Craps offers more betting options than almost any other casino game. The table layout shows dozens of different bets, each with unique rules, payouts, and house edges. Some offer excellent odds comparable to the best bets in the casino. Others have house edges so high they should never be made. Understanding which bets are worthwhile and which are traps helps you play smarter and minimize losses over time. The difference between the best and worst craps bets is dramatic — from 0% house edge to over 16%. This guide breaks down every major craps bet, explains the house edge for each, and shows you which bets offer the best value.
The Best Craps Bets (Low House Edge)
These bets offer the fairest odds and should form the core of your craps strategy.
Pass Line Bet
What it is: Bet that the shooter will win (7 or 11 on come-out, or point before 7 during point phase)
Payout: 1:1 (even money)
House edge: 1.41%
When to use it: Before every come-out roll. This is the most popular bet in craps.
Why it's good: Low house edge, simple to understand, aligns with the social energy of the table.
Don't Pass Bet
What it is: Opposite of Pass Line — betting the shooter will lose
Payout: 1:1
House edge: 1.36%
When to use it: Before come-out roll, if you don't mind betting against the table
Why it's good: Slightly better house edge than Pass Line, but you're rooting against other players.
Odds Bets (Pass/Don't Pass/Come/Don't Come)
What it is: Additional bet placed after a point is established, backing your original bet
Payout: True odds (varies by number) - 4 or 10: Pays 2:1 - 5 or 9: Pays 3:2 - 6 or 8: Pays 6:5
House edge: 0% (no house edge!)
When to use it: Always take maximum odds allowed after your Pass/Don't Pass or Come/Don't Come bet
Why it's the best bet in the casino:The odds bet is paid at true mathematical odds with no house edge. It's the only bet in the casino with 0% house edge.
Combined house edge:Pass Line + full odds (3-4-5x) = approximately 0.37% overall house edge For more on how house edge works, see our guide on [understanding house edge](#).
Come / Don't Come Bets
What it is: Works exactly like Pass/Don't Pass but placed after the point is established
Payout: 1:1 plus odds
House edge:- Come: 1.41% - Don't Come: 1.36%
When to use it: After the point is set, to get multiple numbers working
Why it's good: Same low house edge as Pass/Don't Pass, lets you have action on multiple numbers.
Acceptable Bets (Moderate House Edge)
These bets aren't as good as Pass/Don't Pass with odds, but they're not terrible.
Place Bets on 6 and 8
What it is: Bet that 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7
Payout: 7:6 (bet $6 to win $7)
House edge: 1.52%
When to use it: If you want direct action on 6 or 8 instead of waiting for Come bets
Why it's acceptable: Low house edge, and 6 and 8 are rolled frequently.
Place Bets on 5 and 9
What it is: Bet that 5 or 9 will be rolled before a 7
Payout: 7:5 (bet $5 to win $7)
House edge: 4.0%
When to use it: Not recommended. Come bets with odds are better.
Place Bets on 4 and 10
What it is: Bet that 4 or 10 will be rolled before a 7
Payout: 9:5 (bet $5 to win $9)
House edge: 6.67%
When to use it: Not recommended. Come bets with odds are much better.
Buy Bets
What it is: Similar to Place bets but paid at true odds minus 5% commission
House edge: 4.76% (on 4/10 with commission on win only)
When to use it: Only on 4 and 10, and only if the casino charges commission on wins (not on the bet amount)
Field Bet
What it is: One-roll bet that 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 will appear
Payout:- 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: Pays 1:1 - 2 or 12: Pays 2:1 (sometimes 3:1 on 12)
House edge:- 2:1 on both 2 and 12: 5.56% - 2:1 on 2, 3:1 on 12: 2.78%
When to use it: Only if 12 pays 3:1 (check table rules). Otherwise, avoid.
Why it's tempting: Covers many numbers and pays on every roll
Why it's not great: House edge is higher than Pass Line, even in best case.
Bets to Avoid (High House Edge)
These bets have house edges significantly higher than the good bets. They should be avoided.
Any 7
What it is: One-roll bet that next roll will be 7
Payout: 4:1 (sometimes listed as "5 for 1")
True odds: 5:1 (six ways to roll 7 out of 36 combinations)
House edge: 16.67%
Why to avoid it: Terrible house edge. This is one of the worst bets on the table.
Any Craps (2, 3, or 12)
What it is: One-roll bet that next roll will be 2, 3, or 12
Payout: 7:1
House edge: 11.11%
Why to avoid it: Very high house edge for a one-roll bet.
