?? Understanding Craps Odds: The Basics
Knowing the odds in craps games and how each bet works is crucial. It helps you make better decisions and increases your chances of winning at online casinos in different states like New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania. If you’re completely new to real money online craps and don’t know how to play, check out the The Complete Beginner’s Guide To Online Craps. The craps bet types are as follows:
- Pass Line Bet
- Craps Any 7
- Don’t Pass (Don’t Come)
- Craps Pass
- Taking the Odds
- Laying the Odds
- Place Bets
- Lay Bets
- Big 6 and 8
- Field Bets
- Craps Table 3 or 11
- Hard Bets
We’ve detailed a craps odds table for each type of bet and explained briefly how it works.
?? Pass Line Bet: The Most Common Bet
The Pass Line bets are what most players choose. It has the best odds in craps of 1.41%, making it a good option when you play craps.
When you start the game, you’ll see a marker saying “on” or “off” on the board. “On” means it’s the come-out roll, while “off” means otherwise. The first dice roll sets the point. Rolling a 7 or 11 wins the bet, while rolling a 2, 3, or 12 loses. Any other number becomes the point for the game.
Once the point is set, the marker switches to “on,” and you keep rolling the dice until you get the point number again. If you do, you win the bet at even money. If you roll a 7, the Pass Line bets lose, and the game starts over.
It’s best not to make Pass Line bets after the come-out roll, as it reduces its value and makes the house edge worse. It’s better to wait until the game resets.
| House Edge | 1.41% |
| Payout Odds | 251 to 244 |
| Pays | 1 to 1 |
?? Craps Any 7: A Risky Proposition Bet
The Any 7 bet is a proposition bet, where you bet on the next roll’s outcome, specifically a total of 7 from the dice. It’s a simple win or lose bet.
However, this bet has a high house edge of 16.67%, making it one of the worst options in a craps game. It offers 6 ways to win and 30 ways to lose, and the craps odds payout is just 4 to 1.
If you really want to bet on a 7, consider hop bets like 1-6, 2-5, and 3-4. This reduces the house edge to 11.11% for a similar bet.
| House Edge | 16.67% |
| Payout Odds | 5 to 1 |
| Pays | 4 to 1 |
?? Don’t Pass (Don’t Come): The Opposite Bet
The Don’t Pass (Don’t Come) bet is the opposite of the Pass Line. It’s like betting against the rest of the table.
You win if you roll a 2 or 3 and lose if you roll a 7 or 11. Rolling a 12 is a tie. The game continues until you get the point or a 7.
The odds and house edge for Don’t Pass bets are almost the same as the Pass Line bet.
| House Edge | 1.36% |
| Payout Odds | 976 to 949 |
| Pays | 1 to 1 |
?? Craps Pass: Another Proposition Bet
The Craps Pass bet is a proposition bet covering the roll of 2, 3, or 12. It’s like a “hedge bet” because it covers some numbers that Pass Line bettors would lose to if they rolled.
This bet has an 11.11% house edge, making it one of the highest proposition bets, second only to the Any 7. But some games offer better odds of 7.5 to 1 instead of the usual 7 to 1, reducing the house edge to 5.56%.
It may seem like a good hedge bet, but it’s often better not to bet on it and stick to the come-out rolls.
| House Edge | 11.11% |
| Payout Odds | 8 to 1 |
| Pays | 7 to 1 |
?? Taking the Odds Bet: A Unique Bet
Taking the Odds bet is a special bet in craps because it has a zero house edge, meaning it’s a fair bet. It’s also called craps odds bet in some cases.
You bet on the outcome before a 7 is rolled. The odds depend on the number you choose:
- 4 and 10 = 2 to 1
- 5 and 9 = 3 to 2
- 6 and 8 = 6 to 5
The casino limits the amount you can bet on this because they don’t make money from it. It’s not a deterrent but a way to control the action.
Also, this bet may not count toward wagering requirements for new customers’ casino bonuses.
| House Edge | Zero |
| Payout Odds | 4 and 10, 2 to 1; 5 and 9, 3 to 2; 6 and 8, 6 to 5 |
| Pays | Same as Odds |
?? Laying the Odds: The Opposite of Taking the Odds
Laying the Odds is the opposite of Taking the Odds bets. Like the latter, it also has a zero house edge.
You bet on a 7 to be rolled before the point. The odds are the same as in Taking the Odds, but reversed.
