October 11, 2024
14 Minute Read
Craps Odds – Comprehensive Guide
Welcome to the thrilling game of craps, a classic casino dice game that combines luck with craps strategy in a dynamic gaming environment. Often perceived as overly complex, odds in craps are actually pretty generous and offer the potential for hefty rewards.
This Mega Dice guide breaks down everything you need to know about craps odds and their payouts, offering a one-stop resource for new and experienced players. Now, let’s dive into the essentials of craps odds and discover how to twist every roll on the craps table in your favor.
Craps Odds Payout Values
To get the most out of odds bet craps, every player needs to understand the payout values they’ll come across in their craps games. Craps odds range from 1:1 to a massive 30:1, ultimately determined by the house edge and true odds. Here are the key aspects to know:
True Odds
Craps is played with two six-sided dice, creating 36 possible outcomes per roll, with totals ranging from 2 to 12. The frequency of each total varies: there is only one way to roll a 2 or a 12 (both dice showing 1 or both dice showing 6, respectively), two ways to roll a 3 or an 11, three ways to roll a 4 or a 10, four ways to roll a 5 or a 9, five ways to roll a 6 or an 8, and six ways to roll a 7—the most likely outcome of all craps pass line odds.
These combinations determine the odds of rolling each number, for instance:
- 2 or 12: 35:1 odds (1/36 outcomes)
- 3 or 11: 17:1 odds (2/36 outcomes)
- 4 or 10: 11:1 odds (3/36 outcomes)
- 5 or 9: 8:1 odds (4/36 outcomes)
- 6 or 8: 6.2:1 odds (5/36 outcomes)
- 7: 5:1 odds (6/36 outcomes)
These craps odds reflect the true probability of rolling each number before the house edge. The closer a bet’s payout rate matches the true odds, the less of a cut the house takes.
House Edge
The house edge in craps is the mechanism through which the casino profits from the game. It represents the average gross profit the casino expects to make from each game. The edge is derived from the difference between the true odds and the payouts the casino offers. In other words, the payout odds a bettor receives are not the true odds; they are the odds after the house edge is applied.
For example, although the true odds of rolling a 4 are 11:1, the typical payout might be 9:1, creating a profit margin for the casino.
Pass Bet
The Pass bet, or craps Pass Line odds bet, is arugably the most popular wagers when playing craps. It is placed before the come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, the Pass bet wins. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, a loss is the consequence. Any other number is then the point, and the shooter must roll this number anew before aiming for a 7 for Pass bets to win.
The true odds of winning a Pass bet depend on the point number, but the actual odds remain at even money, contributing to the aforementioned house edge. For example, if the point is four, the true odds are 2:1, but the payout is still 1:1. The house edge for Pass Line bets is 1.41%.
Don’t Pass Bet
Conversely, the Don’t Pass bet wins if the come-out roll is 2 or 3, pushes (neither wins nor loses) on a 12, and loses on 7 or 11. If any other number is rolled and established as the point, the Don’t Pass bet then wins if a 7 is rolled before the point number is repeated. The odds of rolling a 7 before any point number are favorable, making the Don’t Pass bet one of the more strategic options due to its low house edge of approximately 1.36%.
For example, if the point is 10, the odds favor the 7 being rolled before a 10, aligning the payout more closely with true statistical likelihoods, though still paying even money.
Lay Bet
The Lay bet offers an opportunity for players to bet against a point number after it has been established. Here, you are wagering that a 7 will appear before the chosen point number. The attractiveness of the Lay bet lies in its flexibility and coverage, as it allows the player to pick any of the point numbers to bet against, not just the number currently at play.
The payout for a Lay bet is the inverse of the Buy bet, paying true odds minus a commission to the house, typically 5%. For example, if you lay the 4, you’re betting that a 7 will roll before a 4. The true odds for this happening are 2:1, but after accounting for the casino’s commission, the actual odds become less favorable.
