What Is the House Edge in Craps?
The house edge is the mathematical advantage a casino holds over players on every bet. It represents the percentage of each wager that the casino expects to keep over the long run. In craps, this edge varies more dramatically than in almost any other casino game — from an astonishing 0% on the Odds bet to a punishing 16.67% on the Any Seven proposition.
Understanding the house edge is not just academic. It is the single most practical piece of knowledge you can bring to a craps table. A player who sticks to bets under 2% will lose dramatically less than one who spreads chips across the centre of the table. Over a four-hour session, the difference can be hundreds of pounds. Over a lifetime of play, it is thousands.
This guide provides a complete comparison of the house edge for every craps bet, explains how the edge translates to real-world losses, and helps you identify which wagers deserve your money. For specific payout information, see our craps odds and payouts chart.
Complete House Edge Comparison Table
Every standard craps bet ranked from best to worst house edge:
| Rank | Bet | House Edge | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Odds Bet (Pass/Don’t Pass/Come/Don’t Come) | 0.00% | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Don’t Pass / Don’t Come | 1.36% | ★★★★★ |
| 3 | Pass Line / Come | 1.41% | ★★★★★ |
| 4 | Place 6 or Place 8 | 1.52% | ★★★★☆ |
| 5 | Lay 4 or Lay 10 | 2.44% | ★★★★☆ |
| 6 | Field (triple on 12) | 2.78% | ★★★☆☆ |
| 7 | Lay 5 or Lay 9 | 3.23% | ★★★☆☆ |
| 8 | Place 5 or Place 9 | 4.00% | ★★★☆☆ |
| 9 | Lay 6 or Lay 8 | 4.00% | ★★★☆☆ |
| 10 | Buy 4/5/6/8/9/10 (standard vig) | 4.76% | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 11 | Field (double on 12) | 5.56% | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 12 | Place 4 or Place 10 | 6.67% | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 13 | Big 6 / Big 8 | 9.09% | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 14 | Hard 6 / Hard 8 | 9.09% | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 15 | Any Craps | 11.11% | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 16 | Hard 4 / Hard 10 | 11.11% | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 17 | Ace-Deuce / Yo (3 or 11) | 11.11% | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 18 | Horn | 12.50% | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 19 | Whirl / World | 13.33% | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 20 | Aces / Boxcars (2 or 12) | 13.89% | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 21 | Any Seven | 16.67% | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
How House Edge Is Calculated
The house edge formula is straightforward: it is the difference between the true probability of winning and the casino’s payout, expressed as a percentage of the total amount wagered.
Example: Pass Line Calculation
The Pass Line has 244 ways to win out of 495 possible outcomes (accounting for all come out and point phase combinations).
- Win probability: 244/495 = 49.293%
- Loss probability: 251/495 = 50.707%
- Expected value: (0.49293 × £1) – (0.50707 × £1) = -£0.01414
- House edge: 1.414%
For every £100 wagered on the Pass Line, the casino expects to keep £1.41 over the long run. The player keeps £98.59.
Example: Any Seven Calculation
- Win probability: 6/36 = 16.667%
- Loss probability: 30/36 = 83.333%
- Expected value: (0.16667 × £4) – (0.83333 × £1) = -£0.16667
- House edge: 16.667%
For every £100 wagered on Any Seven, the casino keeps £16.67. The difference between this and the Pass Line is staggering — you lose nearly 12 times faster on Any Seven. For the full mathematics behind every dice combination, see our craps dice combinations guide.
Combined House Edge with Odds Bets
The Odds bet is unique: it has a 0% house edge. By placing Odds behind your Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet, you dilute the overall house edge across your total wager.
