Online craps can be quite a different experience than land casino craps, but not necessarily a less fun one. In fact, it could quite possibly be considered a more intelligent decision to play online. Craps is notorious for being an uproarious game, and with all of that hooting and hollering comes a fairly healthy dose of distraction. Together with the fact that craps is a game where money moves fast, both towards you and away from you, and you have a whole heap of trouble on your hands. Playing online craps on the other hand, lets you take some of these variables into your control.

First consider the environment. The craps environment in a land based casino is built upon having a little party around the table. With craps, unlike most if not all other casino games, you get to play along with the other players at the table. When one person wins, everyone making that bet also wins. So you get some camaraderie and some feeling of being on a team, or being at a party. For a lot of people this is the essence of craps, but for others the essence is to make money. For those folks, online craps may be your best bet. Online craps games have a little way to go yet before they can simulate the craziness of a land based casino, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

At home you get to control your own environment. You only drink if you want to (sure the choice is yours in a land based casino too, but with free drinks being offered and brought to you it's often harder to say no), you don't have lots of gorgeous women with low cut tops all over you offering alcohol. The point of course is that while the land based casinos distract you, online craps can't do the same. Your sitting down (you can't sit down at a casino craps table unless your disabled or have more money than the casino itself) in your most comfortable chair, with a nice refreshing drink, perhaps some relaxing or uplifting music. You get to choose. You get to play the game that is surrounded with distraction, in the calmest serene environment imaginable. Now that's an advantage.

To fully understand this inherent advantage of online craps you probably have to try it out for yourself. If you've never played craps in the casino before it's not a bad idea to have your first experience online, as the intimidation factor isn't quite so intense. So try it! Sit down and step up to the table! The majority of online casinos have free craps games, so you don't have actually bet real money, unless you want to of course. If you are interested in playing real online craps try our online casino. Again, we have a simple free online Craps game you can also try.

3-way craps: a bet made in units of 3 with one unit on 2, one unit on 3, and one unit on 12. This is a horn bet without the bet on 11.

Aces: betting that the next roll will be the total sum of 2

Any craps: a bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, or 12. This bet pays 7:1 and has a house edge of 11.1%.

Any seven: a bet that the next roll will be 7. This bet pays 4:1 and has a house edge of 16.7%.

Backline: same as Don't Pass Line

Behind the Line: A bet on the free-odds after a point has been established on the come out roll.

Betting Right: Betting that the dice will pass; with the dice.

Betting Wrong: Betting that the dice won't pass; against the dice.

Big 6: a bet that a 6 will be rolled before a 7 comes up. This bet pays even money, and has a house edge of 9.1%. A place bet on 6 pays 7:6 but is identical otherwise. The place bet is preferred, having a house edge of 1.5%

Big 8: a bet that an 8 will be rolled before a 7 comes up. This bet pays even money, and has a house edge of 9.1%. A place bet on 8 pays 7:6 but is identical otherwise. The place bet is preferred, having a house edge of 1.5%

Big Red: placing a bet on Any Seven

Bones: another name for dice.

Boxcars: betting on the 12.

Box man: table supervisor who sits between the stickman and directly behind the thousands of dollars worth of chips that the casino keeps on hand at each craps table.

Broke Money: transportation money given to the broke player by the casino.

Buffalo: placing a bet on each of the Hard way and Any Seven.

Buy bet: giving the house a 5% commission in order to be paid correct odds for a place bet. The buy bets on 4 and 10 allow the player to reduce the house edge from 6.67% to 4% on these bets. Some casinos collect the commission only on winning bets, while others collect it at the time the bet is made.

Capped Dice: crooked dice

Cold Table: when shooters are not making their Points.

Come bet: a "virtual pass line bet"; a bet made after the come out roll but in other respects exactly like a pass line bet.

Come Box: The area on the layout where a come bet is made.

