Quick Answer: What Should You Track In Craps?
To track craps effectively, record:
- date and location (optional)
- table minimum
- buy-in amount
- cash-out amount
- time played
- your main bets (base plan)
- any props/side action
- one or two quick notes (tilt, chasing, hot table, mistakes)
That’s enough to learn a lot.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
Why Tracking Matters More In Craps Than In Many Games
Craps is fast and social, which makes it easy to:
- lose track of how many bets you had working
- forget how many props you repeated
- underestimate how long you played
- remember wins more than losses
Tracking makes your memory honest.
It also helps you connect outcomes to behavior, not “luck stories.”
The Simple Craps Session Log (Use This Template)
You can keep this in:
- your phone notes
- a small notebook
- or a spreadsheet later
Here’s the basic template:
1) Session Basics
- Date:
- Casino / Table (optional):
- Table Minimum:
- Start Time / End Time:
2) Money
- Buy-In:
- Cash-Out:
- Net Result (Cash-Out minus Buy-In):
3) Plan Summary
- Base plan used (example: Pass Line + odds + place 6/8):
- Pressing style (flat / partial press / aggressive press):
4) Extras
- Props played? (Yes/No)
- Prop spend estimate: (example: “about $15 total”)
5) Notes (One Or Two Lines)
Examples:
- “Pressed too early after being up.”
- “Props every roll, felt rushed.”
- “Stayed disciplined, left at stop-win.”
- “Chased after seven out.”
That’s it.
If you track only these fields, you’ll still improve fast.
How To Estimate Results If You Don’t Want To Count Every Bet
You don’t need to track every individual bet outcome.
Just track:
- buy-in
- cash-out
- time played
- and what style you played
Your bankroll already tells you the net result.
The “style notes” explain why the result happened.
What Patterns To Look For (This Is Where Tracking Pays Off)
After 5–10 sessions, look for these patterns:
Pattern 1: Props Are The Leak
If you keep seeing:
- “props yes”
- “prop spend $20–$50”
and results are negative, you found your drain.
If you want why this happens, read The Hidden Dangers Of Center Table Betting.
Pattern 2: Long Sessions = More Damage
Many players don’t lose because they’re bad at craps.
They lose because they play too long.
Tracking time played lets you see:
- whether longer sessions correlate with worse results
Pattern 3: Chasing Nights Wipe Out Multiple Wins
If one session shows:
- “chased after seven out”
and the net result is a big loss, that’s a clear signal.
If you want anti-chase rules, read Why Chasing Losses Is Especially Dangerous In Craps.
Pattern 4: Table Minimums Don’t Fit Your Bankroll
If you keep writing:
- “$25 table, felt pressured”
and results are negative, it’s not you. It’s the table size.
A table that’s too big forces you into risk.
Pattern 5: Pressing Style Drives Volatility
If aggressive pressing correlates with bigger swings, that’s normal.
Tracking helps you choose volatility on purpose, not by accident.
If you want to learn volatility, read Understanding Volatility In Craps Betting Sequences.
A Simple Review Routine (5 Minutes A Week)
Once a week, review your last few sessions and answer:
- Did I follow my plan?
- Did I hit my stop-loss or stop-win?
- Did props creep in?
- Did I increase exposure when I was down?
- What single change would improve the next session?
This is how tracking turns into improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need To Track Every Single Bet In Craps?
No. Tracking buy-in, cash-out, time played, and a few notes is enough to reveal the big leaks.
What’s The Best Way To Track Craps Sessions?
A simple notes template on your phone works well. If you like data, use a spreadsheet later.
Why Do Craps Players Misjudge Their Results?
Because craps is fast, emotional, and social. Wins are memorable, and prop bet losses are easy to forget.
Should I Track Table Minimums And Rules?
Yes. Minimums and rule variations affect your exposure and comfort level.
How Many Sessions Should I Track Before Judging My Play?
At least 10 sessions gives you better visibility than one or two nights.
Where To Go Next
You now have a simple, realistic tracking method for craps: buy-in and cash-out, time played, your bet plan, prop spend estimate, and a few honest notes about discipline.
Next, we’ll shift into the social side: why craps is such a social game, how group energy changes betting behavior, and how to enjoy the vibe without letting it push you into risk you didn’t plan.
Continue with Why Craps Is A Social Game: Psychology & Behavior Patterns.
