Craps Odds Explained

One of the most confounding casino games for rookie gamblers visiting Las Vegas is real money craps.

Craps Payouts Which bets are the best on Craps Odds. Continued from online craps odds part 1. Again, when it comes to playing online craps, the numbers you roll are out of your control and can only be determined by luck, but understanding the odds of rolling the numbers can help you make the right play and teach you which bets are the best ones to choose based on the odds. The Any Craps Bet Explained The name of the wager indicates players are betting one of the three craps numbers will be rolled on the next throw of the dice. Any Craps bets are not self-service bets which means the only person who is permitted to place chips on the layout for this type of wager is the stickman. The odds bet has zero house advantage to it, which is why you want to play as much of it as possible (bankroll dependent, of course). Your pass line bet has a casino edge. So, the lower your pass line bet, and the higher your odds bet, the less total edge the casino has. A $5 bet on the pass line has a house edge of 1.41%.

And that’s a shame too, because the classic dice rolling affair is also one of the most entertaining experiences on any casino floor. Even better, despite the trappings of exotic bets like the “hard way,” the basic wagers in craps offer odds which are among the most favorable around.

Unfortunately, due to the craps table’s reputation as the domain of hardcore gamblers, many beginners who want to learn the game never step up to take the dice in hand. This phenomenon can be attributed to many reasons, but first and foremost is the intimidating atmosphere presented by a traditional Las Vegas craps table.

Unlike other table games like blackjack and roulette, real money craps tends to shine a spotlight on novice players. You’ll be asked to take the role of shooter as the dice rotate around the table, which means up to 11 other players all looking your way for a lucky roll.

And even when you’re not rolling the bones yourself, a crowded caps table can feel more like a frat party than a casino game. Everyone is shouting their desired number, yelling to the dealer to get bets down, and celebrating in unison when the shooter nails their point number.

As for the craps table itself, this elongated piece of equipment is always home to no less than five casino staff members working the game. You’ll see a boxman supervising the action, a stickman sliding the dice to shooters, and three dealers scanning bets to collect losers and pay out winners.

Throw in one of the more complex betting layouts found in any casino – one featuring several dozen unique wager types listed using all variety of slang terminology – and traditional craps can easily dissuade would be beginners from giving the game a try.

For these reasons, whenever I encounter a craps rookie lingering near the rail and showing hesitation, I politely suggest that they try a “Bubble” craps machine first.

Officially known as “Shoot to Win Craps,” these innovative machines manufactured by Aruze Gaming manage to recreate the game to perfection in a personalized play format.

The only thing is, many Las Vegas gamblers simply ignore these Shoot to Win Craps machines out of hand, mistakenly believing them to be bastardized versions of the real deal.

That’s what Scott Roeben of the popular Vital Vegas blog used to do, as the experienced local simply didn’t see Shoot to Win Craps as a viable alternative. Here’s what Roeben had to say about this first impression of the machine:

“We love traditional craps, at a craps table, with the chips and the cussing and the dice you can fondle, so we spent months just walking right by the Shoot to Win Craps game.

Until recently, when we sat down and played, and we loved it right from the start.”

After taking the time to play Shoot to Win Craps – which takes its “Bubble Craps” moniker from the plexiglass bubble used to house and roll large foam dice – Roeben took to his Vital Vegas page and spread the new game’s gospel to the masses:

“Craps can be intimidating. While craps tables are often the most boisterous parts of a casino, the jargon and fast pace of the game can be a little off-putting.

The table layout and bets can take some time to learn, so many just watch and move on to game they’re more comfortable with.

Shoot to Win Craps makes craps accessible to everyone, and even provides a lot of benefits more experienced players will appreciate.”

If you’ve ever wanted to play craps for yourself, but couldn’t quite muster the courage to put chips down on a real table, this page is here to tell you that Shoot to Win Craps provides the perfect entry point.

Shoot to Win Craps Machines Won’t Hit You With Hidden Changes

First things first… you’re probably wondering how the house uses Shoot to Win Craps machines to get one over on players.

In other machine-based replicas of traditional table games, the casino can easily adjust the odds ever so slightly in their favor to increase the house edge. Video blackjack machines largely eschew the more favorable 3 to 2 payouts on a natural 21 for the inferior 6 to 5 reward. And on a video roulette machine, you might find 34 to 1 payouts on a single number hit instead of the standard 35 to 1.

