Step up to the table. Craps is fast, loud, and packed with possibilities. If all the chips and calls feel overwhelming at first, you’re not alone. This page explains the most common craps bets in clear, plain language, so you can understand what you’re wagering on, when you win, and why the odds matter. If you are learning how to play craps or looking to sharpen your strategy, we here at Hard Rock Online Casino have your guide to betting with confidence and enjoying the game.
What Are Craps Bets?
Craps bets are wagers you place on different outcomes achievable when two dice are rolled. This means you’re predicting what numbers will come up, whether certain combinations will appear, or how long a winning streak will last.
The game offers dozens of betting options, from simple win-or-lose bets to complex multi-roll wagers which stay active for several throws.
Understanding these betting options helps you choose the right craps strategy for your bankroll and playing style. Each bet type has different odds and payouts, giving you control over how much risk you want to take with each roll. When played strategically, craps offers some of the most compelling odds available at the table.
Pass Line and Don’t Pass Bets
The pass line bet is the most basic wager in craps. With this wager, you are betting that the shooter will win by rolling a 7 or 11 on the first roll, or by hitting their point number before rolling a 7. If the first roll (the come-out roll) is 2, 3, or 12, you lose immediately.
When any other number comes up on the first roll, that becomes the “point.” The shooter keeps rolling until they either hit the point again (you win) or roll a 7 (you lose). Pass line bets pay even money, meaning you win the same amount you wagered.
Don’t pass bets work the opposite way. You win when the shooter loses; 2 or 3 on the come-out roll typically wins, and 12 usually results in a tie (push), depending on the table rules. While most players bet with the shooter on the pass line, the don’t pass bet offers a different strategic approach.
Come and Don’t Come Bets
Come bets let you make additional pass line-style wagers after the point is established and has the same craps odds as a passline bet. This means you can create your own personal point numbers while the main game continues. When you place a come bet, the next roll becomes your personal come-out roll.
If that roll is 7 or 11, you win immediately. If it’s 2, 3, or 12, you lose right away. Any other number becomes your personal point, and you win if that number appears before a 7 is rolled.
Don’t come bets work like don’t pass bets, but are placed after the point is set. You can make multiple come and don’t come bets during a single shooter’s turn, creating action on several numbers simultaneously. This strategy keeps you engaged with every roll while spreading your risk across different outcomes.
What Makes Odds Bets the Best in Craps?
Odds bets are additional wagers you place behind your pass line, don’t pass, come, or don’t come bets and are one of the reasons that craps is one of the casino games with the best odds. This means you’re betting extra money that the point will be made (or won’t be made for don’t bets). These bets are unique because they pay out based on the true mathematical probability of the dice roll.
The payouts depend on which point number you’re backing:
- 4 and 10: Pay 2:1 because there are fewer ways to roll these numbers
- 5 and 9: Pay 3:2 for moderate probability outcomes
- 6 and 8: Pay 6:5 since these numbers appear more frequently
Most online casinos allow odds bets up to 3x, 4x, or 5x your original wager. Hard Rock Bet Casino offers competitive odds limits that let you maximize these favorable bets. Taking full odds whenever possible is a popular strategy for players looking to capitalize on a point number being rolled.
Place, Buy, and Lay Bets
Place bets let you wager directly on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) without going through the come-out process. This means you’re betting that your chosen number will appear before a 7 is rolled. You can make or remove place bets at any time, giving you complete control over your action.
The payouts vary by number, with 6 and 8 offering the best value among place bets. These numbers pay 7:6, while 5 and 9 pay 7:5, and 4 and 10 pay 9:5. Place bets appeal to players who want immediate action on specific numbers without waiting for the come-out roll sequence.
Buy bets work similarly to place bets but offer payouts based on a number’s exact probability, in exchange for a small commission. Lay bets are the opposite; you’re betting that a 7 will appear before your chosen number, again usually with a commission. These options give you more ways to customize your betting strategy based on your predictions about upcoming rolls.
Field Bets
Field bets are one-roll wagers covering seven different numbers: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. If any of these appear, you win. The bet loses if 5, 6, 7, or 8 comes up.
Most field bets pay even money on winning numbers (3, 4, 9, 10, and 11), with special bonuses for 2 and 12. Many tables pay double (2-to-1) on 2 and either double or triple (2:1 or 3:1) on 12, though the exact payout depends on the casino and layout. Field bets resolve immediately, making them perfect for players who want quick action without committing to multi-roll wagers.
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets are one-roll wagers on specific outcomes like “any 7”, “any craps” (2, 3, or 12), or exact number combinations. This means you’re predicting the precise result of the next single roll. These bets offer higher payouts. But, as the house edge increases, so does the risk.
Popular proposition bets include:
- Any Seven: Wins if the next roll totals 7
- Any Craps: Wins on 2, 3, or 12
- Eleven (Yo): Wins only if the dice show 5 and 6
- Ace Deuce: Wins when a 1 and a 2 are being shown across the two dice
The excitement of big payouts makes proposition bets appealing, but they should be used sparingly as part of a broader betting strategy.
