Craps 6 And 8 House Edge
In my video Bellagio Craps, Part 3 of 3, I comment on the All, Tall, and Small bet. This is a breakdown of the ‘All, Tall, and Small’ bet.
THE PARLANCE
The edge on banker bets is lower with 1 deck than with 8 or 6 and having more cards in play increases the chances of a tie result occurring, which gives the house a bigger edge. Then move to $6 bets on each. NEVER lost once in a session. Dave's Super 6 - 8 system New shooter, await the come out and the point to be established, then wait for 1 more place point to be rolled which equates to two place numbers rolled by the new shooter. Then bet $24 on each the 6 and 8. House Edge for all the Major Craps Bet on Both a Per Bet Made and Per Roll Basis Introduction. One argument that comes up a lot is how to quantify the house edge in craps. Normally the house edge is defined as the ratio of expected loss to the initial bet.
This bet is commonly written as the ‘ATS’ bet. First, understand that most gambling writers refer to the All, Tall, Small bet as the ‘ATS’ bet, when mentioned in written form (because it’s easier to write ‘ATS). If you go into a casino, no one calls it the ‘ATS’ bet. I was in Las Vegas this past weekend, and just being the curious cat that I am, I experimented by throwing out three red chips and said ‘A-T-S’ (as in the letters, said phonetically; I didn’t say the word ‘at’ with an ‘s’ at the end). Many dealers and boxmen – when there was a boxman – did know what I was betting. Some did, some didn’t.
QUESTION: I'm a new craps player, and I've been trying to figure something out that doesn't make sense to me. The house edge on pass is listed at 1.41 percent, and the house edge on placing 6 or 8 is 1.52 percent. I don't get how pass can have the lower house edge when sometimes the point number is going to be 4, 5, 9 or 10. A craps player who makes sucker bets is facing a house edge higher than 0.8%. A video poker player who is just guessing rather than using a strategy card is likewise getting worse odds.
In a casino, the bet is known as the ‘features’ bet, or just, ‘All, Tall, Small’. If you watch the video above, it’s mostly called the ‘features’.
If you’re confused, watch my videos and then come back and read the explanation above. Nothing is better for learning than witnessing the actual event.
One more thing. On the layout, the ‘All’ part of the bet is actually written as ‘Make ’em All’, however, no one refers to the All bet as the ‘Make ‘Em All’.
That’s the parlance of the ATS bet, which ironically, in an actual casino is not called the ‘ATS’ bet.
So that I don’t have to constantly write out ‘All, Tall, Small’, I am going to refer to it as the ‘ATS’.
THE MECHANICS OF THE BET AND HOW TO BET IT
On a pair of dice, the only numbers that can be rolled from lowest to highest, are 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, and 12. The most likely number to roll is the 7, which will roll once in six times. All other numbers have mirror counterparts, as far as their likelihood to roll. The 6 and 8 both have five ways to each roll. The 5 and 9 each have four ways to roll. The 4 and 10 each have 3 ways to roll. The 3 and 11 each have 2 ways to roll. The 2 and 12 each only have one way to roll.
So of the mirrored counterparts, the lower numbers are considered the Small, while the higher numbers are considered the Tall.
The ATS bet is actually three separate bets. It’s not one big bet. Most players bet all three because they fear missing out, but if you want, you can bet any combination of the ‘All’, the ‘Small’, or the ‘Tall’.
The player decides to make an ATS bet. He should then toss in, to either the dealer, the stick or the box (but usually to the dealer) the amount that he wants to bet. The player is not required to make all three bets, although, as stated, the vast majority of players make all three bets. The player then clarifies to the dealer how he wants to split up his bet.
Another way of betting the ATS is throwing in a bet and saying three numbers that add up to the amount thrown in. For example, if you throw in $15 when the bet can be bet (more on that later), and you say ‘five, five, five’, the dealers will know that you are betting $5 on the Small, $5 on the All, and $5 on the Tall. Or throw in $20 and say ‘five, ten, five’. The middle number is always the ‘All’.
As the shooter rolls the numbers, you will see one of the employees covering the number that had just rolled. If the same number rolls again, the repeating number is not relevant. There is no penalty or bonus for rolling a number multiple times. The shooter only needs to roll the number at least once in order to progress the bet towards the win condition.
