The Iron Cross strategy in craps is a betting approach designed to cover all of the numbers on the table with the exception of the seven to increase the chances of winning on each roll. It’s a popular strategy among players who want to reduce the house edge and potentially earn consistent, smaller wins.
The following Iron Cross Strategy explanation makes the following assumptions:
- The table minimum bet is $10
If you are unfamiliar with this term please visit our “Craps for Beginners” section
Placing the Bets
- Drop the dealer $34 ($35 works and they wil give you $1 change). They will place a $10 bet on the 5 and a $12 bet on the 6 and 8 each.
- Place a $10 bet in the Field. This is a self-service bet so don’t forget to place it or otherwise the strategy does not work. The Field covers the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Rolling the Dice
The key to the Iron Cross is that the bets are always working. This means that we do not follow the puck. At any time, whether this is a come-out roll or not, if a seven is rolled we will lose all of our bets. If any other number rolls we will get paid.
6 or 8 Rolled:
If either a 6 or 8 is rolled they will be paid out at 7:6. This means that for every $6 bet you will recieve $7. In the case of our bets based on the table minimum of $10 you will receive $14. However, you will lose you field bet of $10 so the net winnings is $4.
Payout: 7:6. If a 6 or 8 is rolled, you win $7 for every $6 bet.
5:
Payout: 7:6. If a 5 is rolled, you win $7 for every $6 bet.
Field Bet:
2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: Pays even money (1:1).
12: Often pays 2:1 or 3:1.
Example Scenario
Initial Bets:
Place $6 each on the 6 and 8.
Place $5 on the 5.
Place a $5 bet in the Field.
Possible Outcomes:
Roll 6: You win $7 from the 6 bet. You also lose the Field bet, but you will win the Field bet amount again on the next roll.
Roll 8: You win $7 from the 8 bet. Similarly, you lose the Field bet but win it back on the next roll.
Roll 5: You win $7 from the 5 bet. The Field bet is lost, but you win it back on the next roll.
Roll 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11: You win from the Field bet but lose on the 5, 6, and 8 bets.
Adjusting Bets:
After a win, you might choose to keep the same bets or adjust them depending on the outcome and your strategy.
Advantages of the Iron Cross Strategy
High Coverage:
By betting on the 5, 6, and 8, as well as placing a Field bet, you cover a significant portion of the numbers rolled, increasing the probability of a win on each roll.
Reduced House Edge:
The Place bets on 6 and 8 have a lower house edge (around 1.52%) compared to some other bets. The Field bet adds coverage but has a higher house edge on specific numbers.
Consistent Small Wins:
This strategy can result in frequent, smaller wins, providing more consistent play and potentially less variance.
Disadvantages of the Iron Cross Strategy
Field Bet Losses:
The Field bet loses if a 7 is rolled. This bet can be risky as 7 is a frequent outcome in craps.
House Edge on Field Bet:
The Field bet has a higher house edge for some of the numbers it covers, particularly the 2 and 12, which can be a disadvantage if you rely heavily on this bet.
Potential for Losses:
If a 7 is rolled frequently, you could face losses as the Field bet loses and the other numbers (5, 6, and 8) are not covered by this bet.
Summary
The Iron Cross strategy aims to provide a broad coverage of potential rolls to increase the likelihood of winning on each roll. While it does involve some risk, especially with the Field bet, it can be effective for players looking to play a more consistent game with frequent, smaller wins.