Come out roll: the first roll of the dice in a betting round is called the "come out" roll. Pass bets win when the come out roll is 7 or 11, while pass bets lose when the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12. Don't bets lose when the come out roll is 7 or 11, and don't bets win when the come out roll is 2 or 3. Don't bets tie when the come out roll is 12 (2 in some casinos; the "bar" roll on the layout indicates which roll is treated as a tie).

Crap: the numbers 2,3 and 12

Craps: the game or the dice.

Crap Out: the numbers 2,3 or 12 on the first roll.

Dealer: is responsible for all the bets made on his half of the table. Whenever you want to make free odds, place, or lay bet in a casino, you should give the money to the dealer at your end of the table and he will make the bet for you.

Don't come bet: A "virtual don't pass bet"; a bet made after the come out roll.

Don't pass bet: a bet that the dice will not pass. This bet can be placed only immediately before a "come out" roll. One result (either the 2 or the 12, depending on the casino) will result in a push. House edge on these bets is 1.40%. A Don't Pass bet can be taken down, but not increased, after the come-out roll.

Double odds: an odd bet that is about twice as large as the original pass/come bet. Some casinos offer higher odds, such as 5X or even 10X odds.

Field bet: a bet that the next roll would be 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. This bet pays even money for 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11, and usually pays 2:1 for 2 or 12. Some casinos pay 3:1 for either the 2 or 12 (but not both), and some casinos may make the 5 instead of the 9 a field roll.

Floor men: are the people who are responsible for the games in the casino. Floor men spent their time behind the tables watching over the games.

Hard way: a bet on 4, 6, 8, or 10 that wins only if the dice show the same face; e.g., "hard 8" occurs when each die shows a four.

Hop bet: a bet that the next roll will result in one particular combination of the dice, such as 2-2 (called a "hopping hard way") or 3-5. 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5 are paid the same as a one-roll 2; other hop bets are paid the same as a one-roll 11.

Horn bet: a bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 11, or 12, made in multiples of 4, with one unit on each of the numbers.

Horn high bet: a bet made in multiples of 5 with one unit on 3 of the horn numbers, and two units on the "high" number (number 12). "$5 horn high eleven": $1 each on 2, 3, 12, and $2 on the 11.

Insurance bet: Two or more wagers made at a crap table in an attempt to insure one or the other.

Lay bet: a bet that a particular number (4,5,6,8,9, or 10) will NOT be rolled before a 7 comes up. The casino takes 5% of the winnings on these bets. The 5% commission is usually taken up front, but some casinos take the commission after the bet wins.

Lay odds: after a point has been established, the don't pass bettor can place an additional odds bet that will win if the original don't pass bet wins. The odds bet is paid at the correct odds for the point, and is a fair bet with no house edge. This also applies to a don't come bet. Making this bets is referred to "laying the odds" for your don't bet.

Line bet: a bet on the "pass line" or the "don't pass line" is called a "line" bet. These bets are placed at the beginning of the game, before the "come out" roll. The shooter is required to make a line bet in order to shoot the dice.

Little Joe: a pair of twos or Hard 4.

Marker Puck: plastic disks that the dealers use to mark the point on the Craps table. When the buck is turned so that the side inscribed with 'off' is face up, then all free odds bets have no action on the following roll of the dice.

Midnight: betting on the number 12 to appear on the next roll.

Odds off: an odd bets that are "not working". Odds bets can be called "off" by the player at any time, but are left on the felt until the bet is resolved. Also, come odds bets are usually "off" during the come out roll, unless the bettor asks to have the odds bets "working". Come odd bets that are "off" will be returned to the player if the line bet loses on the come out roll. Don't come odds generally work on the come-out roll.

Pass bet: a bet that the dice will pass, also known as a "pass line" bet. This bet is generally placed immediately before a "come out" roll, although you can make or increase this bet at any time. House edge on this bets is 1.41%.

Parley: leaving your winnings in action.

Place bet: a bet that a particular number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7 comes up. These bets are paid at slightly less than correct odds, giving the house an edge of 1.52% on 6/8, 4% on 5/9, and 6.67% on 4/10.

