What Is the Pass Line Bet in Craps?
The Pass Line bet is the most fundamental wager in craps and the starting point for every round of play. Placed before the come out roll, it is a contract bet that follows the natural rhythm of the game — winning when the shooter makes their point and losing on a seven-out. With a house edge of just 1.41%, it ranks among the best bets available in any casino game.
More importantly, the Pass Line bet unlocks access to the Odds bet — the only wager in the casino with a 0% house edge. Together, these two bets form the backbone of every serious craps strategy. If you learn nothing else about craps, mastering the Pass Line will serve you well for your entire playing career.
How the Pass Line Bet Works Step by Step
Phase 1: The Come Out Roll
Before the dice are thrown, place your chips on the Pass Line — the large, clearly marked strip running along the edge of the craps table. This is your come out roll bet.
Three outcomes are possible:
| Roll | Result | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 7 or 11 | Natural — WIN | You win even money immediately. A new come out roll begins. |
| 2, 3, or 12 | Craps — LOSE | You lose your bet immediately. A new come out roll begins. |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 | Point Established | The dealer places a puck on the number. Play moves to Phase 2. |
On the come out roll, the Pass Line bettor has an advantage. There are 8 ways to roll a 7 or 11 (winning combinations) versus only 4 ways to roll 2, 3, or 12 (losing combinations). You win on the come out twice as often as you lose.
Phase 2: The Point Phase
Once a point is established, the game shifts. Now you need the shooter to roll the point number again before rolling a 7. The shooter continues rolling until one of those two outcomes occurs.
| Point Number | Ways to Roll It | Ways to Roll 7 | Probability of Winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 3 | 6 | 33.33% |
| 5 or 9 | 4 | 6 | 40.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 5 | 6 | 45.45% |
During the point phase, the odds are always against the Pass Line bettor (7 is more likely than any individual number). This is why the Pass Line is a contract bet — you cannot remove it once a point is set, because at that stage the casino’s edge kicks in.
Pass Line Payout Structure
The Pass Line pays even money (1:1). If you bet £10 and win, you receive £10 in profit plus your original £10 back.
This applies whether you win on the come out roll (natural) or during the point phase. The payout remains the same regardless of which point number was established or how many rolls it took to resolve.
The Odds Bet: Making the Pass Line Even Better
The real power of the Pass Line is not the bet itself — it is the Odds bet that becomes available once a point is established. The Odds bet pays at true mathematical odds with zero house edge, making it the single best wager in the casino.
How to Place the Odds Bet
After a point is established, place additional chips directly behind your Pass Line bet (towards the back of the table). At online craps, there is usually a dedicated button for this.
Odds Payouts
| Point | Odds Payout | £10 Line + £30 Odds Example |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | £10 + £60 = £70 total win |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | £10 + £45 = £55 total win |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | £10 + £36 = £46 total win |
Impact on Combined House Edge
The more you place on Odds relative to your Pass Line bet, the lower your combined house edge drops:
| Odds Multiple | Combined House Edge |
|---|---|
| No Odds | 1.41% |
| 1x Odds | 0.85% |
| 2x Odds | 0.61% |
| 3x-4x-5x Odds | 0.37% |
| 10x Odds | 0.18% |
| 100x Odds | 0.02% |
At a typical UK online casino offering 3x-4x-5x odds, your combined edge drops to just 0.37%. This means for every £1,000 wagered, you can expect to lose only £3.70 on average — making craps with odds one of the best deals in the entire casino. For a full breakdown of all odds and payouts, see our craps odds and payouts chart.
Pass Line Mathematics
Understanding the probability behind the Pass Line helps you appreciate why it is such a strong bet.
Come Out Roll Probabilities
- Probability of winning (7 or 11): 8/36 = 22.22%
- Probability of losing (2, 3, 12): 4/36 = 11.11%
- Probability of setting a point: 24/36 = 66.67%
Overall Pass Line Win Probability
When you combine the come out roll outcomes with point phase probabilities, the overall chance of winning a Pass Line bet is 49.29%. The chance of losing is 50.71%. This 1.42% gap translates directly to the 1.41% house edge (the slight rounding difference comes from the bar-12 push on Don’t Pass).
Compared to a coin flip (50/50), the Pass Line is remarkably close to even. You lose just 1.42 more times per 100 bets than you win — a tiny statistical disadvantage that makes craps one of the fairest games in the casino.
Pass Line Strategy Tips
Always Take Maximum Odds
This cannot be overstated. The Odds bet is the only zero-edge bet in the casino. Every pound you place on Odds instead of the Pass Line itself reduces your overall expected loss. If you have a £100 budget for a session, it is better to bet £10 on the Pass Line with £90 on Odds than to bet £100 on the Pass Line with no Odds.