Craps Odds Payout
There are plenty of options to choose from at the craps table, each with their own odds. Here’s a craps odds table for easy reference:
Payout Chart
| Bet Type | Payout Odds | True Odds | House Edge |
| Pass Line Bet/Come Bet | 1:1 | 251:244 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass Bet/Don’t Come Bet | 1:1 | 976:949 | 1.36% |
| Pass Line/Come Odds 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 2:1 | 0% |
| Pass Line/Come Odds 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 3:2 | 0% |
| Pass Line/Come Odds 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 6:5 | 0% |
| Don’t Pass/Don’t Come Odds 4 or 10 | 1:2 | 1:2 | 0% |
| Don’t Pass/Don’t Come Odds 5 or 9 | 2:3 | 2:3 | 0% |
| Don’t Pass/Don’t Come Odds 6 or 8 | 5:6 | 5:6 | 0% |
| Buy Bet 4 or 10 | 2:1 (minus 5% commission) | 2:1 | 4.76% |
| Buy Bet 5 or 9 | 3:2 (minus 5% commission) | 3:2 | 4.76% |
| Buy Bet 6 or 8 | 6:5 (minus 5% commission) | 6:5 | 4.76% |
| Lay Bet 4 or 10 | 1:2 (minus 5% commission) | 1:2 | 2.44% |
| Lay Bet 5 or 9 | 2:3 (minus 5% commission) | 2:3 | 3.23% |
| Lay Bet 6 or 8 | 5:6 (minus 5% commission) | 5:6 | 4% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 2:1 | 6.7% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 3:2 | 4% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 6:5 | 1.52% |
| Hardways 4 or 10 | 7:1 | 8:1 | 11.10% |
| Hardways 6 or 8 | 9:1 | 10:1 | 9.09% |
| Field Bet 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 | 1:1 | 5:4 | 5.5% |
| Field Bet 2 or 12 | 2:1 | 5:4 | 5.5% |
| Any 7 | 4:1 | 5:1 | 16.9% |
| Any Craps | 7:1 | 8:1 | 11.1% |
| 2 or 12 Craps | 30:1 | 35:1 | 13.9% |
| 3 or 11 Craps | 15:1 | 17:1 | 11.1% |
| Big 6 or 8 | 1:1 | 6:5 | 9.09% |
| Horn Bet 3 or 11 | 3.75:1 | N/A | N/A |
| Horn Bet 2 or 12 | 7.5:1 | N/A | N/A |
How to Calculate a Craps Payout
Calculating craps payouts might seem tricky at first, but once you understand the formula, it becomes straightforward. Here’s how you can determine the payout for different craps bets:
- Identify the Payout Odds: Each bet in craps comes with specific payout odds, which tell you how much you can win relative to your stake. For instance, if the payout odds are 7:1, you win $7 for every $1 you bet.
- Multiply by Your Stake: To find out your total potential payout, multiply the amount you bet by the payout odds. For example, if you bet $10 at 7:1 odds, your potential payout would be $70 plus your stake.
- Consider the True Odds: Understanding the true odds (the actual probability of a roll) can help you gauge how fair the payout is compared to the risk. For example, if a bet pays 7:1 but the true odds of winning are 8:1, you’re taking on more risk for less reward.
For a more complex example, consider the Don’t Pass bet. Suppose you place a $60 bet on a Don’t Pass 6 or 8 scenario, where the odds are 5:6. For every $6 wagered, you win $5 if a 7 comes before a 6 or 8.
We can also find the payout ratio and apply it to our wager to calculate a winning outcome. We would divide the first number (the numerator), 5 by the second number (the denominator), 6. The product is 0.83333, or 83.33%. Therefore, if we wagered $100 and won, we would expect a $83.33 payout plus our $100 stake.
Similarly, if the payout odds are 3:2, we get 1.5, or 150%. Therefore, a successful $100 bet would result in $150 in winnings.
How to Compare the Odds for Different Bets in Craps
When starting with craps games, the variety of bets available can be daunting—especially when looking for the best odds in craps. However, by comparing the odds and potential payouts of different bets, players can easily use craps table odds to their advantage.
Below, we delve into some of the most common types of craps bet options and the odds they have on offer.
Pass Line
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 1.41% | 251:244 | 1:1 |
The Pass Line bet is one of the most fundamental and popular bets in online craps. This bet wins if the come-out roll is a 7 or 11 and loses if it’s 2, 3, or 12. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the point, and the Pass Line bet wins if the point is rolled again before a 7. The simplicity of this bet makes it a favorite among beginners.
The true odds vary depending on the point number, but the payout odds are always 1:1, resulting in a house edge of 1.41%. Comparing this to other bets, the Pass Line offers a decent balance of risk to reward, particularly because of its low house edge.
