Craps Bets & Odds

Understanding the odds and bets that you can place in Craps is vital to ensuring you don’t lose all your money or embarass yourself in a live game..  You might here people shouting all types of lingo and vernacular terms such as “Horn Bets” or “Lay 10” which often confuse or put off even the biggest casino degenerates.   Thankfully, the rules of Craps are actually quite simple even if it takes time to learn the jargon. 

We’ve covered all the major types of bets and odds you receive here.

Craps Bets & Odds

Pass Line

This is the most basic and popular of bets when playing Craps.  It has one of the lowest house edges (1.41%) and it is very simple to place.

A pass line bet requires you to place chips on the “Pass Line” section of the table.  If the shooter’s come out roll is a 7 or 11, you win even money (1:1).  However, if the come out roll is 2,3 or 12 (craps)  you lose.  If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) it’s called the point.  The shooter continues to throw the dice until he/she roles a 7 or the Point. If the point is rolled first, you win even money.  If the 7 is rolled first you lose your bet.

Interestingly, in a game of Crapless Craps, the ability to lose a Pass Line bet to craps on a come out roll is removed - hence the name “crapless” craps.  This improves your odds of winning by removing the house ege and increasing your expected value.

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Don’t Pass Line

You can also bet on the “Don’t Pass” line, which is basically when you are betting or laying the shooter on his first roll.  If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 (Craps) than you win straight away (1:1 even money). If a 7 or 11 is rolled before the Point is scored you lose.  A 12 is considered a Push (draw) and normally you can relinquish this bet.  If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10) this is established on the point number.  After this happens you’ll win you’re money back if a 7 is rolled before the Point number, and lose if a 7 comes first.

Taking the Odds

After the point has been established, you can make an additional bet known as Taking the Odds or Pass Odds.  You are betting on the Point number being rolled before a 7.  The pay out odds are normally displayed on the Casino craps table.  The odds vary for different numbers based on the likelihood of them being rolled.  Normally, the payouts are as follows

  • 4 pays 2:1
  • 5 pays 3:2
  • 6 pays 8 pays 6:5
  • 9 pays 3:2
  • 10 pays 2:1

Come Bet

This is similar to a Pass Line bet, but it is made after the point has been established (dealer button is ON).  The next roll then becomes the Come Out roll for your bet and establishes your Point.  The payout depends on the Point:

  • 7 or 11 pays 1:1 (also known as a Natural)
  • 2, 3, or 12 you lose your money (also known as Craps)
  • If neither of the above is rolled then (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) becomes the point for your bet.  If a 7 comes before your point is rolled again you lose.  If your point is won however your payout depends on the Point.

Come Bet Payouts:

Number Payout
4 2:1
5 3:2
6 6:5
8 6:5
9 3:2
10 2:1

Taking the Odds

This is similar to the Come Bet and has the same odds above (Come Odds).  You can place this bet only after the point has been established.  If the 7 is rolled before the point, you lose.

Laying the Odds

Opposite of Taking the Odds.  This is a Don’t Pass Line bet which can be made only after the point has been established.  If a 7 is rolled before the point, you win.

Number Payout
4 1:2
5 2:3
6 5:6
8 5:6
9 2:3
10 1:2

Don’t Come Bet

Oppose of Come Bet. This is similar to a Don’t Pass Line bet, but it is made after the Come Out roll.

Place Bets

You can bet on specific point numbers. If your number is rolled before a 7, you win.  If a 7 comes before your point number, you lose.  You’re paid out according to the table below.

Big 6 Bet

This is a Place Bet on a 6, put down after the point has been established.  If a 6 is rolled before a 7, you win (1:1).

Number Payout
4 9:5
5 7:5
6 7:6
8 7:6
9 7:5
10 9:5

Field Bets

Kind of what the name suggests, field bets are open to everyone who bets on the next number rolled.  To place one you simple throw your chips into the table (as little chips as possible) and tell the stick man what you want.  The payout for field bets:

  • 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 all payout 1:1
  • 2 pays 2:1
  • 12 pays out either 2:1 or 3:1 (depending on the casino)

Proposition Bets

Placed before any throw.  You can bet on any number as follows:

  • Betting on the next throw being a 2, 3 or 12 (Craps)
  • Any Seven: Betting on the next throw being a 7
  • Eleven: Betting on the next throw being an 11
  • Horn Bet: Betting on the next number being a 2, 3, 11, or 12. The payout is determined by the number rolled