Fire Bet in Craps
Played on a specialised table, craps is a popular casino game that mainly revolves around the outcome of the roll of two dice.
Participants can bet on various results, including the numbers rolled or whether the shooter (the player rolling the dice) will successfully hit certain points before crapping out (rolling a 7).
Table of Contents:
- What is the Fire Bet in Craps?
- How it Works: Understanding the Inner Workings of the Fire Bet
- Betting Rules for the Fire Bet
- Fire Bet Payout Structure: Understanding the Payouts
- Probability and House Edge
- Fire Bets FAQs
Craps offers a mix of bets with different odds and payouts, ranging from simple bets like the beginner-friendly Pass Line to more complex wagers like the Fire Bet.
This article focuses on the latter, so read on to learn about this side bet.
What is the Fire Bet in Craps?
The Fire Bet is a popular side bet in craps that allows players to wager on whether the shooter will successfully make four or more unique points before crapping out (rolling a seven-out). Unique points refer to different numbers like 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
The bet is placed before the shooter’s first roll and remains active throughout the round as long as the shooter continues to hit new point numbers. While this bet is difficult to win, the potential for large payouts is largely responsible for its appeal. Depending on the casino’s payout structure, hitting six unique points can reward players with payouts as high as 999-to-1 or more.
How it Works: Understanding the Inner Workings of the Fire Bet
The Fire Bet is a side wager in craps where players bet that the shooter will successfully make multiple unique points before crapping out. Points in craps are numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that the shooter establishes and must hit again to win. For the Fire Bet, these points must be unique, meaning that hitting the same point twice doesn’t count. The more unique points the shooter hits, the higher the payout. The Fire Bet continues until the shooter rolls a seven-out, ending the game.
Placement of the Fire Bet on the Craps Table
To place a Fire Bet, players must place their wager before the shooter establishes the first point. This bet is usually made with a low minimum, such as $1 or $5, and is placed in a designated area on the craps table. Typically, there is a specific section where the Fire Bet is placed near the dealer, and once the shooter establishes the first point, the dealer will track the number of unique points made by placing a fire marker on the table.
The Role of the Shooter in the Fire Bet
The Fire Bet’s success is entirely dependent on the shooter’s performance. The shooter must establish and successfully hit multiple unique points without crapping out. If the shooter makes four or more unique points before crapping out, players who placed a Fire Bet win according to the payout table. However, the bet is lost if the shooter rolls a seven-out at any time before hitting at least four unique points.
Betting Rules for the Fire Bet
Let's break down the specific rules for placing a Fire Bet:
Minimum and Maximum Bets
The minimum bet for a Fire Bet is usually very low, often starting at just $1. This makes the Fire Bet accessible to most players who want to take a shot at the long odds. On the other hand, the maximum bet is typically capped at $5 or $10, depending on the casino. Some casinos may have higher limits, but the range of $1 to $5 is the most common for this side wager.
How the Fire Bet Interacts with Other Bets
The Fire Bet works independently from other common craps bets, like the Pass Line, Don’t Pass, and Place Bets. When players place a Fire Bet, it does not affect or get influenced by the results of these other wagers. The focus of the Fire Bet is entirely on the shooter making unique point numbers, and it does not rely on outcomes from standard craps bets.
For instance, if a player makes a Pass Line bet and the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, this does not affect the Fire Bet, as its purpose is only to track how many unique points (like 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10) are made. Even if a point is hit multiple times, it won’t count toward the Fire Bet since the bet only considers distinct points during the roll.
Fire Bet Payout Structure: Understanding the Payouts
As established, the Fire Bet in craps offers high-risk, high-reward payouts depending on how many unique point numbers the shooter hits before crapping out. The basic payout table commonly used is as follows:
- 4 Unique Points: Pays 25-to-1
- 5 Unique Points: Pays 250-to-1
- 6 Unique Points: Pays 999-to-1 or more, depending on the casino
These payouts vary between casinos, and some may offer different paytables, but the risk remains high across all versions.
How Multiple Points Affect the Payout
The more unique points the shooter makes, the higher the payout. For a point to be counted as "unique," it must be different from any previous points hit during the roll. For example, if the shooter hits an 8, then a 9, and another 8, the second 8 does not count toward the total. Players aim to see all six unique points (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) hit for the maximum payout.
