Understanding Craps Odds Betting and Payouts

Craps Odds Betting and Payouts

Introduction 

Craps is an exciting, fast-paced casino game based on the roll of two dice. It has become one of the most popular and iconic games in the casino world. While it may appear complex at first glance, a basic understanding of craps odds betting and payouts can help you get started and increase your winning chances. In this article, we will take a closer look at all aspects of craps odds betting as well as potential payouts that come with these bets so that you can have more success when playing this thrilling game.

What’s Craps?

Craps is a dice game where players make wagers on the outcome of the roll or a series of rolls. Players may wager money against each other (playing “street craps”) or a bank (playing “casino craps”, also known as “table craps”). Craps developed in the United States from a simplification of the old English game called Hazard and it quickly spread to other countries.

Craps Odds Explained

Two main types of odds are used in craps — payout odds and true odds.

Craps True Odds

When playing craps, it is important to understand the true odds of rolling each number. The true odds of rolling a given number on two six-sided dice are as follows:

• Rolling a 2 or 12 has odds of 1 to 36
• Rolling a 3 or 11 has odds of 2 to 35
• Rolling a 4 or 10 has odds of 3 to 34
• Rolling a 5 or 9 has odds of 4 to 33
• Rolling a 6 or 8 has odds of 5 to 32

The payouts for these bets depend on the actual probability that they will win. For example, the odds of rolling a 4 or 10 are 3/34, meaning that if you bet $5, you will win $15 if the dice hits one of those numbers.

Craps Payout Odds / House Odds

The payout odds in craps are different from the true odds. This is due to the built-in house edge, which gives casinos an advantage in every game they offer. In craps, the payout odds for any number rolled with one die are 2/1 on points of 4 and 10, 3/2 on points of 5 and 9, and 6/5 on points of 6 and 8. Typically, these payout odds are higher than the true odds.

Different Craps Bets Odds

Pass Bets

Pass line bets have some of the best craps odds in the casino. Pass line bettors win if a 7 or 11 is rolled on the come-out roll and lose if 2, 3 or 12 is thrown. After the point number has been made, pass line bets pay 1 to 1.

Don’t Pass Line Bets

Don’t pass line bets are the opposite of pass line bets. Bettors who make don’t pass wagers win if the come-out roll is 2 or 3 and lose if a 7 or 11 is thrown. If a point number is established, don’t pass bettors win if that number is rolled before a 7. Don’t pass bets typically pay 1 to 1.

Come Bets

Come bets are similar to pass line bets, but they are made after the point has been established. Like pass line bets, come bets are won if a 7 or 11 is rolled and lost if 2, 3 or 12 is thrown. Come bets can also be placed in multiples of your original wager and pay even money when you win.

Don’t Come Bets

Don’t come bets are the opposite of come bets. They typically have the same odds as don’t pass line bettors. Don’t come bettors win on a 2 or 3 on the first roll and lose if a 7 or 11 is thrown. If a point number is established, don’t come bettors win if a 7 is rolled before that number.

Craps Place Bet Odds

Place bets are made after the point has been established. Place bettors win if their chosen number is rolled before a 7 and lose if a 7 is rolled first. The following place bet odds are typical in most casinos:

• 4 and 10 pay 9/5
• 5 and 9 pay 7/5
• 6 and 8 pay 7/6

Craps Odds and Payouts for Buy Bets

Buy bets are similar to place bets, but they pay different odds. Buy bettors win if the number they have chosen is rolled before a 7 and lose if a 7 is rolled first. The following buy bet odds are typical in most casinos:

• 4 and 10 pay 2/1
• 5 and 9 pay 3/2
• 6 and 8 pay 6/5

Craps Odds for the Big Six and Big Eight Bet

The big six and big eight bets are bets that the 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7. These bets usually pay even money, although some casinos may offer slightly better odds.

Hardways Bets

Hardways bets are wagers that the shooter will roll a certain combination of numbers to make either a 4, 6, 8 or 10. For example, a hardway bet on 8 would win if the shooter rolled two 4’s before he rolls an 8 in any other combination (1 and 7, 2 and 6 etc). Hardway bets usually pay 7/1 when they win and lose if the shooter rolls one of your chosen hardway number in another combination.

Craps Fire Bet Odds

The fire bet is a relatively new craps side bet that pays odds if the shooter hits four or more points. The payouts depend on how many points the shooter hits, with higher payouts for more difficult numbers. The following are typical payout odds for the fire bet:

• 4 Points – 24 to 1
• 5 Points – 249 to 1
• 6 Points – 999 to 1
• 7 Points – 4,999 to 1

Craps Odds for Single Roll Bets 

Single roll bets are wagers that can only be made on the first roll after a shooter has established the point. These bets generally pay higher odds than pass line, come and don’t come bets, but they also tend to have much lower win percentages. The following single roll craps odds are typical in most casinos:

• 2 pays 31/1
• 3 pays 15/1
• 11 pays 15/1
• 12 pays 31/1

Craps Field Bet Odds

The field bet is a one-roll wager that typically pays even money if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11. It will pay double for rolling a 12. Strictly speaking, all of these numbers are even money bets except for the 2 and 12 which pay double (2/1).

