The number one reason craps players go broke isn’t bad luck — it’s bringing the wrong amount of money to the table. Craps is a high-variance game with big swings in both directions. Without proper bankroll management, even players using the best strategies will bust on a cold streak before they ever see a hot roll.
This guide gives you specific bankroll numbers for every common craps strategy, table minimum, and session length — so you always know exactly how much to bring.
The Golden Rule: 50x Your Base Bet
The simplest bankroll rule for craps: bring 50 times your base bet per session. This gives you enough to survive short-term variance while having capital available when a shooter gets hot.
| Table Minimum | Base Bet (Pass Line) | Minimum Session Bankroll (50x) | Comfortable Bankroll (100x) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | $5 | $250 | $500 |
| $10 | $10 | $500 | $1,000 |
| $15 | $15 | $750 | $1,500 |
| $25 | $25 | $1,250 | $2,500 |
If you’re taking Odds or using Place bets, your effective “bet” per shooter is larger — so your bankroll needs to be larger too.
Bankroll by Strategy
Different strategies put different amounts at risk per shooter. Here’s what to bring for each:
| Strategy | Max Exposure Per Shooter ($10 table) | Bankroll for 10 Shooters | Bankroll for 3-Hour Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line only | $10 | $100 | $300-$500 |
| Pass Line + 3-4-5x Odds | $50-$60 | $500-$600 | $1,000 |
| 3 Point Molly (3-4-5x) | $150-$170 | $1,500-$1,700 | $2,000-$2,500 |
| Place 6 & 8 ($12 each) | $24 | $240 | $400-$600 |
| $66 Inside Regression | $66 | $660 | $800-$1,000 |
| $110 Inside Regression | $110 | $1,100 | $1,500 |
| Iron Cross ($44 setup) | $44 | $440 | $600-$800 |
| Power Press (aggressive) | $64-$160+ | $1,000-$2,000 | $2,000-$3,000 |
Key principle: Your session bankroll should be 6-10x your maximum per-shooter exposure. Not every shooter will 7-out quickly — some will give you big wins — but you need to survive the cold streaks to be there for the hot rolls.
How to Manage Your Chips at the Table
Experienced craps players organize their rail into sections for disciplined money management:
The 3-Section Rail Method
- Session bankroll (left section) — This is your buy-in. Only pull chips from here to make bets. When this section is empty, you’re done for the session.
- Profit section (middle) — Every time you collect winnings, put them here. This money does NOT go back onto the table. It’s locked profit.
- Per-shooter budget (right section) — Before each new shooter, move your maximum per-shooter allocation from the session bankroll to the active section. Only bet from this section during that shooter’s turn.
This system prevents the #1 bankroll mistake: chasing losses by reaching deeper into your bankroll after a bad shooter.
Setting Win Goals & Loss Limits
Win Goal
Set a realistic win goal before you start playing. Common targets:
- Conservative: 20% of buy-in (bring $500, leave at $600)
- Moderate: 50% of buy-in (bring $500, leave at $750)
- Aggressive: 100% of buy-in (bring $500, leave at $1,000)
When you hit your win goal, you have two options: color up and leave, or “reset” your mental accounting by moving all profit to the locked section and playing with only your original buy-in amount.
Loss Limit
Never lose more than your session bankroll. Period. When your buy-in is gone, walk away. Common loss limits:
- Hard stop: 100% of buy-in (never reload)
- Soft stop: 50% of buy-in (if you lose half, tighten up strategy or leave)
- Time-based: If you’re losing after 1 hour, take a break regardless of amount
Common Bankroll Mistakes
- Bringing too little — If you buy in for $100 at a $15 table, you’ll bust in 2-3 shooters on a cold streak. You never get the chance to catch a hot roll.
- Chasing losses — Doubling bets after losing is the fastest way to go broke. The dice don’t know (or care) that you’re behind.
- No win goal — Without a target, you’ll play until you give back all your profits. Set a number and stick to it.
- Playing above your level — If a $25 table makes you nervous, you’re underbanked. Drop to $10 or $15 and play comfortably.
- Mixing bankrolls — Casino money should be completely separate from living expenses. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose entirely.
Bankroll FAQs
How much money should I bring to play craps?
50-100x your base bet. For a $10 table playing Pass Line + Odds, bring $500-$1,000. For $66 inside regression, bring $600-$1,000. For 3 Point Molly with 3-4-5x odds on a $15 table, bring $1,500-$2,500.
How long will my bankroll last?
On average, a craps table processes about 100 rolls per hour with a full table. If you’re betting Pass Line + Odds, you’ll see about 3-4 decisions per 10 minutes. A $500 bankroll at a $10 table with basic strategy will typically last 2-4 hours, depending on variance.
Should I buy in all at once or add money?
Buy in for your full session bankroll upfront. This forces you to set a clear limit. If you buy in small and keep adding, you lose track of how much you’ve spent and end up chasing losses without realizing it.
What if I’m winning — should I increase my bets?
Only increase bets with profit that’s already been locked away. Never increase your base bet using money from your session bankroll. A common approach: after locking 30%+ profit, increase bets by one unit level and see if the hot streak continues. If it doesn’t, go back to base immediately.
Related Guides
- All Craps Strategies — choose a strategy that fits your bankroll
- Regression Strategy — the best strategy for protecting bankroll
- 3 Point Molly — low-edge strategy with higher bankroll requirements
- Payout Calculator — know what you’ll win before you bet
- Payout Chart — every bet’s odds and house edge