Comparison of Payouts with Other Craps Bets
Compared to other craps bets like the Pass Line or Come Bet, the Fire Bet has much higher potential payouts but also a significantly higher house edge (around 20% or more, depending on the paytable). In contrast, Pass Line and Come Bets have house edges of around 1.4%, making them far less risky. The Fire Bet is more of a "long-shot" bet, appealing to those looking for massive wins in exchange for higher risk.
Examples of Fire Bet Payout Scenarios
Here are a few scenarios that can help you understand the payout structure of fire bets:
Scenario 1: Hitting 3 Points
In this scenario, the shooter establishes and makes three points (e.g., 4, 6, and 8). Since the Fire Bet only starts paying out at four unique points, hitting three points results in a loss. The payout for three or fewer points is -1 in most paytables, meaning the bet loses.
Scenario 2: Hitting 4 Points
If the shooter establishes and wins four unique points (for example, 4, 6, 8, and 9), you will receive a payout of 25-to-1 according to the most common paytable (Table A). So, if you bet $5, you would win $125.
Scenario 3: Hitting 6 Points
In the rare case where the shooter hits six unique points (e.g., 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10), you would hit the highest possible payout. In Table A, this pays 1,000-to-1, meaning a $1 Fire Bet would win $1,000. This is an exceptionally rare event, with the probability of hitting six points being about 0.016% (or 1 in around 6,200 rolls).
Probability and House Edge
Understanding the odds and house edge of the Fire Bet is key for players interested in this high-risk wager. Here's a breakdown of the probabilities and what they mean for your potential returns:
Calculating the Odds of a Fire Bet
Below is a breakdown of the probabilities for hitting different numbers of unique points during a shooter's roll sequence:
- 0 Points: 59.39% probability
- 1 Point: 26.08% probability
- 2 Points: 10.13% probability
- 3 Points: 3.34% probability
- 4 Points: 0.88% probability
- 5 Points: 0.16% probability
- 6 Points: 0.016% probability
To determine your potential payout from a Fire Bet, multiply the bet amount by the payout odds for the corresponding number of unique points made. For example, if you place a $5 Fire Bet and the shooter makes five unique points (pays 250-to-1), you will receive a payout of $1,250.
House Edge and Its Implications
The house edge for the Fire Bet is significantly higher than most other craps bets, typically ranging from 20% to 25% depending on the casino's paytable. This means for every $1 wagered on a Fire Bet, the casino expects to keep around 20 to 25 cents on average. In contrast, standard craps bets like the Pass Line (1.41% house edge) and Place Bet on 6 or 8 (1.52%) offer much more favourable odds for players.
Fire Bets FAQs
If you have any questions regarding Fire Bet in Craps, the following section might have what you’re looking for:
What is the best strategy for winning a Fire Bet?
The Fire Bet is a high-risk wager with a steep house edge (around 20% or more). Since hitting four or more unique points before a seven is rare, there's no solid strategy for winning. Some players bet when the table is “hot,” but this doesn't alter the long odds.
Can you place a Fire Bet after the shooter has started?
No, you cannot place a Fire Bet after the shooter has started. The Fire Bet must be placed before the shooter begins the come-out roll. Once the first point is established, the Fire Bet becomes active.
How do casinos ensure fairness in Fire Bets?
Casinos maintain fairness in Fire Bets by using random number generation or physical dice, overseen by trained dealers who follow strict rules. The results are unpredictable, and the house edge reflects the risk involved, ensuring fairness across the board.
What is the maximum payout for a Fire Bet?
The most common Fire Bet payout for hitting six unique points is 999 to 1. However, some casinos offer variations with a maximum payout of 2,000 to 1 or as low as 299 to 1 for six points.
Are there any variations of the Fire Bet that offer better odds?
Yes, there are several variations of the Fire Bet. Some casinos offer different paytables with slightly better odds for lower-point payouts but often at the cost of a reduced maximum payout of six points. For example, some tables may pay 6 to 1 for hitting three points, compared to the more common paytables that don’t pay for three points at all.