Craps Bets Explained
Ever felt overwhelmed by the types of bets at a craps table? Craps is a popular game, but can feel a bit complex. This guide is there for you! We will explore the varieties of craps bets, breaking each option into easy-to-understand terms for beginners and pro players.
Let’s kick off with the basics: understanding the game and the common craps bet types. Without further ado, let’s get right into our review.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Learn about the different crap bets and their payouts.
- Discover the best bet based on your experience level.
Understanding Craps and Its Bets
Before getting into bet-type details, let’s briefly introduce the game. For those unfamiliar with craps, it is a popular game at land-based and online casinos played with two dice.
The primary objective of online craps is to predict the outcome of the dice rolls. What makes it unique is the wide array of betting options available, each with its odds and payouts.
→ I still remember my first encounter with craps — the intimidating table layout and the cacophony of bets. Additionally, I watched the other players at the table exchanging lingo like pros. I was hooked but also lost. As a beginner, I struggled to make sense of it all. I spent hours researching, practicing, and learning from my mistakes. And that’s precisely what I encourage you to do.
If you are new to craps, don’t be discouraged by the initial complexity. With time and practice, you’ll master the bets and unlock the excitement of craps.
The Most Common Craps Bets
Craps offers various betting options, making it exciting and complex. Here, we explore the most common bets in craps.
Pass Line Bet
The pass line bet is the most basic and popular wagering form in craps. Due to its simplicity, it is highly recommended for beginners. This bet is placed before the come-out roll, which is the first roll of the dice in a new round.
- If the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, the pass line bet wins, paying out at even money (1:1).
- If the roll is a 2, 3, or 12, the bet loses.
- If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that number becomes the “point.” The objective then is for the point number to be rolled again before a 7 is rolled:
- If the point is rolled first, the bet wins.
- If a 7 is rolled first, the bet loses.
The pass line bet has a house edge of 1.41%, making it a favorable option for players.
Don’t Pass Line Bet
The don’t pass line bet is essentially the opposite of the pass line bet. Here, the don’t pass line bet wins if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3.
A player can make a don’t pass line bet only during the come-out roll stage before the shooter establishes a point. If a point is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the player hopes that a 7 will be rolled before the point number is rolled again.
The odds for this bet are nearly even and have a slightly lower house edge of 1.36% compared to the pass line bet. The payout structure is as follows: Win: 1:1 (even money) and Push (tie): 12 rolls result in a tie, returning the player’s bet.
Come Bet and Don’t Come Bet
These bets are similar to the pass line and don’t pass line bets but are made after the point has been established. Both wagers offer even odds and a payout of 1:1.
- The come bet is placed in the come area of the table. A win occurs if the next roll is a 7 or 11 and loses if it is a 2, 3, or 12. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the “come point,” and the bet moves to that number. The player then hopes that the come point will be rolled again before a 7.
- The don’t come bet, on the other hand, wins if the next roll is a 2 or 3, loses if it is a 7 or 11, and pushes if it is a 12. If a come point is established, the player hopes that a 7 will be rolled before the come point.
Advanced Craps Bets Explained
The previous bet types discussed earlier are referred to as the basics of wagering. At most tables, you will come across advanced bets. These forms of wagers are also known as side or proposition bets.
An advanced craps bet is typically placed at specific stages of the game. This is often after the come-out roll and can involve more complex outcomes, such as the exact roll of the dice.
Unlike more straightforward bets, side bets are generally considered riskier but offer higher payouts. Therefore, they appeal to punters looking to increase their potential winnings at the craps table.
Place Bets
Place bets allow players to bet on specific numbers —4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10— to be rolled before a seven. The payouts vary: 9:5 for 4 or 10, 7:5 for 5 or 9, and 7:6 for 6 or 8.
Older craps tables might also feature Big 6 and Big 8 bets, which pay even money (1:1) if a 6 or 8 is rolled before a seven. However, these bets are less favorable compared to place bets.
→ In my experience, players might choose to place bets when they believe a specific number will roll frequently or to hedge against other bets.
Buy Bets
Buy bets in craps allow players to wager on specific numbers —4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10— to be rolled before a seven, similar to place bets. However, the key difference is that buy bets offer true odds payouts.