But on a Shoot to Win Craps machine, the payouts and house edge rates are identical across the board to those offered on a genuine craps table:

Payouts and House Edge Rates for Common Bets on the Shoot to Win Craps Machine:

Bet/RulesPayoutHouse Edge
Odds 4, 102 to 10.00%
Odds 5, 93 to 20.00%
Odds 6, 86 to 50.00%
Don’t Pass/Don’t Come1 to 11.36%
Pass/Come1 to 11.41%
Place 6, 87 to 61.52%
Field (3:1 on 12)1 to 12.78%
Place 5, 97 to 54.00%
Field (2:1 on 12)1 to 15.56%
Place 4, 109 to 56.67%
Big 6, 81 to 19.09%
Hard 6, 89 to 19.09%
Any Craps7 to 111.11%
Hard 4, 107 to 111.11%
Hi-Lo (2 or 12)15 to 111.11%
3; Yo-leven (11); Easy Hops15 to 111.11%
2; 12; Hard Hops30 to 113.89%
Any Seven4 to 116.67%

This may not seem like much at first glance, but knowing that Aruze Gaming chose to design their Shoot to Win Craps machines with integrity is very important. I would never advise my readers to take a shot on an inferior wager, so rest assured that you’ll be facing the exact same odds and house edge rates, while playing for the same payouts, when you try the Bubble Craps alternative.

The Minimum Bet Limits and Odds Offered Can Be Much Better on Bubble Craps

Speaking of odds, one of the most popular and profitable wagers in craps – and all of casino gambling for that matter – is known as the Odds bet.

After you’ve placed an introductory bet on either the Pass Line or the Don’t Pass Line, and the shooter sets a point number on their come out roll, you are then free to “take the Odds.” Essentially, this is a second bet placed behind your Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line wager which pays out at true odds when based on the point number.

In other words, you’ll receive a payout of 2 to 1 on your money when the shooter rolls the point of 4 or 10 again; 3 to 2 odds on a 5 or 9 point; and 6 to 5 on a 6 or 8 point. And as the table above makes clear, the Odds bet offers one of the rarest sights in all of casino gambling – a wager with no house edge whatsoever.

Of course, casinos aren’t in the business of offering fair odds like this, which is why you have to place a perfunctory Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line bet first. Furthermore, craps tables nowadays have ditched the old 100x limit on Odds bets which once made Las Vegas the craps capital of the world. Instead, you’ll often see physical craps tables in Sin City limit the Odds bet to 3x on 4 or 10 points, 4x on the 5 or 9, and 5x on the 6 or 8.

Here’s how the various limitations on Odds betting can affect your overall house edge rate when the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line wagers are factored in:

House Edge on Craps Odds Bet (by Odds Limit):

Odds (Taken)Pass LineDon’t Pass
0x1.41%1.36%
1x0.848%0.682%
2x0.606%0.455%
Full Double Odds0.572%0.431%
3x0.471%0.341%
3x-4x-5x0.374%0.273%
5x0.326%0.227%
10x0.184%0.124%
20x0.099%0.065%
100x0.021%0.014%

Now that you know how the Odds bet works, check out the list below to see how various Las Vegas casinos choose to limit this crucial wager:

Blackjack Odds Explained

Survey of Craps Tables in Las Vegas:

CasinoMinimum BetMaximum Odds
Aria$103x-4x-5x
Bally’s$53x-4x-5x
Bellagio$103x-4x-5x
Binion’s$55x
Caesars Palace$53x-4x-5x
California$52x
Casino Royale$3100x
Circus Circus$52x
Cosmopolitan$153x-4x-5x
Cromwell$5100x
Downtown Grand$510x
El Cortez$510x
Encore$102x
Flamingo$103x-4x-5x
Four Queens$55x
Fremont$32x
Golden Gate$510x
Golden Nugget$53x-4x-5x
Joker’s Wild$110x
Linq$53x-4x-5x
Luxor$103x-4x-5x
Main Street Station$520x
Mandalay Bay$103x-4x-5x
Margaritaville$103x-4x-5x
MGM Grand$103x-4x-5x
Mirage$103x-4x-5x
Monte Carlo$103x-4x-5x
New York New York$103x-4x-5x
O’Shea’s$53x-4x-5x
Orleans$53x-4x-5x
Palazzo$103x-4x-5x
Palms$103x-4x-5x
Palms$103x-4x-5x
Paris$53x-4x-5x
Red Rock Resort$510x
SLS Las Vegas$510x
South Point$52x
Stratosphere$510x
The D$510x
Treasure Island$103x-4x-5x
Tropicana$103x-4x-5x
Venetian$103x-4x-5x

As you can see, almost all of these venues like to cap their Odds bet action using the 3x-4x-5x structure. And when you can find higher limits than that, you’ll usually need to place a higher minimum wager on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line to “earn” that right.