Pit: is the area enclosed by all of the craps tables in a casino. Floor men walk around in the pit and keep an eye on the craps games in progress and the casino employees.

Point: if a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled on the come out roll, then this number becomes the "point". The shooter must roll the point again, before rolling a seven, in order for the dice to "pass". A "come point" is just the number that is serving as a point for a come bet.

Right bettor: a player who bets that the dice will pass.

Single odds: an odd bet that is about as large as the original pass/come bet. Some casinos allow "double odds", or even larger odds bets.

Snake Eyes: betting on the number 2.

Stickman: the casino employee who calls out the dice rolls and returns the dice to the shooter. The stickman also is responsible for the placing and paying the proposition bets.

Vigs (vigorish): house commissions taken on a particular bet (like the IRS).

Working bets: that are "live" (i.e., can be resolved with the next roll) are said to be working. Generally, place bets, buy/lay bets, and come odds bets do not work on the come-out unless you tell the dealers to "make them work." All other bets (e.g., Hard way) work unless you call them "off" (i.e., tell the dealers you do not want them to "work").

Whirl bet: a bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12, made in multiples of 5, with one unit on each of the numbers.

Wrong bettor: a player who bets that the dice will not pass.

Is it possible to have a betting edge over the casino? Well No, not really.

Are there little tricks to winning consistently? Yes, as a matter of fact, there are!

You may have heard of claims from individuals that they have the "magical system" that is guaranteed to win (usually for "only $19.95!). Do not believe it. Although there are better systems than others, it is mathematical impossible to create a system that would give a player an edge in any game of chance. Trust us, people have tried!

Okay, tell me how to win consistently playing craps! We will share with you the secrets of winning consistently. Winning consistently is easy to understand once you know why people loose consistently. Casinos strive basically on four types of players:

* Players with unrealistic winning goals (greedy).
* Players who rely strictly on luck (as oppose to skill).
* Players with little (or no) discipline.
* Players who play not to lose (as oppose to playing to win).

Assuming this is the case (bet on it), it stands to reason that the key to winning consistently is by Playing Smart.

Playing smart starts with making good bets. Obviously making the best bets and staying away from the bad bets will increase your chances of winning. However, there must be more to winning than making good bets or more people would be winning, right? The other parts to the puzzle of winning consistently are:

Having a solid game plan
* Effective money management
* Having the discipline and confidence to execute your plans

Get your chips in order. Use what ever makes you feel comfortable. The point here is to always be able to KNOW how much money you are ahead or behind.

Avoid making a bet while a roll is in progress. It is hard to get a feel of the game without first observing the action.

GETTING COMFORTABLE
Place one unit ($5) on the Pass Line
Place odds on the shooter point as follows:
If the shooter point is 4 or 10 place single odd. In this case you would put an additional $5 behind your Pass Line.
If the shooter point is 5 or 9 you will place $6.00 behind the Pass Line.
If the shooter point is 6 or 8 you will place double odds or $10.00 behind your Pass Line bet. In either case, your maximum risk is only $15.00. You will repeat this process twice before implementing your system(s).
The purpose here is for you to get a feel of how things are moving on the table. This will help you decide which strategy you would like to execute.

The casino game of Craps is played with a set of two perfectly balanced dice. The game is played by tossing the dice from one of the short ends of the table to the other (make sure that both die hit the opposite side wall of the table). Payoffs are made based on the number combination displayed when the dice come to rest.

The inside walls of the table are covered with a serrated egg-carton like foam, designed to make the dice bounce around to assure randomness. Each throw of the dice is called a "roll". Players take turn rolling the dice, clockwise around the table, and the player rolling at any given time is called the "shooter". When a new shooter is given the dice, his or her first roll is called the ""Come Out"" roll. This begins a new series of rolls by that shooter and lasts for as long as that shooter continues to make winning rolls.

