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High rollers enjoy a variety of casino games. They play everything from baccarat to high-limit slot machines.
However, craps definitely has to be in the running for the top game among whales. It’s not uncommon to see one or more high-stakes gamblers at a craps table.
Why is it that many high-stakes players choose craps? You can read about the main reasons why high rollers enjoy this game so much throughout the following post.
The Main Bets Feature High RTP
When somebody is wagering $100, $1,000, or more, they want the best-possible chance to win. After all, they’re putting lots of money on the line.
Craps provides a great chance to win through both the pass line and don’t pass line bets. These wagers feature 98.59% and 98.64% RTP, respectively.
Don’t pass line is slightly better between these bets in terms of payback. However, pass line is more popular among whales and, really, almost any other gambler.
With a difference of only 0.05% RTP, these bets are nearly the equal. Therefore, many players are willing to sacrifice the extra 0.5% to be on the good side.
But then again, high rollers put much more money on the table. Some of them are willing to go to the dark side and place don’t pass line bets.
Whales who like making these wagers are also normally interested in come and don’t come. These bets feature the same house edges as pass line and don’t pass line, respectively.
The main difference, though, is that players must wait until after a point number has been established before placing them. Meanwhile, gamblers make pass line and don’t pass line bets before the come-out roll (first roll of a new round).
“Odds” Further Boost the Chances of Winning
Pass line, don’t pass line, come, and don’t come bets are reasonable propositions on their own. However, craps gives high rollers an even better chance to win through “odds.”
When placing odds bets, gamblers put the chips behind their pass line or don’t pass line wager. They have to wait for a point number to be established before backing the original bet with odds.
Odds are worth multiple times the pass line or don’t pass line wager. For example, a casino might allow odds worth up to 5x the original bet.
Players lower the overall house by risking higher odds. Of course, they also need to risk more money when doing so. If one places a 5x pass line bet and wants 5x odds, for example, they’ll need to wager an additional $50.
Speaking of which, here’s how much the house advantage lowers based on larger odds:
- 1x odds – 0.848% pass line house edge; 0.682% don’t pass line house edge
- 2x odds – 0.606% pass line; 0.455% don’t pass line
- Full double odds – 0.572% pass line; 0.431% don’t pass line
- 3x odds – 0.471% pass line; 0.341% don’t pass line
- 3x-4x-5x odds – 0.374% pass line; 0.273% don’t pass line
- 5x odds – 0.326% pass line; 0.227% don’t pass line
- 10x odds – 0.184% pass line; 0.124% don’t pass line
- 20x odds – 0.01% pass line; 0.065% don’t pass line
Thanks to odds, craps can sometimes be the best-paying game in the casino. Many whales look for the highest odds bets to take advantage of this game.
Many Additional Bets Available
Real money craps certainly isn’t short on betting variety. It features a wide variety of prop bets that can spice up the action.
After so long at the tables, some high rollers tire of making pass line and/or don’t pass line bets backed with odds. The same players eventually try prop bets at some point.
Any informed high stakes gambler, however, realizes that it’s not a great idea to place random prop bets. After all, some of these wagers feature terribly high house advantages.
You can see house edges for the various craps prop bets below:
- Place 6 & place 8 = 1.52% house edge
- Lay 4 & lay 10 = 2.44%
- Lay 5 & lay 9 = 3.23%
- Place 5 & place 9 = 4.0%
- Lay 6 & lay 8 = 4.0%
- Buy 4 & buy 10 = 4.76%
- Buy 5 & buy 9 = 4.76%
- Buy 6 & buy 8 = 4.76%
- Field = 5.56%
- Place 4 & place 10 = 6.67%
- Hard 6 & hard 8 = 9.09%
- Big 6 & big 8 = 9.09%
- 11 (Yo) = 11.11%
- 3 = 11.11%
- 2 or 12 (Hi-Lo) = 11.11%
- Craps (2, 3, or 12) = 11.11%
- Hard 4 & hard 10 = 11.11%
- Horn = 12.5%
- Whirl world = 13.33%
- 2 = 13.89%
- 12 = 13.89%
- Any 7 = 16.67%
As can be seen, most of these wagers aren’t worth a second glance. But some of them aren’t so bad either.
Place 6 and Place 8 each feature a 1.52% house advantage. They’re almost on par with don’t pass line and pass line bets.
Lay 4 and Lay 10 are also decent bets in the overall scheme of gaming. They each feature a 2.44% house edge, which is lower than most casino wagers.
High rollers who are willing to take bigger risks may consider some of the other prop bets. Those who are mainly focused on winning, though, should stick with Place 6, Place 8, Lay 4, and Lay 10.
Large Maximum Betting Limits
The average table game features a maximum bet worth up to $500. Some low-stakes tables allow up to $1,000 wagers, but that’s it.
Craps certainly differs from other table games, though, by featuring higher betting limits. Many of these tables allow up to a $5,000 max bet per round.
Of course, other table games can also feature larger wagers. High-stakes baccarat, blackjack, and roulette are available in some casinos.
But then again, the same tables are often in special VIP sections. Craps with up to $5k betting limits, on the other hand, can be available in any casino—VIP section or not.
Solid Rewards
High rollers can expect to get plenty of rewards from their craps play. This is especially true if they’re placing multiple bets in each round.
For example, a high-stakes player could have a pass line and place bet out in the same round. In this case, they’ll be getting more rewards than with just a lone wager.
The bet sizes, of course, also play a large role in craps. However, a high roller doesn’t need to worry so much about this aspect.
Here’s the kind of comps that a whale can look forward to through craps:
- The casino offers a 0.1% comp rate.
- A high roller bets $500 on pass line and $500 on Place 6 each round.
- The table sees 15 rounds per hour (each round averages around 8 rolls).
- 1,000 x 15 = $15,000 bet each hour
- 15,000 x 0.001 = $15 worth of comps per hour
The exact loyalty rewards given out varies based on the casino. Typically, though, fine dining, hotel stays, limousine transportation, and even liquor are on the house for high rollers.
Fewer Inexperienced Players to Deal With
Most high-stakes gamblers are experienced with casino games. They come to play when visiting a casino, not sit through beginners getting an introductory lesson on baccarat or blackjack.
Many table games are susceptible to beginners taking a seat. They can feature slower play as new gamblers struggle to learn.
One look at the board alone can scare off a newcomer. After all, the craps board features dozens of little boxes that each represent a different bet.
Long story short, high-stakes craps players can focus on the game and be amongst other experience gamblers. They don’t have to worry about waiting on new players to learn the ropes.
Exciting Atmosphere
Whales don’t bet big just to have an average experience at the casino. Instead, they want to enjoy thrills in person while they’re putting serious money on the line.
No other casino game provides these thrills as much as craps. The latter features a boisterous atmosphere full of players betting on the shooter.
Craps provides additional entertainment by allowing players to toss the dice. Many high rollers appreciate the chance to determine their fate by rolling the bones.
Conclusion
Baccarat, blackjack, and craps all hold a special places in high rollers’ hearts. However, craps is especially popular among whales.
It offers the right mixture of elements that appeal to big bettors. The combination of pass line/don’t pass line with odds is extremely beneficial for high rollers. The house advantage is just 0.01% on a pass line bet with 20x odds.
This game also offers huge betting limits without the need for a VIP room. Many tables allow up to $5,000 wagers per round.
Craps also features more experienced players than the average game. The majority of beginners, meanwhile, are scared of the table layout.
If you’re a high roller, or have aspirations of becoming one, then you should definitely take a look at craps. Even if you’re just a low roller, you’ll likely have fun rolling the dice.
