The Any Craps Bet
Understanding How to Place Any Craps Bet
Craps is a fast, exciting casino game that offers a wide range of bets and a very low house edge if the proper strategy is used. Still, many players would often lose a lot of money while betting on or against the dice. The main reason for breaking the bank on the craps table is placing unfavorable bets and one of the worst options is the Any Craps bet.
This is a single-roll bet on the so-called craps numbers – 2, 3, and 12, and it is often placed as an insurance if losing the Pass Line bet. Most players avoid it and still, there are many who put their chips on the Any Craps box on the layout, hoping they would be able to recoup at least some of their losses. So, is this a good or a bad bet? The wager itself is easy to understand, as it is settled with the first roll of the dice. There are several basic concepts that every craps player needs to understand before starting to play the game for real money.
Craps is a game of chance where the outcome of every roll of the dice is random and cannot be influenced by any decision made by the player. The house, i.e. the casino, has an advantage built in the game, with rules and payouts designed to benefit the casino. Players, on the other hand, can make the most of their play by employing strategies for optimal results. Most of these tactics include placing favorable bets and combining them with other, even better wagers.
It is possible to know which numbers are more likely to be rolled and which numbers have fewer chances to win. By understanding the probabilities of craps, even less experienced players would be able to determine which bets are good and which bets should be avoided. In the sections below, casino patrons will find all the information about the Any Craps bet, as well as important details that would help them optimize their playing strategy.
What is the Any Craps Bet?
The name of the Any Craps bet refers to the numbers players bet on with this wager – these are 2, 3, and 12, also known as “craps” numbers. It is sometimes called the “three-way” wager and it is one of the proposition bets, which are settled in a single roll of the dice. This means that players do not have to wait until a point number is established to place this wager – they can opt for it at any time. This includes the initial roll of the shooter, which is called a come-out roll, or the subsequent ones, when the dice in the come-out landed on any of the point numbers – 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
The Any Crap wager means betting against the dice and since most players bet on the dice to win, this bet is not very popular. Those who opt for it in a land-based casino will soon realize they are in opposition of everyone else on the craps table. Most people prefer betting on the dice to win, i.e. the total of the numbers on the two dice to be either 7 or 11. When one of the craps numbers is rolled, they immediately lose. Those who place the Any Craps wager, however, win while everyone else is losing. Moreover, many players bet both ways – they put chips on the Pass Line and the Any Craps areas on the table layout.
Playing with the Any Craps Bet
Playing with the Any Craps bet is easy and straightforward but players should know that this is not a self-serving bet. This means that in brick-and-mortar casinos, they cannot simply put their chips on the betting layout but have to comply with the basic craps etiquette. Players are required to toss their chips carefully on the table and to ask the stickman to position them on the Any Craps box.
As mentioned above, this could happen at any time – whether the shooter rolls a come-out or the point number has already been established. The point number is fixed by the shooter when he or she rolls the dice and neither the naturals (7 or 11) nor the craps numbers come as winning.
The Any Craps bet wins only when the dice land on 2, 3, or 12. Any other outcome means this bet will lose. It is important to know that when this wager is placed after the point has been established, it can win or lose without being relevant to the Pass Line – it does not end the shooter’s current round. So, it could literally be made at any time, depending on the player’s personal preference.
Any Craps Bet House Edge and Payout
Similarly to the rest of the proposition bets, the Any Craps bet pays out better than the typical Pass/Don’t Pass and Come/Don’t Come bets, which are considered to be the fundamental wagers in this game. This could explain some players’ fascination with these single-roll bets – the potential winnings are much more attractive than when you are sticking to the most traditional bets. But the better payout does not necessarily mean that the Any Craps bet is a good bet.
As mentioned above, this wager favors the house and is, typically, not a good option, especially on its own. In order to determine whether or not to place it, players need to consider its house edge to know what the expected win or loss would be. The house edge could be easily estimated by comparing the probability for this bet with its payout.
Any Craps Bet Payout
The winning Any Craps Bet pays 7 to 1 (7:1) although some tables would indicate 8 for 1. It may be confusing but the two payouts mean the same thing. When you see 7:1, this means that if your $10 Any Craps bet wins, you will win $70. In the other case, the casino pays you $80 but the stickman or the house will keep the original $10 wager so you will receive a total of $70.
Compared to most types of bets, the Any Craps bet offers potentially bigger rewards which is why some players would often place it. At the same time, it is associated with higher risk as it has a high house edge and less experienced players are advised against making it.
Any Craps Bet House Edge
In craps, the outcome of every roll of the dice is random but many players mistakenly assume that every number is equally likely to come out. This is not the case, however, as the different outcomes can be formed with a different number of possible combinations. The number of 7, for instance, has the highest probability of rolling because it has 6 possible combinations, namely 1-6, 6-1, 2-5, 5-2, 3-4, and 4-3.
The Any Craps bet, however, covers three numbers that have a significantly lower probability of being rolled. The 2 and 12 can be made with just a single combination of numbers on the two dice, namely 1-1 and 6-6. The possible combinations for rolling 3 are two – 1-2 and 2-1. Overall, the winning combinations for this wager are 4, while the losing combinations are 32. In total, there are 36 possible combinations in this game. This clearly demonstrates the true odds for the bet at 8:1.
