PROP BETS
The bulk of the bad bets at the craps table are “proposition bets”. They can be exciting because they offer a big payday, but the actual payoff does not reflect the true odds. They are heavily advertised on the craps layout, via a large box in front of the stickman.

Whenever one of these bets hits, a good stickman will invariably make a big stir about the payoff, trying to entice bets from other less knowledgeable craps players.

The payoffs on these bets range from four-to-one to 30-to- one, but the house edge runs from 9.1 percent to 16.7 percent. In most cases, players can get better odds on nickel slot machines.

The worst bet at the dice table is one that sounds rather plausible, so inexperienced players are tempted to place it. By making the “any seven” bet, these players are hoping that the shooter will roll a seven on the next roll. It seems reasonable since there are more ways to make a seven (six ways), than any other number. But the payoff does not reflect the many other numbers that can be rolled, so the any seven bet carries a hefty 16.7 percent house edge. The true odds on any seven are five-to-one, but it only pays four-to-one.

Wagers on the two and twelve, or the three and the eleven are to be avoided as well. The bet for the two and twelve is marginally worse than the three or eleven, giving the house a 13.9 percent advantage. The true odds are 35-to-one, but the casino only pays 30-to-one. That costs the $5 bettor $25, even though the craps initiate would be thrilled with a $150 win.

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True odds on the three and eleven prop bet is 17-to-one, but the house only pays 15-to-one, gaining an 11.1 percent edge.

The “any craps” bet seems like fun. After all, it’s the name of the game, and the two, three and twelve are house numbers on the come out roll because it beats all the pass line bettors. But the odds are prohibitive. Any craps bettors are giving the house a 11.11 percent edge.

Some pass line bettors make the any craps bets to take “insurance” on their come out bets. For instance, if a player makes a $15 bet on the pass line, he may make a $2 any craps bet. If a two, three or twelve is rolled, he loses the pass line bet, but gets paid seven-to-one, or $14 for his any craps bet, reducing his net loss to $1.

Resist this reasoning, however. Each bet is independent of the other, and making the two bets does nothing to reduce the house edge. It merely exposes more of the pla)er’s money, hastening his downfall.

Hardways bets are another tempting wager, especially if the point, established on the come-out roll, is one of these numbers. By making a number the “hardway”, the player rolls a pair of any number. A hard six (two threes) or hard eight (two fours) pays nine-to-one, but carries a house edge of 9.1 percent. The hard four or ten pays seven-to-one, giving away 11.11 percent. Betting the hardways is a hard way to win.

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