Craps Betting Strategies

BETTING SYSTEMS: FACT OR FICTION

Many different systems exist that claim to have a fool-proof method to beat Craps 100% of the time, and those claims are simply untrue. Before you look for different Craps betting systems, you should take the time to learn the ins and outs of the game. Beginner Craps players fall into this trap easily because of the promise of guaranteed money. Casino games like Craps are difficult and it’s not possible to predict because they are based on chance, but understanding how to manipulate an advantage is what a successful system is based upon.

MARTINGALE SYSTEM

FACT: One of the most popular betting systems in Craps is the Martingale system. The method behind this system is based on the idea that by doubling your bet after a loss, you can somehow offset previous losses and come out ahead. This is a system commonly used by beginner Craps players. Let’s say you start with an initial bet of $5, you will bet $10 if you lose. If you lose again, the next bet is $20 and so on. The problem with this method is that you will exceed the table limit for a $5 table if you lose 7 hands in a row with a starting bet of $5. If you think that you cannot lose 7 hands in a row, you have not been gambling enough. The Martingale system requires you to have a bankroll that allows you to bet 8 hands. Therefore, you need $1275 if you are betting $5 in your first wager.

FICTION: The problem with this system is that losing your bankroll quickly is easy and the constant doubling forces you to bet all of your bankroll away and it’s only based on chance.

GAMBLER’S FALLACY

As the name indicates, this isn’t so much a system but a myth on which many Craps betting systems are based. Other casino games are susceptible to systems like this, but Craps has always been a target for these systems. The gambler’s fallacy is based on the belief that because something hasn’t happened in a while, the chances of it happening are higher. Say this fallacy aloud to yourself so you can hear how truly nonsensical it sounds; stay away from anyone selling a system based on this belief. Consider this: just because you haven’t been run over by a bus in 30 years doesn’t make it more likely to happen and you shouldn’t take steps to increase your chances.

CPR

FACT: The CPR system stands for Collect, Press, and Regress. Similar to the Martingale system, this system requires you to bet on a smaller house edge, rather than on numbers in which you know there’s a significant advantage. Your first bet should always be $6 which will result in a higher payout. If you place $6 on 6 for your first round, you’ll win $7 and collect a $1 profit. On the second round, you will instruct the dealer to press the bet which keeps your $6 bet on for another $1 profit. Finally, if the 6 hits the third round, you will regress your bet back to $6 for another $20 for a profit of $22.

FICTION: No guarantee of winning and this system is only mildly helpful for occasional players with a small bankroll.