Worst Craps Bets
With its origins going back over 500 years, craps is a popular dice game in North America. Based on a game called hazard that is referenced in books dating back to the 14th century, craps was brought to New Orleans in the early 1800s. The game found a foothold with fieldhands and deckhands of the time, allowing its popularity to spread up the Mississippi River.
The word “craps” is actually a mispronunciation of the word “crabs”, which were the numbers 2 and 3 in the game hazard (which were the numbers that were automatic losers).
Side Bets – also carry a double-digit casino edge. Proposition Bets – Don’t let anyone talk you into things like number bets, with a 16% casino advantage. Here is list of sucker bets found on a crap game along with their house edge. Big 6 & 8 (9.1%) Hardway 6 or 8 (9.1%) Hardway 4 or 10 (11.1%) Any craps (11.1%) 3 or 11 proposition. The worst bets at the craps table are the complicated bets. They have the highest house edge, and when we say the house edge is high, we mean that it’s staggering. The craps table features countless proposition bets of varying complexity, but here are a few examples of bets with bad odds in craps.
The Basics of Craps
At its core, craps is a dice shooting game. The goal is to match or avoid certain numbers. Boiled down to the essentials, the rules of the game are:
- In the first roll of the dice, if you shoot a 7 or 11, you automatically win.
- In the first roll of the dice, if you shoot a 2, 3 or 12, you automatically lose.
- If you roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, you roll again, this number becomes the “point”.
- You will then keep rolling and each time the point is hit, you win. The game continues until the player retires or a 7 is rolled ending the game
The hard part of the game is understanding the table and the betting. But if you understand the essentials, the betting becomes easier to understand.
The 5 Smartest Craps Bets
The Pass Line
The most common and popular bet at the craps table is the pass line bet. This bet the bet that backs the shooter. A bet of this type means that you are betting on the shooter to roll a 7 or 11. If he does so, you win instantly.
If he rolls a 2, 3, or 12, you automatically lose.
If he rolls anything else, he must roll again and this number becomes the point. Each time he rolls the point, you win. If he rolls a 7, you lose.
Most of the bets on a craps table will be pass line bets. There are a few reasons for this. First, it is an easy bet to understand. Second, there are chances for multiple wins without having to bet over and over again. Third, it is an even bet. And fourth, the house edge is only 1.41% which is not only one of the lowest on the table, it is one of the lowest in the whole casino.
The Don’t Pass Line
Another smart bet in craps is the don’t pass line. In this bet, you are betting against the shooter. In this scenario, you are betting that the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 for an automatic win. If he rolls a 7 or 11, you lose.
Much like the pass line, if he rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, he rolls again to try and hit point. If he hits point, you lose, if he rolls a 7, you win.
The house edge on this bet differs slightly from the pass line and is 1.36%.
There is a pitfall to this bet. Because craps is a communal game, you are betting with other people on the results of the roll. This can cause issues with people around you if you are continually betting don’t pass line and they are betting pass line and you win. It might be a bit intimidating and can even cause friction with other bettors. So if you do choose this bet and are doing so regularly, you might want to limit your celebrations as it may draw the ire of your fellow gamblers.
Odds Bets
If you bet the pass line, don’t pass line, a come bet or a don’t come bet (which I will cover later) you can place an odds bet. Because of the way the bet is placed, it makes it a pretty integral part of the game.
A good way to think of an odds bet is like raising in a card game. An odds bet is simply adding a wager to the bet you made when the shooter started (assuming he didn’t crap out with a 2, 3, or 12.
Each casino has different rules about odds bets. Some will only let you match the original bet. Some will let you bet several times more than the original, so you’ll need to know the casino’s rules before entering into this type of bet.
On an odds bet, you’ll win the even-money payout on the original bet. For example, Lets’s say the point is 10. If you bet $100 on the pass line, you’ll win $100 each time he hits point before he rolls a 7. In this case, you win 2 to 1 odds on the odds bet. Therefore if you added $200 to the bet, you’ll win another $400.
An odds bet is one of the only neutral house advantage bets in the casino with a house edge of exactly 0%.
The odds vary based on the point and whether you are betting pass line or don’t pass line. The odds for pass line bets are:
- Point of 4 or 10 – 2 to 1 odds
- Point of 5 or 9 – 3 to 2 odds
- Point of 6 or 8 – 6 to 5 odds
For don’t pass lines, they are the opposite:
- Point of 4 or 10 – 1 to 2 odds
- Point of 5 or 9 – 2 to 3 odds
- Point of 6 or 8 – 5 to 6 odds
One of the wonderful things about odds bets is that you can decide on each roll whether you want to continue. So you can do it for one roll, skip a roll and start again while the same shooter is playing the same point.