A new game in Craps begins with the ""Come Out"" roll. A ""Come Out"" roll can be made only when the previous shooter fails to make a winning roll -- more correctly known as "not making the "Point"" or "seven out". A new game then begins with a new shooter. If the current shooter does make his "Point", the dice are returned to him and he then begins the new "Come Out" roll. This is a continuation of that shooter's roll, although technically, the "Come Out" roll identifies a new game about to begin.

When the shooter fails to make his or her "Point", the dice are then offered to the next player for a new "Come Out" roll and the game continues in the same manner. The new shooter will be the person directly next to the left of the previous shooter.

On the "Come Out" roll, the "Pass Line" bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11. The bet loses automatically if the shooter rolls 2, 3 or 12. This is known as "rolling craps". If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 the shooter must roll this same number again (to win) before rolling the number 7. Rolling any of these numbers on the "Come Out" roll is called "establishing the Point". Any number so rolled is thereafter referred to as the "Point".

Establishing a "Point" is an event that happens as the immediate result of the "Come Out" roll, unless that "Come Out" roll results in 7, 11, 2, 3 or 12, in which case more rolls must be made until a "Point" is established.

It now becomes important to mention a device that looks like a hockey puck called the "Puck". It is white on one side and black on the other, and is used by the dealers to identify the "Point". Once the shooter establishes the "Point", the dealer will move this puck to that "Point" number and turn it the white side up. The puck stays on this "Point" until the shooter either makes his "Point" or until he sevens out. When the puck is moved to the "Don't Come" bar 12 area and turned black side up. The significance of this device is only in tracking the game. White side up over a "Point" indicates the game is in progress and that this box number is the "Point". Black side up means a new "Come Out" roll is about to take place.

As with all table games, you will begin by changing your cash money into gaming chips. In Craps you do this by throwing your money on the table and yelling, "change". If the table is playing well there will be a lot of people crowding around and a lot of noise, so make sure you yell out. Also it is a good idea to wait and ask for change between rolls of the dice.

In Craps, winning or losing depends on a variety of different possible outcomes on any roll of the two dice. The two dice can produce many different number combinations; some can be made several ways, others only one way. For example, two dice can roll the number 6 as follows: 5/1, 4/2, 3/3, 2/4 and 1/5. But the number 2 can only be rolled one way: 1/1. Numbers such as 6, which can be rolled several ways, don't pay as much as numbers which can be rolled only one way, unless you are betting that the number will be rolled in a specific way, such has 3/3, known as "Hardways". All winning payoffs are, therefore, determined by the frequency in which any two-dice number combinations can be rolled. Generally, the harder the combination is to roll, the more it will pay, and vice versa.

Although really taking advantage of the many betting options can involve a considerable degree of mastery, in its simplest form, Craps is a game where players bet either that the shooter will make his "Point" or that he or she will not make their "Point". Betting that the shooter will make his/her "Point" is called betting "with the shooter" (also called "betting right") and betting that the shooter will not make his/her "Point" is called "betting against the shooter" (also called "betting wrong").

To bet with the shooter, you must place your bet in an area marked ""Pass Line"", before the new shooter rolls the dice. The so-called "Pass Line" is a strip on the table layout marked by two lines roughly two inches wide and it rims the entire table layout across from the Box Man. To bet against the shooter, you must place your bet in an area marked "Don't Pass". This area is also a strip on the table layout and it rims the table directly above the "Pass Line".

No matter what stage the game is in, whether on the "Come Out" roll, or in progress, you can jump in immediately and place any bets. The only exception to this is the bet called the "Pass Line" bet with odds", which can be made only on the "Come Out" roll. You can, however, bet with the shooter even while the game is in progress by placing a "Pass Line" bet without odds. Placing your chips halfway over one of the two lines framing the "Pass Line" area does this.

Before the new shooter rolls the dice on his or her "Come Out" roll, there are a variety of bets that can be made. The "Pass Line" and Don't Pass Line" bet are the most common bets to make. Once the shooter establishes a "Point", you can then place an additional bet behind your "Pass Line" bet. This is called "taking odds".

