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Craps Odds Calculator: House Edge by Bet Type
Last Updated: March 1, 2026
Craps offers some of the best and worst bets on the casino floor, separated by nothing more than where you place your chips. The pass line with full odds carries a combined house edge below 0.5%. A hardway or proposition bet on the same table carries 9-17%. This calculator shows the exact edge on every craps bet type.
Last Updated: March 2026
Key Takeaways
- Pass line (1.41%) and don’t pass (1.36%) are the foundation bets. All craps strategy starts here.
- The odds bet behind pass/don’t pass has zero house edge — the only bet in any casino game that pays true mathematical odds.
- Taking maximum odds reduces combined house edge from 1.41% to as low as 0.18% at 10x odds.
- Proposition bets (any 7, any craps, hardways) carry 9-17% house edge and should be avoided by value-conscious players.
- Compare craps to other games using our casino game comparison calculator or track market analytics on the Odds Reference dashboard.
How Does the Odds Bet Eliminate House Edge?
The free odds bet is unique in casino gaming. After a point is established on the pass line, you can place an additional bet directly behind your pass line wager. This odds bet pays at true mathematical odds — the casino takes no margin.
True odds payouts by point number:
| Point | Ways to Make Point | Ways to Roll 7 | True Odds | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 6 | 2:1 | $20 on $10 bet |
| 5 | 4 | 6 | 3:2 | $15 on $10 bet |
| 6 | 5 | 6 | 6:5 | $12 on $10 bet |
| 8 | 5 | 6 | 6:5 | $12 on $10 bet |
| 9 | 4 | 6 | 3:2 | $15 on $10 bet |
| 10 | 3 | 6 | 2:1 | $20 on $10 bet |
The pass line bet itself cannot be removed once a point is established — and it pays even money regardless of the point. The house edge on that initial bet is locked in at 1.41%. The odds bet dilutes that edge across your total action.
| Odds Multiple | Total Bet ($10 line) | Combined House Edge | Expected Loss per 100 Decisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| No odds | $10 | 1.41% | $14.10 |
| 1x | $20 | 0.85% | $14.10 |
| 2x | $30 | 0.61% | $14.10 |
| 3x-4x-5x | $40 avg | 0.37% | $14.10 |
| 5x | $60 | 0.33% | $14.10 |
| 10x | $110 | 0.18% | $14.10 |
Notice that expected loss in dollars stays constant. The percentage drops because you are wagering more money at zero edge. The total amount at risk increases, which means higher variance — bigger swings in either direction — but the expected cost per decision remains $0.141 on a $10 pass line bet.
For a deeper understanding of how house edge translates to actual cost, see our expected loss per hour calculator.
Which Craps Bets Should You Avoid?
The center of the craps table layout — where the proposition bets and hardways live — is where the casino makes its highest margin. Our dataset shows that casual craps players frequently place these bets for the excitement of high payouts, but the math is punishing.
| Bet Type | House Edge | Payout | True Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1.41% | 1:1 | 49.29% |
| Don’t Pass | 1.36% | 1:1 | 47.93% (bar 12) |
| Come / Don’t Come | 1.41% / 1.36% | 1:1 | Same as pass/don’t |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% | 7:6 | 45.45% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 4.00% | 7:5 | 40.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 6.67% | 9:5 | 33.33% |
| Field (2x on 12) | 5.56% | 1:1 / 2:1 | Various |
| Hard 6 / Hard 8 | 9.09% | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 4 / Hard 10 | 11.11% | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Any 7 | 16.67% | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Any Craps | 11.11% | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Yo (11) | 11.11% | 15:1 | 5.56% |
| Snake Eyes (2) | 13.89% | 30:1 | 2.78% |
| Boxcars (12) | 13.89% | 30:1 | 2.78% |
The difference between the best and worst bets on the same table spans from 0.18% (pass line + 10x odds) to 16.67% (any 7). That is a 90x difference in house edge from moving your chips a few inches across the felt.
For context on how craps compares to other casino games, see our RTP and house edge guide.
How Does Don’t Pass Compare to Pass Line?
Don’t pass carries a 1.36% house edge versus 1.41% for the pass line — a marginal mathematical advantage. The don’t pass bettor wins when shooters seven out and loses on come-out naturals (7 or 11). The bar-12 rule (pushes on come-out 12) prevents don’t pass from having a positive edge.
Don’t pass with odds is the lowest-edge strategy available, since the don’t pass side starts at 1.36% instead of 1.41%. The social cost is the trade-off: don’t pass bettors are betting against the shooter, which is unpopular at crowded tables.
From a pure expected value standpoint, the difference is $0.50 per thousand dollars wagered — functionally irrelevant for recreational play.
FAQ
Q: What is the best bet in craps?
A: The pass line bet with maximum free odds is the best bet in craps. The pass line itself carries a 1.41% house edge, but the odds bet behind it has zero house edge — the casino pays true odds. At 5x odds, the combined house edge drops to 0.33%. At 10x odds, it drops to 0.18%. No other table game outside of blackjack offers comparable mathematics.
Q: What is the house edge on a pass line bet?
A: The pass line bet has a house edge of 1.41%. This makes it one of the best bets on the casino floor, comparable to baccarat’s banker bet at 1.06%. The come-out roll wins on 7 or 11 (8 ways to make either) and loses on 2, 3, or 12 (4 ways). Any other number establishes a point, which you must repeat before rolling a 7 to win.
Q: Are proposition bets in craps worth it?
A: Proposition bets in craps carry house edges between 9.09% and 16.67%, making them among the worst bets on the casino floor. A single-roll bet on Any 7 has a 16.67% house edge. Hardway bets (hard 6 and hard 8) have a 9.09% edge. These bets generate excitement due to their high payouts, but the math heavily favors the house over any meaningful sample of rolls.