Craps Bets Explained: Types, Odds and House Edge
Complete craps bet guide ranked by house edge — pass line, don't pass, free odds, place 6/8, hardways and all prop bets explained so you know the best play.
The craps layout is covered in bet options — and not all of them deserve your money. This guide covers every major bet at the craps table, what it pays, and what the house edge is, organised by bet type so you can see at a glance where the value is and where it is not.
How to place craps bets
If you are new to the table, this five-step framework gives you the right sequence before you look up any individual bet.
Start with a pass line or don’t pass bet
Before the come-out roll, place your chip on the pass line (betting with the shooter) or don’t pass (betting against the shooter). Both carry a house edge under 1.5%.
Wait for the come-out roll
A 7 or 11 on the come-out wins for pass line; a 2, 3, or 12 loses. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the point and the round enters the point phase.
Take free odds behind your bet
Once a point is set, place an odds bet behind your pass line (or don’t pass) wager. This bet pays at true mathematical odds — no house edge. Take the maximum the casino allows.
Add come bets or place bets on 6 and 8
To cover additional numbers, place come bets (which work like mini pass-line bets on the next roll) or place bets directly on 6 or 8 (which pay 7:6 and carry only 1.52% house edge).
Avoid hardways, proposition bets and the field
Hardways, any-craps, any-seven and other proposition bets in the centre of the layout carry house edges from 9% to 16.67%. No sensible strategy includes these bets.
The rest of this guide breaks down every bet type in detail.
Line bets: the foundation of every craps session
Line bets are placed before the come-out roll and are the core of the game. Every other bet is optional; these two are not.
Pass line — house edge 1.41%
The pass line is where most players start. Place this bet before the come-out roll.
- Wins immediately on a natural: 7 or 11
- Loses immediately on craps: 2, 3, or 12
- Establishes the point on any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) — the bet then wins if the point repeats before a 7
Pays 1:1. Once the point is established, a pass line bet cannot be removed — it is locked until the round ends.
Don’t pass — house edge 1.36%
The mirror image of the pass line. You are betting that the shooter will fail.
- Loses on 7 or 11 (come-out)
- Wins on 2 or 3 (come-out)
- Pushes (no money changes hands) on 12 — the “bar 12” rule that gives the casino its small edge on this side
- Wins in the point phase if a 7 comes before the point is repeated
The house edge is fractionally lower than the pass line because the 12 push rather than a full loss tilts the math slightly toward the player. After the point is established, don’t pass bettors actually have a mathematical edge, which is why the bet can be removed at any time after that — unlike the pass line.
Come and don’t come bets
Come and don’t come bets work identically to pass line and don’t pass, but they can only be placed after a point is established. The very next roll acts as a personal come-out roll for that bet.
Come bet — house edge 1.41%
Place a come bet and the next roll resolves it exactly as a come-out roll would: 7 or 11 wins, 2, 3, or 12 loses, any other number becomes the come point. The bet then travels to that number on the layout and wins if it repeats before a 7. You can also take odds on a come bet once it has a point. Pays 1:1.
Don’t come bet — house edge 1.36%
The don’t come is the come bet equivalent of don’t pass. It loses on 7 or 11, wins on 2 or 3, pushes on 12, and after establishing a number, wins if a 7 comes before that number repeats. Marginally lower house edge for the same reason as don’t pass.
Come bets let you build multiple active numbers simultaneously. Each comes bet travels independently and can carry its own odds.
Odds bets (free odds) — house edge 0%
The odds bet is unique in the casino: it carries no house edge. The payout is exactly the mathematical probability of the outcome, with nothing skimmed off. You can only place an odds bet alongside an existing pass line, don’t pass, come, or don’t come bet.
Pass line and come odds payouts:
| Point | Payout |
|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 |
Don’t pass and don’t come lay odds payouts (reversed):
| Point | Payout |
|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 1:2 |
| 5 or 9 | 2:3 |
| 6 or 8 | 5:6 |
Casinos limit odds multiples relative to your original bet. Common limits are 2×, 3–4–5×, or up to 10× and beyond. Taking maximum odds dramatically reduces the combined house edge on your total stake:
| Odds multiple | Combined house edge (pass + odds) |
|---|---|
| 0× (no odds) | 1.41% |
| 1× | 0.85% |
| 2× | 0.61% |
| 3–4–5× | 0.37% |
| 10× | 0.18% |
Always take the maximum odds the table allows. This is the single most important decision you make at a craps table.
Place bets and buy bets
Place bets and buy bets let you wager directly on a specific number winning before a 7, without going through the come-out process.
