The regression strategy in craps is built on one simple idea: start with a large bet, collect one or two quick wins, then immediately “regress” (reduce) your bets to a lower level. This locks in profit early and lets you play the rest of the hand with house money — even if a 7-out comes, you’ve already banked your gains.
It’s the opposite of pressing. Instead of building up from small bets, you start big and scale down. The $66 inside, $110 inside, and $132 inside are the most common regression starting points.
How the Regression Strategy Works
- Wait for a point to be established
- Place a larger-than-normal inside bet ($66, $88, $110, or $132 inside)
- Collect 1-2 hits — each hit at the higher level pays well
- Regress immediately — drop bets down to the table minimum ($22 or $44 inside)
- Everything on the table is now profit — play with house money
The key insight: your first 1-2 wins at a higher bet level earn enough to pay for the entire hand’s risk. After regressing, a 7-out can’t hurt you — you’re already in profit.
Common Inside Bet Levels
| Level | Place 5/9 | Place 6/8 | Total | Win Per Hit | Hits to Recoup at $22 Inside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22 Inside (min) | $5 each | $6 each | $22 | $7 | — |
| $44 Inside | $10 each | $12 each | $44 | $14 | 4 hits |
| $66 Inside | $15 each | $18 each | $66 | $21 | 3 hits |
| $88 Inside | $20 each | $24 each | $88 | $28 | 3 hits |
| $110 Inside | $25 each | $30 each | $110 | $35 | 2 hits |
| $132 Inside | $30 each | $36 each | $132 | $42 | 2 hits |
| $220 Inside | $50 each | $60 each | $220 | $70 | 2 hits |
$66 Inside Regression (Most Popular)
The $66 inside is the most common regression starting point because it balances risk and reward well on a $10-$15 table:
- Wait for point. Place $66 inside ($15 each on 5/9, $18 each on 6/8)
- First hit on any inside number: win $21. Bank it.
- Second hit: win another $21. Bank it. You now have $42 in profit.
- Immediately regress to $22 inside ($5 on 5/9, $6 on 6/8). You get $44 back from the regression.
- Total profit locked in: $42 (from hits) + $44 (from regression) – $66 (original outlay) = $20 guaranteed profit
- Everything remaining on the table ($22 inside) is house money. Play however you want until 7-out.
Even if the 7 rolls immediately after regressing, you walk away with $20+ profit from that shooter. If the roll continues, every additional hit is pure gravy.
$132 Inside Regression
For players with larger bankrolls, the $132 inside regression only needs 2 hits to get into profit:
- Place $132 inside ($30 on 5/9, $36 on 6/8)
- First hit: win $42
- Second hit: win $42. Total collected: $84
- Regress to $44 inside. Get $88 back from the bet reduction.
- Net: $84 + $88 – $132 = $40 guaranteed profit, plus $44 still working on the table
When to Regress
The most important decision in this strategy is when to regress. Common approaches:
| Approach | Regress After | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 1 hit | Lowest | Locks profit fastest, smaller total gain |
| Standard | 2 hits | Low-Medium | Most common, good balance |
| Aggressive | 3 hits | Medium | Higher profit but more exposure to 7-out |
| Press-then-Regress | Press 1st hit, collect 2nd, regress | Medium-High | Bigger bets before coming down |
After the Regression: What Next?
Once you’ve regressed to the minimum, you’re playing with house money. Common follow-up strategies:
- Same bet, collect everything — just ride the $22/$44 inside and bank every hit
- Double-tap — press each number when it hits, collect the second hit, repeat
- Spread out — use hits to cover the 4 and 10 with Place bets
- Restart the regression — go back up to $66/$110 inside after a few small wins
Regression Strategy Math
Why regression works psychologically (even though the house edge doesn’t change):
The house edge on Place 6/8 is 1.52% whether you bet $18 or $180. The regression doesn’t change that math. What it DOES do is:
- Capture larger wins early (before the inevitable 7) at a time when the inside numbers are statistically likely to hit (55.6% probability per roll for any inside number)
- Reduce exposure after profit is secured — most of your capital is now in your rack, safe
- Create a psychological floor — knowing you can’t lose creates confidence and discipline
The average craps hand lasts about 8.5 rolls. At $66 inside, you’ll hit an inside number 55.6% of the time per roll. After 2 rolls, there’s a 30.9% chance you’ve been hit twice — and a 19.4% chance you haven’t been hit at all (unlucky 7-out or cold outside numbers).
Regression FAQs
What is the best starting level for regression?
$66 inside for $10-$15 tables, $110 inside for $25 tables. Your starting level should be 3-5x the table minimum on each inside number. Don’t start so high that one 7-out cripples your bankroll.
How much bankroll do I need for regression?
Bring 5-10x your starting inside bet for 10 shooters. For $66 inside: $330-$660. For $110 inside: $550-$1,100. Not every shooter will give you 2 hits before 7-ing out — you need to survive the cold shooters to benefit from the hot ones.
What if the shooter 7s out before I get any hits?
You lose your full outlay ($66, $110, or whatever level you started at). This is the primary risk — about 20% of the time, you won’t get even one hit before the 7. That’s why bankroll management matters. You need to survive 2-3 quick 7-outs and still have capital for when a shooter goes on a run.
Can I regress to something other than the minimum?
Absolutely. Many players regress from $132 to $66 (halving), or from $110 to $44. The key is that your regressed level is low enough that remaining hits are pure profit, while still being meaningful enough to build from.
Related Strategies
- All Craps Strategies — complete strategy guide
- Pressing Strategy — the opposite approach (build up from small)
- Iron Cross — another inside-focused strategy
- Place Bets Guide — understanding inside bets
- Payout Calculator — calculate at any bet level
