Craps is a dice game where the pass line has a 1.41% house edge — one of the lowest in the casino. After a point is set, the "odds bet" pays true odds with 0% house edge — the only fair bet in any casino game. Stick to pass + odds, skip the proposition bets in the center of the table (9–17% house edge).
Craps is played with two dice. One player — the "shooter" — throws the dice. Everyone at the table bets on the outcome. Two dice produce 36 possible combinations, with totals from 2 through 12. The game moves in rounds with two phases: the come-out roll and the point phase.
The first roll of a new round. Three things can happen: roll 7 or 11 (natural — pass line wins), roll 2, 3, or 12 (craps — pass line loses), or roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 (that number becomes "the point" and the round continues).
Once a point is established, the shooter keeps rolling. Hit the point number again before rolling a 7? Pass line wins. Roll a 7 first? That’s a "seven out" — pass line loses and the dice pass to the next shooter. Any other number? Just keep rolling.
7 is the most common roll — there are 6 ways to make it out of 36 combinations (16.67%). That’s why 7 wins on the come-out but ends the round during the point phase. 6 and 8 are next most common (5 ways each). 2 and 12 are rarest (1 way each). This probability distribution drives every bet in the game.
The foundation. Pass line: bet with the shooter (1.41% house edge). Don’t pass: bet against the shooter (1.36% house edge). Don’t pass is slightly better math, but socially it’s "betting against the table." Most players stick to the pass line. Either way, these are among the best bets in the casino.
The most important bet in craps — and the only bet in the entire casino with 0% house edge. After a point is set, place an additional bet behind your pass line bet. It pays true mathematical odds. Casinos cap it at a multiple (3x, 5x, 10x). The more you bet in odds relative to your pass bet, the lower your effective edge.
Identical to pass/don’t pass, but placed after a point is already established. The next roll becomes your personal come-out roll. If a point is set for you, you track your own separate point. Come: 1.41% edge. Don’t come: 1.36%. You can place odds behind these too.
Place bets on 6 or 8 are reasonable at 1.52% edge. Place 4/10 are expensive at 6.67%. Proposition bets (the center of the table) — Any 7 (16.67%), hardways (9–11%), Any Craps (11.11%) — carry massive house edges. The flashy bets in the middle are where the casino makes its money.
Craps has the widest range of any table game. Odds bet: 0%. Don’t pass: 1.36%. Pass: 1.41%. Place 6/8: 1.52%. Place 5/9: 4%. Place 4/10: 6.67%. Hard 6/8: 9.09%. Any 7: 16.67%. The best and worst bets in the casino are on the same table.
The odds bet dilutes the house edge. Pass line only: 1.41%. Add 1x odds: 0.85%. Add 2x: 0.61%. Add 5x: 0.33%. Add 10x: 0.18%. The more you bet in odds, the closer your effective edge approaches zero. Pass + maximum odds offers some of the best expected value in the casino.
Pass line only: lose about $1.41 per $100 wagered. Pass + 5x odds: about $0.33 per $100. Compare that to American roulette ($5.26/100) or slots ($5–$15+/100). But bet Any 7 and you lose $16.67 per $100. The choice of bet matters more than anything else at this table.
This is the bread and butter of craps strategy. The pass line at 1.41% plus odds at 0% gives you the best combined edge available. Simple, low edge, straightforward. If the table allows higher odds multiples, putting more of your wager in odds (within your budget) lowers your effective house edge.
Proposition bets are where the casino makes its money. Any 7 at 16.67%, hardways at 9–11%, Any Craps at 11.11% — these edges are 6 to 12 times higher than the pass line. The high payouts are calibrated so the casino keeps a massive percentage. Place 6/8 at 1.52% are reasonable if you want more action.
Craps is social and fast-paced. The energy at the table is part of the appeal — and the risk. Decide on a session amount and bet size before your first roll. Stick to pass + odds. The math is on your side (relatively speaking) — but only if you stay disciplined with your bankroll.
The dice must hit the bumpy rubber back wall of the table. Casino craps tables are specifically designed with pyramid-shaped rubber surfaces to ensure randomization. The idea that you can "set" the dice to influence outcomes ignores the physics of the bounce. Casinos don’t worry about dice setters. Physics wins.
Each roll produces one of 36 equally likely combinations. The dice don’t know who’s throwing them, and they don’t remember the last roll. A shooter on a "hot streak" is normal random variation. Haven’t seen a 7 in 20 rolls? Next roll still has 6 chances in 36 (16.67%) of being 7. Exactly the same as always.
3 questions. See if the guide stuck.
What is the house edge on the odds bet in craps?
On the come-out roll, what happens if the shooter rolls a 7?
Why should you avoid proposition bets (the center of the table)?
Pass line plus odds. The best deal in the casino. No fine print.
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