🎲 Select a Craps Bet
Choose a bet category and specific bet type to see detailed odds analysis. Green indicates good bets, yellow indicates fair bets, and red indicates poor bets.
How the Pass Line Works
The Pass Line is the most fundamental craps bet. On the come-out roll, you win on 7 or 11, lose on 2, 3, or 12. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes the "point." You then win if the point is rolled again before a 7, and lose if a 7 comes first.
📊 Complete Craps Bet Comparison
Reference table showing house edge for all craps bets, ranked from best to worst. Data verified against UNLV Center for Gaming Research standards.
| Bet Type | House Edge | Payout | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odds Bets (behind Pass/Come) | 0.00% | True Odds | ★★★★★ Excellent |
| Don't Pass / Don't Come | 1.36% | 1:1 | ★★★★☆ Good |
| Pass Line / Come | 1.41% | 1:1 | ★★★★☆ Good |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% | 7:6 | ★★★★☆ Good |
| Field (Triple 12) | 2.78% | 1:1 (2x/3x) | ★★★☆☆ Fair |
| Place 5 or 9 | 4.00% | 7:5 | ★★★☆☆ Fair |
| Buy 4 or 10 (5% vig) | 4.76% | 2:1 | ★★★☆☆ Fair |
| Field (Double 2 & 12) | 5.56% | 1:1 (2x) | ★★☆☆☆ Fair |
| Place 4 or 10 | 6.67% | 9:5 | ★★☆☆☆ Poor |
| Big 6 / Big 8 | 9.09% | 1:1 | ★☆☆☆☆ Poor |
| Hard 6 / Hard 8 | 9.09% | 9:1 | ★☆☆☆☆ Poor |
| Hard 4 / Hard 10 | 11.11% | 7:1 | ★☆☆☆☆ Poor |
| Any Craps (2, 3, or 12) | 11.11% | 7:1 | ★☆☆☆☆ Poor |
| Craps 2 (Snake Eyes) | 13.89% | 30:1 | ☆☆☆☆☆ Terrible |
| Craps 12 (Boxcars) | 13.89% | 30:1 | ☆☆☆☆☆ Terrible |
| Craps 3 (Ace-Deuce) | 11.11% | 15:1 | ★☆☆☆☆ Poor |
| Yo-Eleven | 11.11% | 15:1 | ★☆☆☆☆ Poor |
| Any 7 (Big Red) | 16.67% | 4:1 | ☆☆☆☆☆ Terrible |
Understanding Craps Odds: A Mathematical Guide
Craps is unique among casino games because it offers some of the best and worst bets on the casino floor—all on the same table. According to the American Gaming Association, craps generates billions in revenue annually, yet most players don't understand the dramatic differences in house edge between bet types.
The key insight is that the center of the craps table (proposition bets) is where the casino makes its money, while the edges (pass line with odds) offer some of the lowest house edges in gambling. Understanding this distinction is crucial for informed play.
The Best Bets: Pass Line and Odds
The Pass Line bet has a house edge of just 1.41%—among the best in any casino game. But the real advantage comes from taking odds behind your Pass Line bet. These odds bets pay at true mathematical odds with zero house edge—the only bet in the casino where the house has no advantage.
Combined House Edge with Odds: When you take maximum odds, the combined house edge drops dramatically. At 3x odds, the combined edge is about 0.47%. At 10x odds, it's 0.18%. Some casinos offer 100x odds, bringing the combined edge down to just 0.02%—essentially a fair game.
For more on how these mathematics work, see our comprehensive Craps Rules and Odds Guide, which covers dice probabilities and betting strategies in detail.
Why Place 6 and 8 Are Good Alternatives
If you want action on specific numbers without waiting for a point to be established, the Place 6 and Place 8 bets offer a house edge of just 1.52%. The numbers 6 and 8 are the most frequently rolled (besides 7), each appearing 5 out of every 36 rolls on average.