Any Craps Bets/Odds on Craps Numbers

Any craps bets are wagers that the next roll of the dice will be 2, 3 or 12. These bets usually pay 7/1 when they win and lose if any other number is rolled.

Any Seven Bet

An any seven bet is a wager that the next roll of the dice will be 7. This bet usually pays 4/1 when it wins and loses if any other number is rolled.

Other Craps Number Odds

Other craps payouts and bets include the horn bet, a five-number wager that pays 3/1 when it wins; a hop bet, which is two dice combinations with a 30/1 payout; and world bets, which are multi-roll wagers that offer payout odds of up to 166/1.

Craps Strategy and the Odds

Basic Craps Strategy

The best way to play craps and reduce the house edge is to stick with the pass line, come and don’t come bets. These are the most common wagers in craps and offer some of the lowest house edges available. If you want more action, then you can add some of the single roll bets or hardway bets to your arsenal.

Playing the Odds

The key to reducing the house edge in craps is understanding which bets offer the best odds. All of the single roll and hardway bets are placed on the “hop” (two dice combinations). The horn bet, 5-number wager and world bets are all multi-roll wagers that offer payout odds of up to 166/1. By understanding which bets offer the best odds and sticking with them, you can reduce your losses and maximize your winnings at the craps table.

They Call Them ‘Hard Ways’ for a Reason

Hardway bets are wagers that the shooter will roll a certain combination of numbers to make either a 4, 6, 8 or 10. For example, a hardway bet on 8 would win if the shooter rolled two 4’s before he rolls an 8 in any other combination (1 and 7, 2 and 6 etc). While these bets can be quite lucrative when they hit, they also have some of the worst odds in craps. Hardways bets usually pay 7/1 when they win and lose if the shooter rolls one of your chosen hardway number in another combination.

Indecent Proposition

A proposition bet is any type of craps wager that is placed on one roll of the dice. These are generally considered to be sucker bets because of the high house edge, so it’s best to avoid them unless you’re feeling really lucky! The most popular proposition bets include the any seven and any craps bets which both pay 4/1 and 7/1 respectively.

Conclusion

Craps is a game of chance and understanding the odds can help you maximize your winnings and minimize your losses. Stick with the classic pass line, come and don’t come bets as they offer lower house edges than some of the other wagers. You can also add some single roll or hardway bets to spice things up if you feel like taking a bit more risk. Just remember that proposition bets are usually best avoided due to their high house edge. With knowing craps rules, a bit of luck and skill, you’ll be able to enjoy playing craps without breaking the bank!

Craps FAQs

What are the odds of winning at craps?

The odds of winning at craps depend on which bets you make. The pass line, come and don’t come bets all offer the lowest house edges in the game, while proposition bets usually have higher house edges and should be avoided.

Does craps or blackjack have better odds?

Craps offers some of the lowest house edges in the casino, while blackjack has one of the highest. However, both games require a certain amount of skill and strategy, so it’s best to choose whichever game you feel more comfortable with.

How do you find the probability in craps?

The probability in craps can be calculated using the odds for each bet. For example, the pass line bet has a house edge of 1.41%, which means that there is a 98.59% chance you will win this wager.

What is the probability of rolling a 7 or 11 in craps?

The probability of rolling a 7 or 11 in craps is 16.7%. This number is calculated based on the fact that there are six possible combinations that can result in either a 7 or 11 (1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2 and 6-1).

What is the probability of winning craps?

The probability of winning at craps depends on which bets you make. The pass line and come bets have a house edge of 1.41%, so there is a 98.59% chance that you will win these wagers. Other bets may have higher or lower house edges, so it’s important to understand the odds before placing any bet.

How do you increase your odds in craps?

The best way to increase your odds in craps is to stick with the pass line, come and don’t come bets as these offer the lowest house edges. You can also make single roll or hardway bets for a bit of extra excitement, but remember that these usually have higher house edges so you should use them sparingly.

What are the best craps bets in terms of odds?

The best craps bets in terms of odds are the pass line, come and don’t come bets as these have a house edge of 1.41%. Other single roll or hardway bets may offer higher payouts but also carry higher house edges so they should be used sparingly.

What is the best craps strategy?

The best craps strategy is to stick with the pass line, come and don’t come bets as these have the lowest house edges. You can also add some single roll or hardway bets for a bit of extra excitement, but remember that these usually have higher house edges so you should use them sparingly.

How craps odds compare to other casino games?

Craps generally has some of the best odds in the casino, as most bets have a house edge of 1.41%. Other games such as blackjack or video poker may offer higher payouts but also come with a much higher house edge.

When can I shoot craps?

Craps is a game of chance and you can shoot the dice at any time during the game. However, some casinos may limit when players are allowed to take their turn.