Craps strategies are endless. From the very first roles around the pass line and come out bets, to different combination’s and wagers on points, you can spend years perfecting your strategy in one of the most exciting casino games on the floor. Most players don’t wade too deep into those waters, though. They stick with what they know and are happy to live in that world. And there’s nothing wrong with “casino blinders,” as I call it. After all, knowing too much can get you into more trouble than knowing too little sometimes. But it doesn’t hurt to explore new strategies from time to time. Varying your game can help counter flux in any game (just ask blackjack players!)

Many players’ craps strategy is actually the same, and it revolves around betting on the pass and taking full odds when the point is established. However, this tends to limit your options. Another strategy is to have patience and wait for the first point to be established before making any bets. Many regulars scoff at the so-called benefits sold with the pass line bet, and feel that by waiting through that come out roll, the benefit and freedom of selecting whatever number you want is worth the wait. You’re also not forced into an even money wager. Having control over how your bets are being used, also, appeals greatly to many regular and advanced players (as opposed to having your bets pretty much working for the point).

Others take this strategy even deeper, only betting on certain established points. This can be a little dicey (pardon the pun), especially if you reduce your allowable points to two or three. Look at it this way. If you bet X units on point 1 and X units on point 2, you’re basically risking 2X units to win just over 1 unit (If $12 is the unit, you’d win $14). In order to make this work for you, a progressive betting strategy needs to be in place and adhered to with self-control.

When you start comparing the max odds of certain amount of bets on a pass line wager, and realize the restrictions (bets can’t be removed or reduced) vs. the max payoff of betting four or five numbers after the point is established, you’ll rethink the pass line strategy. The 2 to 1 advantage on the come out roll might look safe and sexy to beginners, but what it demands of you isn’t worth the risk, even with high odds tables.