The Basics of Craps Strategy

Quickly teaching a player how to play craps is a virtually impossible concept.  Imagine sitting down for a half hour and learning algebra or a foreign language.  In spite of this fact, covering some of the basics of craps strategies can be helpful for a new player to get a better grasp on an exciting game.

For the newcomer, craps is a dice game in which players place bets on the outcome of a roll, or a series of rolls of two dice.  The “shooter” will throw an original roll, the “come-out”, as an establishing point for all of his following rolls. Following rolls are then based on this number, with the players placing bets either with, or against the shooter.

Shooters are generally forced to roll one-handed and bounce the dice against the far wall, since every effort is made to ensure that the roll of the dice is random.  Although the rolls are random, there is still strategy to the game, and the simplest strategy a player can employ is to take the best odds available and place bets that keep the odds in his favor.  The key to winning at craps is making smart bets, controlling emotional reactions and protection a bankroll.

Learning the rules of craps is the first step to making smart bets.  There are quite a few rules, primarily focused on betting, and knowing the rules increases a players chances.  For example, the best bets in craps are “Pass” bets and “Don’t Pass” bets.  These bets minimize the advantage of the house, increasing the odds that the player will win.  Even though these are the best bets, playing odds against these bets can provide even more success.  For players that haven’t learned the game, not understanding these bets reduces their chances to win.

The best way to learn is to read about the game and its strategies, as well as gaining experience by playing.  Many casino websites such as Bodog offer extensive training materials and even free sites where players can learn while playing with practice money.

After learning how to play, understanding how to control one’s emotions is the next step in developing a solid craps strategy.  Whether a player is online or in a casino, emotion is a big part of the game, and it can be a devastating enemy of the player.  Emotion is always high around the craps table; players winning and losing, frustrations, cheers, curses and more create an electric atmosphere, and can shake even a veteran player.  It is critical that a player remember what he has learned about the game and not try to force the action, regardless of whether he is up or down.  Greed and fear are powerful emotions that have similar effects on a player, and neither is the friend of success at the craps table.

Although it can be affected by emotions, learning money management is the final key to success.  A player with a $100 to spend over an evening must take a different approach than a player who is willing to risk $1,000.  Money management involves planning how much money a player is willing to risk, how long he plans to play and what to do if he wins or loses.  Money management must be done BEFORE playing and must be followed, or a player will regret what happens.

Craps is a thrilling game, a headlong dash down a mountain of emotions.  Huge sums of money are there to win and lose, and smart players discover the ways to improve their chances of doing the winning.  Covering the basics of craps strategies helps the newcomer to taste success, regardless of whether they play in a casino or online.

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