, and all other totals of 6 to 8 pay 1 to 1. The following table shows the house edge is 5.56%.
Midway Bet
| Total | Combinations | Probability | Pays | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard 6,8 | 2 | 0.055556 | 2 | 0.111111 |
| Soft 6,8 | 8 | 0.222222 | 1 | 0.222222 |
| 7 | 6 | 0.166667 | 1 | 0.166667 |
| All other | 20 | 0.555556 | -1 | -0.555556 |
| Total | 36 | 1 | -0.055556 |
Bonus Craps (Small, Tall, & All)
Bonus Craps is a set of three side bets, the Small, Tall, and All. For all the details, please visit my Bonus Craps page.
Four Rolls no Seven
I hear that Sam's Town in both Las Vegas and Shreveport offer this bet. The bet wins if the shooter can go four throws without rolling a seven. A win pays 1 to 1. The odds are as follows.
Four Rolls no Seven
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1 | 0.482253 | 0.482253 |
| Loss | -1 | 0.517747 | -0.517747 |
| Total | 1 | -0.035494 |
Golden Dice Challenge
The 'Golden Dice Challenge' is a craps side bet found at the MGM Grand in Detroit. The bet pays according to the number of pass line wins the player has before a seven-out. For purposes of the side bet, a win may be made either by rolling a 7 or 11 on the come out roll, or making a point. Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll does not affect the bet. There is a maximum win of $5,000.
The following return table shows the pays, probabilities, and return from each event, based on a $1 bet.
Golden Dice Challenge Return Table for $1 Bet
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 or more | 5000 to 1 | 0.000008 | 0.037819 |
| 17 to 19 | 2000 to 1 | 0.000037 | 0.07358 |
| 15 to 16 | 1000 to 1 | 0.0001 | 0.099877 |
| 13 to 14 | 100 to 1 | 0.000325 | 0.032478 |
| 11 to 12 | 50 to 1 | 0.001056 | 0.052806 |
| 9 to 10 | 25 to 1 | 0.003434 | 0.085858 |
| 7 to 8 | 10 to 1 | 0.011168 | 0.111678 |
| 5 to 6 | 5 to 1 | 0.036316 | 0.181578 |
| 0 to 4 | Loss | 0.947557 | -0.947557 |
| Total | 1 | -0.271883 |
Assuming the maximum win is $5000 the following is the house edge for various bet amounts.
Golden Dice Challenge House Edge by Amout Bet
| Bet | House Edge |
|---|---|
| $100 | 49.22% |
| $50 | 46.87% |
| $25 | 45.43% |
| $10 | 41.10% |
| $5 | 33.89% |
| $4 | 32.78% |
| $3 | 30.94% |
| $2 | 29.08% |
| $1 | 27.19% |
7 Point 7
7 Point 7 is a craps side bet, which debuted at the Orleans casino in Las Vegas, in late 2008. I have also seen it at the Hard Rock in Macau under the name 'Double Trip Seven.' The bet wins if the player gets a seven on the come out roll, or the dreaded 'point 7,' where the player sevens out on his second roll. The following table shows a house edge of 5.56%.
7 Point 7 Return Table
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 on come out roll | 2 | 0.166667 | 0.333333 |
| Point 7 | 3 | 0.111111 | 0.333333 |
| Loser | -1 | 0.722222 | -0.722222 |
| Total | 1 | -0.055556 |
Sharp Shooter
The 'Sharp Shooter' is a side bet in craps spotted at the Hooters casino in Las Vegas in March, 2009. I hear it was removed in 2014.
The bet is made when a new shooter takes the dice, and pays according to how many times he makes a point. The following table shows what each number of points made pays and the probability. Pays have been converted to a 'to one' basis, to be consistent with the rest of this page. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 21.87%.