Odds bets are a real money maker for players when played correctly especially considering that there is zero house edge.
Betting on 6 or 8
While 7 is theoretically the most common roll in craps, the second most common roll is a 6 or an 8. And the great thing about craps is you can bet on the shooter rolling it.
With a house edge of only 1.5% and the odds of rolling a 6 or 8 being 13.89% (second only to the probability of a 7 which is 16.67%), you can make a decent amount of money betting the 6 or 8
After the shooter makes the point, you can simply tell the dealer how much you want to bet on either 6 or 8 or both. (If you bet on both, you’ve just doubled the probability of winning.)
A bet on a 6 and/or 8 pays 7 to 6.
You can bet on other point numbers but the probability of landing on these are lower and the house edge increases. On 4 0r 10, the probability is only 8.33% and the house edge is 6.7%. On a 5 or 9, the probability is 11.11% and the house edge is 4%, so the 6 and/or 8 is the best bet.
Come Bet
The come bet is playing an on-demand pass line bet, the same way a place bet work. At any point after the come out roll, you can place a come bet which essentially creates your own personal pass line bet.
In a come bet, after the shooter has rolled the come out roll and established a point number – any point number – you can then place a come bet. Then, on the next roll, you’re playing out your own pass line bet separate from everyone else at the table.
So, if the next roll is a 7 or 11, you win even money on your come bet. But, if the next roll is a 2, 3, or 12, your bet is lost to the house. And any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will establish the new point number going forward, but one that only you care about.
With this bet, you are really playing 2 games at once. Which can make it a bit harder to keep track of, but the house edge is the same as a pass line bet at 1.41%
The 5 Dumbest Craps Bets
To me, dumb bets are long shots where the odds are not in your favor. Is it possible to win? Yes. Is it likely that you’ll win? Not very. Craps have a few bets that are long shots just like they have bets that are really good to make.
Betting on 4 or 10
One of the worst bets to make is on the 4 or 10 (especially individually). I discussed earlier that the odds of rolling a 4 or 10 are the least like point rolls in the game with a probability of 8.33% on either. But placing a bet on these also have a house edge of 6.7% making it one of the tougher bets, not only in craps but of most bets you can place in table games in the casino. A win on this bet does pay 9 to 5, but you can make better bets that will yield you a better return with less risk.
Betting on 5 or 9
Another dumb bet in craps would be betting on the 5 or 9. The probability of a roll of a 5 or 9 is 11.11%, which is higher than the 4 or 10, but not enough to make it a good bet. Also, the house edge is 4%, which is still more than twice that of a 6 or 8 bet. The payout on this bet is 7 to 5.
Field Bet
A field bet is when you place a bet on the shooter rolling a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
I like to think of this bet similar to endcaps at a grocery or department store. The items they display on the endcap may be on sale, but if you look in the right section, there are much better deals elsewhere. Much like an endcap, this bet looks attractive because it has a wide field of possible results, but they have some of the lowest probabilities of actually being rolled. In the chart below, you can see the probability of each total:
- 2 – 2.78%
- 3 – 5.56%
- 4 – 8.33%
- 5 – 11.11%
- 6 – 13.89%
- 7 – 16.67%
- 8 – 13.89%
- 9 – 11.11%
- 10 – 8.33%
- 11 – 5.56%
- 12 – 2.78%
The house edge on this bet is 2.78%. The payout on this bet is 3 to 1 on a roll of 12, 2 to 1 on a roll of 2 and even money on all others.
Betting on 2 or 12
We can see from the chart that a 2 or 12 (also known as “snake eyes” or a “boxcar”, respectively has only a 2.78% probability. So this is a sucker bet. It will pay 30 to 1 if you win. The house edge on this is 13.89%. Just remember, the higher the payout, the lower the chances of it happening.
Betting on 3 or 11
While the odds of hitting these numbers versus a 2 or 12 is double, it is still highly unlikely and that makes if also a dumb bet. This bet has a house edge of 11.11% and pays out 15 to 1.
Conclusion
For the new or casual gambler, safe is always the way to go. Betting online bets are going to be the best chance of winning.
The great part about this game is that you don’t have to shoot, you can bet on the abilities of others, so if you find someone that is “hot”, you can keep betting on him and keep winning.
But if you do shoot, remember the pitfalls of the 7 on the point. And don’t be afraid to invest in yourself by betting odds or come bets.
I recommend that you try to learn a bit before going to the casino by checking out some videos on YouTube or another video site. This way you’ll be prepped when you get there and you can focus on having fun and winning.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Craps bets include a wide range of odds and payouts. Certain craps wagers are among the best a bettor can find at a gaming table if you don’t want to memorize complicated strategies. Other craps wagers are among the worst sucker bets you’ll find in a casino. It pays to learn which craps bets to place.
