Craps Bets Explained
Craps Bets Explained: Every Wager on the Table
The craps table can look overwhelming at first glance. With its complex layout and dozens of possible bets, many UK players shy away from the game entirely. That is a shame, because craps offers some of the best odds in the casino, provided you know which bets to make. This guide explains every craps bet in detail, including the exact house edge for each, so you can make informed decisions at the table.
Understanding the full range of craps bets is essential for any player who wants to play intelligently. While there are over 40 different wagers available, only a handful offer genuine value. Knowing the difference between a smart bet and a sucker bet is the most important skill you can develop as a craps player.
Pass Line Bet (House Edge: 1.41%)
The pass line is the most fundamental and popular bet in craps. You place this bet before the come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win even money. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12 (known as "craps"), you lose. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) establishes a "point." The shooter then continues rolling until they either hit the point again (you win) or roll a 7 (you lose).
At 1.41%, the pass line is one of the best bets in any casino game. It is simple to understand, pays even money, and forms the foundation of smart craps play. Nearly every experienced craps player starts with a pass line bet before adding anything else. If you are brand new to craps, you could play the pass line exclusively and still be making a mathematically sound decision.
Don’t Pass Bet (House Edge: 1.36%)
The don’t pass is the mirror image of the pass line. On the come-out roll, you win on 2 or 3, lose on 7 or 11, and push (tie) on 12. Once a point is established, you win if a 7 is rolled before the point and lose if the point comes first. The don’t pass carries a slightly lower house edge of 1.36%, making it marginally the better mathematical choice.
At live tables, the don’t pass is sometimes called "wrong side" betting because you are effectively rooting against the shooter. This can create social tension, though experienced players understand it is simply a mathematical preference. When playing online craps, there is absolutely no reason not to use the don’t pass if you want the lowest possible house edge on your base bet.
Come Bet (House Edge: 1.41%)
A come bet works exactly like a pass line bet, but it is placed after a point has been established. Once you make a come bet, the very next roll acts as a personal come-out roll for that wager. A 7 or 11 wins, 2, 3, or 12 loses, and any other number becomes your come point. Your come bet then moves to that number and wins if it is rolled again before a 7.
Come bets allow you to have action on multiple numbers simultaneously. Many experienced players use a pass line bet plus one or two come bets to spread their action across several numbers, all while maintaining the same low 1.41% house edge. You can also back come bets with odds for even better value.
Don’t Come Bet (House Edge: 1.36%)
The don’t come mirrors the come bet the same way don’t pass mirrors the pass line. Placed after a point is established, the next roll is your personal come-out: 2 or 3 wins, 7 or 11 loses, 12 pushes. If a number becomes your don’t come point, you win if 7 comes before that number. The house edge of 1.36% matches the don’t pass, making it the best base bet alongside its counterpart.
Odds Bets (House Edge: 0%)
The odds bet is the crown jewel of craps wagers and the only bet in the entire casino that carries absolutely zero house edge. After a point is established, you can "take odds" behind your pass line or come bet, or "lay odds" behind your don’t pass or don’t come bet. These bets pay at true mathematical odds:
- Points of 4 or 10: Pass line odds pay 2:1, don’t pass odds require laying 2:1
- Points of 5 or 9: Pass line odds pay 3:2, don’t pass odds require laying 3:2
- Points of 6 or 8: Pass line odds pay 6:5, don’t pass odds require laying 6:5
Because the odds bet has no house edge, you should always take or lay the maximum odds allowed. The more money you have on odds relative to your line bet, the lower the combined house edge on your total wager. Casinos limit odds bets, typically to 1x, 2x, 3x-4x-5x, 5x, or 10x your line bet. Always look for tables or online casinos that offer the highest odds multiples.
Place Bets
Place bets allow you to wager directly on a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) being rolled before a 7. The house edges vary significantly depending on which number you choose:
- Place 6 or Place 8: House edge of 1.52% – the best place bets and nearly as good as the pass line
- Place 5 or Place 9: House edge of 4.00%
- Place 4 or Place 10: House edge of 6.67%
Place bets on 6 and 8 are popular among knowledgeable players because they offer a very reasonable 1.52% house edge without requiring a pass line bet first. If you want action on specific numbers, placing 6 and 8 is a solid choice. However, place bets on 4, 5, 9, and 10 carry significantly higher edges and are generally best avoided.
Field Bets (House Edge: 2.78% to 5.56%)
The field bet is a one-roll wager that wins if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. It loses on 5, 6, 7, or 8. At first glance, the field looks attractive because it covers seven numbers against only four. However, the four losing numbers (especially 6, 7, and 8) are rolled much more frequently than most of the winning numbers.
Most casinos pay double on 2 and double on 12, giving a house edge of 5.56%. Some offer triple on 12 (or occasionally on 2), which reduces the edge to 2.78%. The field bet is not terrible compared to proposition bets, but it is still significantly worse than pass line, don’t pass, or place 6/8. It is best avoided by strategic players.