In most casinos you can bet up to three times the amount of your "Pass Line" bet. This is called "taking full odds". Some casinos offer up to 100 times odds! This simply means that you can bet up to 100 times the amount of your "Pass Line" bet once a "Point" has been established.

Betting the "Don't Pass Line" is the exact opposite of betting the "Pass Line". The "Don't Pass" bet wins if the shooter rolls any craps; 2 or 3 (12 is considered a push; the bet neither wins nor loses, merely stays in limbo till a decision is reached on subsequent rolls) and loses if shooter rolls a 7 or 11.

Once the shooter establishes a "Point" your "Don't Pass" bet stays in action, win until the shooter rolls a 7 or make his/her "Point". Therefore, a "Don' Pass" bet wins if the shooter fails to make his "Point", but loses if the shooter does make the "Point". You can also take odds on a "Don't Pass" bet.

Here are five popular and easy to remember strategies, keep in mind however, that Craps is definitely a game of chance.

STRATEGY #1: Classic Regression

Goal:
To make a profit on one hit.
In this strategy, you wait until the shooter has made his/her point before placing your bets. After the Point is made you will place two units or $12.00 on both the 6 and 8. After one hit, you will ask the Dealer to come down one unit on both the 6 & 8.

Results:
You now have a $2.00 profit and can no longer get hurt by the Seven. In addition, you now have $12.00 working for you. After another hit, bring down all bets and wait for the roller to make his/her point or 7 out, then start the process over.

On two hits your net profit is: $21.00. Now depending on how confident you are, you can come down after the first hit profiting $14.00 or keep betting on the 6 & 8. If you prefer to keep your bets riding make sure that both the 6 & 8 are covered.

Behind the Strategy:
There are ten combined ways to make a 6 and 8 and six combined ways for a seven

STRATEGY #2: "Three Point Molly"

Goal:
To have three numbers working for you at all times.
In this strategy you will make a Pass Line bet and two "Come bets".
-Make a Pass Line bet.
-Backup your Pass Line bet with single or double odds.
-Make a Come Line bet.
-Backup each Come Bets with single or double odds (two Come bets maximum).
-When one of your Come Bets wins, place another Come Bets.
-Continue this process until the shooter makes his/her Point or Seven-Out.

Behind the Theory:
Each times you make a Come Bet you are protecting your Pass Line bets and taking advantage of a hot roller.

STRATEGY #3: "Anything But Seven"

Goal:
To win on any number thrown except a Seven.
-Don't place any bets on the Don't Pass or Pass Line, but wait until a point has been established.
-Place two units on 5, 6, & 8.
-Place one unit on the Field.

Results:
This method is a little riskier than the previous strategies, since your total monetary risk is: $39.00. Therefore, it is suggested that you remove all bets after three rolls. Should the shooter hold the dice for at least three rolls, you will stand to win anything from $15.00-$27.00(more if the numbers 2 or 12 are rolled).

Behind The Strategy:
The average roller rolls the dice 4 to 6 times before rolling a 7.

STRATEGY #4: "68 Play"

1: Don't make a Pass Line or Don't Pass Line bet rather wait until a "POINT" is made.
2: Wait till the shooter rolls the dice one more time.
3: "PLACE" $18.00 on both the 6 & 8 for a total investment of $36.00
4: Once a 6 or 8 is made ask the dealer for $22.00 inside
5: On the next hit, ask the dealer to take down the 5 and 9
6: Play out the roll for three additional rolls and then bring down the 6 & 8

The Breakdown:
- After First Hit you will receive: $21.00
- Takedown to 22 inside $14.00
- Your total exposure after the first hit is $1.00. But now you have $22.00 working for you.
- The second hit will produce $7.00 plus the return of $10.00 from the take down of 5 and 9
- With total two hits you have a $16.00 profit and still have $12.00 working. At this "POINT", you can continue to have the 6 & 8 working or take down your $12.00.

