Understanding Craps Odds and Probability

Isaac E. Payne is an experienced technical blogger, creative writer, and lead content manager at GamblingNerd.com. As a published author, he enjoys finding interesting and exciting ways to cover any t...

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Shaun Stack is a senior writer at Gambling Nerd. His gambling articles have appeared in the Daily Herald, Space Coast Daily, and NJ 101.5. He’s a football betting expert, a Survivor fan, and a skill...

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Craps odds can make the difference between a strategic, entertaining experience and losing your bankroll in minutes. 

Understanding how probabilities and the house edge work helps you see why some bets are superior to others. 

In this guide, I’ll break down key craps odds, payouts, and house edges, with examples of the best bets like pass line and odds wagers, plus which ones to avoid.

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Craps Bets and House Edge

Craps Bets and House Edge

The craps house edge varies wildly from one bet to the next. It pays to know these differences to boost your chances of winning.

craps image

The following bets have the best odds in craps:

  • Pass line & come = 1.41% house edge
  • Don’t pass line & don’t come = 1.36%
  • Place 6 & 8 = 1.52%

You can put “odds” behind a pass line or don’t pass line bet after a point number has been established. Odds lower the overall house edge when combined with your original bet. For example, 2x odds drop the pass line edge to 0.85% and don’t pass line to 0.68%.

There are dozens of bets you should avoid because their house advantages are so high. The worst offenders include Any 7 (16.67% house edge), Any Craps (11.11%), and Horn (12.5%). Please refer to our craps beginners guide for more on the best and worst bets.

Odds and Probability on Craps Bets

Odds and Probability on Craps Bets

While the house edge affects your long-term chances of winning, craps probabilities determine how likely you are to win each roll. This info is crucial when you’re trying to figure out the volatility behind each wager. Let’s go over key bets and the odds of you rolling a winner.

Pass Line

Wins on 7 or 11 (22.1% probability) and loses on 2, 3, or 12 (11.1%) during the come-out roll, with all other outcomes establishing a point.

Don’t Pass Line

Wins on 2 or 3 (8.3%), loses on 7 or 11 (22.2%), pushes on 12 (2.8%), and establishes a point with all other outcomes.

Come

Available after a point is established, this bet works just like pass line in all aspects from the probabilities to winning numbers.

Don’t Come

After a point is set, don’t come follows the same rules and probabilities as don’t pass line.

Place Bets (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)

The probabilities of rolling place bet combos before a 7 include 33.3% (4 or 10), 40% (5 or 9), or 45.5% (6 or 8).

Buy Bets (Same Combos as Place)

Buy bets have identical probabilities of being rolled before a 7 as place wagers, with 5% commissions paid on every bet or just after wins.

Lay Bets (Same Combos as Place)

The probabilities of a 7 being rolled before lay combos are 66.7% (4 or 10), 60% (5 or 9), or 54.6% (6 or 8).

Proposition Bets

One-roll bets on specific combos like Any 7 (16.7% probability), Any Craps (11.1%), and 11/”Yo” (5.56%). 

Hardways Bets

These specific double dice combos (e.g. 4 + 4) have probabilities of 11.1% (4 or 10) and 9.1% (6 or 8).

Field Bet

Wins on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 (44% probability) and loses on 5, 6, 7, or 8 (55.6%).

Whirl (“World”)

Wins on 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 (33.3%) and loses on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 (66.7%). 

Craps Probability Chart

Craps Probability Chart

You can see important stats behind each bet in the following craps odds chart. You’ll also see whether or not the Nerd experts approve each wager. Our rating system takes into account the probabilities and previously covered house edges before offering a recommendation.

Craps Bet TypeWinning NumbersPayoutProbabilityNerd Approved?
Pass line / come7 or 11 on come-out roll;
point number before a 7
1:122.1% on come-out roll;
49.29% overall (counting points)
Don’t pass / Don’t come2 or 3 on come-out roll;
7 before the point number
1:18.3% on come-out roll;
2.8% on come-out roll push; 47.93% overall
Place bets4 or 105 or
96 or 8
4 or 10 → 9:55 or
9 → 7:56 or 8 → 7:6
4 or 10 → 33.3%5 or
9 → 40%6 or 8 → 45.5%
Buy bets4 or 105 or
96 or 8
4 or 10 → 2:15 or 9 → 3:26 or
8 → 6:5*5%
commissions on wins
Same as place bets
Lay bets4 or 105 or
96 or 8
4 or 10 → 1:25 or
9 → 2:36 or 8 → 5:6*5%
commissions on wins 
4 or 10 → 66.7%5 or
9 → 60%6 or 8 → 54.6%
HardwaysSpecific doubles of 4,
6, 8, or 10
4 or 10 → 7:16 or 8 → 9:14 or 10 → 11.1%6 or
8 → 9.1%
Any 774:116.67%
Any Craps2, 3, or 127:111.1%
Yo1115:15.6%
Field2, 3, 4, 9,
10, 11, or 12
1:1 on 3, 4, 9, 10, or
112:1 on 2 or 12
44.4%
Whirl2, 3, 7, 11,
or 12
26:5 on 2 or
1211:5 on 3 or 11
33.3%
Online Craps vs Live Craps Odds

Online Craps vs Live Craps Odds

The core rules and craps probabilities are generally the same between online, live dealer, and land-based versions. But there can be slight differences between these variations.

