Craps Bets Guide: Types, Strategies & Odds for Winning

When it comes to casino gambling, craps can be one of the exciting dice games in a casino. Players cheer on each shooter and there may be plenty of high-fives as players win different types of craps bets.

However, new players may be a bit overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number of bets available on the craps table. There are numerous options for players, but most are fairly easy to understand and a few are more favorable than others. Keep reading to learn all about the types of craps bets and odds available as well as strategy tips to improve gameplay.

Craps Bets: Basics & How to Play

For players new to the game, craps involves one player shooting a pair of dice across the table. The general idea is that players can win on certain numbers and lose on others, depending on how they made their wagers. The craps table bets layout includes these common betting areas:

Pass Line – This area runs in front of players gathered around the able and the player is betting with the shooter.
Come Bet – This is an area located in the center of the table where players can bet. This is also a bet similar to the Pass Line
Field – An area allowing players to make one-roll bets on the 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Numbers – These are the locations for 4, 5, 6,, 8, 9, and 10 which are used for Place Bets, Pass Line point numbers, and other wagers.
Don’t Pass – An area for betting against the shooter.
Don’t Come – Similar to a Come bet, but betting against the shooter.
Proposition Bets – This is located in the center of the table where players can bet on certain numbers, such as hardways (4-4, 3-3, and other doubles).

There may be some other bets available, but these are the common bets found on the craps layout. Here’s an example of what a craps layout would look like, whether playing in a live casino or online.

Types of Craps Table Bets & How They Work

Now that you know the actual bets available, here is a look at how each craps wager works.

Pass Line Bet

This Is the most popular bet made in craps and players are betting with the shooter. When a new player is rolling the dice, the player places a bet on the Pass Line hoping that the shooter wins. The initial roll is called the “comeout roll” and players win even money on a 7 or 11. The player loses on 2, 3, or 12.

The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 are known as the “point numbers” and when one of these are rolled, a puck will be placed on the number on the felt. These numbers are located at the top of the table. The shooter is then hoping to roll that number again before rolling a 7, which makes all Pass Line bets losers after a point has been established.

For example, if the shooter rolls an 8 and then rolls another 8 before “sevening out,” then all Pass Line bets are winners. There is also another key wager that Pass Line bets often make:

Odds Bet – This is an extra wager Pass Line players can make after the point number has been established and is one of the best bets in the casino. This bet pays out the true odds of rolling that number without any house edge. The player simply places added chips behind the bet on the Pass Line. This can range from 2x the bet to as high as 50x in some casinos. Here’s how odds bets pay out:
- 4 and 10 – 2 to 1
- 5 and 9 – 3 to 2
- 6 and 8 – 6 to 5
Don’t Pass Bet – This is similar to the Pass Line bet, except players are betting against the shooter. In this case, players win when the shooter sevens out. These players can also take odds and here are those payouts:
- 4 and 10 – 1 to 2
- 5 and 9 – 2 to 3
- 6 and 8 – 5 to 6

Come Bet – This wager functions similarly to the Pass Line bet after the come-out roll when a point number has already been established. Players simply place chips on the Come Bar located in the center of the table. The bet loses on 2, 3, or 12 and wins even money on 7 or 11. If another number is rolled, that chip will then be placed on the 4,5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 as a point number for that come bet. You can also ask the dealer to place your odds as you would with the Pass Line bet. If the shooter rolls that number before sevening out, then you win the wager earning even money on the initial bet and the true odds on the odds bet (the same payouts as seen above on Pass Line wagers).
Don’t Come Bet – This is similar to the Come Bet, but players are betting against the shooter. Players can make the wager on the Don’t Come area and then also make odds bets, which are paid out at the same as the Don’t Pass payouts listed above.
Place Bets – These are bets on specific numbers numbers. Make this wager by simply telling the dealer, who will then place your chip on the corresponding number. These pay out when the shooter rolls that number before rolling a 7. Here are the payouts on these numbers:
- 4 and 10 – 9 to 5
- 5 and 9 – 7 to 5
- 6 and 8 – 7 to 6

Field Bets – These are even-money, one-roll bets where a player wins on any roll of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. However, 2 and 12 pay double in some craps games.
Proposition Bets – These are more high-risk, high-reward bets. They can be one-roll bets like “any craps” or “any seven” or hardway bets, which can last until a player craps out.

