Quick Answer: What Makes A Craps Approach Aggressive?
An aggressive craps approach usually includes:
- pressing bets quickly after wins
- adding more numbers (more bets working)
- higher odds behind line bets
- occasional prop or hardway action
- less patience with flat betting
- bigger volatility and bigger drawdowns
The trade-off is simple:
- you can win more during hot stretches
- but you can lose faster during cold ones
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
The Core Concept: Exposure Per Roll Goes Up
Aggressive play is really about one thing:
more money on the felt, more often.
That can happen by:
- raising bet size
- adding more bets
- or pressing frequently
The danger is that craps tables move fast, so exposure stacks quickly.
If you want to learn more about the speed angle, read Why Craps Is Faster Than Most Casino Games.
Step 1: Choose Your Base Bet (Most Aggressive Plans Still Need A Base)
Even aggressive players usually start with:
- Pass Line (with shooter)
or - Don’t Pass (against shooter)
Most aggressive play is “with the shooter” because it fits the table energy, but either is possible.
If you want the comparison, read The Difference Between Pass Line & Don’t Pass Line Bets.
Step 2: Decide Your Pressing Style
Pressing is when you increase bets after wins.
Here are three common aggressive press styles.
Press Style A: Full Press
Every time a bet wins, you raise it to the next level.
This is very swingy, and the table can turn on you fast.
Press Style B: Partial Press
You take some profit and press some.
Example:
- you win $14
- you keep $7
- you add $7 to increase the bet
This is still aggressive but less explosive.
Press Style C: “Power Press, Then Lock”
You press quickly early in a roll, then once you hit a goal, you stop pressing and lock profit.
This is a common “controlled aggressive” approach.
Step 3: Add More Numbers (But Know The Cost)
Conservative players keep action tight (maybe just 6 and 8).
Aggressive players often add:
- 5 and 9
- sometimes 4 and 10 too
That turns you from “two numbers working” into “five or six numbers working.”
It can feel great during a hot roll.
But during a cold table, it’s how the session burns quickly.
If you want to learn more about place bet mechanics, read Place Bets Explained: How They Work On Each Number.
Step 4: Decide How You’ll Use Odds
Aggressive players often use larger odds to boost wins when the point hits.
But odds also increases:
- total money exposed on a seven out
So the decision is not “odds is good.”
The decision is:
- “How much swing can I handle?”
Step 5: Decide How You’ll Treat Prop Bets (Most Aggressive Plans Get This Wrong)
Aggressive players often mix in props because the table vibe pushes it.
This is where aggressive play gets reckless.
Props are often one-roll bets and easy to repeat.
That combination can drain a bankroll even during a good roll.
If you want the warning, read The Hidden Dangers Of Center Table Betting.
If you include props in an aggressive plan, the safest rule is:
- fixed prop budget per session
- not per roll
Example:
- “$20 total on props today, max.”
A Simple Aggressive Template (With Guardrails)
If you want an aggressive plan that’s still structured:
- Pass Line
- planned odds size
- place 6 and 8
- add 5 and 9 only after you’re up (not immediately)
- press using partial press rules
- no repeating prop bets every roll
- stop-win and stop-loss are mandatory
This keeps aggression tied to a trigger:
- being up
not being emotional.
The Two Biggest Risks Of Aggressive Craps Play
Risk 1: You Press Right Before The Seven
That’s the classic story:
- you build bets up
- you feel unstoppable
- then seven out clears the table
- and the whole press ladder disappears
Aggressive play must accept that this will happen sometimes.
Risk 2: It Creates Chasing And Tilt
Aggressive plans can turn into:
- “I need one more hit”
- “I’ll press to get back”
- “Just one more roll”
That mindset breaks bankroll control.
If you want to know more about the discipline rules, read Bankroll Management Strategies For Craps Players.
How To Make Aggressive Play Less Dangerous
Here are real guardrails that work.
Guardrail 1: Press Only After A Defined Trigger
Example:
- “I only start pressing once I’m up five units.”
Guardrail 2: Set A Max Bet Level
Example:
- “My 6 and 8 never go above $30.”
Guardrail 3: Lock Profit At Milestones
Example:
- “If I double my session buy-in, I leave.”
Guardrail 4: Keep The Number Of Bets Limited
Even aggressive players can limit chaos by not placing every number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aggressive Craps Strategy Better?
Not better, just different. It increases swings. You can win more on hot rolls but you can also lose faster on cold ones.
What’s The Biggest Mistake Aggressive Players Make?
Pressing without rules, adding too many bets, and repeating prop bets every roll.
Can I Play Aggressively Without Chasing?
Yes, if you use guardrails: fixed triggers, max bet caps, and stop-win/stop-loss rules.
Should Aggressive Players Use Prop Bets?
If they do, props should be capped as entertainment. One-roll repeating is a bankroll leak.
When Should I Switch Back To Conservative Play?
When you feel rushed, emotional, or below your planned stop-loss line.
Where To Go Next
You now understand what aggressive craps play looks like: pressing, adding more numbers, bigger odds, and bigger swings—and the guardrails that keep it from turning into pure chaos.
Next, we’ll explain volatility in craps betting sequences, why some sessions feel “swingier” than others, and how to recognize when your approach is creating too much risk.
Continue with Understanding Volatility In Craps Betting Sequences.
