Craps Systems: The Iron Cross

How to use the Iron Cross

To use the Iron Cross system in casinos, you need to combine a field bet along with place bets on the 5, 6 and 8. The reason why you make so many casino bets at once is because you want to cover as many numbers as possible. In fact, 7 is the only uncovered number with this system because the field bet takes care of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12, while the place bets cover 5, 6 and 8. Besides making the aforementioned bets, you also want to keep your unit sizes the same on all of the wagers. Another thing to keep in mind is that whenever one of your bets wins or loses, you need to replace it with another wager so the bets are always on the table.

While the Iron Cross is every gambler’s dream with how much action it gives you, the main problem with this system is the big casino edge. Assuming you follow the Iron Cross to a T, it gives the house an ugly 3.87% house edge. So how do we arrive at the 3.87% edge? You simply add the 5.56% edge on the field bet, the 4% advantage on the 5 place bet, and a 1.52% edge on the 6 and 8 place bets to get the 3.87% house edge. In any case, this is a massive house edge when compared to the 6 and 8 place bets, the pass line, don’t pass line, come, and don’t come bets.

When looking at the house edge, you can see that the Iron Cross is an illogical system from a long-term perspective. After all, how can you justify giving casinos such a big edge when you could just drop the field bet and 5 place bet from the equation, and stick with the 1.52% edge on the 6 and 8 place bet. Even after looking at the Iron Cross from a logical standpoint, there is still one very good reason why people choose this system.

Assuming you stuck with the 6 and 8 place bet while your friend used the Iron Cross, you would be sitting around waiting for your place bet to connect while your friend is hauling in all kinds of  casino wins. And this is a big reason why players continue to stick with the Iron Cross because of the frequent wins that it provides.

Instead of waiting for five or six rolls before your bet is determined, you are constantly scooping in winning chips, grieving over lost bets, and replacing expired wagers. For example, if a 4 was rolled, you’d receive a unit on the field bet; if a 6 was rolled next, you’d receive one winning unit on the field bet, but lose one for the field bet.

This constant influx of casino action is what makes the Iron Cross so appealing to try. So if you are bored with your current routine at the craps table, perhaps you should try the Iron Cross to see if it livens things up for you. Sure you’ll be surrendering more of a long-term edge to the house, but perhaps the increased action and excitement will make up for this.