Trade-In Craps Strategy: Don’t Pass, DC, and Lay Odds
Don’t Pass · Don’t Come · Lay Odds · Trade out of 6/8
The Trade-In strategy is a contributor method that starts on Don’t Pass but prefers to lay Odds against 4, 5, 9, or 10 rather than 6 or 8. If the line point is 6 or 8, it uses a Don’t Come bet to try to “trade” into another number.
Better chance to win means a smaller Odds payout
A Don’t bet against 4 or 10 wins more often than one against 6 or 8, but true Odds pays less in the same proportion. Trading numbers changes probability and required stake—not the zero-edge expectation of the Odds portion.
Reconstructed rules
- Make one fixed-unit Don’t Pass bet on the come-out.
- If the point is 4, 5, 9, or 10, keep the Don’t Pass and optionally lay a predetermined amount of Odds.
- If the point is 6 or 8, leave the Don’t Pass flat and make one Don’t Come bet after the point.
- If the DC travels to 4, 5, 9, or 10, remove or reduce the Don’t Pass only if house rules permit, then lay the written Odds amount behind the DC.
- If the DC travels to 6 or 8, stop adding wagers. The old instruction to add a Lay bet does not “bet off” the DC; it adds more action on the same side.
- If the line point is made while a traveled DC remains, make no new bet and let the DC resolve.
Don’t-side point math
| Number behind | Chance 7 arrives first | Lay Odds ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 6/9 = 66.67% | Risk $2 to win $1 |
| 5 or 9 | 6/10 = 60% | Risk $3 to win $2 |
| 6 or 8 | 6/11 = 54.55% | Risk $6 to win $5 |
The higher win probability on 4/10 is fully reflected in the smaller payoff. No number supplies an advantage over the casino once the flat Don’t contract and bar rule are included.
Where the trade can fail
- A new DC loses immediately to 7 or 11 even though an older traveled Don’t bet may win on 7.
- A DC can travel to the same 6/8 pair the system was trying to avoid.
- The original “maximum Odds” instruction leaves total exposure undefined.
- Removing one Don’t contract does not recover losses already taken.
- A cold-looking table does not improve the next Don’t bet.
A usable staking rule
Choose the maximum amount you are willing to lose on one traveled position, then convert that liability into the correct Odds amount for its number. Do not use the table maximum as the bankroll plan. Record the flat bet and Odds separately because only the Odds portion has zero house edge.
Review the complete Don’t Pass, Don’t Come, and lay Odds rules. Contract handling was checked against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission rules.
Could someone please clarify this strategy? It get a little confusing after placing a Don’t Come bet if the point is a 6 or 8.
Hello! The strategy was submitted by a reader back in 2012. I will email to see if the person who submitted would like to come and post a clarification.
First of all you should never remove a DP bet once established, it is in your favor but if you do want to negate your DP bet once it becomes a 6 or 8 then place the number. If your DP bet is $20 then place the 6 or 8 for $18. That bet cannot lose, 7 out you win $2 and 6/8 point made you win $1. This is basically a one number DP bet with max odds and if you get a 6 or 8 go for another number. Type in first line should be take max odds on 4-10 5-9.