Conversely, players sitting at a Shoot to Win Craps machine can almost always limit their initial liability via lower minimum bets.

Almost every casino in town uses a $5 or $10 minimum on the initial bets when you play at a traditional table. But when you try the Shoot to Win Craps machine, you’ll be able to learn the game at a more leisurely pace thanks to lower limits – all while still enjoying up to 5x on your Odds bet:

Survey of Shoot to Win Craps Machines in Las Vegas:

CasinoMinimum BetMaximum Odds
Aria$52x
Bally’s$32x
Binion’s$25x
Cosmopolitan$52x
Cromwell$32x
Downtown Grand$14x
Excalibur$12x
Flamingo$32x
Harrah’s$32x
Linq$32x
Luxor$23x
Mandalay Bay$32x
MGM Grand$53x
Monte Carlo$35x
New York New York$25x
Palms$25x
Slot-A-Fun$25x
Tropicana$22x

Comfort Is Key on the Shoot to Win Craps Machine

Enough about the intricacies of craps mathematics for a moment though… the real hook offered by Shoot to Win Craps machine is ease of entry.

Explained

When you play Bubble Craps, you won’t have to worry about anybody else at the table sizing you up and pegging you as a rookie.

That means no dirty looks if you decide to dance with the “dark side,” a colloquial craps term used to describe Don’t Pass Line bettors. Similarly, when you want to splash around on some of the more longshot exotic wagers like the Any Craps, Hard Way, or Yo-Leven, you can feel free to indulge yourself without receiving a lecture from more conservative players.

And for pure beginners who are simply trying to learn the rules and basic gameplay, Shoot to Win Craps uses a convenient touchscreen input to make the betting layout easy to read and navigate.

You can watch this short video provided by Aruze Gaming to see exactly how Shoot to Win Craps machines present the game from the player’s perspective:

Conclusion

I’ll be the first to admit that as a longtime craps player, adjusting to the machine-based Bubble rolling can be a bit tricky. Cradling the dice in hand and letting them fly is all part of the fun, as is high-fiving and back-clapping your fellow players when the right number comes in.

But for folks who have little to no experience rolling real dice at the tables, sitting down for a session on the Shoot to Win Craps machine is definitely the next best thing. When you’ve learned the ropes there, feel free to take your newfound knowledge and confidence to the tables to complete your evolution from student to master.

Understanding the Craps odds and bets that you can place is vital to ensuring you don’t lose all your money or embarrass yourself in a live game.

You might hear people shouting all types of lingo and vernacular terms such as “Horn Bets” or “Lay 10” which often confuse or put off even the biggest casino degenerates.

Thankfully, the rules of Craps are actually quite simple even if it takes time to learn the jargon. Make sure to read all information on this page, before You play craps for money.

We can predict the odds of any particular number coming up on a roll and why the craps rules are made how you will see.

For example: the odds for you to roll a 4 on your next roll are 11 to 1.

Craps

You can figure this out by taking the number of ways a four can be made with two dice (with a one and a three, a pair of twos, or a three and a 1) compared to the number of combinations that two dice can make, which is 36.

So we have a 3 in 36 chance, or 1 in 12 chance that a 4 will come up on any given roll. To express these odds as ‘against’, you would say the odds against rolling a four are 11 to 1 (think of it as 11 non 4’s to one 4 for a total of 12 rolls). The calculation we’ve just done determines the ‘true odds’ of rolling a 4.

As many of you may know, the casino doesn’t like to pay back its players with ‘true odds’, it prefers to alter them.

Craps rules, like so many other casino game rules, pay back odds which guarantee the house a profit in the long run. Say for instance you were to place a bet on ‘any sevens’, meaning you’re betting that the next roll will be a seven.

The odds against hitting a seven on the next roll are 5 to 1 (you can calculate that out the same way we did for 4), which means that if you bet one dollar and win, you deserve to win 5 bucks, but the casinos only pay you 4.

Most bets in most games at the casino have been altered in this way. In fact, this is exactly the phenomenon that gives the casino a house edge in many situations.

