Craps Odds Explained: Best Bets, Payouts & How to Win 2025
Craps is one of the most exciting and fast-paced games you’ll find in any casino. Its high-energy environment, unique lingo, and the potential for big payouts make it a favorite for both seasoned gamblers and curious newcomers. However, to turn the odds in your favor, it’s essential to understand the craps odds, the craps table layout, and the various craps payouts associated with different bets. This guide will walk you through how to play craps, break down casino craps odds, explore strategies, and answer key questions that can help you win at craps more consistently.
What Is Craps?
Craps is a dice game played on a specially designed craps table. Players place bets on the outcome of a roll or a series of rolls of two six-sided dice. The game is highly interactive, with players cheering, rolling, and reacting to every throw.
There are many types of bets you can place, from simple pass line craps wagers to more complex bets involving specific numbers or combinations. While the game may seem chaotic at first glance, it becomes much clearer once you understand the rules and odds on craps bets.
How to Play Craps: The Basics
Before diving into the craps odds, it’s important to understand the structure of the game. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how do you play craps:
- Come-Out Roll: The game begins with the shooter making a come-out roll.
- If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, pass line craps bets win.
- If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, pass line bets lose (this is called “crapping out”).
- Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes the point.
- Point Phase: After the point is established, the shooter keeps rolling the dice.
- The goal is to roll the point number again before rolling a 7.
- Rolling the point means pass line bets win.
- Rolling a 7 before the point is made means pass line bets lose (this is called “seven out”).
- Other Bets: Players can make additional bets during the game, each with different craps betting odds and craps payouts.
Craps Table Layout Explained
The craps table might look intimidating, but it’s divided into clearly marked areas for each type of bet. Some common sections include:
- Pass Line / Don’t Pass
- Come / Don’t Come
- Field
- Place Bets
- Proposition Bets
- Odds Bets
Understanding this layout is crucial to placing the right bets and knowing the associated odds for craps table outcomes.
Craps Odds and House Edge
The term craps odds refers to both the mathematical probability of a certain outcome and the payouts casinos offer for different bets. To evaluate your chances, you must also consider the house advantage craps applies to each type of bet.
Best Odds in Craps
One of the reasons craps is so popular is that some bets offer among the best odds in the casino. Here’s a breakdown of the most favorable bets:
- Pass Line Bet: House edge of 1.41%
- Don’t Pass Bet: House edge of 1.36%
- Come Bet: Same odds as Pass Line
- Don’t Come Bet: Same odds as Don’t Pass
- Taking Odds: 0% house edge (pure odds)
The best odds in craps come from taking “Odds Bets” behind your pass line craps or come bets. These bets are paid at true odds, meaning there’s no house advantage on them.
Worst Bets to Avoid
While some bets have great odds, others are traps for the uninformed. Proposition bets like any 7, hardways, and horn bets can carry house edges as high as 16.67%.
Craps Payout Chart
To help you better understand what you can win, here’s a simplified craps payout chart showing some of the most common bets:
| Bet Type | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Come | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Come | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Taking Odds | True Odds | 0.00% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 6.67% |
| Any 7 | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Hard 8 or 6 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 4 or 10 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
Knowing the craps table payouts is key to making smart bets and minimizing losses.
Crapless Craps: What Is It?
Crapless craps is a variation of the game where the numbers 2, 3, and 12 are not instant losers on the come-out roll. Instead, they become point numbers. While this might sound better, it actually increases the house advantage craps holds over you.
In crapless craps, the house edge is higher on the pass line—around 5.4%—which makes it significantly worse than traditional craps for savvy players. The lack of natural winners and losers changes the balance of probabilities, tipping them more in the casino’s favor.
Craps Betting Odds Strategy
A solid craps strategy focuses on minimizing the house edge and maximizing return. Here are some expert tips to improve your craps odds:
1. Stick to Low-House-Edge Bets
Only make bets like:
- Pass Line
- Don’t Pass
- Come
- Don’t Come
- Place 6 and 8
- Odds Bets
2. Always Take Odds
If the table allows, back your pass line or come bet with an odds bet. This bet has zero house edge and increases your overall return.
3. Avoid Proposition Bets
These are high-risk, high-reward bets with terrible craps betting odds. They are tempting but should generally be avoided if you’re aiming for consistent wins.
4. Bankroll Management
Set limits, avoid chasing losses, and bet only what you can afford. Even the best strategies won’t work without smart bankroll control.
How to Win at Craps: Tips from the Pros
Winning at craps involves a mix of strategy, discipline, and a little bit of luck. Here’s how you can increase your chances:
- Learn the Game First: Understand the rules before betting big.
- Practice Online: Use free online casino craps simulators to hone your skills.
- Use Smart Bets: Stick to the best craps odds and ignore risky bets.
- Observe the Table: Watch a few rolls before jumping in.
- Set Win/Loss Limits: Know when to walk away, win or lose.
These tips won’t guarantee a win every time, but they’ll significantly improve your long-term odds at the craps table.
Craps Payouts: Real-World Examples
Let’s look at a real-world example. Suppose you make a pass line bet of $10, and then take 2x odds behind it. Here’s what happens:
- The point is 6.
- You win the bet by rolling a 6 before a 7.
- The pass line pays 1:1, so you win $10.
- The odds behind a 6 pay 6:5, so your $20 odds bet wins $24.
- Total payout = $10 + $24 = $34.
This highlights how craps payouts can increase with smart odds betting.
Conclusion
Craps is a thrilling casino game full of action, but understanding the craps odds, craps payout chart, and different bet types is the key to lasting success. The game can be simple once you know the rules, the house advantage craps applies, and which bets offer the best odds in craps. Stick to low-edge bets, avoid the high-risk propositions, and always back up your line bets with odds.
By following sound strategy and managing your bankroll wisely, you can not only enjoy the energy of the craps table, but also walk away a smarter, more confident player. Whether you’re playing classic or crapless craps, understanding the numbers is what separates the amateurs from the pros.
FAQs About Craps Odds
1. What are the best odds in craps?
The best odds come from odds bets, which pay true odds with no house edge. Combining pass line or come bets with maximum odds gives you the best chance to win.
2. What is the house edge on pass line bets?
The house edge for pass line craps bets is 1.41%, making it one of the most favorable in the casino.
3. What is a good strategy for beginners?
Start with pass line and come bets, and back them with odds. Avoid proposition bets until you’re more experienced.
4. Are all craps tables the same?
While the layout is usually similar, odds for craps table limits (e.g., 2x, 3x, 5x odds) can vary by casino. Look for tables with higher odds limits for better payouts.
5. What is crapless craps?
Crapless craps removes the instant loss on 2, 3, and 12 during the come-out roll, making them point numbers. However, this version has a significantly higher house edge.
6. Can you play craps online?
Yes, many online casinos offer virtual or live dealer casino craps. Be sure to check the rules and payout structures.
7. How do you read a craps payout chart?
The craps payout chart lists the return for each bet type, usually shown as a ratio (e.g., 7:5 or 6:5). It helps you quickly compare potential returns and make smarter wagers.
8. What’s the difference between odds and payouts?
Odds on craps refer to the likelihood of an event occurring. Craps payouts are how much you win if your bet hits. Good payouts don’t always mean good odds.