WHEN YOU CAN BET IT
The ATS bet is always available after a 7 has rolled. Always. (SPOILER WARNING!!!!) Notice in the video above at the 1:54 mark, the shooter rolls a 7 out. At the 2:00 mark, the stickman then leans over and moves the discs off the numbers. He is resetting the ATS bet. Now it can be bet because no numbers are covered.
The reason is that a 7 rolled will cause the bet to lose, thus wiping out the board and starting a new ATS series. Unlike the older FireBet, where the bet could only be made when a new shooter started, the ATS can be made several times with the same shooter, or it can be made in the middle of a shooter’s roll.
Unlike some bets, where the bet is not live on the come out roll, the ATS bet is always live. At the 2:00 mark, you hear the player say, ‘I go back up’. He’s saying that because the 7 winner (on the come out) caused his ATS to lose. The ATS bet is always live, even on the come out roll.
Depending on the casino, the ATS bet can also be made if no one has bet the ATS on any one of the bets, even if numbers have been rolled. For example, let’s say shooter rolls a 2,3,4, requiring the dealer to cover the 2,3 and 4, but no one has made any bets on the ATS. In that case, the house will reset the discs and allow you to bet the ATS because there is no action and no one is affected by your new bet. Some casinos want you to wait until the 7 naturally resets the ATS board, so this rule varies from casino to casino.
If in doubt, just look at the board. If there are no numbers covered by the disc, you can bet it. Alternatively, if there are no bets made on the ATS, then you can probably bet it. Just ask the casino because they may have different procedures in the second scenario.
THE WIN/LOSS CONDITIONS (HOW TO WIN)
Remember that the ATS is comprised of three separate bets. Here is the win condition for each bet…
The All Small bet wins if the player rolls a 2,3,4,5, and 6 before the player rolls a 7. The 7 will cause the Small bet to lose.
The All Tall bet wins if the 8,9,10,11, and 12 roll before the shooter rolls a 7. The 7 will cause the Tall bet to lose.
The All bet (actually written on the felt as ‘Make ’em All’) wins if the player rolls a 2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11, and 12 before the shooter rolls a 7. If that list is too long for you to memorize, then have no fear. Just know that it is every number EXCEPT THE 7 (because the 7 always causes you to lose).
THE PAY OFF FOR WINS AND THE HOUSE EDGE
There are two pay tables for the ATS bet. I refer to them personally as the ‘stingy’ and the ‘better’ table.
Stingy pay table:
All pays 150 – 1, resulting in a house edge of 20.61%.
Tall pays 30-1, resulting in a house edge of 18.30%.
Small pays 30-1, resulting in a house edge of 18.30%.
Better pay table:
All pays 175-1, resulting in a house edge of 7.47%.
Tall pays 34-1, resulting in a house edge of 7.76%.
Small pays 34-1, resulting in a house edge of 7.76%.
The above house edge numbers are from the Wizard of Odds website. If you don’t know about Michael Shackleford, you should know about the man, especially if you want to be a smart gambler.
Almost every Las Vegas casino that offers the ATS bet (and most do), uses the stingier pay table.
Most casinos outside of Las Vegas use the better paytable.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE ATS
Personally, I never bet the ATS when I’m in Las Vegas. 20% house edge is just a hammer to the toes.
I love the ATS bet outside of Las Vegas. Unlike the FireBet of old, the ATS hits on a regular basis. Considering that I’m usually betting only very minuscule amounts on it, it’s a cheap thrill. My record on the ATS was when I hit the All bet, then hit the Small bet again during the same roll. On that roll, I won $20,000+ and won $277 on the ATS bet. It’s a fun bet, and if you’re looking to hit a jackpot, you should bet bigger on the ATS. That’s just not my goal.
The ATS can also be a frustrating bet. Usually, if all three components of the ATS hits, it means that the shooter had a very long roll. But I once had an ATS hit where I actually lost a lot of money because the shooter did not repeat any of his points. Granted, that’s very rare.
I see the ATS bet staying around for a long time. It’s great for the house because it now is a way for the boxman to actually do something, other than watch the game. With the ATS bet, the boxman can watch and mark all the numbers and play for himself.
It’s good for players because it’s a relatively low house edge side bet that hits frequently. I was never a fan of the FireBet, which hits once or twice a year if you’re lucky. The ATS bet can hit several times a day.
