A Complete Overview of Every Craps Bet
The craps table offers more than 40 distinct betting options — more than any other casino game. This variety is part of what makes craps so exciting, but it can also be overwhelming for players who do not understand what each bet does, how it pays, and what edge the casino holds.
This guide walks through every bet available at a standard craps table, organised from the most fundamental wagers to the most exotic. By the end, you will understand exactly when each bet is placed, how it resolves, and whether it deserves a place in your craps strategy.
Line Bets: The Foundation of Craps
Line bets are the core of the craps game. Every round begins with players placing line bets, and no craps strategy is complete without them.
The Pass Line Bet
The Pass Line is the most popular bet in craps and the one most beginners learn first. It is placed before the come out roll on the clearly marked Pass Line area of the table.
- Come out roll wins: 7 or 11 (natural)
- Come out roll losses: 2, 3, or 12 (craps)
- Point phase: If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) is rolled, that number becomes the point. The bet wins if the point is rolled again before a 7.
- Payout: Even money (1:1)
- House edge: 1.41%
The Pass Line is a contract bet — once placed, it cannot be removed or reduced until it resolves. This is because after the come out roll, the odds actually shift in the casino’s favour during the point phase. Read our detailed Pass Line guide for advanced strategies.
The Don’t Pass Bet
The Don’t Pass is the mirror image of the Pass Line. You are betting against the shooter — a position known as “playing the dark side.”
- Come out roll wins: 2 or 3
- Come out roll push: 12 (neither wins nor loses)
- Come out roll losses: 7 or 11
- Point phase: Wins if 7 is rolled before the point number
- Payout: Even money (1:1)
- House edge: 1.36%
Unlike the Pass Line, the Don’t Pass bet can be removed at any time during the point phase (though you would be foolish to do so, as the odds favour you once a point is established). Full analysis in our Don’t Pass strategy guide.
Come and Don’t Come Bets
Come and Don’t Come bets function identically to Pass and Don’t Pass bets, but they are placed after a point has been established. They give you a fresh “come out roll” within the current round.
The Come Bet
Place a Come bet after the point is set. The next roll acts as your personal come out roll:
- 7 or 11: Your Come bet wins immediately
- 2, 3, or 12: Your Come bet loses immediately
- Any other number: Your bet moves to that number. It wins if that number is rolled again before a 7.
House edge: 1.41% (identical to the Pass Line)
The Don’t Come Bet
The opposite of the Come bet. After placement, the next roll determines the outcome:
- 2 or 3: Wins immediately
- 12: Push
- 7 or 11: Loses immediately
- Any other number: Moves to that number. Wins if 7 is rolled before the number.
House edge: 1.36%
Come bets are essential for advanced strategies like the 3-Point Molly, where players maintain multiple numbers with odds. Read our complete Come bet guide for execution details.
The Odds Bet: Zero House Edge
The Odds bet is the best bet in the entire casino — it pays at true mathematical odds with absolutely no house advantage. It is not marked on the table, which is why many novice players never discover it.
Taking Odds (Pass Line / Come)
After a point is established, you place additional chips behind your Pass Line bet (or tell the dealer you want odds on your Come bet). Payouts:
- Point 4 or 10: Pays 2:1
- Point 5 or 9: Pays 3:2
- Point 6 or 8: Pays 6:5
Laying Odds (Don’t Pass / Don’t Come)
Don’t Pass bettors can Lay Odds — betting more to win less, because the 7 is more likely than any individual point number. Payouts:
- Point 4 or 10: Pays 1:2
- Point 5 or 9: Pays 2:3
- Point 6 or 8: Pays 5:6
The maximum odds multiple varies by casino. Common limits are 2x, 3x-4x-5x, 5x, and 10x. Always take or lay the maximum odds available — this is the single most important piece of craps strategy advice. For complete payout tables, see our odds and payouts chart.
Place Bets
Place bets allow you to bet on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to be rolled before a 7. Unlike Come bets, Place bets skip the come out roll phase — you choose your number directly.
| Number | Payout | House Edge | Correct Bet Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 1.52% | Multiples of £6 |
| 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4.00% | Multiples of £5 |
| 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 6.67% | Multiples of £5 |
Place 6 and Place 8 are excellent bets with a house edge of just 1.52%. The other Place bets carry significantly higher edges and are generally not recommended for strategic play. Detailed analysis in our Place Bets guide.