Some casinos charge a commission, usually around 5%, but only on your winnings. Others apply the win-only commission to the 4 and 10 bets. This slightly affects the house edge, making the Place Bet a safer choice.
| House Edge | Zero |
| Payout Odds | 4 and 10, 2 to 1; 5 and 9, 3 to 2; 6 and 8, 6 to 5 |
| Pays | Same as Odds |
?? Place Bets: Betting on Specific Numbers
Place bets involve betting on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to appear before a 7 is rolled. Each number has its odds, based on how likely it is to come up.
The best value comes from betting on 6 and 8, with a house edge of just 1.52%.
| House Edge | 6 and 8, 1.52%; 5 and 9, 4.00%; 4 and 10, 6.67% |
| Payout Odds | 7 to 6 on 6 and 8; 7 to 5 on 5 and 9; 9 to 5 on 4 and 10 |
| Pays | 6 to 5 on 6 and 8; 3 to 2 on 5 and 9; 2 to 1 on 4 and 10 |
?? Lay Bets: The Opposite of Place Bets
Lay Bets are the opposite of Place Bets. You bet on the Place Bet to lose.
The odds and payouts are the same as in Place Bets, but reversed. Some casinos charge a commission on your winnings, usually around 5%. Some may apply the commission only to the 4 and 10 bets. This slightly affects the house edge, making Place Bets the safer option.
| House Edge | 6 and 8, 2.27%; 5 and 9, 2.00%; 4 and 10, 1.67% |
| Payout Odds | 7 to 6 on 6 and 8; 7 to 5 on 5 and 9; 9 to 5 on 4 and 10 |
| Pays | 6 to 5 on 6 and 8; 3 to 2 on 5 and 9; 2 to 1 on 4 and 10 |
?? Big 6 and 8: A Less Favorable Bet
The Big 6 and 8 bet is similar to the 6 and 8 bet in Place Bets. You choose either number to be rolled before a 7.
However, this bet is not recommended as it pays even money on its own, while the same bet in Place Bets pays 7 to 6.
For betting on 6 or 8, the Place Bets category is a better option.
| House Edge | 9.09% |
| Payout Odds | 6 to 5 |
| Pays | 1 to 1 |
?? Field Bets: Betting on the Next Roll
Field bets involve betting on a specific number to be rolled on the next roll in a craps game. The numbers include 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Any other number results in a loss.
The bet generally pays even money for all numbers except 2 and 12, which pay 2 to 1 and 3 to 1, respectively. Some casinos might offer 2 to 1 payouts for both 2 and 12, which doubles the house edge from 2.78% to 5.56%.
| House Edge | 2.27% |
| Payout Odds | 5 to 4 |
| Pays | 1 to 1, except for 2 (2 to 1) and 12 (3 to 1) |
?? Craps Table: Betting on 3 or 11
The 3 or 11 bet is similar to the Field bet, but limited to the numbers 3 and 11, which are relatively rare.
This bet has a high house edge of 11.11%, making it one of the casino’s most profitable wagers. Despite the odds, the payout is a substantial 15 to 1.
| House Edge | 11.11% |
| Payout Odds | 17 to 1 |
| Pays | 15 to 1 |
?? Hard Bets: Betting on Identical Numbers
Hard bets involve betting on both dice showing the same number. You can bet on 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.
You lose if a 7 is rolled or a non-matching combination (e.g., 5-3 or 6-2) is rolled. Any other non-winning combination keeps your bet active.
The odds and payouts vary based on the chosen number, offering different levels of risk and reward.
| House Edge | 6 and 8, 9.09%; 4 and 10, 11.11%, 2, 13.89% |
| Payout Odds | 6 and 8, 10 to 1; 4 and 10, 8 to 1; 2, 35 to 1 |
| Pays | 6 and 8, 9 to 1; 4 and 10, 7 to 1; 2, 30 to 1 |
?? Crafting a Safe Craps Strategy
With the wide array of craps bets, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you’re new to the game. However, mastering all the odds in craps isn’t necessary for success. Starting with a safe craps strategy and gradually incorporating more bets as you become comfortable with the craps game is a wise approach.
Use this article as a solid starting point for understanding the different craps bets and their odds. As you become more confident, you can further develop your strategy to enhance your craps experience. There are many resources available to explore deeper betting strategies for this captivating casino game.
In conclusion, online craps offers a thrilling blend of skill, luck, and strategy. By understanding the odds in craps and making informed decisions, you can increase your chances of success. Whether you prefer the popular Pass Line Bet or want to explore proposition bets, a sound strategy will guide you through playing craps at US online casinos and land based casinos.