Advice:
If the shooter has not made a 6 or 8 and/or his "POINT" by the fourth roll, bring down all bets and wait for the next shooter. If you feel uncomfortable laying $36.00 you can start with $24.00. If you feel good about the shooter you may want to keep the 5 and 9 up for more than one roll.

STRATEGY #5: Regressive/Pressing Methods

One of the biggest mistake I have witness from player is "Pressing" (letting your winnings ride) their bets too soon. It is my firm belief that "Pressing" should only occur after the initial investment has been recuperated.
1: Wait for the shooter to make his/her "POINT"
2: "PLACE" $18.00 on both the 6 & 8
3: After the first hit, ask for $22.00 inside
4: After the second hit, remove the 5 & 9
5: After the third hit, put back the 5 & 9
6: After the fourth hit press the 6 & 8 to $12.00 each
7: After the fifth hit; go to Step #2.

Here Is The Breakdown:
After First Hit you will receive $21.00 and $14.00 from the takedown to 22 inside. Funds at risk are $1.00.
After Second Hit you will receive $7.00 and $10.00 from removing the 5 & 9
Total Profits after two hits: $16.00 - Money Working: $12.00

There are several theories on the history of Craps. One theory is that in ancient times rolling of bones was done to divine the will of the gods, and that evolved to various dice games (including Craps). For example, some fortune tellers in Cuba through sea shells and 'read' them.

Another take has the game evolving from an early Arab game passed through England, France and North America.Even before the Middle Ages, the Arabs played a game using little numbered cubes, called azzahr (meaning "the die"). The game showed up across the Mediterranean in France, where it was renamed hasard, then jumped to England some time before the 1500s AD where it was given the English spelling of the same word; hazard. The roll of lowest value in that game was called crabs. The French adopted that term from the English, but the French spelling was crabes. In the early 1700s, the game crossed the Atlantic to the French colony of Acadia (Canada).

In 1755, the French lost Acadia to the English who promptly renamed it Nova Scotia and banished the French-speaking Acadians, who migrated a great distance and finally relocated to Louisiana, where they were called (as they still are) Cajuns. There they developed a language called Louisiana French. They still played the good old dice game, but dropped the title of hasard and called the game simply crebs or creps, which was their modified spelling of the French crabes.

By 1843, the Cajun word came into American English as craps. People were apparently careful for a while not to omit the final 's' for fear of confusion with a slang term having a totally different meaning, but that's another story.

However all historians seem to agree on one point, Craps was brought over to North America from Europe in the early 1700's. The game was first played on riverboats in the United States and then moved west with the frontier as the country grew.

In general there are two types of Craps games played today: "Street Craps" and "Bank Craps". Street Craps is the variety you would find being played in informal settings. The betting is simplified, and someone must cover the bet in order for the game to progress. Bank Craps on the other hand is the form played in land based and online casinos. The betting is more complicated and the house covers the bets (banks the game) so the players are in effect playing against the house.

Online craps represents a new paradigm in gaming, and provides some interesting possibilities for players in general. The same rules apply for online craps though, and playing smart bets over dumb ones is something that will never change. Although, online Craps does lend itself to a more serene playing environment where the player can relax and in theory, make better betting decisions. To try online Craps, test your strategy with out free online Craps game.

The 1-3-2-6 System
-The name of this system says it all. It is similar to the Paroli system. It is based on the premise that you can win four times in a row.
-Your initial bet is 1 unit, the second 3 units, the third 2 units and the fourth 6 units. Let's assume that each unit is $10 and the odds are 1:1 - even money.
-The first bet is $10. When winning, $10 is added to the $20 on the table making the second bet $30. When winning again on the second bet, there would be $60 on the table. Of this you take down $40 and the third bet is now $20. If the third bet wins, you will have $40 on the table to which you add $20 making a total of $60 for the fourth bet.
-If the fourth bet wins, there would be a total of $120, of which $100 is net profit. Now all the bet with the profit is taken down and you start the system all over again at $10.
-If you lose the first bet, your loss is $10. The second level loss is $20. At the third level, a loss will give you a net profit of $20. At the fourth level, a loss leaves you breaking even. Each time you lose, you start all over again at $10.
-The attraction of this system is that you risk $20 at a chance of making $100 net profit. This means you can lose five times, and with one win get your money back.