We’ve covered all the major types of bets and odds you receive here.

Understanding Craps Odds

For instance, odds can be related either as 2-1 or 2 to 1, where a 1 credit bet returns 2 credits. In other words, 2 to 1 odds returns the original 1 credit bet and a 1 credit profit.

The Best Craps Bets

The best bets in craps are the pass line bet, taking the odds, the don’t pass bar, the come bet, and placing the 6 or the 8. Let’s look at each:

Pass Line

This is the most basic and popular of bets when playing Craps. It has one of the lowest house edges (1.41%) and it is very simple to place. Betting on the pass line bet or betting “with the dice” is the most common bet in craps and you will see many players or shooters choosing it.

A pass line bet requires you to place chips on the “Pass Line” section of the table. If the shooter’s come out roll is a 7 or 11, you win even money (1:1). However, if the come out roll is 2,3 or 12 (craps) you lose.

If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) it’s called the point. The shooter continues to throw the dice until he/she roles a 7 or the Point. If the point is rolled first, you win even money. If the 7 is rolled first you lose your bet.

Interestingly, in a game of Crapless Craps, the ability to lose a Pass Line bet to craps on a come out roll is removed – hence the name “crapless” craps. This improves your odds of winning by removing the house edge and increasing your expected value.

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Don’t Pass Line

You can also bet on the “Don’t Pass” line, which is basically when you are betting or laying the shooter on his first roll. This is simply the opposite of the pass line bet and is also known as betting against the dice.

To make this bet place your chips in the narrower section just beyond the pass line labelled don’t pass.

If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3 (Craps) than you win straight away (1:1 even money). If a 7 or 11 is rolled before the Point is scored you lose. A 12 is considered a Push (draw) and normally you can relinquish this bet.

If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10) this is established on the point number. After this happens you’ll win your money back if a 7 is rolled before the Point number, and lose if a 7 comes first.

Taking the Odds

After the point has been established, you can make an additional bet known as Taking the Odds or Pass Odds. You are betting on the Point number being rolled before a 7. The pay out odds are normally displayed on the Casino craps table.

The odds vary for different numbers based on the likelihood of them being rolled.

Normally, the payouts are as follows:

  • 4 pays 2:1
  • 5 pays 3:2
  • 6 pays 8 pays 6:5
  • 9 pays 3:2
  • 10 pays 2:1

The odds bet is the best bet you can make in the game of craps, because the house has no built-in advantage. Free odds bets are paid back at true odds, so when you’re making these bets the casino has no house edge whatsoever, it’s an even game!

Come Bet

This is similar to a Pass Line bet, but it is made after the point has been established (dealer button is ON). The next roll then becomes the Come Out roll for your bet and establishes your Point. The payout depends on the Point:

  • 7 or 11 pays 1:1 (also known as a Natural)
  • 2, 3, or 12 you lose your money (also known as Craps)
  • If neither of the above is rolled then (4,5,6,8,9 or 10) becomes the point for your bet. If a 7 comes before your point is rolled again you lose. If your point is won however your payout depends on the Point.

Come Bet Payouts:

NumberPayout
42:1
53:2
66:5
86:5
93:2
102:1

Taking the Odds

This is similar to the Come Bet and has the same odds above (Come Odds). You can place this bet only after the point has been established. If the 7 is rolled before the point, you lose.

Laying the Odds

Opposite of Taking the Odds. This is a Don’t Pass Line bet which can be made only after the point has been established. If a 7 is rolled before the point, you win.

Laying the Odds Payout:

NumberPayout
41:2
52:3
65:6
85:6
92:3
101:2

Don’t Come Bet

Oppose of Come Bet. This is similar to a Don’t Pass Line bet, but it is made after the Come Out roll. To make this bet all you need to do is to put your chips in the area labeled “Don’t Come” on the layout. You lose on a 7 or 11, and win on a 2 or 3. 12 is a “stand-off.”

Here you win if 7 rolls before your “come-point” is repeated, and lose if the “come-point” is made before a 7 is rolled.

Place Bets

You can bet on specific point numbers. If your number is rolled before a 7, you win. If a 7 comes before your point number, you lose. You’re paid out according to the table below.

Place Bets Payout:

NumberPayout
49:5
57:5
67:6
87:6
97:5
109:5

Craps Odds Bets Explained

Placing the 6 or 8

When you make a place bet you bet that one of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will be hit before a 7 is hit. You can make a place bet any time by throwing your chips on the table while telling the dealer ‘I want to place the 6’ or whatever number you want to place your bet for.

