Comprehensive Guide to Every Craps Bet

Introduction to Craps Bets

Craps is an exhilarating dice game known for its variety of betting options. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to refine your betting strategy, understanding the different types of wagers—including Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come and Don’t Come, Odds, Place Bets, Field Bets, Proposition, and Hardways—is vital. Below is an illustrated craps table, which highlights the available betting areas.

Getting Started: How to Place Your Bet in Craps

Every round in craps begins with the “Come Out Roll.” The Shooter, or the player rolling the dice, is either the winner of the previous round or the next in rotation if the prior Shooter loses or leaves. Before the dice are cast, any player can choose from various bet types, each with its own rules and payout structure.

The Pass Line Bet Explained

Placing a Pass Line bet is one of the most common moves for new craps players. To do this, simply put your chips in the designated “Pass Line” area directly in front of your spot at the table.

Pass Line bets must be made before the Come Out roll. If the Shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win even money (1:1). Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 results in an immediate loss. If another number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10—collectively known as the Box Numbers) is rolled, this becomes the Point. A puck marks the Point on the table.

To win, the Shooter must roll the Point number again before rolling a 7. Rolling a 7 before the Point causes you to lose. The house edge on the Pass Line is about 1.4%.

The Don’t Pass Line Bet: Opposing the Shooter

Betting on the Don’t Pass Line allows you to “bet against” the Shooter. Place your chips in the area marked “Don’t Pass” on your side of the table.

With this wager, known as “the dark side” among players, you win on a roll of 2 or 3, lose on 7 or 11, and push (tie) if a 12 comes up. After the Point is set, you win if a 7 appears before the Point is repeated. Losing occurs if the Shooter repeats the Point first. The house edge is approximately 1.36%, slightly better than the Pass Line, but less popular among most players.

Pre-Come Out Roll: Special Bets You Can Make

Before the Come Out Roll, players have the option to place additional one-roll bets, such as Any Craps and 11 (also called Yo, Yo-leven, or Yo-11).

To place these, hand your chips to the Stickman and declare your wager:
– “Nickel on the Yo” means a $5 bet on 11. Wins on 11, loses otherwise. (House edge: 11.2%)
– “Nickel on Any Craps” bets $5 that a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled. (House edge: 11.1%)
– “$6 C&E Split” splits the wager: $3 on Any Craps, $3 on 11.

These wagers act as quick, high-risk side bets and can be placed in any amount allowed by table minimums or maximums.

What Bets Are Available After the Point?

Once the Point is established, players can make several additional wager types. The most strategic move at this stage is to add Odds behind your original Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line bet. Taking Odds means betting more, but at true odds—meaning no additional house edge—thereby improving your potential returns.

Understanding and Using Odds Bets

After a Point is set, “taking odds” behind your Pass Line bet is the smartest way to reduce the casino’s advantage. To do this, place the additional chips directly behind your Pass Line wager.

The maximum amount you can bet as Odds usually follows the 3-4-5 rule:
– 3x your original bet for Points 4 or 10
– 4x for Points 5 or 9
– 5x for Points 6 or 8

These Odds bets pay out at true odds.

Laying Odds on Don’t Pass Bets

If you’re betting the Don’t Pass line, you can also “Lay Odds,” placing your Odds chips behind your Don’t Pass wager, typically just over the edge of your main bet. Both taking Odds and laying Odds offer the best possible value since they don’t increase the house edge. The principle also applies to Come and Don’t Come bets.

All About Craps Proposition Bets

Proposition bets (Prop Bets) are located in the center area of the craps table. These break down into one-roll proposition bets and Hardways bets.

Hardways Bets: Specific Doubles

Hardways bets are placed on particular doubles:
– Hard 4: (2+2)
– Hard 6: (3+3)
– Hard 8: (4+4)
– Hard 10: (5+5)

Hard 6 and Hard 8 pay 9:1 (10:1 on the best tables) and have a house edge of about 2.8%. Hard 4 and Hard 10 pay 7:1 (or 8:1 in some casinos) with a similar edge. These bets stay active until they’re won, a 7 is rolled, or the “soft” (non-double) version of the number is hit.

