What Are Proposition Bets in Craps?
Proposition bets — commonly called prop bets — occupy the centre of the craps table and represent the highest risk, highest reward wagers available. Managed by the stickman, these bets offer eye-catching payouts (up to 30:1) that lure in casual players, but they come with house edges that would make any mathematician wince — ranging from 9.09% to a staggering 16.67%.
Understanding prop bets is essential not because you should make them regularly, but because knowing why they are poor value helps you avoid them. This guide covers every proposition bet on the table, breaks down the mathematics, and explains when (if ever) they might have a place in your craps strategy.
One-Roll Proposition Bets
One-roll props resolve on the very next throw of the dice. Win or lose, the bet is done in a single roll.
Any Seven
- Wins on: 7 (any combination)
- True odds: 5:1 (6 ways to roll 7, 30 ways to roll something else)
- Casino payout: 4:1
- House edge: 16.67%
Any Seven is the worst standard bet on the craps table. For every £100 wagered, the casino expects to keep £16.67. Despite 7 being the most common roll, the payout is so far below true odds that the bet is mathematically disastrous. Never make this bet as part of any serious strategy.
Any Craps
- Wins on: 2, 3, or 12
- True odds: 8:1 (4 ways to roll craps, 32 other outcomes)
- Casino payout: 7:1
- House edge: 11.11%
Sometimes used as a “hedge” bet to protect a Pass Line wager during the come out roll. If you bet £5 on the Pass Line and £1 on Any Craps, a craps roll loses your £5 but wins £7 on the prop. However, this hedge costs more in the long run than the losses it prevents — the 11.11% edge on Any Craps far outweighs the protection it provides.
Aces (Snake Eyes)
- Wins on: 2 (1+1 only)
- True odds: 35:1 (1 way out of 36)
- Casino payout: 30:1
- House edge: 13.89%
Boxcars (Midnight / Twelve)
- Wins on: 12 (6+6 only)
- True odds: 35:1 (1 way out of 36)
- Casino payout: 30:1
- House edge: 13.89%
Ace-Deuce (Three)
- Wins on: 3 (1+2 or 2+1)
- True odds: 17:1 (2 ways out of 36)
- Casino payout: 15:1
- House edge: 11.11%
Yo (Eleven)
- Wins on: 11 (5+6 or 6+5)
- True odds: 17:1 (2 ways out of 36)
- Casino payout: 15:1
- House edge: 11.11%
Called “Yo” to avoid confusion with “seven” at a noisy table. The Yo bet is popular because 11 is a natural winner on the come out roll, but the 11.11% house edge makes it a poor investment.
The Horn Bet
The Horn is a single bet divided equally among four numbers: 2, 3, 11, and 12. It takes four units (e.g., £4, with £1 on each number).
Horn Payouts
| Roll | Payout on Winning Unit | Net Result (£4 Horn Bet) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 30:1 | Win £30, lose £3 = +£27 |
| 12 | 30:1 | Win £30, lose £3 = +£27 |
| 3 | 15:1 | Win £15, lose £3 = +£12 |
| 11 | 15:1 | Win £15, lose £3 = +£12 |
| Any other | — | Lose £4 |
Combined house edge: 12.50%
Horn High Bets
A Horn High bet adds an extra unit on one of the four numbers. For example, a “Horn High Yo” (£5 total) puts £2 on 11 and £1 each on 2, 3, and 12. This increases your payout if your chosen number hits but does not improve the overall house edge.
The Whirl (World) Bet
The Whirl combines a Horn bet with an Any Seven bet. It is a 5-unit bet: £1 each on 2, 3, 7, 11, and 12.
- If 2 or 12 hits: Win 30:1 on that unit minus 4 losing units
- If 3 or 11 hits: Win 15:1 on that unit minus 4 losing units
- If 7 hits: Win 4:1 on that unit minus 4 losing units = push (net zero)
- Any other number: Lose all 5 units
House edge: 13.33%
The Whirl bet’s “advantage” is that a 7 results in a push rather than a loss. But since the 7 portion has a 16.67% house edge, you are paying a steep price for this protection.
Multi-Roll Props: Hardway Bets
Hardway bets are the only multi-roll propositions. They win if a specific even number is rolled as doubles (the “hard way”) before it is rolled any other way (“easy”) or before a 7.
Hardway Bets Explained
| Bet | Wins On | Loses On | True Odds | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard 4 | 2+2 | 7 or easy 4 (1+3, 3+1) | 8:1 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Hard 6 | 3+3 | 7 or easy 6 (1+5, 2+4, 4+2, 5+1) | 10:1 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 8 | 4+4 | 7 or easy 8 (2+6, 3+5, 5+3, 6+2) | 10:1 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 10 | 5+5 | 7 or easy 10 (4+6, 6+4) | 8:1 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
Hardway Mathematics
Consider Hard 6 (3+3): there is exactly 1 way to roll a hard 6, 4 ways to roll an easy 6, and 6 ways to roll a 7. That gives you 1 winning outcome against 10 losing outcomes — true odds of 10:1. The casino pays 9:1, keeping the gap as profit.
