The lively atmosphere surrounding a craps table is a casino staple. The loud cheers, the anticipation of the roll, and the camaraderie among players make it a truly unique experience. While craps offers a multitude of bets, two stand out as foundational for most players - the Pass Line and Come bets. Whether you're a craps veteran looking to refine your strategy or a newbie seeking to understand the game's core mechanics, this article delves deep into these two quintessential wagers.
Craps 101: The Quick Recap
Before we jump into the meat of the topic, let's touch on craps fundamentals. In a nutshell, craps is a dice game involving two six-sided dice. The game progresses in rounds, the first roll of which is known as the "come-out roll." Players place their bets on various outcomes, and the dice are rolled. The "shooter" must roll a 7 or 11 to win immediately during the come-out roll or establish a "point" number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that they must hit again before rolling a 7 to win. Simple, right? Well, the complexity comes in with the variety of bets you can make, and that's where Pass Line and Come bets enter the stage.
The Pass Line Bet: Where It All Begins
The Pass Line is the most basic bet in craps and often the first wager most new players make. You place this bet before the come-out roll, and the outcome determines how the rest of the game progresses for you.
- Winning: If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, you win even money.
- Losing: If it's a 2, 3, or 12 (also known as "crapping out"), you lose.
- Point: Any other number establishes a point. To win a Pass Line bet after a point is established, the shooter must roll the point number again before rolling a 7.
The house edge on a Pass Line bet is just 1.41%, making it one of the best wagers in the casino.
The Come Bet: Like a Moving Pass Line
The Come bet is almost identical to the Pass Line bet but with a significant difference—you can place it any time after a point has been established. When you place a Come bet, the very next roll of the dice becomes the "come-out roll" for that specific bet.
- Winning: If that roll is a 7 or 11, your Come bet wins.
- Losing: If it's a 2, 3, or 12, you lose.
- New Point: Any other number establishes a new point for your Come bet, separate from the original point for the Pass Line bet. The dealer will move your wager to the appropriate number on the table to indicate this.
The Strategy Behind Using Both
One reason these two bets are so popular is that they offer low house edges—1.41% for Pass Line and 1.36% for Come. But how do you incorporate them into a strategy?
Initial Bet: Start with a Pass Line bet. If the point is established, you’re now in the "point round."
Layering Bets: Once a point is established, consider making a Come bet. This approach gives you multiple numbers to root for, effectively layering your bets.
Odds Bets: Both Pass Line and Come bets allow you to make an additional "odds bet" once a point is established. These odds bets are unique because they pay out at true odds, meaning there's zero house edge. Maxing out your odds bet is usually a good strategy.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Low House Edge: With house edges of 1.41% and 1.36%, these are some of the best bets in the casino.
- Simplicity: These bets are straightforward to understand, making them perfect for craps newcomers.
- Multiple Points: By using both Pass Line and Come bets, you can have multiple points established, giving you more ways to win.
Disadvantages:
- Slow Grind: The payouts for these bets are 1:1, so you're not going to get rich quick.
- Not Very Dynamic: These bets lack the excitement of some of the higher-risk, higher-reward options on the craps table.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Odds Bets: Always make the odds bets. They are the best bets in the casino because they have no house edge.
Overcomplicating Strategy: Stick to the basics. While craps offers numerous bets, sticking with Pass Line and Come bets will keep the game simple and maximize your chances of winning.
Poor Bankroll Management: Decide beforehand how much you're willing to lose and stick to that limit. The low house edge doesn't mean you can't have a bad run.
The Right Time to Use These Bets
You can use these bets in both casual and more aggressive strategies. Casual players often stick to just the Pass Line and maybe a single Come bet, while more advanced players will layer multiple Come bets on top of the Pass Line bet to maximize their action and capitalize on hot streaks.
Summing It Up
Craps offers a thrilling combination of luck and skill, with its array of betting options providing numerous strategies for players to explore. However, at the core of any strong craps strategy lie the Pass Line and Come bets. They offer low house edges, simple rules, and the possibility to add multiple layers of excitement through odds bets and having multiple points established. Whether you're a craps newbie or a seasoned roller looking to refine your game, these are bets you can't afford to overlook. So the next time you're near a craps table, why not give it a roll? With Pass Line and Come bets, you're already on the path to extending your playtime and possibly lining your pockets.