Best Bets for Beginners

When it comes to craps, there are really a few bets that are more favorable than others. Making a Pass Line bet with odds is one of these and here’s a look at the house edges for making these wager:

Pass Line + single odds	0.85%
Pass Line + double odds	0.61%
Pass Line and triple odds	0.47%

The above percentages would also apply to Come Bets as well because they are virtually the same as Pass Line wagers. It’s important to remember to add odds bets on these wagers to reduce the house edge, otherwise the edge on just a Pass Line wager alone is 1.41%. Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets are also solid options and come with similar odds as those found above.

The Place Bets can be another nice option, although not as good as Pass Line wagers. Here’s a look at the payouts on these wagers compared to the actual true odds of rolling that number. Notice that placing 6 and 8 is much more favorable than placing the 5 and 9 or 4 and 10.

Point	True odds	Payouts	House edge
4 and 10	2 to 1	9 to 5	6.67%
5 and 9	3 to 2	7 to 5	4%
6 and 8	6 to 5	7 to 6	1.52%

Most craps experts recommend avoiding the Field Bets and Proposition Bets because of the high house edges that come with those. The Field Bets have a house edge of around 5.5%. The house edge on Proposition Bets can get as high as 4% to well into the double digits. These bets should be avoided.

Advanced Craps Betting Strategies

As in most casino games, players have developed some strategies through the years to take advantage of the low house edge and to maximize winnings when finding some streaks. Here’s a quick look at a few of those.

3-Point Molly – This strategy involves making a combination of at least three Pass Line and Come Bets and backing them up with full odds. This reduces the house edge to 0.5%.
Iron Cross – The player makes four bets with this strategy – one on the field along with place bets on 5, 6, and 8. This was originally meant as a quick hit-and-run bet. The player wins on every number except 7 and the combination has a house edge of just 1.14%.

As with any type of gambling, only wager what you can afford to lose as entertainment. Too many wager on the craps table can drain your cash faster, so beware and play within your means.

Tips for Maximizing Your Odds at the Craps Table

When hitting the table, here are just a few quick tips to keep in mind to maximize your odds at the table and make the game go smoother.

Always put odds on wagers in the Pass LIne, Come Bar, Don’t Pass, and Don’t Come.
6 and 8 are your friends when it comes to the lowest house edge for Place Bets.
Learn the layout of the craps table to place bets quickly.
When in doubt, ask the dealer for help.
Stick to bets with a low house edge – avoid the field and prop bets.
Practice on free craps games and online before betting real money.
Playing online can have lower stakes than what one might find in a live casino.

Conclusion

Craps can be a great game with a low house edge, offering various types of craps bets to maximize your chances of winning. This can be intimidating for new players, but certain bets, such as the Pass Line, Come Bets, and Place Bets, offer the lowest house edge, especially when backing up Pass Line and Come Bets with odds, which pay out the true odds of rolling that number.

These bets are all betting with the shooter. The Don’t Pass and Don’t Come can also be good options, but in these cases the players are betting against the shooter. Field bets and proposition bets come with much higher house edges than those listed here and should generally be avoided.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of craps bets?

Players can bet with the shooter with Pass Line Bets, Come Bets, and Place Bets. Field bets on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are also available as well as longer-odds Proposition Bets on certain numbers and hardways.

Which craps bets have the lowest house edge?

Pass Line/Don’t Pass and Come/Don’t Come bets with odds have the lowest house edges. Place Bets also have low house edges as well, especially the 6 and 8 at 1.52%

What is a Proposition Bet in craps?

This is a bet on certain hands like hardsways (3-3, 4-4, and other similar doubles rolls) as well as single-rolls wager on “Any Craps” and other combinations. These are often called “sucker bets” because of the high house edges.

How do Odds Bets work in craps?

A player places these bets behind a Pass Line or Come Bet and pay out the true odds of rolling that number with no house edge. This is one of the best bets in the casino. Review the table above for payouts on these odds bets.

Are there specific bets beginners should avoid?

Generally stay away from the Field and Proposition Bets because of the high house edges. This money would be better wagered on the Pass Line with odds.