The D'Alenbert System
-This is a mixture of Martingale and Insurance systems. Bets are raised one unit after each losing bet and lowered one unit after each winning bet. The sequence and amount raised or lowered can be varied to suit particular games and odds.

The Labouchere System
-This system is also called the 'Cancellation' system. There are many variations. In its simplest form, you write down a series or a set of numbers; say, 1 2 3 4 5 6. The series can be short or long and not necessarily sequential such as 1 1 1 3 3 5 7. The choice of a particular series depends on the type of game you want to apply it to and the odds of the bet.
-Each number represents the amount in units or chips to bet. You bet the first and last of these numbers. In this example 1 and 6, which totals 7 units.
- If you win, you cross out the two numbers and bet the next two 'ends' (the outside numbers). In this instance 2 and 5. If you win again you bet on the next two remaining numbers 3 and 4, and if you win that too, you would have made a 'coup' or completed one game. Then you start all over again.
- If you lose, then you add that one number to the end of the series. Say you lost your first bet of 7 units (1+ 6). Then you add number 7 to the end of the series to look like this: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and your next bet would be 8 units (1+7). If you won the first bet but lost the second 2 and 5, then the series of numbers would look like this: 2 3 4 5 7.
- If you work it out, you will see that when the series is completed or when you make a 'coup', there is always a profit. The negative side of this system is that you could end up betting large sums of money even if your initial bet is small.

The Martingale System
- The Martingale system is a very old and extremely simple system. It is based on the probability of losing infinite times in a row and is usually applied to 'even money' bets.
- You start with one bet. If you win, you start again with one bet. If you lose, you double your bet. Each time you lose, you double your last lost bet. Eventually you are bound to win. When you win you would recover all your lost bets plus one unit (or chip) profit against your initial wager.
- Although infallible in theory, the Martingale system requires a large bankroll, has a very low return and is a very risky one because of the maximum bet limits imposed by the casinos. If you run out of money or reach the house limit, you can lose a lot with no chance to recover your losses.

The Parlay System
- This system is similar to the Paroli system and has the effect of 'pyramiding' your profit. Pyramiding is a parlay wager whereby the original wager plus its winnings are played on successive wagers.
- It is commonly used in horse racing betting. Basically you make a bet and if you win you re-invest the winnings on the next bet. You 'let it ride'.
- This method of play is by no means risk free, but it offers the least amount of risk of all wagers since the player is only concerned with either a win, place or show selection or a combination of the three.
- It is one of the oldest methods of wagering and was originally derived from the same premise that banking systems use to compound interest.

The Paroli System
- This system is in a way the opposite of the Martingale system. You start with one bet and you increase your bet when you win rather than when you lose.
- However, you will need to plan a betting procedure whereby you know how far you will let the bet build before you take it down to the initial starting bet and how much to raise after each win. This obviously depends on the type of game played and the odds of the bet.
- The advantage of this system is that you do not require a large bankroll. It lets the profit run and cuts short the losses.

Are you a superstitious person? You know, the kind of person who won’t open an umbrella inside a house, won’t walk under a ladder and has to spin around three times when stepping over a crack in the pavement?

Here’s a list of some of the more common craps superstitions compiled by some of the great craps players. Incidentally, they believe in a lot of this nonsense too!

1. If the stickman changes, in the middle of a roll, a seven will follow.
2. If a cocktail waitress approaches the table, a seven will follow.
3. If the dice being thrown hits somebody’s money, a seven is likely.
4. If the dice being thrown hits the glass, a seven will appear.
5. If there’s too much chatter among the dealers, frequent sevens.
6. If the dice are thrown off the table, seven will be the next number up.
7. If new dice are requested, seven is likely to follow.
8. If someone yells out the number “7”, a seven will surely follow.

