If you’ll remember, in our last article, I stated that there were only two bets in Las Vegas that will pay actual odds when you win. The one we discussed then was the “odds bet” on the craps table. The other, as it happens, is also on the craps table. It’s commonly called “playing on the side”.
Let’s take another look at our craps table layout (this link will open a new window). Note that, along one side, there are sections marked “4″, “5″, “six”, “8″, “nine”, and “10″. These are for placing side bets that can be placed at any time during a hand no matter what point the shooter is trying to make. Unlike “odds bets”, you can bet on these “points” at any time, and they work just like the odds bets. In essence, you are betting that your point will be rolled before the shooter rolls a 7.
- Quick explanation: Let’s say the shooter’s point is “4″, but, you do not have a pass line bet, so you cannot place an odds bet. You’d like to bet on the 4, and you want the true odds payout if you win. You can simply place your “side bet” on the 4, and, if you win, your payout will be at the 2:1 true odds. Note that, if you are betting the 6 or 8, the true odds are 7:6, so you must bet at that rate to get paid the true odds. So, instead of placing a $5 bet on the side, you will place a $6 bet to get the $7 payout. You can bet the $5, but your payout will be 1:1, or $5.
Of course, if the shooter does roll a 7 before rolling your point, then, like in pass line & odds bets, you will lose, and the House will pick up your checks.
Okay! Parts 1 thru 6 have covered, in detail, the most common bets that are made at the craps table. There are many more that are very specialized, and we’ll begin covering those with some future articles, so bookmark this site and stay tuned….
How To Play Craps: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
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