Many players over the time develop either their own Craps system to play the game or follow the already existing craps system and betting strategy to get the most out of the game of craps. Iron cross craps system is not new as many casinos pay double on a field bet for a pair of aces rolled (a two) and triple for boxcars (a twelve), compared to the even money they used to pay 50 years ago. These changes increase the total odds for field bets to 19 winners and 20 losers in 36 rolls on average, and give the house about a 2.78 % edge.
The Iron Cross goes a step further. Also known as the No Seven system, the player covers all the possible numbers on the table except the dreaded 7. This craps system involves more than just a bet in the field area; it also involves making a place bet on the 5, 6 and 8. So this covers every combination on the dice except 7, since the field wins on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12. By making the field bet with place bets on 5, 6 and 8, every roll wins except 7, but that doesn’t mean the field bet doesn’t lose sometimes, since the field wager loses on 5, 6, 7 and 8 also. So while you are winning with place bets on 5, 6, and 8, you are also losing your field wager.
How to play Iron Cross Craps system?
The Iron Cross system requires that you make a total of four wagers. To start, find a craps table with a low minimum so you can have some fun while checking out the system. If you can make a $5 field wager you should be able to make a place bet on the number 5 for $5. You’ll also want a place bet on both 6 and 8 for $6 each. Your total initial investment is $22.
If the shooter sevens-out, you lose the entire $22, but if the shooter rolls any other number, you make a profit! If the place bet numbers of 5, 6, or 8 roll, you lose your $5 wager in the field but win $7 on the place bet and you’re up $2. If a field number rolls, you win at least $5 (more on the 2 or 12) and your place bets are safe for the next roll, since they only lose when 7 rolls.
When the dice has 7 popping up every few rolls, the Iron Cross won’t make you much money, but when the dice a hot, you’re going to be winner. Also if the field numbers are especially hot, well, you’ll be dragging a lot of winning bets.
Note that the Iron Cross craps system has a house edge of about 2.48%, which is higher than a simple pass line wager, but much lower than spewing bets across the layout, especially on proposition bets like the horn and hard-ways. Many players like the Iron Cross for this very reason, because it keeps them busy every roll, keeps them focused, and they aren’t likely to go broke too quickly on a bad night.
Whether you want to have your place bets working on the “come-out” roll, the first roll of a new hand and also bet the field is up to you. The odds are exactly the same, but some players figure with a table full of people all rooting for “seven” on the come-out, maybe the Karma is better if they wait until a point is established.
Variations in Iron Cross System
For action players, the Iron Cross is perfect, because you win or lose on every single roll of the dice! However, there are two variations of the Iron Cross that you might want to consider trying at the end of your play, after you have had your gambling “fix” for the evening.
- The first variation is really simple. Since your real wins come with field numbers, you can look for that nice streak of three consecutive field rolls and then stop betting the field. Then, either pull your place bets and call it a night, or keep working your place bets until a seven-out rolls and then quit.
- The second variation is to start pressing your place bets as they roll. At this point, you’ll start with the same wager in the field, but when 5, 6 or 8 rolls, press the place wager. Like when the 5 rolls, you’ll press from $5 to $10 and add the $2 left over to your next field bet (so it is $7 now). If the 6 or 8 rolls, press to $12 and bet the extra $1 with your $5 in the field. Keep adding the extra payoff from your place wager press to the $5 you normally wager in the field.
Once you have pressed a total of three wagers, stop betting the field. No matter how you got to those three wagers, going up one unit on each of the 5, 6 and 8, or any combination, you no longer have anything to do with the field. You’re done there.
Now you must see one more roll and do one of three things. You can take your wagers down and be done or you can leave them where they are and keep taking down any payoffs until the shooter sevens-out and be done or you can go wild.
If you want to risk what you have on the layout, keep pressing your place bets until you have at least three units on each. Always take the payoff from any three-unit place bet. Then keep playing until the shooter sevens-out or quit right then and there with a nice win. (The article has been taken from various online excerpts sources)
You can find other Craps system to choose as well.