Casino Games, Table Games

Dark Side Craps Betting Strategy Explained: The Best Odds

In craps, most players bet with the shooter, hoping they’ll roll winning numbers and keep the hot streak alive. But some folks prefer to go full contrarian. Enter the Dark Side Craps Strategy, where these little rebels vote against the shooter.

Despite how the right bettor’s dirty looks might make you feel (yeesh, is it getting hot in here or is it just me?), the craps dark side strategy isn’t a troll move at the craps table, it actually gives you better odds!

As a certain Sith Lord once said, “If only you knew the power of the dark side.” And now you will. Come, young padawan, and join us.

Why is it controversial?

The Dark Side Craps Strategy ruffles feathers for one big reason: you’re betting against the table. Craps is one of the only casino games that feels like a team sport. “Right bettors” want to win together, so while most players are fist-pumping and high-fiving over a hot shooter, you’re quietly hoping for a 7 to shut it all down, and it feels personal. You might have to endure a good amount of ribbing and death stares when you use your craps dark side strategies.

But here’s the thing: no matter which side you’re on, everyone’s playing against the house, not each other. Sometimes people forget that in the heat of the moment.

So, given that you become a social pariah for a few minutes while placing a “don’t” bet, why would anyone do it? Because the math is on your side. Dark side bets come with a lower house edge, and laying odds further reduces it.

How it Works

The typical way to play Craps is to bet on the pass line and come out roll, aka the “right bettor.” But not this player, you rebel, you.

The Dark Side Craps Strategy revolves around betting that the shooter won’t make their point. Instead of cheering for long rolls and lucky streaks, you’re hoping for a quick seven-out. The two main bets you’ll use are “don’t pass” and “don’t come,” which work almost exactly like their pass line counterparts, just in reverse (an example is in the next section).

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Dark Side Craps Strategy Example

Let’s say you place $10 on the don’t pass line. You win 1:1 if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 (whereas with a “right” pass line bet, those outcomes are losses). If the shooter rolls a 12, your bet pushes. But if they roll a 7 or 11, you lose right away (whereas this would be a win for the right bettors).

If any other number rolls, that becomes the point. Let’s say that number is 9. Now your goal shifts: you want the shooter to roll a 7 before rolling another 9.

If a 7 comes first, you win $10 (1:1).
If the point (9) is rolled again before a 7, you lose your $10.

Now let’s walk through a don’t come bet. This works just like don’t pass, but you place it after the come-out roll, once the point is already set. Our table point is still 9, and you place a $10 don’t come bet. On the next roll, the shooter rolls a 5. That becomes your personal don’t come point (separate from the table’s point of 9).

Again, you’re hoping the shooter rolls a 7 before a 5.
If 7 comes first, you win $10.
If they roll a 5 before the 7, you lose your $10.

Adding a Lay Bet (true odds)

A lay bet is an extra wager you add to your don’t pass or don’t come bet after a point is set. You’re betting the shooter will roll a 7 before the point. This gives you an advantage because there are more ways to roll a 7 than any point number. To make up for that advantage, casinos require you to pay more to win less. Lay bet payout odds are as follows:

Point 4 or 10: Lay $2 to win $1 → odds 1:2
Point 5 or 9: Lay $3 to win $2 → odds 2:3
Point 6 or 8: Lay $6 to win $5 → odds 5:6

This combo is the best dark side craps strategy: Make a small don’t pass or don’t come bet (like $10), then back it with larger lay odds (like $20 if the point is 4). If a 7 rolls before the 4, you win $10 from the base bet and $10 from the lay bet. This drops the total house edge from 1.36% to just 0.7%. That’s a terrific house edge even among the most popular table games outside of craps.

Pros and Cons

A dice with a green check mark and another dice with a red cross feature on a purple background

Let’s start with the good stuff: Craps is one of the best casino dice games out there, and betting the dark side gives you some of the best odds in the game. Don’t pass and don’t come bets have a low 1.36% house edge, and laying odds adds bets with zero house edge. Stack them, and your total edge can drop below 0.7%. Not much to complain about there.

But this strategy isn’t all smooth rolling. The biggest drawback is the social heat. You’re betting against the shooter, which makes you the table villain. Expect some dirty looks and heckling. If you thrive on camaraderie, this isn’t your thing.

Also, while the math checks out, you’re still going to lose sometimes, whether you’re a “right” or “wrong” bettor.

The biggest “pro” about playing craps in general is the benefit of receiving a cash referral bonus. For each friend that you refer to Cafe Casino, your bankroll gets a healthy boost after they sign up and make a successful deposit.

Dark Side Betting Tips

If you’re ready to embrace your inner outcast and play the best dark side craps strategy, here are some smart tips to sharpen your edge (and maybe your comebacks, too):

Keep your base bet small, and load up on odds.

The don’t pass has a house edge of 1.36%, but laying odds comes with no house edge. So keep the flat bet at the minimum and use your real bankroll on odds where it actually counts.

Use don’t come bets to control multiple points.

For better odds across the board, stack don’t come bets after the point is set. You’ll have more chances to win and more points to lay odds on.

Know your table’s rules.

Some casinos take a commission on all lay bets, not just winners. That bumps the house edge way up. Always check first so you don’t get blindsided.

Don’t engage with hecklers.

You’re not here to make friends – save that for the bar. You’re here to make smart bets, so smile, nod, and let the dice do the talking.

Practice online first.

Digital tables don’t judge. It’s the perfect place to test your dark side skills without side-eyes.

If dark-side betting is wrong, then we don’t wanna be right. Grab your leather jacket and run a few rounds in Practice Play, then sprint full-power toward your inner darkness in Real Play to win real cash.