Place bets — house edge varies
A place bet can be made or removed at any time during the point phase.
| Number | Payout | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 1.52% |
| 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4.00% |
| 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 6.67% |
Place bets on 6 and 8 are among the better wagers at the craps table — the 1.52% edge is close to pass line territory. Place bets on 4 and 10 are a poor substitute for pass/come + odds at those numbers.
Buy bets — house edge varies
A buy bet pays at true odds (like free odds) but the casino charges a 5% commission on the win. This makes buy bets preferable to place bets for 4 and 10, but worse for 5, 9, 6, and 8.
| Number | Payout | Commission | Effective house edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 5% on win | 1.67% |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 5% on win | 2.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 5% on win | 2.27% |
Single-roll bets
Single-roll bets resolve on the very next roll of the dice, regardless of what phase the game is in.
Field bet — house edge 2.78% to 5.56%
The field bet wins if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. It loses on 5, 6, 7, or 8.
- 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 pay 1:1
- 2 pays 2:1 (or 3:1 on some tables)
- 12 pays 2:1 (or 3:1 on some tables)
House edge depends on the 2 and 12 payout:
| Payout on 2 and 12 | House edge |
|---|---|
| Both 2:1 | 5.56% |
| One 3:1, one 2:1 | 2.78% |
Seven numbers win and only four lose — but 5, 6, 7, and 8 are the four most common rolls, which is why the house still has an edge despite the wide coverage.
Big 6 and Big 8 — house edge 9.09%
The big 6 and big 8 bet that 6 or 8 will roll before a 7, paying even money. This is the same result as a place bet on those numbers — but place bets pay 7:6, making the big 6 and big 8 strictly worse deals. Most modern tables have removed them.
Hardways — house edge 9.09% to 11.11%
A hardway bet wins if the target number is rolled as a pair (both dice showing the same value) before it is rolled any other way or before a 7. These are multi-roll bets that stay active until resolved.
| Bet | Winning roll | Losing rolls | Payout | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard 4 | 2+2 | 1+3, 3+1, or any 7 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Hard 6 | 3+3 | 1+5, 2+4, 4+2, 5+1, or any 7 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 8 | 4+4 | 2+6, 3+5, 5+3, 6+2, or any 7 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 10 | 5+5 | 4+6, 6+4, or any 7 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
The house edges here are high enough that hardway bets should not be part of a serious craps strategy.
Proposition bets — house edge 9.09% to 16.67%
Proposition bets occupy the centre of the layout and are placed via the stickman. They resolve on the next roll and offer large stated payouts — but carry the highest house edges anywhere on the craps table.
| Bet | Description | Pays | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any craps | Next roll is 2, 3, or 12 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Any seven | Next roll is 7 | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Aces / craps 2 | Next roll is 2 | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Boxcars / craps 12 | Next roll is 12 | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Ace-deuce / craps 3 | Next roll is 3 | 15:1 | 11.11% |
| Yo (11) | Next roll is 11 | 15:1 | 11.11% |
| Horn bet | Split bet covering 2, 3, 11, 12 | Varies | 12.50%+ |
Any seven is the single worst bet on a standard craps layout at 16.67%. These bets exist to increase casino revenue from players chasing big payouts. Avoid them entirely.
House-edge summary: all bets ranked
| Bet | House edge |
|---|---|
| Free odds (pass/come) | 0% |
| Free odds (don’t pass/don’t come) | 0% |
| Don’t pass | 1.36% |
| Don’t come | 1.36% |
| Pass line | 1.41% |
| Come | 1.41% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% |
| Buy 4 or 10 | 1.67% |
| Buy 5 or 9 | 2.00% |
| Buy 6 or 8 | 2.27% |
| Field (one 3:1 payout) | 2.78% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 6.67% |
| Field (both 2:1) | 5.56% |
| Big 6 / Big 8 | 9.09% |
| Hard 6 or Hard 8 | 9.09% |
| Hard 4 or Hard 10 | 11.11% |
| Any craps | 11.11% |
| Craps 2 or Craps 12 | 13.89% |
| Any seven | 16.67% |
The pattern is clear: the bets in the top half of this table (pass/come + odds, place 6/8) are where your bankroll belongs. Everything below the line is paying a premium for entertainment.
Frequently asked questions about craps bets
What is the best bet in craps?
The best bet in craps is the free odds bet, which carries a 0% house edge. It must be placed alongside an existing pass line, don’t pass, come, or don’t come bet. If you are new to the game, open with a pass line bet (1.41% house edge) and immediately back it with the maximum free odds the table allows. The combined house edge drops to 0.37% at 3–4–5× odds — lower than any other standard casino bet.
