Craps for Beginners: Essential Bets Filipino Players Should Start With
Why Craps Deserves a Spot in Your Casino Rotation
Walk into any major Philippine casino—Solaire, City of Dreams, Okada, or Resorts World—and you'll see the craps table buzzing with energy. It's loud, fast, and looks complicated. But strip away the noise and craps is simply a game of dice with some of the best odds in the house. For Filipino players used to pusoy or tong-its, the transition to craps is easier than you think. The key is starting with the right bets.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential bets every beginner should master. No fluff, no jargon overload—just the wagers that keep the house edge low and your bankroll intact. By the end, you'll know exactly where to put your chips on your first visit to the table.
Step 1: Understand the Pass Line and Don't Pass Line
The Pass Line is the cornerstone of craps. You're betting that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, or establish a point and then roll that point again before a 7. The house edge is just 1.41%, making it one of the best bets in the casino. Minimum bets at Philippine tables typically start at PHP 500, though high-limit areas can go up to PHP 10,000 or more.
The Don't Pass Line is the opposite: you win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 on the come-out, or if they seven out after establishing a point. The house edge is 1.36%, slightly better. But be warned: betting the Don't Pass makes you the odd one out at a lively table. It's a valid strategy, but socially it can be awkward.
How to Play the Pass Line
- Place your bet on the Pass Line before the come-out roll.
- If the shooter rolls 7 or 11, you win even money.
- If they roll 2, 3, or 12, you lose.
- Any other number becomes the point. You win if the point repeats before a 7.
That's it. The Pass Line is your bread and butter. Stick with it until you're comfortable.
Step 2: Add Odds Bets for Zero House Edge
Once you have a Pass Line bet and a point is established, you can place an Odds bet behind your original wager. This is the only bet in the casino with no house edge. Yes, zero. The catch? You must have a Pass Line bet to qualify, and the maximum odds vary by casino.
At most Philippine casinos, you can take 2x odds (twice your Pass Line bet). Some high-end joints like Solaire offer 3-4-5x odds, and a few VIP rooms go up to 10x. Always ask the dealer what the maximum is. If you're betting PHP 500 on the Pass Line, a 2x odds bet means an extra PHP 1,000. The payout depends on the point: 2:1 for 4 or 10, 3:2 for 5 or 9, and 6:5 for 6 or 8.
Pro tip: Always take the maximum odds. It reduces the overall house edge on your combined bet to less than 1%.
Step 3: Place Bets on 6 and 8 for Steady Action
If you want more frequent wins, Place bets on 6 and 8 are your best friends. These numbers roll more often than any other (except 7), and the payout is 7:6. The house edge is 1.52%, which is still respectable. You can place these bets anytime, even without a Pass Line bet.
Minimum Place bets at Philippine tables usually start at PHP 500. If you're on a tight budget, stick to one or two Place bets rather than scattering chips everywhere. The 6 and 8 are the sweet spot for beginners because they hit often and keep you engaged without bleeding your bankroll.
Why Not 4, 5, 9, or 10?
Place bets on 4 or 10 pay 9:5 but come with a 6.67% house edge. The 5 and 9 pay 7:5 with a 4% edge. They're not terrible, but they're not as efficient as 6 and 8. Save them for when you're more experienced.
Step 4: Avoid Sucker Bets Like the Field and Any Seven
The craps table is covered in betting options, but not all are created equal. The Field bet looks tempting—it wins on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12—but the 5, 6, 7, and 8 will crush you. The house edge is 5.56%, and that's before considering that some casinos pay only even money on 2 and 12. Skip it.
Any Seven is even worse: a single-roll bet that pays 4:1 but carries a 16.67% house edge. It's a lottery ticket, not a strategy. The same goes for Hardways (except when you're feeling lucky) and proposition bets in the center of the table.
Stick to Pass Line, Odds, and Place bets on 6 and 8. That's all you need to start.
Step 5: Manage Your Bankroll Like a Pro
Craps can be volatile. A hot shooter can double your stack in minutes, but a cold table can drain you just as fast. Set a session budget—say PHP 5,000—and divide it into smaller units. A common rule is to bet no more than 5% of your bankroll on any single wager.
If you're playing online, check the wagering requirements before claiming a bonus. For example, a 100% match up to PHP 5,000 with 30x wagering means you need to bet PHP 150,000 before withdrawing. That's steep. Look for casinos with 20x or lower. Also, note withdrawal processing times: e-wallets like GCash and Maya usually take 1-2 hours, while bank transfers can take 1-3 business days.
For live craps at Philippine casinos, set a win goal and a loss limit. If you're up PHP 3,000, consider pocketing half and playing with the rest. Discipline separates winners from regretful gamblers.