Quick Answer: The Three Rules That Save Most Bankrolls
If you only follow three rules, follow these:
- Set a session budget you can lose without stress.
- Choose a unit size that keeps you alive through normal swings.
- Use a stop-loss (and actually leave).
Everything else is a bonus.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
Step 1: Separate Your Bankroll Into “Total” And “Session”
A common mistake is bringing your entire bankroll to the table.
Instead, think in two layers:
Total Bankroll
Your overall amount set aside for craps (across many sessions).
Session Bankroll
The amount you’re willing to risk in one session today.
Your session bankroll should be a slice of your total bankroll, not the whole thing.
This one change protects you from emotional blowups.
Step 2: Pick A Unit Size (The “One Bet” Amount)
Your unit size is the base bet amount you’ll use most often.
In craps, the unit is often tied to:
- table minimum (Pass Line / Don’t Pass)
- and the place bet units (6 and 8, etc.)
A Simple Unit Size Rule
Pick a unit size where you can handle a normal cold stretch without panicking.
A practical guideline:
- try to have at least 20–40 units in your session bankroll
If you only have 5–10 units, you’re going to feel forced to chase.
Minimums matter a lot here.
If you want help choosing the right table first, read How To Identify Low-Risk Craps Tables.
Step 3: Use A Stop-Loss (And Define It Before You Start)
A stop-loss is the line where you leave the table.
It should be set before emotions kick in.
Examples:
- “If I’m down 10 units, I leave.”
- “If I lose half my session bankroll, I’m done.”
The key is not the exact number.
The key is: you follow it.
A stop-loss is what stops one bad session from turning into a disaster.
Step 4: Use A Stop-Win (So You Don’t Give It Back)
People talk about stop-loss, but stop-win matters too.
Craps sessions can swing, and it’s common to be up early, then give it all back because:
- you get excited
- you press too far
- you keep playing because the table feels hot
A stop-win could be:
- “If I’m up 10 units, I lock profit and leave.”
- or “If I’m up one session bankroll, I stop.”
Another option:
- “I cash out half my profit when I’m up X.”
It’s not about being boring. It’s about keeping wins real.
Step 5: Control How Many Bets You Have Working
This is a huge bankroll lever.
More bets working per roll = more exposure.
A simple plan can be:
- Pass Line
- small odds
- place 6 and 8 (optional)
A messy plan can be:
- line bet
- odds
- multiple place bets
- come bets
- props every roll
- hardways
- bonus bets
That’s how sessions explode.
If you want to learn more about the prop-bet warning, read The Hidden Dangers Of Center Table Betting.
Step 6: Don’t Increase Bets To “Get Even”
The most expensive phrase in gambling is:
- “I just want to get back to even.”
Craps makes this worse because the table is emotional and fast.
If you lose, your best move is usually:
- stay at your unit size
- or even reduce exposure
not press.
We’ll talk about chasing later, but the key idea is simple:
bigger bets don’t fix bad luck. They just increase damage.
Step 7: Use A Simple Session Plan You Can Follow Under Pressure
Here’s a basic low-stress plan many beginners can follow:
- decide your unit size
- choose your base bets (keep it simple)
- cap any “fun bets” (props) with a small budget
- set stop-loss and stop-win
- leave when you hit either line
The plan matters more than any “system.”
Step 8: Track Your Session (Even Light Tracking Helps)
You don’t need a spreadsheet at the table.
Even this helps:
- starting bankroll
- ending bankroll
- time played
- one quick note: “played props too much” or “pressed too hard”
Tracking makes you honest with yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s A Good Bankroll For A Craps Session?
It depends on table minimums and your bet plan. A common approach is bringing enough for 20–40 base units so normal swings don’t force you to chase.
Should I Use A Stop-Loss In Craps?
Yes. It prevents one bad run from turning into a full bankroll blow-up.
Is It Better To Play Short Sessions Or Long Sessions?
Shorter sessions can limit exposure and reduce tilt risk, especially for beginners.
How Do I Avoid Chasing Losses In Craps?
Set a stop-loss before you start, keep a fixed unit size, and avoid adding extra bets under emotional pressure.
Do Prop Bets Hurt Bankroll Management?
They can, because most settle in one roll and are easy to repeat. Treat them as entertainment and cap them.
Where To Go Next
You now have a practical bankroll management plan for craps: session budgets, unit sizing, stop-loss and stop-win rules, and keeping your number of bets working under control.
Next, we’ll build on this with a conservative betting approach: what “low-risk” craps play looks like in real terms, which bets keep things simple, and how to avoid the chaos of over-betting.
Continue with How To Build A Conservative Craps Betting Approach.