All of this may sound like a whole lot of nothing to you but sometimes you can be involved in an active game where the dice are passing a little too frequently. If you pay attention, you will discover that several of the superstitions are, in fact, occurring.

You’ll notice that the stickman changes a little too often, that instead of one cocktail waitress, the table now has two waitresses serving drinks and many other strange happenings that ultimately mean a seven is going to be thrown by the shooter.

Remember, you can always bring your bets down and wait until the next shooter. You can also turn your bets off, but if you do, don't turn them back on, because if you do… a seven will follow!

California Native American Casinos Use Cards in Craps

California Native American casinos may use slot machines and card tables, but a legal question remains as to whether roulette and craps are legal. Until the issue is settled, some reservation casinos are offering a California version of crabs, substituting cards for dice at the craps table. It's estimated that at least half of these casinos offer alternative forms of craps.

Other casinos use alternative cubes that do not fit the dictionary definition of dice. The cubes sport non-standard numbers and colors, and can?t be found at any 'regulation' Bank craps tables anywhere else in the world.

Second only to winning is the ability to manage your money. While it's everyone's burning desire to leave the casino a big winner, more likely than not, you'll leave with a slight loss. The casinos have gone to quite a bit of trouble to ensure that this happens. That's why the house always has an advantage over the player. Fortunately, craps offers the best possible house edge, if you combine the Pass/Don't Pass and Come/Don't Come bets with the Odds bets.

But that's not all there is to winning. Winning requires discipline and a proper mental attitude. If you can leverage your bets with the Odds bets, manage your money and maintain your head through the orchestrated chaos we call craps, you'll have a great time and give yourself the best odds to walk away with some extra money.

Money Management Made Simple
There are many successful money management schemes. Pick one that works for you, and abide by it. Use several in combination if you like. Do whatever ensures that you keep your losses to a minimum or walk away with some of the money that you won during the course of a session at the craps table. Be brutal with yourself. You're doing battle with the casino gods whose sole purpose is to part you from your money.

Craps is a lively game for several reasons. Among them is the fact that fortunes can be made and lost in no time flat.

* If you should somehow make a killing (we're talking big money), and it's not something that you routinely pull off when you visit a casino, get the heck out of Dodge. Don't waste a minute longer. Don't set an artificial stop loss. Just get out of there. Who cares if the airline ticket is non-refundable? Run; don't walk, as fast as you can, and don't look back.
* Establish a bankroll, and stick to it. When your bankroll is gone, you should be too. You are smart enough to know that you shouldn't bet with money that you can't afford to lose. -Nuf said!
* If you're winning, put away at least half your winnings, and play only with your original stake. Once the original stake is gone, you still walk away with some money. You can also use this technique in reverse: place your original stake out to the side and only gamble with your winnings.
* Divide your stake by 50. That way, you can probably enjoy yourself for hours. For example, if you bring $100, bet no more than $2 per round.

Craps Money-Stretching Strategy
Assume that you start with a stake of $200, and you want to make that money last as long as possible.

1. Divide the $200 into two piles of $100 each.
2. Play with only one pile, and find a table with a $2 minimum.
3. If you win $100, take the $200 off the table and cash in the chips. Put the $200 away somewhere.
4. If you lose, play only with the $100 until it's gone. Stop playing at the table and cash in your chips. Without chips, you can't play at least not right away. Save the remaining $100 until after you've taken a break.

When you walk away with some money in your pocket, you will have had a good time at the craps table.

Play with Your Head Screwed on Right
Craps is fast-paced and lively, requiring concentration and fast reflexes amidst the chaos. Play craps only when you're up to the task. Your energy level is likely to affect your play, and your play most certainly will affect your mental attitude. It's a slippery slope. Make sure that you?re on firm ground when you approach the craps table. If you're not, you might want to consider another less lively game or find another form of entertainment until you're up to the craziness that is the favorite of the rowdy crowd craps!