So, if the number you bet on is rolled before a 7 you win and you are paid as follows: 4 or 10 placed – 9:5 odds, 5 or 9 placed – 7:5 odds, 6 or 8 placed – 7:6 odds.

As you can see the best for you is to place a bet on 6 or 8, because these bets have the best odds and also they have a good chance of hitting.

Craps Odds Bet Explained

If you get the feeling like you want to place the 4 or 10, you should buy them instead, because although there is a Vig (a fee for winning bets) on these numbers, the edge comes out in your favor, however slightly.

However, the pass line bet is still the best one with the best odds and in the long run you should stick with it.

Although you can technically place a place bet at any time, it is impossible for it to come into effect until the shooters point is set, therefore it is more acceptable to ask for this bet after the come out roll is over.

Craps odds bets explained

Craps table

Bets with Poor Craps Odds

Big 6/Big 8 Bet

This is a Bet on a Big 6 or Big 8, put down after the point has been established. If a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7, you win (1:1). This is a bet that you should not play because you can Place a bet on 6 or 8 and receive better odds.

Field Bets

Kind of what the name suggests, field bets are open to everyone who bets on the next number rolled. To place one you simple throw your chips into the table (as little chips as possible) and tell the stick man what you want. The payout for field bets:

  • 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 all payout 1:1
  • 2 pays 2:1
  • 12 pays out either 2:1 or 3:1 (depending on the casino)

Proposition Bets

Placed before any throw. The house edge on all of these bets are over 11%. Therefore, you should not bet these very often or you should hedge your bets when you do so.

You can bet on any number as follows:

  • Betting on the next throwbeing a 2, 3 or 12 (Craps)
  • Any Seven: Betting on the next throw being a 7
  • Eleven: Betting on the next throw being an 11
  • Horn Bet: Betting on the next number being a 2, 3, 11, or 12. The payout is determined by the number rolled

Proposition bets are those placed in the middle of the table layout, and those bets never have a good house edge. You should make these bets only for fun and to make your game more exciting.

So, here they are:

  • With the “any seven” bet you’re betting the shooter will hit a 7 on the next roll. It has a horrible house edge of 16.67%. Never make this bet.
  • With the “snake eyes” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a two on the next roll.
  • With the “yo eleven” bet you’re betting the shooter will hit an 11 on the next roll.
  • With the “any craps” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a 2, 3, or 12 on the next roll. It holds a house edge of over 11%
  • With the “any three” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a 3 on the next roll.
  • With the “midnight” bet you’re betting the shooter will throw a 12 on the next roll.
  • With the “horn” bet you’re combining the snake eyes, 3, yo 11, and midnight bets.

Hardway Bets

A Hardway Bet is also made regarding the outcome of the next die throw. A Hardway roll occurs when doubles are thrown with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10.

For example: rolling a pair of threes would produce a “hard 6”. An Easy roll is produced when the same outcome is achieved, but without rolling doubles.

For the previous example, rolling a 4 and a 2 would produce an “easy 6”. For a Hardway Bet to win, the shooter must roll a double with an outcome of 4, 6, 8 or 10. The wager loses if either a 7 or any Easy number is rolled.

The Lay Bet

The lay bet is almost similar with the don’t pass and don’t come bets, because with this bet your are playing against the dice. You can make this bet at any time in the game and it can be placed on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. A lay bet wins when 7 rolls before the number.

7 is more likely to come up than any other number so the casino requires you to wager more than you could win. This bet also requires a commission of 5% on average. If the bet is on 4 or 10 you get 1:2 odds, on 5 or 9 2:3 odds, on six or 8 5:6 odds.

The Buy Bet

When you choose this bet it means that you will buy numbers instead of placing them.

The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 can all be bought but there are only two numbers that really make buy bets worthwhile and those numbers are 4 and 10 because they pay off better than the other numbers. You win if the buy number comes up before a 7 is rolled.

The odds are higher for a buy bet. 2:1 on a 4 or 10 buy, 3:2 for a 5 or 9, or 6:5 for a 6 or 8. Player pays 5% “vigorish” to get true odds on all numbers.

Depending on how much you bet, buying a bet can make you more money in the end even after accounting for the ‘vig’. The odds are only in your favor on a buy bet for a 4 or 10, so stick with the place bet on any others.

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