Sharp Shooter — Return Table
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 or more | 299 | 0.000122 | 0.03644 |
| 9 | 199 | 0.000178 | 0.035474 |
| 8 | 99 | 0.000439 | 0.043461 |
| 7 | 49 | 0.001081 | 0.052975 |
| 6 | 29 | 0.002662 | 0.077212 |
| 5 | 19 | 0.006557 | 0.12458 |
| 4 | 9 | 0.016148 | 0.145328 |
| 3 | 5 | 0.039766 | 0.198831 |
| 2 or less | -1 | 0.933047 | -0.933047 |
| Total | 1 | -0.218744 |
Double Trip Seven
I noticed this bet at the City of Dreams in Macau in August 2009. It is the same thing as the7 Point 7 bet aleady described.
Point Seven
I saw this side bet at the 2009 Global Gaming Expo, and in June 2010 at the Las Vegas Hilton. It is licensed by Casino Gaming LLC. It is a side wager made on the come out roll. If the player rolls a point, and then a seven on the second roll, the bet pays 7 to 1. All other outcomes lose. The following table shows the house edge is 11.11%.
Point Seven
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 7 | 0.111111 | 0.777778 |
| Loss | -1 | 0.888889 | -0.888889 |
| Total | 1 | -0.111111 |
Replay
Replay is a craps side bet I spotted at the Boulder Station on September 16, 2010. It pays if the shooter makes the same point at least 3 times before sevening out. For my full analysis, please see my page on the Replay side bet.
Twice as Nice
Twice as Nice is a side bet that has been seen at an unknown casino in Biloxi. It wins if the shooter throws any specific pair, including a total of 2 and 12, twice before a seven. For example, rolling a hard 10 twice before a 7. Wins pay 6 to 1. The following table shows a house edge of 29.40%.
Twice as Nice
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 6 | 0.100863 | 0.605178 |
| Loss | -1 | 0.899137 | -0.899137 |
| Total | 1 | -0.293959 |
A win of 7 to 1 would have a house edge of 19.31%, and 8 to 1 would be 9.22%.
Pete and Repeat
Pete and Repeat has also been seen at the same mystery casino in Biloxi. It wins if any total is rolled twice before a 7. Wins pay even money. The following table shows a house edge of 5.79%.
Pete and Repeat
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1 | 0.471066 | 0.471066 |
| Loss | -1 | 0.528934 | -0.528934 |
| Total | 1 | -0.057868 |
Double D
In April 2012 I heard this side bet was being offered at the Harrington Raceway casino in Harrington, Delaware. It pays if the shooter makes at least four unique doubles before he sevens out. Come out rolls do not count. The following table shows all the possible outcomes, what they pay (on a 'to one' basis), the probability, and return. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 14.71%.
Double D
| Unique Doubles | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 250 | 0.001083 | 0.270633 |
| 5 | 50 | 0.006494 | 0.324683 |
| 4 | 10 | 0.022728 | 0.227282 |
| 0 to 3 | -1 | 0.969696 | -0.969696 |
| Total | 1.000000 | -0.147097 |
Broad Bar 12
In April 2012 I heard this side bet was being offered at the Harrington Raceway casino in Harrington, Delaware. It acts like a place bet, winning on any double except 6-6, and losing on seven. The following return table shows the a house edge of 1.52%, per bet resolved.
Broad Bar 12 — Not Counting Pushes
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double, except 6-6 | 1.166667 | 5 | 0.454545 | 0.530303 |
| Seven | -1 | 6 | 0.545455 | -0.545455 |
| Total | 11 | 1.000000 | -0.015152 |
Hot Roller
On December 27, 2013, a member of my Wizard of Vegas forum posted about seeing this side bet at the Dover Downs casino in Delaware. It pays based on how many 'completed points' the shooter gets before rolling a seven. The shooter completes a point when he rolls it in all possible ways. For example, to complete a point of eight the shooter would need to roll a 2+6, 3+5, and 4+4. Following are the complete rules.
- The bet may be made only on a come out roll.
- The bet will be resolved when the shooter rolls a seven.
- The bet pays according to how many 'completed points' the shooter achieves.
- To complete a point, the shooter must roll the given total all possible ways. The following list shows all the ways to roll each total.