Pass Line + Odds Combined Edge
| Odds Multiple | Total Wager (£10 Line) | Amount at 1.41% Edge | Amount at 0% Edge | Combined Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Odds | £10 | £10 | £0 | 1.41% |
| 1x | £20 | £10 | £10 | 0.85% |
| 2x | £30 | £10 | £20 | 0.61% |
| 3x-4x-5x (avg) | £50 | £10 | £40 | 0.37% |
| 10x | £110 | £10 | £100 | 0.18% |
| 100x | £1,010 | £10 | £1,000 | 0.02% |
Don’t Pass + Lay Odds Combined Edge
| Odds Multiple | Combined Edge |
|---|---|
| No Odds | 1.36% |
| 1x | 0.68% |
| 2x | 0.45% |
| 3x-4x-5x | 0.27% |
| 10x | 0.12% |
The Don’t Pass with maximum Lay Odds produces the absolute lowest combined house edge available through standard craps bets. At 3x-4x-5x odds, it is just 0.27% — meaning you lose only 27p per £100 wagered on average. Detailed analysis in our Don’t Pass strategy guide.
Real-World Cost: Expected Loss Per Hour
House edge becomes tangible when you calculate expected loss per hour. Assuming a moderately paced game with approximately 60 rolls per hour:
| Bet | House Edge | Decisions/Hour | Avg Bet £10 | Hourly Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line + 3x-4x-5x Odds | 0.37% | ~30 | £50 avg total | £0.56 |
| Don’t Pass + Lay Odds | 0.27% | ~30 | £50 avg total | £0.41 |
| Pass Line (no odds) | 1.41% | ~30 | £10 | £4.23 |
| Place 6 and 8 | 1.52% | ~24 | £12 | £4.38 |
| Field (triple 12) | 2.78% | ~60 | £10 | £16.68 |
| Place 4 and 10 | 6.67% | ~12 | £10 | £8.00 |
| Hardways | 9-11% | ~8 | £5 | £4.00 |
| Any Seven | 16.67% | ~60 | £5 | £50.01 |
| Prop bets (mixed) | ~12% | ~60 | £5 | £36.00 |
The contrast is extraordinary. A disciplined Pass Line + Odds player loses 56p per hour. A player making regular proposition bets loses £36+ per hour. Over a 4-hour session, that is £2.24 versus £144 — a 64x difference in cost.
Craps House Edge vs Other Casino Games
How does craps compare to other casino games when played optimally?
| Game | Best Available Edge | Typical Player Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Craps (Don’t Pass + Max Odds) | 0.27% | 0.37-1.41% |
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.50% | 1-2% |
| Baccarat (banker) | 1.06% | 1.06-1.24% |
| European Roulette | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| Three Card Poker | 3.37% | 3.37% |
| Caribbean Stud | 5.22% | 5.22% |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | 5.26% |
| Slots (average) | 4-10% | 4-10% |
When played with optimal strategy (Pass/Don’t Pass + maximum Odds), craps offers the best house edge of any standard table game. Only skilled blackjack players using card counting can achieve a lower effective edge — and card counting is far more difficult to execute than simply placing the right craps bets.
Why the Odds Bet Has 0% House Edge
The Odds bet is a mathematical anomaly in casino gaming. The casino pays it at exactly true odds — there is no markup, no commission, no built-in advantage.
So why does the casino offer it? Because the Odds bet can only be placed alongside a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet — all of which carry a house edge. The casino’s profit comes from the base bet. The Odds bet serves as a marketing tool: it attracts knowledgeable players who appreciate the zero-edge offer, knowing that the base bet still generates revenue.
Casinos limit the Odds multiple (1x, 2x, 3x-4x-5x, 10x, etc.) to control their exposure. If unlimited odds were offered, players could theoretically dilute the house edge to near zero by placing tiny base bets with enormous Odds behind them.
The Myth of Hedging Bets
A common mistake is “hedging” — placing a proposition bet to protect a line bet. For example, betting £5 on the Pass Line and £1 on Any Craps to protect against a craps roll on the come out.
