There are many different bets you can make on the craps table. This often confuses new players but in actual fact craps is not that complicated. In this section we outline all of the possible betting options and show you where those bets go on the table.
The Craps Table
Below is an example of a craps table. The image shows a half table layout as seen on the Microgaming online craps game. Tables at other casinos might look slightly different but the layouts are very similar.
The Different Bets
That is a bad bet. The payouts on the Place 5 and Place 9 bets are 7:5, while the house edge is 4.00%. That’s better than the previous wagers, but still not good compared to other craps bets. The payouts on the Place 6 and Place 9 bets are 7:6, while the house edge is 1.52%.
- The Lay 6 and Lay 8 bets pay out 19 to 25 and have a house edge of 4.00%. The Lay 5 and Lay 10 bets pay out 19 to 31 and have a house edge of 3.23%. The Lay 4 and Lay 10 bets pay out 19 to 41 and have a house edge of 2.44%. Readers might wonder why the lay bets have a posted house edge, if we said earlier that these wagers pay true odds.
- Put bet for $500, which is broken into $10 + 490 (49x odds) —the payout on a win will be $10 on the flat and $735 on the odds, for a total payout of $745 So on the same $500 bet, the player wins an extra $45 for the same win-loss conditions as a place bet. This means the player receives an extra $45 for doing nothing more than ‘knowing’.
- Place Bet Payout Options. This type of craps bet offers payouts that are quite good, especially in comparison to the ones provided by other craps bets. As a matter of fact, the payouts are nearly identical to true odds but are usually a bit smaller. The actual odds of rolling a 4 or a 10 are 2 to 1.
Pass Line
The most common craps bet. The Pass Line bet is made on the come out roll and wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled. If a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled the bet loses. If any other number is rolled the point is established. If the point is rolled before a 7 the bet wins. If a 7 is rolled the bet loses. Pays even money.
Pass Line Odds
Also known as 'Taking the Odds', the Pass Line Odds bet is an extra bet that can be made after a Pass Line bet is made and the point is established. In most cases this can be a multiple of your Pass Line bet. The bet wins if the point is rolled before a 7. This is one of the few best in the casino that has no house edge. The point determines the pay out with the most common being 2 to 1 (4 or 10), 3 to 2 (5 or 9) and 6 to 5 (6 or 8).
Don't Pass Line
The opposite bet to the Pass Line Bet. The Don't Pass bet wins if the come out roll is a 2 or 3 and loses if the come out roll is a 7 or 11. If a 12 is rolled this is a push. In the case of a push or if the point is established the dice continue to be rolled until either a 7 or the point is rolled. The bet wins if a 7 is rolled and loses if the point is roll. Wins pay even money.
Don't Pass Odds
Also known as 'Laying The Odds', this be is the opposite to Taking the Odds and wins if a 7 is rolled before the point. In most cases this bet can be a multiple of your Don't Pass bet. The pay out depends on the point with the most common being 1 to 2 (4 or 10), 2 to 3 (5 or 9) and 5 to 6 (6 or 8).
Come
The same as the Pass Line Bet with the exception that it can be made at any time after the point is established. The bet wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled and lose if a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled. If any other number is rolled this becomes your point. You win if your point is rolled before a 7. Pays even money.
Don't Come
The opposite of the Come bet and can be made at any time after the point is established. Wins if a 2 or 3 is rolled and loses if a 7 or 11 is rolled. If a 12 is rolled the bet pushes. If a point is established you win if a 7 is rolled before your point. Pays even money.
Place Bets
A bet made on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 that can be made at any time. Wins if the number is rolled before a 7. This bet is the same as the odds bets but with lower pay outs. The standard pay outs are as follows 9 to 5 (4 or 10), 7 to 5 (5 or 9) and 7 to 6 (6 to 8)
Place Bets To Lose
A relatively rare betting option found at some land based casinos but quite common online. This bet is the opposite of the Place Bets. The bet can be made at any time and wins if a 7 is rolled before your number. Pay off are usually 5 to 11 (4 or 10), 5 to 8 (5 or 9), 4 to 5 (6 or 8).
Buy Bets
These bets are similar to the Place Bets with different pay offs. A Buy Bet can be placed at any time on any of the points. This bet wins if the point is rolled before a 7. Pay offs are the same as the odds but casinos take a 5% vig on the bet. Wins pay 2 to 1 (4 or 10), 3 to 2 (5 or 9) and 6 to 5 (6 or 8).
Lay Bets
The opposite to the Buy Bet. A Lay Bet can be placed on any point and wins if a 7 is rolled before the point. Due to the fact that a 7 being rolled is more likely the casinos take a 5% commission on the amount that can be won. Pay off are 1 to 2 (4 or 10), 2 to 3 (5 or 9) and 5 to 6 (6 or 8).
Big 6 and 8
A bet on Big 6 or Big 8 wins if a 6 or an 8 is rolled before a 7. These bets pay even money and should be avoided as you can make the same bet on the Place 6 or 8 and get better pay offs.
Field Bet
The Field betting areas is a big section on the craps table. A bet placed on the field wins if the next roll is a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11. If the next roll is a 3, 4, 9 or 11 you win even money. If a 2 or a 12 is rolled you win 2 to 1.
Hardways
There are four possible hardways bets (2-2, 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5). Hardways bets can be made at any time and win if the selected hardway rolls before a 7. The bet loses if a 7 is rolled or if the total is rolled with a different combination. Hardways 6 and 8 pay 9 to 1. Hardways 4 and 10 pay 7 to 1.
Any 7
Wins if a 7 is rolled and loses if any other number is rolled. Pays 4 to 1.
Any Craps
Wins is a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled and loses on any other number . Pays 7 to 1
Two Craps or Aces
Also known as Snake Eyes. Wins if a 2 is rolled and pays 30 to 1.
Twelve Craps or Two Sixes
Wins if a 12 is rolled and loses on all other numbers. Pays 30 to 1
Three Craps or Ace Deuce
Wins if a 3 is rolled and loses on all other rolls. Pays 15 to 1
Eleven or Six Five
Wins if 11 is rolled and loses on all other rolls. Pays 15 to 1
Horn Bet
Craps Betting Strategy
The Horn Bet is actually four bets in one. You are placing one betting unit on 2, 3, 11 and 12. If 3 or 11 is rolled wins pay 3.75 to 1. If 2 or 12 is rolled wins pay 7.5 to 1. Any other number rolled and the bet loses.