- 4: 1+3, 2+2
- 5: 1+4, 2+3
- 6: 1+5, 2+4, 3+3
- 8: 2+6, 3+5, 4+4
- 9: 3+6, 4+5
- 10: 4+6, 5+5
- The player must complete at least two points to win. The following table shows how much each number of completed points pays.
Hot Roller Pay Table
| Completed Points | Pays |
|---|---|
| 6 | 200 to 1 |
| 5 | 50 to 1 |
| 4 | 20 to 1 |
| 3 | 10 to 1 |
| 2 | 5 to 1 |
| 0 or 1 | Loss |
The following table shows the probability and contribution to the return for all possible outcomes. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 7.50%. There are certainly much worse things you could bet on in craps.
Hot Roller Return Table
| Completed Points | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 200 | 0.000412 | 0.082441 |
| 5 | 50 | 0.002219 | 0.110968 |
| 4 | 20 | 0.007528 | 0.150567 |
| 3 | 10 | 0.021193 | 0.211934 |
| 2 | 5 | 0.056287 | 0.281435 |
| 0 or 1 | -1 | 0.912360 | -0.912360 |
| Total | 1.000000 | -0.075013 | |
My methodology was a random simulation of 28 billion resolved bets.
Repeater
Repeater is a set of craps side bets I noticed at the Suncoast casino in Las Vegas on April 6, 2015. The idea is that the player must roll a given number a specified number of times before a seven. For bets on 2 to 6, the player must roll that total the same number of times as the total itself. For example, for the bet on the number five to win, the shooter must roll 5 fives before a seven. For totals of 8 to 12, the player must roll the total 14 less whatever the total is. For example, on a total of 11, the player must roll an eleven 14-11=3 times before a seven.
The following is what each specific bet pays:- 2: 40 for 1
- 3: 50 for 1
- 4: 65 for 1
- 5: 80 for 1
- 6: 90 for 1
- 8: 90 for 1
- 9: 80 for 1
- 10: 65 for 1
- 11: 50 for 1
- 12: 40 for 1
The following table shows the probability of winning and house edge of each bet.
Repeater — Suncoast Rules
| Bet | Pays (for 1) | Probability | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 40 | 0.020408 | 0.183673 |
| 3 | 50 | 0.015625 | 0.218750 |
| 4 | 65 | 0.012346 | 0.197531 |
| 5 | 80 | 0.010240 | 0.180800 |
| 6 | 90 | 0.008820 | 0.206209 |
| 8 | 90 | 0.008820 | 0.206209 |
| 9 | 80 | 0.010240 | 0.180800 |
| 10 | 65 | 0.012346 | 0.197531 |
| 11 | 50 | 0.015625 | 0.218750 |
| 12 | 40 | 0.020408 | 0.183673 |
At Caesars Palace I noticed they added a 'Dealer Envy' win to the same Suncoast pay table above. The following table shows the return to the player, the dealer, and the total.
Repeater — Caesars Palace Dealer Envy Rules
| Dice Total | Number Needed | Player Win | Dealer Envy | Player Return | Dealer Return | Total Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 40 | 2 | 81.63% | 4.08% | 85.71% |
| 3 | 3 | 50 | 3 | 78.13% | 4.69% | 82.81% |
| 4 | 4 | 65 | 4 | 80.25% | 4.94% | 85.19% |
| 5 | 5 | 80 | 5 | 81.92% | 5.12% | 87.04% |
| 6 | 6 | 90 | 6 | 79.38% | 5.29% | 84.67% |
| 8 | 6 | 90 | 6 | 79.38% | 5.29% | 84.67% |
| 9 | 5 | 80 | 5 | 81.92% | 5.12% | 87.04% |
| 10 | 4 | 65 | 4 | 80.25% | 4.94% | 85.19% |
| 11 | 3 | 50 | 3 | 78.13% | 4.69% | 82.81% |
| 12 | 2 | 40 | 2 | 81.63% | 4.08% | 85.71% |
It should be noted that the player can achieve the same thing by parlaying place/buy bets. Here is the same chart for the better of place and buy bets. This assumes a buy bet on the 4 with commission on a win only (effective odds of 59 for 20), place bet on the 5 paying 7 to 5, and place bet on the 6 paying 7 to 6.