Online craps games only allow 2x or 3x odds behind pass line and don’t pass line. The trade-off is that you can play for as little as $0.10–$1 depending on the game.

Live dealer craps features higher odds, offering up to 3x-4x-5x versus the 2x or 3x limit with RNG tables. The minimum bet is also bigger, starting at $5 for pass line/don’t pass line and up depending on the live casino.

Land-based casinos have the most variation in odds and bet alterations. Many allow up to 3x-4x-5x or 5x odds, while certain Vegas establishments don’t cap them until 10x, 20x or even 100x. The catch is that brick-and-mortar casinos require a $5–$25 min bet on pass line/don’t pass.

Certain land-based venues pay differently for some bets, as you can see in the following examples:

  • Field bet: If it pays 3:1 instead of 2:1 for a field bet, the house advantage drops from 5.56% to 2.78%.
  • Buy bets: If commissions are only paid on wins rather than bets in general, the house edge drops to 1.67% (4 or 10), 2% (5 or 9), or 2.27% (6 or 8).
  • Lay bets: When commissions are only taken on wins, the house edge lowers to 1.67% (4 or 10), 2% (5 or 9), or 2.27% (6 or 8).

Brick-and-mortar casinos are also the most likely to offer unique craps variants. For example, crapless craps rules out the possibility of losing on the come-out roll. It instead converts 2, 3, 11, and 12 into point numbers.

Another example is simplificed craps, which removes complex bets like hardways or whirl from the table. The goal is to speed up play and create a more beginner-friendly game.

How to Make the Most Out of Your Craps Bets

How to Make the Most Out of Your Craps Bets

The right wagers make all the difference when you’re playing land-based or online craps. Here are the bets I like when playing for real money along with those I avoid at all costs.

craps table

Bets to Make

  • Pass line & come – Both have high probabilities of winning (49.29%) and a low house edge (1.41%).
  • Don’t pass line & don’t come – Same with above, where there are high win probabilities (47.93%) combined with a low house edge (1.36%).
  • Place 6 & 8 – Both are just slightly off pass line and don’t pass line, with a 45.5% win probability and 1.52% house edge.
  • Lay bets – Win probabilities are outstanding, ranging from 54.6% (6 or 8) to 66.7% (4 or 10), while house edges go from 2.44% (4 or 10) to 4% (6 or 8).
  • Odds – Always worth adding if you can afford them since these bets don’t have a house edge.
Craps dice

Bets to Avoid

  • Any 7 – Only wins 16.7% of the time and has a matching 16.7% house advantage.
  • Any Craps (2, 3, 12) – Also has a low win rate of 11.1% combined with a matching 11.1% house edge.
  • Whirl – Offers four winning combos, but you still only win 33.3% of the time and face a 13.3% house advantage.
  • Yo – You’re relying on 3 only (5.56% probability) while dealing with an 11.1% house edge.
FAQs

FAQs

What are bubble craps odds?

Bubble craps odds and payouts are the same as those found in land-based and online casinos. These electronic machines do offer lower minimum bets ($1–$5) than traditional land-based tables ($5–$25).  

What are the odds on place bets in craps?

The odds and probabilities on place bets are 2:1 (33.3% probability) on 4 or 10 combos, 3:2 (40%) on 5 or 9 combos, and 6:5 (45.5%) on 6 or 8 combos. 

What bet has the best odds in craps?

Pass line (1.41% house edge) and don’t pass line (1.36%) have the best odds of any regular craps bets. Odds, which go behind pass line and don’t pass line after a point gets established, don’t carry a house edge.

Summary

Craps can be a thrilling game no matter which numbers your bet is riding on. But you should really think about what wagers you’re placing to maximize your bankroll and potential winnings. 

Pass line, come, don’t pass line, and don’t come are the safest bets in terms of house edge. Place 6 and 8 and most lay bets also give you a solid chance to win. I recommend seriously considering the stats behind any other wager before placing it.

Photo of Isaac Payne
About the Author

Isaac E. Payne is an experienced technical blogger, creative writer, and lead content manager at GamblingNerd.com. As a published author, he enjoys finding interesting and exciting ways to cover any topic. In his four years on the team, he has covered online gambling and sports betting and excelled at reviewing casino sites. In his free time, he enjoys playing blackjack and reading science fiction.