In a way it's ironic...but then again, it's not. The best best at the craps table - the one without any House Edge - is the one the casino does not openly tell you about.

Called the odds bet, it is not displayed on the craps table with the myriad of other possible bets, and so many new players do not even know the odds bet even exists. However, any seasoned craps player knows of and takes advantage of the odds bet. In fact, the odds bet can be the foundation of a successful craps strategy at the online casino.

In order to make the free odds bet, players must begin by making a pass line bet. When the shooter establishes their point on the comeout roll, the odds bet is made behind the original pass line bet. Many players refer to this as backing the odds.

When certain situations arise, the odds bet can be used to maximize one's winnings. Much like that of the Double Down action at the game of Blackjack, the odds bet increases one's original wager.

Payouts vary, depending on the established point number. For a point number of 4 or 10, the payout is 2 to 1. For a point number of 5 or 9, the payout is 3 to 2. For point numbers of 6 or 8 (the most likely rolled numbers besides 7), the payout is 6 to 5.

The majority of online casinos allow players to make an odds bet of double the original pass line bet. Therefore a $10 pass line bet would become a double odds bet of $20. Depending on the point number, the payout will vary.

Casinos also offer 4,5,6 times odds, which is their nice way of trying to speed up the game. These are good bets to take - and once again - depending on the point number, will payout differently. Just remember that your winnings will always be the same. For instance a 4x odds bet (point number 5 or 9) on a pass line bet of $5 pays 3 to 2, thus earning $30 on a $20 bet. Likewise, a 5x odds bet (point number 6 or 8) on a pass line bet of $5 pays 6 to 5, thus earning $30 on a $25 total bet.

One last word of warning about odds bets: If you do not have a healthy bankroll, it is probably unpractical for you to take some of the larger odds bets that many craps hosts offer. A double odds bet, however, is a very wise bet to make, and will lower the House Edge on a pass line bet from .85% down to .61%.

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Additional Craps Information - Tips, Rules and Strategy:

• Craps Tips & Strategy
• Craps Rules of the Game
• Craps Table Etiquette Rules
• Calculating Dice Odds at the Craps Table
• Playing the Lay Bet
• The Skinny on Proposition Bets
• Four Great Casino Craps Books Now Being Sold
• Covering the Numbers on a Hot Shooter
• Watching For Cheats at the Casino Craps Table
• Collect, Press and Regress Betting Strategy
• Beating the Casino Edge With the Free Odds Bet
• Making the Most of Craps - The Place Bet
• Craps Full Double Odds
• More Craps Odds - 3-4-5x Odds
• Meet the Craps Personnel in a Casino
• Aggressive Craps Strategy
• The Symmetry of Craps
• Craps Betting in Set Denominations

Craps Glossary of Terms:

• Craps Terms "Aces" Through "Big Red"
• Craps Terms "Box Numbers" Through "Crew"
• Craps Terms "Dealers" Through "Hardway Bet"
• Craps Terms "Hi-Lo" Through "Loaded Dice"
• Craps Terms "Marker Puck" Through "Proposition Bets"
• Craps Terms "Rail" Through "Yo-Eleven"