The 3 Point Molly is one of the most popular low-edge craps strategies. It keeps the mathematical advantage of Pass Line + Odds betting while spreading your action across 3 numbers simultaneously. You always have 3 “points” working — giving you more opportunities to win on each roll while maintaining a combined house edge under 0.5%.
It’s the strategy most experienced craps players recommend to intermediate players who want more action than a single Pass Line bet without sacrificing mathematical edge.
How the 3 Point Molly Works
The system is simple in concept — always maintain 3 numbers covered by line bets (Pass/Come) with Odds:
- Bet the Pass Line — wait for a point to be established
- Take maximum Odds on the Pass Line bet
- Make a Come bet — when it travels to a number, take maximum Odds on it
- Make a second Come bet — same process
- You now have 3 numbers working (Pass Line point + 2 Come numbers)
- If a Come bet wins, make a new Come bet to get back to 3 numbers
- Never have more than 3 numbers active at once
Example Walkthrough
Let’s say you’re at a $10 table with 3-4-5x odds:
- Bet $10 Pass Line. Shooter rolls 8 — that’s your point. Take $50 in odds (5x on 6/8).
- Bet $10 Come. Shooter rolls 5 — your Come bet moves to 5. Take $40 in odds (4x on 5/9).
- Bet $10 Come. Shooter rolls 9 — your Come bet moves to 9. Take $40 in odds (4x on 5/9).
- You now have 3 numbers working: 8 (Pass), 5 (Come), 9 (Come) — all with full odds.
- Shooter rolls 5 — your Come bet on 5 wins! You collect $10 + $60 (3:2 odds payout). Make another $10 Come bet to get back to 3 numbers.
- Continue until the shooter sevens out.
3 Point Molly Math
| Odds Multiple | Combined House Edge | Typical Total at Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1x Odds | 0.85% | $60 (3 × $20) |
| 2x Odds | 0.61% | $90 (3 × $30) |
| 3-4-5x Odds | 0.37% | $140-$170 |
| 5x Odds | 0.33% | $180 (3 × $60) |
| 10x Odds | 0.18% | $330 (3 × $110) |
The more odds you take, the lower your combined edge — but the more money you have at risk on each roll. The 3-4-5x odds level is the sweet spot for most players (0.37% edge with manageable risk).
Bankroll Requirements
The 3 Point Molly requires more bankroll than a simple Pass Line bet because you have 3 bets + odds working simultaneously. Here’s what to bring:
| Table Minimum | Odds Level | Max Per Shooter | Recommended Session Bankroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | 3-4-5x | ~$170 | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| $15 | 3-4-5x | ~$255 | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| $25 | 3-4-5x | ~$425 | $2,500 – $4,000 |
Bring 6-10x your maximum per-shooter exposure. This ensures you survive 6-10 shooters (some will seven out quickly) and have capital to ride a hot roll when it comes.
3 Point Molly Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Low combined house edge (0.37% with 3-4-5x)
- 3 numbers working = more frequent wins
- Clean, systematic approach — no guessing
- The 7 actually helps on Come bet establishment (wins before traveling)
- Builds big payouts during hot rolls naturally
Disadvantages
- Higher bankroll requirement than single Pass Line
- A quick point-7-out can lose 3 bets + odds simultaneously
- Come bet can lose to 2/3/12 before traveling to a number
- More complex to manage than simple Place bets
- Can’t choose which numbers you cover (Come bets go where the dice send them)
When to Use (and Not Use) the 3 Point Molly
Use it when:
- You have adequate bankroll (6-10x max exposure)
- You want mathematically sound multi-number action
- You’re comfortable with variance (big swings up and down)
- The table has 3-4-5x odds or better
Don’t use it when:
- You’re on a short bankroll (use Pass + Odds only)
- The table only offers 1x or 2x odds (not worth the complexity)
- You want to target specific numbers (use Place bets instead)
- Shooters are sevening out quickly (consider Don’t Pass)
3 Point Molly FAQs
What if the 7 rolls while I’m making Come bets?
If the 7 rolls while a Come bet is sitting in the Come area (before traveling to a number), it actually wins! You collect even money on that Come bet. However, your established Come bets on numbers AND your Pass Line bet all lose. This is the main risk of the system — a 7 helps the Come bet in transit but kills everything else.
Should I always take maximum odds?
If your bankroll supports it, yes. Odds bets have 0% house edge — they’re free in terms of expected cost. The more odds you take relative to your flat bet, the lower your combined edge. However, don’t take max odds if it means you can’t survive multiple shooters.
What happens when the point is hit?
Your Pass Line bet wins (including odds). The come-out roll begins again. Your Come bets remain on their numbers but are “OFF” during the come-out (they can’t lose to a 7). Make a new Pass Line bet, establish a new point, then reassess — if you still have 2 Come bets active, you already have 3 numbers covered.
Can I use the 3 Point Molly with Don’t Come?
Yes — it’s called the “3 Point Dolly” or “Dark Side Molly.” Use Don’t Pass + 2 Don’t Come bets with lay odds. Same structure, slightly better edge (1.36% vs 1.41%), but you’re betting against the shooter.
Related Strategies
- All Craps Strategies — complete strategy guide
- Iron Cross — medium-risk alternative covering all numbers
- Pass Line Bet Guide — the foundation of this strategy
- Come Bet Guide — how Come bets work
- Odds Bet Guide — why odds are the best bet
- Payout Calculator — calculate exact payouts