The payout, on the other hand, is 7:1, which guarantees that the casino will always make a profit from this wager. The difference may not seem significant but it is enough to contribute to a very house edge of 11.11% for the Any Craps bet. This means that on average, the casino will take $11.11 out of your $100 wager. This is a great advantage for the casino over its patrons, especially when we compare it with the house edge of less than 1.5% for bets such as Pass Line and Don’t Pass.
As demonstrated, the expected value of the Any Craps bet is negative and players who place it are more likely to lose than to win money. Nevertheless, the house edge is a mathematical average that is useful in showing the statistical likelihood of winning or losing. In reality, players can make a huge profit with this wager if they are lucky because it promises great rewards.
Should We Use the Any Craps Bet?
Deciding whether to place an Any Craps bet or not depends on each player’s individual preference and tolerance for risk. Due to the high built-in house advantage, this wager would not be suitable for those who have little experience playing craps or those who do not have a deep understanding of the little details and intricacies of the game. The first question casino patrons need to ask themselves before placing this wager is whether they are willing to take such a risk.
As with all forms of gambling, the higher risk is associated with higher rewards and there is no way to predict the result of the next roll of the dice. Some players in brick-and-mortar casinos would try to master dice control, just like card counting in blackjack. Unlike card counters, however, most casinos would not try to ban craps players who practice dice control as it is impossible to always roll the numbers you want considering the dice will be different at different casinos. The set of dice is important, as well as the different techniques used by dice setters to influence the roll.
Such practices would not be useful in an online casino, however. They are also impracticable for most craps players. So, is it worth placing Any Craps bets considering they cover numbers that are really hard to roll? Experienced players know well that proposition bets, one of which is the Any Craps wager, are the worst bets in craps because they come with an incredibly high house edge, ranging from 9.09% to 16.67%. They place such bets occasionally for making the game more interesting.
Combining Any Craps with Other Bets
Some players would prefer placing an Any Craps bet along with a more traditional choice such as Pass Line bet. In this case, they bet on five numbers – on and against the dice at the same time, which sounds like an effective strategy. In reality, such a combination is not very effective in increasing your chances of winning as the house edge remains the same for the two wagers.
With this betting pattern, you bet on 2, 3, 7, 11, and 12. Note that the Pass Line has a higher probability of winning and the point numbers are more likely to be rolled than the craps numbers. This means that in most cases, the Any Craps wager will lose whereas the round will not end. Once the point is established and the Any Craps bet loses, players can place another Any Craps wager. In this case, they will win the Pass bet if the point number rolls and the Any Craps wager if 2, 3, or 12 rolls. The chances of winning here are even lower.
Another alternative is to combine the Any Craps bet with a Field Bet. The Field wager is a bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12, so it already covers the craps numbers, so it does not make much sense placing these two bets. If any of the craps numbers wins, however, players receive payouts for both wagers – even money for the Field bet and 7:1 for the Any Craps bet. If the dice land on 2 or 12, the Field wager payout will be 2:1.
Any Craps Parley
Players in land-based casinos often place proposition bets when they want to tip the dealer. In this case, they bet for the dealer and the bet wins, the payout is parlayed, i.e. it is split between the player and the dealer or dealers. Usually, the casino staff would take parlayed bets if they have smaller house edge but the higher potential payout is quite attractive for them, too.
This practice is not recommended for players who have little experience or for those who are determined to stick to winning strategies like placing Pass/Don’t Pass and Come/Don’t Come bets and support them with Free Odds. If you want to leave the craps table with more money than you came with, you should avoid tipping, whether giving away your chips or betting for the dealers. It is sometimes required and a part of the etiquette in the casino.
If that is the case, you should toss your chips on the table and tell the stickman or the dealers “Any Craps Parlay”. Your chances of winning are not great, but if you win, half of the payout will go to the dealers and boost your reputation. Remember, this bet should be placed only if you can afford to lose the money you are wagering.
Conclusion
Craps is a relatively simple game and when played properly by knowledgeable players, it offers good odds and a low house advantage. There are only several basic things casino patrons should know before starting to play this game for real money – that the casino will always have an advantage over them and that some bets are significantly more rewarding than others. One of the worst strategies is placing proposition bets on every single roll of the dice as this is a certain and fast way to lose their bankroll.
These bets are resolved in a single roll unlike the classic Pass Line bet, which may require several rolls to come out winning or losing. The Any Craps bet and the other prop bets may sound convenient to make, but with them, players can lose money faster. Still, many players are willing to accept the higher risk in exchange for bigger potential payouts. It is up to the personal tolerance for risk and the size of the bankroll of every individual. Typically, budget players prefer making less risky bets, so that their bankroll can last for long. This does not include the Any Craps bet as you can lose lots of money with it.
| Payment Method | Deposit | Withdrawal | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Visa Card | YES | YES |
 | Mastercard | YES | NO |
 | InstaDebit | YES | YES |
 | PayPal | YES | YES |
 | Skrill | YES | YES |
 | PaySafeCard | YES | NO |
 | Citadel | YES | YES |
 | Neteller | YES | YES |
 | Sofort | YES | YES |
 | PayForIt | YES | NO |