List of the Best & Worst Bets You Can Make in Craps
This guide to craps bets goes over every wagering proposition on the layout. As you go down the list, you’ll find the house edge gets increasingly higher. In the end, you’ll find that the basic craps bets are your best options. You’ll also read why you must learn how to take the odds while shooting dice. Let’s start with those two concepts.
Pass Line Bet: 1.41% House Edge, 1:1 Payout
The pass line bet is the basic wager in craps. It’s made on the come-out roll and involves you betting the shooter will win. If the shooter rolls 7 or 11, you win. If the shooter rolls 2, 3, or 12, then you lose.
If any other number is rolled (4,5,6,8,9,10), then one or more other rolls are required to resolve the bet. The number rolled is called a “point” and this becomes your new winning number. This is discussed below under the come/don’t come bets. The pass-line bet has the second-best odds at the table, so it is a recommended bet.
Don’t Pass Bet: 1.35% House Edge, 1:1 Payout
The don’t pass bet is the opposite of the pass-line bet: you’re wagering on the shooter to lose. If the shooter rolls 2, 3, or 12, then you win. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, then you lose. All other numbers rolled establishes a point, which requires a second roll or set of rolls.
The don’t pass bet has the best odds in craps with a 98.65% expected return-to-player. Since it’s betting against the shooter, you’ll be betting against most other bettors at the table. Many people avoid the don’t pass bet for that reason, or at least don’t celebrate when they win this bet.
Come Bet: 1.41% House Edge, 1:1 Payout
The come bet is similar to the pass-line bet, but it is made after the point is established. Once again, you bet on the shooter to win. The point becomes your goal, so if the come-out roll was 8, then betting on the come bet means you wager that an 8 is rolled before another 7 is rolled. The shooter rolls until either the point or a seven is rolled.
Don’t Come Bet: 1.35% House Edge, 1:1 Payout
The don’t come bet is the opposite of the come bet. Like the don’t pass bet, you’re betting against the shooter. If the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point again, you win. Again, the don’t come bet has the best house edge on the table, so it is your best betting proposition. Once again, you’re hoping for the shooter to lose, so don’t show up the shooter when you win the bet.
Taking the Odds: 0% House Edge, 1:2/2:3/5:6 Payouts
Taking the odds is something bettors do after the point is established. This increases the amount of money placed on a pass/come or don’t pass/don’t come bet. What’s important is these pay out real odds, so it has a 0% house edge. In effect, taking the odds lowers the house edge on your pass/come and don’t pass/don’t come bet.
If the point is 4 or 10, then the payout is 1:2 on the odds bet. If the point is 5 or 9, then the payout is 2:3 on the odds bet. If the point is 6 or 8, then the payout is 5:6 on the odds bet.
Because taking the odds is such a good betting options, casinos limit how much you can wager on this proposition. A table or online table will have a sign that says “Odds: 10x”, which means you can wager 10x your initial bet on the pass/come bets. Casinos allow anywhere between 3x to 100x the initial bet, and many craps bettors search for the tables with the highest odds.
Place 6 / Place 8 Bets: 1.52%, 7:6 Payout
Place bets are made on the various point numbers and are placed in the come area of that number. If you want to make a place 6 bet, tell the dealer “25 on the 6” and place your chips accordingly. The Place 6 and Place 8 bets have much better odds, which are comparable to the pass/come bets. These are considered “working bets”, meaning they are considered to carry over from one bet to the next, until you remove your chips.
Place 5 / Place 9 Bets: 4.00%, 7:5 Payout
These two wagers work the same as the above bets, but the payouts are 7:5 and the odds are much worse. The house edge on the Place 5 and Place 9 bets are 4.00% instead of 1.52%.
Place 4 / Place 10 Bets: 6.67%, 9:5 Payout
These are two more place bets, but these have the worst odds of the bunch. The Place 4 and Place 10 bets pay out 9:5 on a win, while they have a 6.67% house edge. Avoid this one.
Field Bets: 5.56% House Edge, 1:1 or 2:1 Payout
The field bets are popular wagers, because you’re betting on a wide range of numbers. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12, then you win the bet. If the shooter rolls a 3,4,9,10, or 11, then the payout is 1:1. If the shooter rolls a 2 or 12, then the payout is 2:1. Some casinos pay out 3:1 on the 2/12 roll, which lowers the house edge to 2.78%.
Buy Bets: 4.76% House Edge, 2:1/3:2/6:5 Payouts
Buy bets are 6 different craps bets with the same house edge. This works like a place bet, but a buy bet pays real odds, though you pay the casino a 5% commission. This creates a 4.76% house edge. The Buy 4 and Buy 10 bets each pay out 2:1, while the Buy 5 and Buy 9 each pay 3:2 odds. The Buy 6 and Buy 8 bets pay 6:5 but have the same house edge.