Horn Bet
What it is: Four-way bet on 2, 3, 11, and 12 (one-roll)
Payout: Varies by number (27:1 or 30:1 on 2 and 12, 15:1 on 3 and 11)
House edge: 12.5-16.67%
Why to avoid it: Combines multiple bad bets into one worse bet.
Hardways (Hard 4, 6, 8, 10)
What it is: Bet that a number will be rolled as doubles (2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5) before a 7 or the same total in any other combination
Payout:- Hard 4 and Hard 10: 7:1 - Hard 6 and Hard 8: 9:1
House edge:- Hard 4 and Hard 10: 11.11% - Hard 6 and Hard 8: 9.09%
Why to avoid it: High house edge, rare outcomes.
Proposition Bets (Center of Table)
What they are: Various one-roll and multi-roll bets placed in the center of the table
House edge range: 9.09-16.67%
Why to avoid them: All have terrible house edges. They're exciting and pay large amounts, but the math is awful.
Common proposition bets:- Snake Eyes (2): 13.89% house edge - Boxcars (12): 13.89% house edge - Yo (11): 11.11% house edge - C&E (Craps and Eleven): 11.11% house edge
House Edge Comparison Chart
Best bets:- Odds bets: 0.00% - Don't Pass/Don't Come: 1.36% - Pass Line/Come: 1.41% - Place 6 or 8: 1.52%
Acceptable bets:- Field (2:1, 3:1): 2.78% - Place 5 or 9: 4.00% - Buy 4 or 10: 4.76%
Poor bets:- Field (2:1, 2:1): 5.56% - Place 4 or 10: 6.67% - Hardway 6 or 8: 9.09%
Terrible bets:- Hardway 4 or 10: 11.11% - Any Craps: 11.11% - Horn: 12.5-16.67% - Any 7: 16.67%
Optimal Craps Strategy
Based on house edges, here's the optimal approach:
Core strategy:1. Bet Pass Line or Don't Pass 2. Take maximum odds allowed 3. Add Come/Don't Come bets with odds if you want more action 4. Avoid everything else
Example session:- $10 Pass Line bet - Point established (6) - Add $50 odds bet (5x odds) - Optionally place Come bet and add odds
Why this works:Your combined house edge on Pass Line + 5x odds is approximately 0.33%. This is one of the best strategies in the casino.
Alternative (slightly better odds):Use Don't Pass + odds instead of Pass Line + odds. House edge drops to approximately 0.27%. The downside is you're betting against the shooter and most of the table.
Why Most Players Don't Use Optimal Strategy
Many craps players make high house edge bets because: - They're exciting (big payouts on rare outcomes) - They don't understand the math - They enjoy the variety - They follow superstitions or systems There's nothing wrong with making a few proposition bets for entertainment, but your core wagers should be the low house edge bets.
Calculating Expected Loss
Understanding expected loss helps you budget and set realistic expectations.
Formula: Expected loss = (Total wagered) × (House edge)
Example 1: Pass Line only- 100 rolls at $10 per roll - Total wagered: $1,000 - House edge: 1.41% - Expected loss: $14.10
Example 2: Pass Line + 3x odds- 100 pass line bets at $10 - Average odds bet: $30 - Average total wager per resolved bet: $40 - Total wagered across 100 bets: $4,000 - Combined house edge: ~0.47% - Expected loss: $18.80
Example 3: Proposition bets- 100 rolls betting $10 on Any 7 - Total wagered: $1,000 - House edge: 16.67% - Expected loss: $166.70 The difference is dramatic. Stick to low house edge bets. For more on table game odds, see our guide on [comparing table game house edges](#).
Common Misconceptions
Myth: Hot and cold tablesReality: Each roll is independent. Past results don't predict future outcomes.
Myth: Certain numbers are "due"Reality: Dice have no memory. Every number has the same probability on every roll.
Myth: Betting systems overcome the house edgeReality: No betting pattern changes the mathematical advantage. The house edge remains constant.
Myth: Proposition bets are good because they pay moreReality: Large payouts don't compensate for the terrible house edge. These bets lose money faster.
Variance Considerations
Low variance bets: Pass Line, Don't Pass (small, frequent wins/losses)
High variance bets: Proposition bets, hardways (rare large wins, frequent small losses)
Why this matters:Low variance bets make your bankroll last longer and create steadier results. High variance bets create dramatic swings that can quickly deplete your funds. For more on variance, see our guide on [RTP and volatility](#).