Give that ATS bet a try next time you’re at the casino.
Let me know if you have any questions. Leave them in the comment below, and I’ll be happy to answer them.
Good luck at the tables.
Posted in: Casino, Craps, Gambling
How to win at Craps with Place Bets on 6 & 8 only.
Today we continuing our recent series on craps betting strategies. We’ve already talked about two unique systems, or betting patterns, known as the 3 Point Molly and the Iron Cross. This time we’ll take a look at a cheaper craps system that offers similar odds of winning.
Craps 6 And 8 House Edgewater
In short, the object is to set equal wagers on Place 6 and Place 8. At a table with $5 minimums, it will cost as little as $12 to set up ($6 per bet). You won’t be tossing out another $12 per roll, either. Best of all, it offers a house edge of just 1.52%; worse than strategy-based blackjack, but far better than roulette, and similar to baccarat.
That is, of course, the simple explanation. Keep reading to find out why this is one of the better ways to safely manage your bankroll, and ensure maximum entertainment for your wagering dollars.
How to Win at Craps with Place Bets on 6 & 8
Place Bets are wagers that can be made on a specific number. They’re often referred to as Point or Box numbers, because they’re the only numbers that can be established as a point on the shooter’s come out roll. They include 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10.
The odds associated with each Place Bet number varies. The following chart shows the true odds, payout, and resulting house edge for each. Examine closely, and you’ll see why Place Bets on 6 and 8 are the only viable options for this craps betting strategy.
Roll | True Odds | Payout | House Edge |
4 | 2-to-1 | 9-to-5 | 6.67% |
5 | 3-to-2 | 7-to-5 | 4.00% |
6 | 6-to-5 | 7-to-6 | 1.52% |
8 | 6-to-5 | 7-to-6 | 1.52% |
9 | 3-to-2 | 7-to-5 | 4.00% |
10 | 2-to-1 | 9-to-5 | 6.67% |
Lowest House Edge on 6 and 8
Because the 6 and 8 payout closest to the true odds, they offer the lowest house edge of 1.52% All other Place Bets present terrible odds of 4% to 6.67%. As every gambler knows, the lower the edge, the better the chance of winning.
6-Unit Increments Only!
The chart also shows why we must place these wagers in increments of $6. Place Bets on 6 and 8 pay 7-to-6, meaning for every 6 units wagered, a win will pay 7 units. If you were to place a $5 wager, you would get only $5 in return since the boxman rounds payouts to the nearest dollar. Suffice to say, $6 bets are critical to the value of this strategy.
Place Bets Ride It Out
Unlike Field Bets, which last for a single roll, Place Bets remain on the table until the shooter craps out (rolls a 7). If the shooter rolls a 3, a 9, a 5, another 3, a 12, a 4, a pair of 10s and then finally rolls an 8, you still win. All of those previous rolls mean nothing. Your bet is never removed unless a 7 rolls, in which case you lose them both.
Even when you win on 6 or 8, the bet stays in play. You will receive the winnings, but the bet doesn’t come down until a 7 is rolled, or you tell the boxman to remove it (your bet is returned).
Odds of Crapping Out
Last but not least, let’s take a look at the odds of rolling a 6 or 8, versus crapping out with a 7.
- 6: The odds of rolling a 6 are 13.89%
- 7: The odds of rolling a 7 are 16.67%
- 8: The odds of rolling an 8 are 13.89%
Technically, the 7 has the higher odds of rolling. However, since you’re betting on 6 and 8, you combine these odds for a 27.78% chance of winning, versus 16.67% chance of losing. That leaves a 55.55% chance of any other number rolling (i.e. nothing happens).
While that sounds like incredible odds, let’s remember each win brings you a 7-unit payout, while each loss results in a 12-unit decline. Thus, all in all, you have a 1.52% house edge to compete with, which comes out to a negative expectation of $1.52 per $100, or a loss of $0.18 per $12.
Craps 6 And 8 House Edger
As always, the casino has the advantage, so you can’t expect every time that you’ll win at craps with Place Bets on 6 and 8. But expecting to lose $0.18 each time the shooter craps out offers a whole lot of entertainment value on a budget bankroll. With a little luck and responsibility on your part (i.e. knowing when to walk away), you just might come away with some extra change in your pocket!
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