Keep Your Pass Line Bet at the Table Minimum
Since the Pass Line carries a 1.41% edge but the Odds bet carries 0%, you want to minimise the amount exposed to the edge and maximise the amount at zero edge. Bet the table minimum on the Pass Line and direct the rest of your wager to Odds.
Never Remove a Don’t Pass Bet During Point Phase
Whilst this tip technically relates to the Don’t Pass bet, it is a common mistake worth mentioning. Once a point is established, the Don’t Pass bettor has the advantage. Removing the bet at this stage gives away value.
Combine with Come Bets for More Action
If you want more numbers working, add Come bets after your Pass Line point is established. Each Come bet acts as a fresh Pass Line bet with its own point. Back each with Odds for maximum value. This is the basis of the 3-Point Molly strategy.
Pass Line vs Other Craps Bets
| Bet | House Edge | Compared to Pass Line |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1.41% | Baseline |
| Don’t Pass | 1.36% | Slightly better mathematically |
| Place 6/8 | 1.52% | Slightly worse, but no contract |
| Field (3x on 12) | 2.78% | Nearly double the edge |
| Place 4/10 | 6.67% | Nearly 5x the edge |
| Any Seven | 16.67% | Nearly 12x the edge |
Common Pass Line Mistakes
Not Taking Odds
The most expensive mistake in craps is placing a Pass Line bet without backing it with Odds. You are volunteering to pay 1.41% on your entire wager when you could reduce it to 0.37% or lower.
Betting Too Much on the Pass Line
Players often place large Pass Line bets with small or no Odds. Invert this ratio — bet the minimum on the line and maximise your Odds.
Adding Side Bets During Point Phase
Once your Pass Line bet is working, resist the temptation to add high-edge side bets like hardways or proposition bets. These bets dramatically increase your overall exposure. Stick to Odds and, at most, Place bets on 6 and 8.
Chasing Losses with Larger Pass Line Bets
Increasing your Pass Line bet after losses (Martingale-style) does not change the house edge. Each bet is independent, and table limits prevent unlimited progression. Stick to flat betting on the Pass Line with maximum Odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Pass Line called a contract bet?
Once a point is established, the Pass Line bet cannot be removed or reduced. This is because during the point phase, the 7 (which causes you to lose) is more likely than any individual point number. If you could remove the bet, you would always do so, which would eliminate the casino’s edge entirely. The contract rule ensures the casino retains its 1.41% advantage.
Is the Pass Line bet the best bet in craps?
The Pass Line combined with maximum Odds is one of the best bets in craps and in any casino game. The Odds bet itself is the absolute best (0% house edge), and the Don’t Pass bet has a slightly lower house edge (1.36% vs 1.41%). However, the Pass Line is the most socially accepted and widely used bet.
Can I bet on both the Pass Line and Don’t Pass at the same time?
Yes, but it is not recommended. On the come out roll, these bets offset each other. You would win on one and lose on the other in most situations. The only outcome where this matters is rolling a 12 — the Pass Line loses but Don’t Pass pushes, giving you a net loss. This creates a small guaranteed house edge with no upside.
What happens to my Pass Line bet if the shooter changes?
Your Pass Line bet stays in play regardless of who is shooting. If the current shooter seven-outs, the Pass Line bet loses (as it normally would on a seven-out). A new shooter then begins a new come out roll, and you place a fresh bet.
How does the Pass Line work in online craps?
The mechanics are identical. Click or tap the Pass Line area to place your bet. After a point is set, click the Odds button to place an Odds bet. The best UK online craps sites clearly label the Pass Line and Odds areas. The advantage of online play is that you can play at your own pace and take time to calculate your optimal Odds bet.
What is the probability of winning a Pass Line bet?
The overall probability of winning a Pass Line bet is 49.29%. This combines the come out roll outcomes (where you have an advantage) with the point phase (where the 7 is more likely than your point). The resulting 50.71% to 49.29% split produces the 1.41% house edge.
Should beginners start with the Pass Line?
Absolutely. The Pass Line is the recommended starting bet for every beginner. It is simple to understand, has a low house edge, and teaches you the fundamental flow of the game. Once comfortable, add Odds behind your Pass Line bet and consider adding Come bets. Read our complete beginner’s guide for the full learning path.
What is the difference between Pass Line and Come bets?
They are mechanically identical — both win on 7/11 and lose on 2/3/12 during their come out roll, then track a point number. The only difference is timing: the Pass Line is placed before the table’s come out roll, whilst the Come bet is placed after a point is established. Learn more in our Come and Don’t Come bets guide.