What is a pass line bet in craps?
A pass line bet is placed before the come-out roll. It wins immediately on a natural (7 or 11), loses on craps (2, 3, or 12), and establishes a point on any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). Once a point is set, the bet stays active until the point repeats (win) or a 7 rolls (lose). It pays 1:1 and carries a 1.41% house edge.
What is a don’t pass bet in craps?
A don’t pass bet is the mirror of the pass line — you are betting that the shooter will fail. It loses on 7 or 11, wins on 2 or 3, and pushes on 12 (the “bar 12” rule). In the point phase it wins if a 7 appears before the point repeats. At 1.36% house edge it is fractionally better than the pass line because the 12 push tilts the math slightly in the player’s favour once the point is established.
What are free odds bets in craps?
Free odds bets are additional wagers placed directly behind an existing pass line, don’t pass, come, or don’t come bet once a point is established. They pay at mathematically exact odds — 2:1 for points of 4 or 10, 3:2 for 5 or 9, and 6:5 for 6 or 8 — with zero house edge. Taking the maximum odds the table allows is the single most valuable decision a craps player can make.
What is a come bet in craps?
A come bet works exactly like a pass line bet but can only be placed after a point is already established. The very next roll acts as a personal come-out roll for that bet: 7 or 11 wins, 2, 3, or 12 loses, and any other number becomes the come point. The bet then travels to that number on the layout and wins if it rolls before a 7. House edge is 1.41%. You can also take free odds on a come bet once it has a point.
What are place bets in craps?
A place bet lets you wager directly that a specific number — 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 — will roll before a 7, without going through the come-out process. The best place bets are on 6 and 8, which pay 7:6 at a 1.52% house edge. Place bets on 5 and 9 pay 7:5 (4.00% edge) and on 4 and 10 pay 9:5 (6.67% edge). Unlike pass line bets, place bets can be removed or reduced at any time during the point phase.
What are hardway bets in craps?
A hardway bet wins only if the target number is rolled as a matching pair before it rolls any other way or before a 7. Hard 4 requires 2+2, hard 6 requires 3+3, hard 8 requires 4+4, and hard 10 requires 5+5. Hard 4 and 10 pay 7:1 with an 11.11% house edge; hard 6 and 8 pay 9:1 with a 9.09% edge. These are multi-roll bets that remain active until resolved or the round ends. Their house edges are too high for a sound craps strategy.
What are proposition bets in craps?
Proposition bets are single-roll wagers in the centre of the layout, placed via the stickman. They include any craps (2, 3, or 12 paying 7:1), any seven (paying 4:1), individual totals like aces (craps 2 paying 30:1) or boxcars (craps 12 paying 30:1), and the horn bet. House edges run from 11.11% to 16.67%. They exist to generate revenue from players chasing large payouts and should be avoided in any disciplined approach to craps.
What is the worst bet in craps?
The worst standard bet in craps is any seven, which pays 4:1 but carries a 16.67% house edge. Other very poor bets include aces and boxcars at 13.89%, any craps at 11.11%, and all hardway bets at 9.09–11.11%. The big 6 and big 8 (where still offered) also carry 9.09% — the same outcome can be achieved with a place bet on 6 or 8 at 1.52%.
What is a field bet in craps?
A field bet is a single-roll wager that wins if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12, and loses on 5, 6, 7, or 8. Most numbers pay 1:1; 2 and 12 pay 2:1 (3:1 on some tables). The house edge ranges from 2.78% (when one of 2 or 12 pays 3:1) to 5.56% (when both pay 2:1). Despite covering seven of the eleven possible totals, the four losing numbers (5, 6, 7, 8) include the most frequently rolled results, which is how the casino maintains its edge.
How do the house edges on craps bets compare?
Craps offers a wider spread of house edges than almost any other table game. At the low end, free odds carry 0%; pass/come sit at 1.41% and don’t pass/don’t come at 1.36%; place 6 or 8 at 1.52%. At the high end, any seven is 16.67% and hardway bets range from 9.09% to 11.11%. A player who sticks to pass line (or don’t pass) plus maximum free odds operates at a combined edge of 0.37% — lower than baccarat, roulette, and most other casino games.
Now that you know every bet and what it costs, see Craps Strategy for how to structure a session around the best bets. For the rules that underpin all of these bets, see Craps Rules. Play craps online for free to see the bets in action at the table.