Hardways are popular because they stay active across multiple rolls, creating suspense. However, the house edge of 9-11% makes them expensive entertainment over time.
Hop Bets
Hop bets are verbal bets on a specific dice combination for the next roll. They are not printed on the table — you call them out to the stickman.
- Easy hop (two different dice, e.g., “hopping 3-5”): 17:1 true odds, pays 15:1, house edge 11.11%
- Hard hop (doubles, e.g., “hopping hard 4”): 35:1 true odds, pays 30:1, house edge 13.89%
Hop bets are essentially custom versions of other prop bets. They are rarely used except by experienced players looking for very specific action.
The C&E Bet (Craps and Eleven)
C&E is a combination bet covering Any Craps (2, 3, 12) and Eleven. It is a two-unit bet:
- If 2, 3, or 12 rolls: Craps portion wins 7:1, Eleven portion loses = net win of £3 on a £2 bet
- If 11 rolls: Eleven portion wins 15:1, Craps portion loses = net win of £7 on a £2 bet
- Any other roll: Both units lose
House edge: 11.11%
Why Proposition Bets Exist
If prop bets are so unfavourable, why do casinos offer them? The answer lies in their appeal:
- Excitement: High payouts (30:1) create dramatic moments that make the game feel more thrilling.
- Speed: One-roll bets provide instant gratification — no waiting for points to resolve.
- Revenue: The high house edges generate significant casino revenue, subsidising the relatively low-edge line bets.
- Accessibility: Low minimum bets (often £1) make them seem harmless — but at 11-17% house edge, even small bets add up.
Should You Ever Make Proposition Bets?
From a pure mathematics standpoint, the answer is no. Every pound placed on a proposition bet faces a house edge 6-12 times higher than a Pass Line bet. Over any meaningful number of bets, prop bets will cost you significantly more than sticking to the fundamentals.
However, if you choose to make occasional prop bets for entertainment, follow these guidelines:
- Budget separately: Set aside a small “fun fund” (5-10% of your session bankroll) for prop bets. When it is gone, stop.
- Treat them as entertainment costs: View prop bets the same way you view buying a round of drinks — it is for fun, not profit.
- Never hedge with props: Using Any Craps to hedge your Pass Line bet sounds clever but costs more than it saves over time.
- Avoid Any Seven: Even among bad bets, the 16.67% edge is in a class of its own. There is no scenario where Any Seven is justified.
For the bets that actually deserve your money, see our complete guide to every craps bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the worst proposition bet in craps?
Any Seven with a 16.67% house edge. For every £100 wagered, you lose £16.67 on average. It is the single worst standard bet on the craps table and should be avoided completely.
Are hardway bets worth it?
Mathematically, no. Hard 6 and Hard 8 have a 9.09% house edge, and Hard 4 and Hard 10 carry 11.11%. These are 6-8 times worse than a Pass Line bet. If you enjoy the suspense of multi-roll bets, consider Place bets on 6 and 8 instead — same number, far better edge.
What does “Yo” mean in craps?
Yo is the call for 11 (specifically the Yo-Eleven prop bet). Dealers and players use “Yo” instead of “eleven” to prevent confusion with “seven” in the noisy casino environment. The Yo bet pays 15:1 with an 11.11% house edge.
How does the Horn bet work?
The Horn is a four-unit bet split equally across 2, 3, 11, and 12. If any of these numbers appears on the next roll, you win the payout for that specific number minus the three losing units. The combined house edge is 12.50%. It is a popular centre-table bet but carries a steep mathematical cost.
Can prop bets be part of a winning strategy?
No long-term winning strategy includes proposition bets. The house edges (9-17%) are too high to overcome through any betting system or pattern. The only viable craps strategies focus on Pass/Don’t Pass, Come/Don’t Come, Odds, and Place 6/8 — all with edges below 2%. See our strategy guide.
What is the difference between the Horn and Whirl bet?
The Horn covers 2, 3, 11, and 12 (four units). The Whirl (World) adds a fifth unit on Any Seven, making it a five-unit bet covering 2, 3, 7, 11, and 12. The Whirl’s advantage is that rolling a 7 results in a push rather than a total loss, but the added Any Seven unit carries a 16.67% edge, making the combined Whirl even worse (13.33%) than the Horn alone (12.50%).
Why are proposition bets in the centre of the table?
The centre placement serves two purposes: it groups all high-margin bets under the stickman’s control, and it makes them visible and accessible from both sides of the table. The prominent position and exciting names (“Snake Eyes,” “Midnight,” “Yo”) are designed to attract attention and encourage spontaneous wagers.
Do online craps games offer proposition bets?
Yes, most UK online craps sites include the full range of proposition bets. The payouts and house edges are identical to live casino versions. Some online games clearly display the house edge for each bet, making it easier to see why they should be avoided.