Place/Buy Parlay Strategy
| Bet | Pays (for 1) | Probability | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 75.73 | 0.012346 | 0.065018 |
| 5 | 79.63 | 0.010240 | 0.184627 |
| 6 | 103.46 | 0.008820 | 0.087534 |
Note how the house edge is lower on the 4 and 6 making place/buy bets, but greater on the 5.
According to the patent application for the Repeater Bets there are some other variants, as follows:
- Variant 1: Come out rolls don't count. In this version, the player can only lose on a 'seven out' but any numbers rolled on a come out roll don't help either. The patent application doesn't specifically say that other numbers on a come out roll don't help, but it is implied by saying that the casino may choose to let the player turn the repeater bets on and off on a come out roll. Why would any player turn them off if the player could only advance on a come out roll and not lose?
- Variant 2: The player may also bet on a 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The win and number of rolls required are the same as the mirror image number below seven. For example, a player must roll 6 eights on the eight bet, which pays 90 for 1.
- Variant 3: The player may also bet on a 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12. However, unlike variant 2, the player must still achieve the given number that many times to win. For example, for a bet on eight, the shooter must roll 8 eights before a seven to win. The odds under this variant are shown below.
Repeater — 'Variant 3' rules
| Bet | Pays (for 1) | Probability | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 40 | 0.020408163265 | 0.183673 |
| 3 | 50 | 0.015625000000 | 0.218750 |
| 4 | 65 | 0.012345679012 | 0.197531 |
| 5 | 80 | 0.010240000000 | 0.180800 |
| 6 | 90 | 0.008819905157 | 0.206209 |
| 8 | 400 | 0.001822294454 | 0.271082 |
| 9 | 2,500 | 0.000262144000 | 0.344640 |
| 10 | 25,000 | 0.000016935088 | 0.576623 |
| 11 | 100,000 | 0.000000238419 | 0.976158 |
| 12 | 50,000,000 | 0.000000000072 | 0.996388 |
Under 7, Over 7
The over and under 7 are a pair of side bets I noticed at the New York, New York on January 6, 2017. You can find them where the Big 6 and 8 bets used to be. Both bets pay even money bets and win if the next roll is over/under a 7. So, a total of 7 causes both to lose. The probability of winning is 15/36=41.67% and the house edge is 16.67% (ouch!).
Hard Way Place Bets
.
On May 30, 2017 I noticed place bets on the hard ways on the craps tables at the Orleans casino in Las Vegas. These would win if the specified hard way, for example 5-5, where rolled before a total of seven. Each bet pays 5 to 1.
The following return table shows a house edge of 14.29%, ignoring rolls that neither win nor lose.
Hard Way Place Bets
| Bet | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 5 | 1 | 0.142857 | 0.714286 |
| Loss | -1 | 6 | 0.857143 | -0.857143 |
| Total | 7 | 1.000000 | -0.142857 |
Internal Links
- How the house edge for each bet is derived, in brief.
- The house edge of all the major bets on both a per-bet made and per-roll basis
- Dice Control Experiments. The results of two experiments on skillful dice throwing.
- Dice Control Advantage. The player advantage, assuming he can influence the dice.
- Craps variants. Alternative rules and bets such as the Fire Bet, Crapless Craps, and Card Craps.
- California craps. How craps is played in California using playing cards.
- Play Craps. Craps game using cards at the Viejas casino in San Diego.
- Number of Rolls Table. Probability of a shooter lasting 1 to 200 rolls before a seven-out.
- Ask the Wizard. See craps questions I've answered about:
- Simple Craps game. My simple Java craps game.
External Links
- Las Vegas craps survey — The max odds bet allowed at each casino.
Written by: Michael Shackleford