Hard Way Bets
Hard way bets focus on rolling doubles before a 7 or “easy way” appears. This means you’re betting that 4, 6, 8, or 10 will come up as matching pairs (2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5) rather than other combinations that total the same number.
For example, a hard 8 wins only when a 4 is shown on both dice. The bet loses if a 7 appears or if 8 comes up any other way (like 5-3 or 6-2). Hard way bets stay active until they either win or lose, potentially lasting many rolls.
The payouts reflect the difficulty of hitting exact doubles, with hard 6 and 8 paying 9:1, while hard 4 and 10 pay 7:1. These bets add excitement to extended rolls while giving you a rooting interest in specific combinations.
House Edge for Key Bets
The house edge shows the casino’s built-in advantage on each bet; lower is better for you. Odds bets have 0% edge, making them the best add-on. It is advised to focus on bets under 2% for better value over time.
Check out the bullet points below to see what the house edge is for each bet type:
| Bet | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Pass Line/Come | 1.41% |
| Don't Pass/ Don't Come | 1.36% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 6.67% |
| Field | 2.78%-5.56% |
| Any 7 | 16.67% |
| Yo 11 | 11.11% |
| Hard 6 or 8 | 9.09% |
Single-Roll vs Multi-Roll Bets
Single-roll bets resolve with the very next throw of the dice. This means you know your result immediately, whether you win or lose. Field bets, proposition bets, and most center-table wagers are single-roll bets, offering instant gratification and quick strategic adjustments.
Multi-roll bets remain active until a specific outcome occurs, which might take several throws. Pass line, come bets, place bets, and hard ways all continue until they either win or lose. This creates ongoing action as you maintain interest in multiple rolls while the shooter continues their throws.
Balancing single-roll and multi-roll bets helps manage your bankroll while keeping the game exciting. You can use quick-resolving bets for immediate action while maintaining longer-term positions.
Craps Table Layout and Etiquette Basics
The craps table layout organizes all bets logically around the action areas. Understanding it helps you place wagers confidently without confusion.
Key Layout Zones (mirrored on both sides):
- Outer rail: Pass Line and Don’t Pass bars; Come/Don’t Come areas above them for post-point bets.
- Middle section: Number boxes for Place (and Buy/Lay) bets on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10; Field strip running horizontally.
- Center (props): High-risk one-roll bets like Any 7, Yo 11, Hard Ways, Horn, and exact dice combos. Odds chips go directly behind your Pass/Come flat bets.
Quick Etiquette Rules:
- Place chips where dealers can reach easily; say the bet name clearly (e.g., “Place six for $6”).
- Wait for “dice out” (dice in table center) before touching bets or adding/removing chips.
- As shooter, use one hand to roll dice so they hit the back wall; keep phones off the layout.
FAQ about Craps Bets
Below we’ve put together a few questions and answers about craps bets.
What are the different types of craps bets?
Craps bets fall into several main categories, including pass line bets, don’t pass bets, come and don’t come bets, odds bets, place bets, field bets, proposition bets, and hardway bets. Each type of bet has different rules, payouts, and house edges, making some bets more favorable than others.
What is the best bet in craps?
The pass line bet with odds is widely considered the best bet in craps. The pass line has a low house edge (around 1.41%), and taking full odds behind it adds a bet with zero house edge, improving overall player value.
What is the worst bet in craps?
Proposition bets, such as betting on a single roll outcome like “Any 7” or “Yo (11),” are generally the worst bets in craps. These bets have very high house edges, often over 10%, making them risky and unfavorable over time.
What is a pass line bet in craps?
A pass line bet is one of the most common and beginner-friendly bets in craps. You win if a 7 or 11 is rolled on the come-out roll and lose if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled. Any other number establishes a point, which must be rolled again before a 7 to win.
What is an odds bet in craps?
An odds bet is an additional wager placed behind a pass line or don’t pass bet after a point is established. Odds bets pay true odds and have no house edge, making them one of the most advantageous bets in the casino.
How do place bets work in craps?
Place bets allow players to wager on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) being rolled before a 7. Place bets remain active until they win, lose, or are removed, and they offer moderate house edges depending on the number.
What is a field bet in craps?
A field bet is a one-roll wager that wins if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. While it’s fast-paced and exciting, the field bet has a higher house edge compared to line and odds bets.
What are hardway bets in craps?
Hardway bets are wagers that a number (4, 6, 8, or 10) will be rolled as a pair (such as 3-3 for a hard 6) before it’s rolled the “easy” way or a 7 appears. These bets offer high payouts but come with a high house edge.
Can you win consistently at craps?
Craps is a game of chance, and no betting system can guarantee consistent wins. However, choosing bets with a low house edge, such as pass line, don’t pass, and odds bets, can improve your chances and extend your playing time.
