Win or Cover 83.3% of Rolls With the Craps Iron Cross Strategy
They call it the Iron Cross, but don’t worry, you won’t need a gym membership to pull it off. This craps strategy focuses on holding positions across the board (that’s board, and not plank, thank goodness).
By stacking your bets across the right numbers, you give yourself a chance to win on 30 out of 36 possible rolls (83.3%). The wins trickle in, even if they’re small, which is ideal if you prefer steady payouts over risky jackpots.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the iron cross system step-by-step, including how it works, when to use it, and what to watch out for.
What is the Iron Cross Craps Strategy?
The iron cross craps strategy is a way to bet on almost every possible outcome except for a 7. It’s designed to cash out on a hot shooter. Not that kind of hot, you rascal. Though we’ll admit, when the dice are rolling right, some shooters start looking real good.
You do the iron cross strategy by combining place bets on the 5, 6, and 8 with a field bet that covers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. That means you’ll win something on nearly every roll, unless that dang 7 shows up and clears the board.
If you’ve ever tried to “cover the table” in roulette (a great strategy for a small bankroll, btw), the craps iron cross strategy has the same feel.
Place and Field Bets
To use the iron cross system, you need to understand two types of bets: place bets and field bets.
For a place bet, you choose specific numbers to hit before a 7 is rolled. In the iron cross, those are 5, 6, and 8.
If any of your chosen numbers roll before a 7, you win. Place bets stay active until they hit or a 7 wipes them out.
The field bet is a one-roll wager.
It wins if the next number rolled is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. If the dice land on anything else, you lose the field bet and need to place a new one before the next roll.
How to Use the Iron Cross Craps Strategy
The iron cross works by covering 30 out of 36 possible combinations, so almost every number is a win, except the dreaded 7.
The craps iron cross strategy involves place bets and field bets.
Start with Place Bets
Assign one place bet on the 5, one on the 6, and one on the 8. These stay active until they hit or a 7 shows up and ruins your whole setup. *Sigh.* Classic 7. Can’t take you anywhere.
You’ll want to bet in multiples of $5 for the 5 (which pays 7:5) and multiples of $6 for the 6 and 8 (which pay 7:6). That way, your payouts come out to whole dollars.
If you’re playing in person, push your chips forward and tell them which numbers to “place.”
It’s kind of like ordering from the craps menu. Hmmm, on second thought, that doesn’t sound appetizing at all. Let’s say it’s more like picking toppings at a sundae bar. That’s better.
Add Field Bets
Now that your place bets are in position, it’s time to sprinkle on the field bet, using the same wager as you did on place 5.
The field bet only lasts one roll. It wins on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Most of those pay even money, but 2 and 12 usually pay double.
Just remember: the field bet is a one-roll bet, so you need to place it before every roll, win or lose.
Iron Craps Strategy Example
Let’s iron out the details with an example of the iron cross method in action. You’ll need to be familiar with how to play craps, even if it’s just the basics.
Let’s say you place $10 on the field, $10 on place 5, and $12 each on place 6 and 8. That’s $44 total on the felt. Now let’s roll:
- First roll is a 4. Field bet wins $10. Place bets stay put. Total: $54
- Next roll is a 6. You win $14 on place 6. Field loses, so you re-bet $10. Total: $58
- Then comes a 2. Field pays double, you pocket $20. Total: $78
- After that, it’s an 8. Win $14 on Place 8, lose the field, re-bet $10. Total: $82
Everything cruises along until – bam – 7. (Noooo!!!). Now, all your bets are gone (Total: $38). You were racking up small wins, but that 7 clears the table, which means you lose all $44 in one roll.
One bad roll can undo several good ones, which is why bankroll management is key with this strategy.
Pros and Cons
The iron cross in craps sounds great on paper (win on almost every number!), but like any strategy, it comes with tradeoffs. Carefully consider the pros and cons before you place your bet and pump iron on the felt.
Pros:
- Covers 30 out of 36 possible roll outcomes (83.3% have a positive outcome)
- Delivers frequent, steady wins (especially when field numbers hit)
- Easy to understand and quick to set up
- Great during a hot streak when 7s are rare
Cons:
- All bets lose when a 7 rolls (and it rolls more than you think)
- Field bet has a high house edge (5.56%), which puts a dent in the entire iron cross
- Limited payout potential; big wins are rare
- Can add up quickly if you don’t manage your betting amounts
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3/4/5 Rule in Craps
The 3/4/5 rule isn’t part of the iron cross strategy, but it’s a good one to know if you’re playing with pass line or come bets. It helps you calculate how much you can add as an odds bet after a point is set.
It works like this.
If the point is 4 or 10, you can bet up to 3x your original bet in odds. For 5 or 9, it’s 4x. For 6 or 8, you can go up to 5x. Simple. It keeps the max payouts balanced across all point numbers.
Odds bets have no house edge, so combining them with line bets is how you really flex in craps (without having to lift anything, of course).
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Is the Iron Cross Strategy a good strategy?
The iron cross strategy in craps has its share of ironclad benefits, such as frequent wins, full-table coverage, and a steady, exciting pace. If you’re in it for entertainment and don’t mind walking away with a handful of smaller payouts, it can absolutely deliver a good time at the table.
But this strategy isn’t built for long-term gains.
The field bet drags your edge down, and when that inevitable 7 shows up, you’ll bear the cross of a disappointing loss as all your bets vanish in a single roll.
So is it “good”? That depends on your goal. For short bursts of action and small, steady wins, it’s worth a shot. For grinding out long-term profits, not so much.
The iron cross method can boost your craps game with steady wins, but the 7 can swoop in and catch you off guard. Even so, it could be a worthy strategy to try. Test it out for free using Practice Play at Cafe Casino and see if this is the type of craps strategy that pumps iron with your bets, or leaves you stuck in the crosshairs of the 7.