However, avoid Place 4 and Place 10 bets, which carry a 6.67% house edge. If you want action on these numbers, buy bets (with 5% commission) offer better value—though still not as good as pass line with odds.
The Worst Bets: Proposition Bets
The center of the table holds the proposition bets—high-payout, single-roll wagers that look attractive but carry devastating house edges:
- Any 7: 16.67% house edge—the worst bet on the table
- Craps 2 or 12: 13.89% house edge with 30:1 payout
- Hard 4 or Hard 10: 11.11% house edge
- Any Craps: 11.11% house edge
Avoid the Center: Every proposition bet in the center of the craps table has a house edge above 9%. Stickmen often encourage these bets because they're highly profitable for the casino. A disciplined player avoids this entire section.
Understanding Dice Probability
Craps odds are based on the 36 possible combinations when rolling two dice. The probability of each total according to Britannica's mathematical analysis:
- 7: 6 ways (16.67%) - Most common roll
- 6 or 8: 5 ways each (13.89%)
- 5 or 9: 4 ways each (11.11%)
- 4 or 10: 3 ways each (8.33%)
- 3 or 11: 2 ways each (5.56%)
- 2 or 12: 1 way each (2.78%)
This is why 7 is so important in craps—it's the most likely outcome, which is why pass line bets lose when 7 appears after a point is established.
Practical Tips for Using This Tool
When using our craps bet analyzer, keep these strategies in mind for informed gambling decisions:
- Stick to green-rated bets. Pass Line, Don't Pass, Come, Don't Come, and Place 6/8 are your best options.
- Always take maximum odds. If you're betting the Pass Line, put as much as you can afford behind it in odds.
- Ignore the center. No matter how exciting proposition bets seem, the math is terrible.
- Consider the Don't side. Don't Pass has a slightly lower house edge (1.36% vs 1.41%), though you'll be betting against other players.
- Manage your bankroll. For detailed session planning, use our Session Planner Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet in craps?
The best bets in craps are the Pass Line, Don't Pass, Come, and Don't Come bets, all with a house edge around 1.36-1.41%. Even better, taking or laying maximum odds behind these bets reduces the combined house edge further—to as low as 0.02% at some casinos offering 100x odds.
What is the worst bet in craps?
The worst bets in craps are the proposition bets in the center of the table. "Any 7" has a 16.67% house edge, and some bets like "Big Red" can go even higher. The "Any Craps" bet has an 11.11% house edge. These bets resolve in one roll with terrible odds.
How do craps odds bets work?
Odds bets are additional wagers behind the Pass/Don't Pass or Come/Don't Come bets. They pay at true mathematical odds with zero house edge. You can only make odds bets after a point is established, and casinos limit how much you can bet (1x, 2x, 3x, up to 100x your original bet).
What is the house edge on place bets?
Place bet house edges vary by number: Place 6 or 8 has 1.52% edge, Place 5 or 9 has 4.00% edge, and Place 4 or 10 has 6.67% edge. If you're going to place bet, stick with 6 and 8 for the best odds.
Should I play the field bet in craps?
The Field bet has a 5.56% house edge with standard payouts (2 and 12 pay double). Some casinos offer triple on 12, reducing the edge to 2.78%. While better than proposition bets, the field is still worse than pass line with odds. It's a high-variance, one-roll bet.
What are hardway bets in craps?
Hardway bets win when the specific pair is rolled before a 7 or the "easy way" (other combinations). Hard 6 and Hard 8 have a 9.09% house edge, while Hard 4 and Hard 10 have an 11.11% house edge. These are among the worst bets on the table.
How much do craps odds pay?
Odds bets pay at true odds: 2:1 on 4 or 10, 3:2 on 5 or 9, and 6:5 on 6 or 8. Lay odds (behind Don't Pass) pay the inverse: 1:2 on 4/10, 2:3 on 5/9, 5:6 on 6/8. These are the only bets in the casino with no house edge.
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