Lay 4 / Lay 10 Bets: 2.44% House Edge, 1:2 Payout
The lay bets are the opposite of the buy bets. You bet against a number being rolled, but you also get real odds while paying a 5% fee. If you make a Lay 4 bet and the 7 comes before a 4, then you win.
The Lay 4 or Lay 10 bet pays out 1:2 but has a nice 2.44% house edge. If a commission is taken only on winning rolls, then the commission paid is 1.67%.
Lay 5 / Lay 9 Bets: 3.23% House Edge, 2:3 Payout
The Lay 5 and Lay 9 bets have a payout of 2:3 apiece, along with a house edge of 3.23%. If a commission is taken only on winning rolls, then the fee paid is 2%.
Lay 6 / Lay 10 Bets: 4.00% House Edge, 5:6 Payout
The Lay 6 and Lay 8 bets have a payout of 5:6 apiece, along with a house edge of 4.00%. If a commission is taken only on winning rolls, then the commission paid is 2.27%.
Big 6 / Big 8 Bets: 9.09% House Edge, 1:1 Payout
The Big 6 bet pays when the dice land on 6 before 7, while the Big 8 bet pays when the dice land on an 8 before a 7.
Hard 6 / Hard 8 Bets: 9.09% House Edge, 9:1 Payout
A hard number in craps is one built “the hard way”: with matching numbers. A hard 6 requires 3-3, while a hard 8 requires 4-4. These don’t happen very often, so they have a 9:1 payout. Hard 6 and Hard 10 are considered sucker bets.
Hard 4 / Hard 10 Bets: 11.11% House Edge, 7:1 Payout
Hard 4 requires a 2-2 combination, while a Hard 10 requires a 5-5. The payout for both is 7:1 and the house edge is 11.11% — one of the worst set of odds in dice shooting. Never make hard way bets.
Hi/Lo Bet: 11.11% House Edge, 15:1 Payout
The hi/lo bet is a wager that either a two or a twelve comes on the next roll. It pays out 15:1 but has a high house edge.
Craps Bet: 11.11% House Edge, 7:1 Payout
The craps bet is a wager that any one of the three craps numbers (2,3,12) will appear on the next roll. It has the same bad house edge as the Hi/Lo Bet but pays out less than half as much. Avoid the craps bet.
C&E Combined Bet: 11.11% House Edge, 3:1 and 7:1
What Is The Safest Bet In Craps
C&E stands for “craps and eleven”, meaning you’re betting on the 2,3,11, and 12. Hitting the 2,3, or 12 pays out 3:1, while rolling an 11 produces a 7:1 payout.
Yo Bet: 11.11% House Edge, 15:1 Payout
The Yo Bet is the name for betting on the 11. In a loud casino, the words “seven” and “eleven” sound the same and are confusing, so dealers call out “Yo-Eleven” or “Yo”. Though the Yo Bet has a high payout, it’s a sucker bet.
3 Bet: 11.11% House Edge, 15:1 Payout
Betting on a three has the same odds, house edge, and payout at the Yo Bet. Again, avoid this wager.
2 Bet: 13.89% House Edge, 30:1 Payout
This is a 30:1 bet on a two being rolled. It’s called snake-eyes, because the only way for a 2 to appear is 2 ones. The house edge is a whopping 13.89%.
12 Bet: 13.89% House Edge, 30:1 Payout
Also known as boxcars, betting on the twelve also has a 30:1 payout and an awful 13.89% house edge.
Horn Bet: 12.5% House Edge, 27:4 or 3:1 Payout
Best And Worst Craps Bets
The Horn Bet is a wager that the 2,3,11, or 12 is rolled, much like the C&E Combined Bet. In this case, you receive a 27:4 payout when a 2 or 12 is rolled and a 3:1 payout when a 3 or 11 is rolled. While slightly better than the C&E bet, the horn bet is still a wager for suckers.
Whirl Bet: 13.33% House Edge, 26:5/11:5/0:1 Payout
Also known as the World Bet, the Whirl Bet pays if you receive a 2,3,7,11, or 12. If you roll a 2 or 12, it pays 26:5. If you roll a 3 or 11, it pays 11:5. If you roll a 7, it is a push (0:1 payout). Again, this has an awful 13.33% house edge, so never make a Whirl Bet.
Worst Craps Bets
Any 7 Bet: 16.67% House Edge, 4:1 Payout
Craps Worst Odds
The absolute worst bet in craps is the “Any Seven” bet. Not only does it have the highest house edge (16.67%), but it only pays out 4:1 when you do roll a seven. To win, you have to roll 4-3, 5-2, or 6-1.