Buy Bets
Buy bets are similar to Place bets but pay at true odds minus a 5% commission (vigorish). They are available on numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
- Buy 4 or 10: Pays 2:1 minus 5% vig — house edge 4.76%
- Buy 5 or 9: Pays 3:2 minus 5% vig — house edge 4.76%
- Buy 6 or 8: Pays 6:5 minus 5% vig — house edge 4.76%
Buy bets on 4 and 10 are better than Place bets on 4 and 10 (4.76% vs 6.67%). However, Place bets on 6 and 8 are better than Buy bets on 6 and 8 (1.52% vs 4.76%). Some casinos collect the vig only on winning bets, which further reduces the effective house edge.
Lay Bets
Lay bets are the opposite of Buy bets — you are betting that a 7 will be rolled before a specific number. Like Buy bets, they pay true odds minus a 5% commission.
- Lay 4 or 10: Pays 1:2 minus 5% vig — house edge 2.44%
- Lay 5 or 9: Pays 2:3 minus 5% vig — house edge 3.23%
- Lay 6 or 8: Pays 5:6 minus 5% vig — house edge 4.00%
Lay bets suit “wrong” bettors who want to bet against specific numbers. The Lay 4 and Lay 10 offer the best value at 2.44% house edge.
The Field Bet
The Field bet is a one-roll wager that wins on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. It loses on 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Payouts
- 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: Even money (1:1)
- 2 (Snake Eyes): Pays 2:1 (double)
- 12 (Boxcars): Pays 2:1 or 3:1 depending on the casino
House Edge
- If 12 pays double: 5.56%
- If 12 pays triple: 2.78%
The Field bet looks attractive because 7 out of 11 possible totals win. However, the losing numbers (5, 6, 7, 8) are rolled more frequently than the winning numbers combined. The 5, 6, 7, and 8 account for 20 out of 36 combinations (55.6%), whilst the winning numbers account for only 16 (44.4%).
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets (prop bets) are located in the centre of the craps table and managed by the stickman. They are high-risk, high-reward wagers with steep house edges. For full analysis, see our proposition bets guide.
One-Roll Proposition Bets
| Bet | Wins On | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any Seven | 7 | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Any Craps | 2, 3, or 12 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Aces (Snake Eyes) | 2 | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Boxcars (Midnight) | 12 | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Ace-Deuce | 3 | 15:1 | 11.11% |
| Yo (Eleven) | 11 | 15:1 | 11.11% |
| Horn (2,3,11,12) | 2, 3, 11, or 12 | Varies | 12.50% |
| Whirl/World | 2,3,7,11,12 | Varies | 13.33% |
Multi-Roll Proposition Bets (Hardways)
| Bet | Wins On | Loses On | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard 4 (2+2) | 4 the hard way | 7 or easy 4 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Hard 6 (3+3) | 6 the hard way | 7 or easy 6 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 8 (4+4) | 8 the hard way | 7 or easy 8 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 10 (5+5) | 10 the hard way | 7 or easy 10 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
Big 6 and Big 8
The Big 6 and Big 8 bets sit in the corner of the table. They win if 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7, paying even money (1:1).
House edge: 9.09%
This is one of the worst bets on the table. A Place bet on 6 or 8 covers the same outcome but pays 7:6 instead of 1:1, with a house edge of just 1.52%. There is never a mathematical reason to make a Big 6 or Big 8 bet. In fact, many casinos have removed them from their tables entirely.
The Horn Bet Explained
The Horn bet is a single wager that covers four numbers: 2, 3, 11, and 12. Your bet is divided equally among all four. If any of these numbers hit, you win the payout for that specific number minus the three losing portions.
- 2 or 12 hits: Pays 30:1 on that portion (minus 3 losing units)
- 3 or 11 hits: Pays 15:1 on that portion (minus 3 losing units)
- Combined house edge: 12.50%
Some casinos offer a “Horn High” bet where you add an extra unit on one of the four numbers. The overall house edge remains similarly poor.
Hop Bets
Hop bets are one-roll wagers on specific dice combinations. You can bet on any exact combination (like 3-5 or 2-2). These are not marked on the table — you call them out to the stickman.
- Easy hop (two different dice, e.g., 3-5): Pays 15:1, house edge 11.11%
- Hard hop (doubles, e.g., 3-3): Pays 30:1, house edge 13.89%
Hop bets are rarely used by strategic players. They are pure gambles with substantial house edges.