Don’t Pass
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 1.36% | 976:949 | 1:1 |
The Don’t Pass bet is opposite to the Pass Line. A 2 or 3 on the come-out roll ensures winning, while it pushes on 12, and loses on 7 or 11. If a point number is established, the Don’t Pass bet wins in case a 7 is rolled before the point number reroll.
Like the Pass Line, the payout odds are 1:1, but with a slightly lower house edge of 1.36%. This minor difference in house edge can be appealing to those who prefer betting against the shooter.
Any Seven
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 16.9% | 5:1 | 4:1 |
The Any Seven bet is a one-roll bet that wins if the next roll is a 7. It’s simple, but it comes with a high risk due to its high house edge.
The payout is typically 4:1, while the true odds of rolling a 7 are 5:1. This discrepancy results in a high house edge of 16.9%, making it one of the least favorable bets in terms of craps odds. This bet can starkly contrast the more balanced Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets.
Any Craps Bets
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 11.1% | 8:1 | 7:1 |
Any Craps bets, specifically betting on the shooter rolling a 2, 3, or 12, can seem like an attractive option due to the potential for high payouts.
The Any Craps bet typically offers payout odds of 7:1. However, the true statistical likelihood of rolling a 2, 3, or 12 is 8:1, given there are four ways to achieve these numbers out of 36 possible dice combinations (1-1 for a 2, 6-6 for a 12, and 1-2 or 2-1 for a 3). This difference makes up a house edge of 11.11%, reflecting its high-risk, high-reward nature.
2 or 12 Craps/3 or 11 Craps Bets
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 2 or 12 – 13.9% 3 or 11 – 11.1% | 2 or 12 – 35:1 3 or 11 – 17:1 | 2 or 12 – 30:1 3 or 11 – 15:1 |
The 2 or 12 Craps and 3 or 11 Craps bets offer players the chance to wager on these specific outcomes on the next roll. These bets are attractive for their high payout potential.
For a roll of 2 or 12, the payout is typically 30:1, and for a roll of 3 or 11, the payout is usually 15:1. These attractive payouts contrast sharply with their true odds—35:1 for a 2 or 12 and 17:1 for a 3 or 11, respectively. This results in significant house edges of 13.9% for 2 or 12 and 11.1% for 3 or 11. Such bets appeal to those seeking large, quick wins of craps odds of winning, despite their lower probability of occurring.
Taking the Odds
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 0% | 4 or 10 – 2:1 5 or 9 – 3:2 6 or 8 – 6:5 | 4 or 10 – 2:1 5 or 9 – 3:2 6 or 8 – 6:5 |
This is a supplemental bet that can be made after a Pass Line bet if a point is established. It’s considered one of the best bets in the casino because it pays true odds and has no house edge.
The payout of an Odds bet depends on the point number—2:1 for points of 4 or 10, 3:2 for points of 5 or 9, and 6:5 for points of 6 or 8. These are the true odds, meaning there is no house advantage. Players looking to capitalize on their Pass Line bet might find this an appealing option since it reduces the overall house edge on their total wager.
Laying the Odds
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 0% | 4 or 10 – 1:2 5 or 9 – 2:3 6 or 8 – 5:6 | 4 or 10 – 1:2 5 or 9 – 2:3 6 or 8 – 5:6 |
Laying the Odds is the opposite of Taking the Odds and can be done on a Don’t Pass bet after a point is established. Like Taking the Odds, this bet also carries no house edge, meaning it pays the actual odds. This means it offers some of the best craps odds.
If you’re laying odds against a 4 or 10, you would need to risk $1 to win $2; against a 5 or 9, $2 to win $3; and against a 6 or 8, $5 to win $6. These payouts reflect the true statistical likelihood of each point number being rolled before a 7, providing an equitable wager without advantage to the house or player.
Place Bets
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 4 or 10 – 6.7% 5 or 9 – 4% 6 or 8 – 1.52% | 4 or 10 – 2:1 5 or 9 – 3:2 6 or 8 – 6:5 | 4 or 10 – 9:5 5 or 9 – 7:5 6 or 8 – 7:6 |
Place Bets allow players to wager that a given point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is being rolled before a 7. These bets are active until players either win or lose, providing continuous action.
