Playing the “dark side” in craps refers to betting against the shooter, which means you are wagering that the shooter will not hit the point (seven out). The primary bets used in this strategy are the “don’t pass” and “don’t come” bets. These bets are the opposite of the “pass” and “come” bets, which are the most common wagers in craps.
One of the main advantages of playing the dark side is the lower house edge when backing your bets with free odds. By laying the odds, you reduce the casino’s advantage to nearly zero. This strategy is often seen as more methodical and less reliant on luck and more reliant on the probabilities compared to betting with the shooter, as you are essentially betting on the statistical likelihood of a 7 being rolled before other numbers.
Other than the “don’t pass” (shooter won’t make the point and “don’t come” (shooter will not hit that number again before a 7), you can also place lay bets (opposite of place bets). Dark side bettors in craps have six lay bets to choose from: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. These numbers are the same ones that can become points if the shooter rolls them on the come out roll and are also available to right bettors as place bets. The goal is to win the bet by having the shooter roll a 7 before rolling your chosen number; if your number comes up first, you lose.
For example, if you lay the 5, you will win if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling a 5. Any other numbers rolled, such as 11, 6, 9, or 3, do not affect your bet. The only numbers that matter are 7 and the number you laid.
Therefore, if a 7 appears, you win the bet, but if a 5 is rolled, you lose. This makes lay bets a straightforward way to bet against the shooter, focusing solely on the occurrence of a 7 versus your chosen number.
The house charges a commission in order to gain an edge on your dark side bets.
Payouts and Odds for Dark Side Bets in Craps
Don’t Pass and Don’t Come Bets
- Payout: 1:1
- Odds:
- If the point is 4 or 10: 1:2 (you win $1 for every $2 bet)
- If the point is 5 or 9: 2:3 (you win $2 for every $3 bet)
- If the point is 6 or 8: 5:6 (you win $5 for every $6 bet)
Lay Bets
- Payouts:
- Lay the 4 or 10: 1:2 (you win $1 for every $2 bet)
- Lay the 5 or 9: 2:3 (you win $2 for every $3 bet)
- Lay the 6 or 8: 5:6 (you win $5 for every $6 bet)
These odds and payouts make lay bets a strategic choice for dark side bettors, as they allow you to bet against specific numbers with a clear understanding of potential returns, without having the shooter first roll a number on the “don’t come.” Often, you’d see people lay the 4 and 10 because there are less combinations for those numbers.
Dark side bettors are essentially rooting for the shooter to fail, which can be less thrilling compared to the collective excitement of winning with the shooter. Additionally, the strategy requires a more methodical and patient approach, as it focuses on statistical advantages rather than the high-energy, fast-paced action that many players enjoy.