Craps Bet Types
The craps table offers dozens of bets, and they are not created equal. Some carry a tiny house edge and are genuinely worth your stake; others are flashy traps that quietly drain your bankroll. Here is how to tell them apart.
The sound bets
Pass line — the standard bet that wins on a natural and on hitting the point. House edge about 1.41%.
Don't Pass — the reverse bet, slightly better at roughly 1.36%. You are betting against the shooter.
Come / Don't Come — like pass and don't pass, but started after the point is set, giving each their own come-out. Same low edges apply.
The Odds bet — an extra wager behind the pass or don't pass line once a point exists. It pays true odds with zero house edge and is the best bet in the building. Always take Odds before you reach for anything fancier.
The middling and the bad
Place bets let you bet a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10) to roll before a 7. The 6 and 8 are reasonable at about 1.52%; others run higher.
Field bets are one-roll wagers on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 — convenient but usually around 5.5% edge.
Then there are the proposition and centre bets: Any 7, Hardways, Any Craps, Big Red and the rest in the middle of the layout. These are the sucker bets. Their house edge runs from roughly 9% all the way past 16%. They pay out rarely and cost you steadily. Skip them.
The simple rule
Stick to the edge of the layout — pass, don't pass, come, don't come and Odds — and you are playing the soundest version of craps. The centre of the table is where the house makes its money. See the exact figures in Craps Odds & House Edge, learn the flow in How to Play Craps, or return to the Craps Guide. Browse more in the casino games guides and the main guides library, or visit the live casino. 18+.
Frequently asked questions
Which craps bets should I avoid?
Avoid the proposition and centre bets, such as Any 7, Any Craps and the Hardways. Their house edge ranges from about 9% to over 16%, which makes them the worst value on the table. They are sucker bets.
What is the difference between pass and come bets?
They work the same way, but a pass line bet is made on the come-out roll, while a come bet is made afterwards and gets its own personal come-out. Both carry the same low house edge of about 1.41%.
Are place bets worth it?
The place bets on 6 and 8 are reasonable at around 1.52%, but the others carry a higher edge. They are fine in moderation, though the pass line backed by Odds remains the better value. No bet guarantees a win. 18+.