The payouts vary by number—9:5 for 4 or 10, 7:5 for 5 or 9, and 7:6 for 6 or 8. While these are decent payouts, they do not match the true craps odds, leading to house edges ranging from 1.52% on 6 or 8, up to 6.7% on 4 or 10.
Buy Bets
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 4.76% | 4 or 10 – 2:1 5 or 9 – 3:2 6 or 8 – 6:5 | 4 or 10 – 2:1 5 or 9 – 3:2 6 or 8 – 6:5 |
Buy Bets are similar to Place Bets but with a crucial difference: the craps odd of winning pay true odds, minus a 5% commission, making them potentially more profitable, especially on numbers with wider gaps between true odds and Place Bet payouts.
True odds payout minus a commission means better potential returns but at the cost of a small fee on winning bets. For example, buying the 4 or 10 pays 2:1, less the commission.
Lay Bets
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 4 or 10 – 2.44% 5 or 9 – 3.23% 6 or 8 – 4% | 4 or 10 – 1:2 5 or 9 – 2:3 6 or 8 – 5:6 | 4 or 10 – 1:2 5 or 9 – 2:3 6 or 8 – 5:6 |
Lay Bets are the opposite of Buy Bets, allowing players to bet that a 7 will be rolled before a chosen point number.
These bets offer true odds, less a 5% commission, providing a straightforward way to bet against a number. For example, laying the 4 or 10 offers payouts of 1:2, after accounting for the commission.
Big 6 or 8
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 9.02% | 6:5 | 1:1 |
The Big 6 or 8 bet is a simple wager that the 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7. This bet is famously known for its poor value due to its high house edge.
The Big 6 or 8 bet odds pay even money (1:1)—less favorable than the true odds of 6:5. The house edge on this bet is notably high at 9.09%, making it less popular amongst craps players.
Field Bets
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 5.5% | 5:4 | 2 and 12 – 2:1 All others – 1:1 |
Field Bets are one-roll bets that win should the dice show 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. They offer a variety of payouts and are appealing for their immediate resolution.
The bet typically pays 1:1, with 2:1 on rolls of 2 and 12. This simplifies play but comes with a house edge of approximately 5.5%, depending on the casino’s specific rules for these rolls.
Hardway Bets
| House Edge | Odds | Payout Odds |
| 4 or 10 – 11.11% 6 or 8 – 9.09% | 4 or 10 – 8:1 6 or 8 – 10:1 | 4 or 10 – 7:1 6 or 8 – 9:1 |
Hardway Bets are placed on pairs, specifically 4 (2-2), 6 (3-3), 8 (4-4), or 10 (5-5), and win if the chosen hard number comes up before either an easy roll of that number or a 7.
The payouts are 7:1 for hard 4 or 10 and 9:1 for hard 6 or 8, which do not quite match the true odds—8:1 for 4 or 10 and 10:1 for 6 or 8. These discrepancies result in house edges of 11.10% and 9.09%, respectively, showcasing the higher risk associated with these exciting bets.
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FAQs
What are the best odds in craps?
The best odds in craps can be found in the Odds bets, such as Pass Line Odds, Don’t Pass Odds, Come Odds, and Don’t Come Odds. An Odds bet carries no house edge, meaning it pays out at true odds and is the best bet you can make in terms of reducing the casino’s advantage.
What number comes up most frequently in craps?
The most frequently rolled number in craps is 7. This results from the number having the highest number of dice combinations (six possible ways to roll a 7) out of the 36 possible outcomes with two six-sided dice. Understanding this can help players strategize their bets around the likelihood of a 7 being rolled.
Can you reduce the house edge in craps?
Yes, you can reduce the house edge in craps by placing an Odds bet after a point has been established. These bets are added to the Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come bets and pay at true odds, which means they have no house edge.
How do you win at craps every time?
While there is no guaranteed way to win at craps every time, understanding the odds and betting strategically can significantly improve your chances. Focus on bets with lower house edges and avoid proposition bets that have poor odds. Learn the best winning strategies here.
Is craps a game of skill or luck?
Craps is primarily a game of luck because it depends on the random outcome of dice rolls. However, players can apply skills in managing their bets and bankroll, choosing when and how much to bet based on the odds and house edge.
Is it safe to play at Craps Odds at Mega Dice Casino?
Playing craps at Mega Dice Casino is a safe activity. The provider ensures complete safety while playing craps, which allows for an entertaining craps game.