Proposition Bets (House Edge: 5.56% to 16.67%)
Proposition bets are the one-roll or multi-roll wagers found in the centre of the craps table. They offer large payouts but come with punishing house edges. These are universally considered the worst bets on the table:
- Any 7: Wins if 7 is rolled. House edge 16.67%. This is the worst common bet in craps.
- Any Craps: Wins on 2, 3, or 12. House edge 11.11%.
- Snake Eyes (2) or Boxcars (12): Wins on specific number. House edge 13.89%.
- Three or Eleven: Wins on specific number. House edge 11.11%.
- Horn Bet: Combination of 2, 3, 11, and 12. House edge 12.50%.
- Whirl/World: Horn bet plus any 7. House edge 13.33%.
The large payouts on proposition bets (up to 30:1 for snake eyes or boxcars) are designed to lure in unsuspecting players. But these payouts are well below the true odds, giving the casino an enormous mathematical advantage. Experienced craps players never touch proposition bets, and neither should you.
Hardways (House Edge: 9.09% to 11.11%)
A hardway bet wagers that a specific even number (4, 6, 8, or 10) will be rolled as a double before it is rolled any other way or before a 7 is rolled. For example, "hard 8" means two fours must be rolled before any other combination totalling 8 or before a 7.
- Hard 6 or Hard 8: Pays 9:1, house edge 9.09%
- Hard 4 or Hard 10: Pays 7:1, house edge 11.11%
While hardways are less catastrophic than pure proposition bets, the house edges are still extremely unfavourable. They may add excitement, but they will steadily erode your bankroll. Strategic players avoid hardways entirely.
Big 6 and Big 8 (House Edge: 9.09%)
The Big 6 and Big 8 bets wager that a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7. They pay even money. These are among the worst bets on the craps table because you can achieve exactly the same outcome by making a place bet on 6 or 8, which pays 7:6 instead of even money and carries a house edge of just 1.52% rather than 9.09%.
There is absolutely no reason to ever bet Big 6 or Big 8. They exist solely to trap uninformed players. If you want to bet on 6 or 8, always use a place bet instead. Many modern casinos have actually removed Big 6 and Big 8 from their layouts, though some still include them.
Craps Bets Comparison Table
The following table summarises every major craps bet, its house edge, and our recommendation for UK players:
| Bet | House Edge | Payout | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1.41% | Even money | Recommended |
| Don’t Pass | 1.36% | Even money | Recommended |
| Come | 1.41% | Even money | Recommended |
| Don’t Come | 1.36% | Even money | Recommended |
| Odds (Pass/Come) | 0% | True odds | Always take maximum |
| Odds (Don’t Pass/Come) | 0% | True odds | Always lay maximum |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% | 7:6 | Good alternative |
| Place 5 or 9 | 4.00% | 7:5 | Avoid |
| Place 4 or 10 | 6.67% | 9:5 | Avoid |
| Field (triple 12) | 2.78% | 1:1 / 2:1 / 3:1 | Avoid |
| Field (double 12) | 5.56% | 1:1 / 2:1 | Avoid |
| Any 7 | 16.67% | 4:1 | Never bet |
| Any Craps | 11.11% | 7:1 | Never bet |
| Hard 6/8 | 9.09% | 9:1 | Never bet |
| Hard 4/10 | 11.11% | 7:1 | Never bet |
| Big 6/Big 8 | 9.09% | Even money | Never bet |
Buy and Lay Bets
Buy bets are similar to place bets but pay at true odds in exchange for a 5% commission. Lay bets are the reverse, wagering that a 7 will be rolled before a specific number. The house edges on buy bets are:
- Buy 4 or 10: 4.76% (better than place 4/10 at 6.67%)
- Buy 5 or 9: 4.76% (worse than place 5/9 at 4.00%)
- Buy 6 or 8: 4.76% (much worse than place 6/8 at 1.52%)
The only situation where a buy bet makes sense is on the 4 or 10, where it offers a lower house edge than the equivalent place bet. For all other numbers, place bets are superior. Some casinos only collect the commission on winning buy bets, which changes the mathematics favourably, but this is less common online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What craps bet has the lowest house edge?
The odds bet has the lowest house edge at exactly 0%, meaning there is no house advantage at all. It is the only bet in the casino that pays at true mathematical odds. However, you must place a pass line, don’t pass, come, or don’t come bet first before you are eligible to take or lay odds. Among base bets, the don’t pass and don’t come at 1.36% have the lowest house edge.
Why should I avoid Big 6 and Big 8 bets?
Big 6 and Big 8 pay even money when 6 or 8 is rolled before 7, giving a house edge of 9.09%. The place bets on 6 and 8 cover exactly the same outcome but pay 7:6 instead of even money, with a house edge of only 1.52%. Big 6 and Big 8 are mathematically identical to place bets on the same numbers but with dramatically worse payouts. They are widely considered trap bets for uninformed players.
Are proposition bets ever worth making?
From a mathematical perspective, no. Proposition bets carry house edges ranging from 5.56% to 16.67%, which are among the worst odds in any casino game. While they offer exciting large payouts (up to 30:1), these payouts are significantly below the true odds. Over time, proposition bets will drain your bankroll far more rapidly than sticking to pass/don’t pass with odds. They are best avoided entirely.
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