Bet Classification: Best to Worst
Here is every craps bet ranked by house edge, helping you quickly identify which wagers deserve your chips:
Tier 1: Excellent (Under 2% House Edge)
- Odds Bet: 0.00%
- Don’t Pass / Don’t Come: 1.36%
- Pass Line / Come: 1.41%
- Place 6 or 8: 1.52%
Tier 2: Acceptable (2-5% House Edge)
- Lay 4 or 10: 2.44%
- Field (triple on 12): 2.78%
- Lay 5 or 9: 3.23%
- Place 5 or 9: 4.00%
- Lay 6 or 8: 4.00%
- Buy 4/5/6/8/9/10: 4.76%
Tier 3: Poor (5-10% House Edge)
- Field (double on 12): 5.56%
- Place 4 or 10: 6.67%
- Big 6 / Big 8: 9.09%
- Hard 6 / Hard 8: 9.09%
Tier 4: Terrible (Over 10% House Edge)
- Any Craps: 11.11%
- Hard 4 / Hard 10: 11.11%
- Ace-Deuce / Yo: 11.11%
- Horn: 12.50%
- Aces / Boxcars: 13.89%
- Whirl/World: 13.33%
- Any Seven: 16.67%
For the best results, restrict your bets to Tier 1. For complete strategy recommendations, see our craps strategy guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest bet in craps?
The safest bet is the Odds bet (0% house edge), followed by Don’t Pass/Don’t Come (1.36%) and Pass Line/Come (1.41%). These core bets keep the casino’s advantage below 1.5% and form the foundation of any sound craps strategy.
How many different bets are there in craps?
A standard craps table offers approximately 40-50 distinct betting options when you count all variations of Place, Buy, Lay, prop, and hop bets. However, only about 6-8 of these bets have a house edge below 5%, which is why experienced players focus on a small subset.
What is the difference between a Place bet and a Buy bet?
Both bets wager that a specific number will be rolled before 7. Place bets pay at slightly reduced odds with no commission, whilst Buy bets pay at true odds minus a 5% commission. Buy bets on 4 and 10 are better value than Place bets on the same numbers (4.76% vs 6.67%), but Place bets on 6 and 8 are better than Buy bets (1.52% vs 4.76%).
Should I make proposition bets in craps?
From a mathematical standpoint, proposition bets are among the worst wagers in the casino, with house edges ranging from 9% to nearly 17%. They are designed to be exciting one-roll gambles, not strategic bets. If you enjoy the thrill, limit them to a tiny fraction of your bankroll and accept them as entertainment costs.
What is the horn bet in craps?
The horn is a single bet split equally across four numbers: 2, 3, 11, and 12. If any of these numbers appears on the next roll, you win the payout for that number (30:1 for 2 or 12, 15:1 for 3 or 11) minus your three losing portions. The combined house edge is 12.50%.
Can I remove my bets from the table?
Most bets in craps can be removed or reduced at any time — with two important exceptions. The Pass Line and Come bets are contract bets once a point is established. They cannot be taken down until they resolve. Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets can be removed (but this is mathematically disadvantageous since the odds favour you during the point phase).
What is the Big 6 and Big 8 bet?
Big 6 and Big 8 pay even money if the respective number is rolled before a 7, with a house edge of 9.09%. These are universally considered among the worst bets because a Place bet on 6 or 8 covers the same outcome at a 1.52% edge. Never place a Big 6 or Big 8 bet.
What is a hardway bet?
A hardway bet wins if a specific even number (4, 6, 8, or 10) is rolled as doubles (the “hard way”) before being rolled any other way or before a 7. For example, Hard 6 wins on 3+3 but loses on 1+5, 2+4, 4+2, 5+1, or 7. House edges range from 9.09% to 11.11%.
What bet should a beginner start with?
Begin with the Pass Line bet. It is the most straightforward wager, has a low house edge (1.41%), and teaches you the natural flow of the game. Once comfortable, add Odds behind your Pass Line bet to reduce the combined edge below 1%. From there, read our beginner’s guide to craps for next steps.
How do craps bet minimums work?
Most craps tables have a posted minimum bet (e.g., £5 or £10) that applies to Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come, and Place bets. Proposition bets often have lower minimums (£1). Online craps tables frequently offer minimums of £1 or less, making them ideal for learning and for players with smaller bankrolls.