Why Hedging Fails
- Without hedge: Pass Line at 1.41% edge — expected loss is 7.05p per £5 bet
- With hedge: £5 Pass Line + £1 Any Craps — expected loss is 7.05p + 11.11p = 18.16p per round
The hedge costs more than 2.5 times the original bet’s expected loss. You are paying £0.1111 in expected losses to protect against an event that only costs you £0.0705 on average. Hedging in craps always increases your total expected loss because the prop bets used for hedging carry much higher edges than the bets they are meant to protect.
How to Minimise the House Edge
- Stick to Tier 1 bets: Pass/Don’t Pass, Come/Don’t Come, Place 6/8, and always the Odds bet.
- Maximise Odds: The single most effective way to reduce your overall edge. Every pound on Odds faces 0% house edge.
- Minimise base bets: Bet the table minimum on Pass/Don’t Pass and direct the rest to Odds.
- Avoid the centre: Every bet in the centre of the table carries a 9%+ house edge.
- Choose Don’t Pass for online play: Without social pressure, the 1.36% edge beats the Pass Line’s 1.41%.
- Find higher odds tables: Tables offering 10x or 100x odds let you dilute the edge far more than 3x-4x-5x tables.
For a complete strategy built on these principles, see our craps strategy guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lowest house edge bet in craps?
The Odds bet has a 0% house edge — the only zero-edge bet in any casino game. Among standard bets, the Don’t Pass/Don’t Come at 1.36% offers the lowest base house edge. Combined with maximum Lay Odds, the overall edge drops to 0.27% at 3x-4x-5x.
What is the highest house edge bet in craps?
Any Seven at 16.67% is the highest standard house edge. This means for every £100 wagered, you lose £16.67 on average. It is the single worst bet on the craps table and one of the worst bets in any casino game.
Does the house edge change at online casinos?
The house edge for each bet type is identical whether you play online or in a live casino. However, the maximum Odds multiple may differ — some online casinos limit Odds to 2x or 3x, resulting in a higher combined edge. Always check the odds rules before playing at any UK online craps site.
Can I overcome the house edge with a betting system?
No. No betting system (Martingale, Paroli, Fibonacci, etc.) can change the house edge. These systems alter the distribution of wins and losses but not the mathematical expectation. The only way to reduce the edge is to choose better bets and maximise Odds.
How does the house edge affect my bankroll?
Over time, the house edge erodes your bankroll at a predictable rate. A 1.41% edge on £10 bets at 30 decisions per hour costs approximately £4.23 per hour. Over a 4-hour session, expect to lose about £17 on average. Short-term variance means you might win or lose more than this in any given session, but the average trend always favours the casino.
Why is Place 4/10 so much worse than Place 6/8?
Two reasons: first, 6 and 8 are rolled more frequently (5 ways each vs 3 ways for 4/10), making them more likely to win before a 7. Second, the payout ratio on Place 6/8 (7:6 vs true odds 6:5) is much closer to true odds than the Place 4/10 payout (9:5 vs true odds 2:1). The casino takes a proportionally larger cut on 4 and 10.
Is craps better than roulette for house edge?
Significantly better when played correctly. The best craps bet (Pass Line + Odds at 0.37%) is over 7 times better than European Roulette (2.70%) and over 14 times better than American Roulette (5.26%). However, a craps player making mostly proposition bets can face worse odds than roulette.
How does the house edge compound over time?
The house edge applies to every bet independently — it does not compound like interest. Each £10 Pass Line bet has a 1.41% expected loss (14.1p) regardless of previous outcomes. However, if you reinvest your remaining bankroll into new bets, the cumulative effect reduces your bankroll over time at a rate proportional to the edge multiplied by the number of decisions.
What is the expected return on a craps session?
Expected return = 100% minus house edge. A Pass Line bettor with 3x-4x-5x Odds has an expected return of 99.63% — meaning for every £100 wagered, £99.63 is returned on average. A proposition bet player faces expected returns of 83-89%, losing 11-17% of everything wagered.