You can pause (call “off”), resume (call “working”), or remove (“down”) your Hardways bets by requesting the Stickman to adjust your wagers.

Center Table One-Roll Bets

The center portion under the Hardways contains one-roll bets:

Typical center table one-roll bets include:
– Any 7 (Big Red): Pays 4:1
– Any Craps (2, 3, or 12): Pays 7:1
– Ace-Deuce (3): Pays 15:1
– Snake Eyes (2): Pays 30:1
– Boxcars (12): Pays 30:1

All are resolved in a single roll and generally carry a high house edge.

Additional Craps Bets: Options Beyond the Basics

Craps offers several other bet types for players seeking varied experiences:

Come and Don’t Come Bets

These bets are similar to Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line wagers but are placed after the Come Out roll. The rules and payout structure are essentially the same.

Field Bet

Field Bets cover numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Place your chips in the “Field” area for an immediate one-roll determination.

Further Use of Odds Bets

You can add Odds behind Come and Don’t Come bets, just as for Pass Line and Don’t Pass.

Place Bets: Betting on Box Numbers

Place Bets can be made on numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 at any time. Declare your intention to the dealer; for example, “Place the 5 for $5.” Bets on 6 and 8 are often made in $6 increments, while the rest use $5 increments.

– Place bets on 6 and 8: Pay 7:6, house edge ~1.5%
– Place bets on 5 and 9: Pay 7:5, house edge ~4%
– Place bets on 4 and 10: Pay 9:5, house edge ~6.8%

Buy Bets: Leveraging True Odds

Buy Bets are similar to Place Bets but pay at true odds, in exchange for a 5% commission. Most valuable on 4 and 10, a Buy Bet reduces the house edge to about 4.8%, or even lower in rare cases.

Big 6 and Big 8 Bets

Big 6 and Big 8 win if a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7, but pay only 1:1. The high house edge (9.1%) makes these bets the worst on most tables—so much so that many casinos no longer display them.

Horn Bets and Variations

The Horn Bet is a four-number one-roll bet on 2, 3, 11, and 12:
– Straight Horn: Even split among all four. 3 or 11 pays 15:1, 2 or 12 pays 30:1
– Horn-High: Extra amount on a chosen number, such as the Yo (11), 12, Ace (2), or 3.

Fire Bet

An optional side wager where you bet the Shooter can make four or more unique Points before “sevening out.” This wager has a very high house edge (over 20%).

World (Whirl) Bet

A combination bet on Any 7 plus all Horn numbers. House edge is roughly 13.4%.

Any 7 (Big Red)

Wagering on the next roll to be a 7. Pays 4:1 but has a steep house edge of almost 17%.

Hop Bets (Hopping Bets)

Single-roll wagers on a specific dice combination (e.g., “Three-Two on the Hop” means betting a 3 and 2 will be rolled for a 5). Payouts vary but are typically 15:1 for “soft” rolls and 30:1 for Hardways. House edge starts at about 11.1%.

Uptown and Downtown Bets

– Uptown: Place Bets on 8, 9, and 10.
– Downtown: Place Bets on 4, 5, and 6.

These terms are mostly traditional and offer no strategic edge.

Optimizing Your Craps Bets: Strategy Recommendations

For the best chance of success, focus on the Pass Line with maximum Odds, Come Bets with full Odds, and Place Bets on 6 or 8. Buying the 4 and 10 becomes valuable when wagering at least $20 per number. Avoid side bets and proposition wagers until you thoroughly understand their risks, since they often favor the house far more than the primary bets.

Conclusion

Mastering craps means learning the ins and outs of every available wager—from the mainstays like Pass Line and Odds bets to the exciting but risky proposition bets in the center of the table. By prioritizing wagers with the lowest house edge and understanding the rules for each bet, you can approach the craps table with confidence and maximize your enjoyment—and your chances—at this fast-paced casino favorite.