The odds are typically at 2:1 for 4 or 10, 3:2 for 5 or 9, and 6:5 for 6 or 8. To secure these payouts, players must pay a 5% commission, making buy bets more appealing for larger bets.
→ From my perspective, players might opt for buy bets when they’re placing higher stakes and want to benefit from the true odds.
Lay Bets
Lay bets are the opposite of buy bets. They allow players to bet that a specific number—4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10—will not be rolled before a seven.
The payouts are based on true odds: 1:2 for 4 or 10, 2:3 for 5 or 9, and 5:6 for 6 or 8. To make a lay bet, players must pay a 5% commission on potential winnings. They serve as strategic bets to hedge against hot streaks.
→ From my understanding, players might choose lay bets when they believe a seven is imminent. This is especially true if the shooter has been rolling for an extended period.
Field Bets
Field bets in craps are one-roll bets placed on a group of numbers: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. If any of these numbers are rolled, the player wins; otherwise, they lose. The payout is typically 1:1 for most numbers, but 2:1 for 2 and 12 (some tables offer 3:1 for 12).
→ From my craps sessions, players might opt for a field bet when they’re looking for quick action and instant results. It’s an appealing bet for those who want to diversify their strategy with a low-risk, high-reward wager. This is especially true during a cold streak.
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets in craps are high-risk wagers placed on specific outcomes of a single roll or series of rolls. These bets include options, such as:
- Any seven
- Any craps
- Snake eyes
The payouts for proposition bets are typically much higher than standard bets. The odds range from 4:1 to 30:1, reflecting their low winning probability.
Most proposition bets are one-roll bets. This means they resolve immediately after the next roll, unlike multi-roll bets like hardways, which require a specific combination rolled before a seven.
→ In my experience, players might choose proposition bets when they want to inject some excitement into the game.
Types of Proposition Bets and Their Payouts
Here is a table with the different craps bets, indicating their risk level and potential payouts:
| Bet Name | Description | Risk Level | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any Craps | Wagers that the next roll will be a 2, 3, or 12 (any of the “craps” numbers). | Moderate | 7:1 |
| Any Seven | Bets that the next roll will result in a 7. | High | 4:1 |
| Snake Eyes (Aces) | Wagers that the next roll will be a 2, achieved by rolling double ones (1-1). | High | 30:1 |
| Ace Deuce | Bets that the next roll will be a 3, specifically a combination of 1 and 2. | High | 15:1 |
| Boxcars (Midnight) | Wagers that the next roll will be a 12, achieved by rolling double sixes. | High | 30:1 |
| Yo (Yo-Leven) | Wagers that the next roll will be an 11. | Moderate | 15:1 |
| Horn Bet | Covers four possible outcomes (2, 3, 11, or 12) on the next roll. | High | 15:1 for 3 or 11, 30:1 for 2 or 12 |
| Horn High Bet | A variation of the horn bet with an extra amount on one of the four numbers (2, 3, 11, or 12). | High | Varies, 30:1 for 2 or 12 |
| C&E (Craps and Eleven) | Covers two outcomes: craps numbers (2, 3, 12) and 11 on the next roll. | Moderate | 3:1 for craps, 7:1 for 11 |
| Hardways | Wagers that a specific pair (e.g., 2-2 for 4) will be rolled before a 7 or an easier combination. | Moderate to High | Varies (based on specific combination) |
| Hop Bets | One-roll wagers on a specific combination of dice (e.g., 2-3 or 4-4). | High | 15:1 for easy hops, 30:1 for hard hops |
My personal tip: The best thing is to try them all on some free online craps games. That way, you’ll know which craps bet is the best for you.
Best Bets in Craps
What are the best bets in craps? The answer is based on your experience level. For instance, beginners are required to make simple bets until they are familiar with the game’s pay table. On the other hand, intermediate and advanced players are open to any form of wager.
Based on extensive research, I can say the best bet for beginners is the pass line bet. With a house edge of just 1.41%, it’s one of the safest bets in the game. It requires no complex strategy, and pays even money. Once you’ve mastered how to play craps, you can try more challenging betting options.
For intermediate or advanced players, the place bet on 6 or 8 is highly recommended. These bets have a low house edge of 1.52% and offer a payout of 7:6. Since 6 and 8 are rolled more frequently than other numbers besides 7.
These bets are recommended because they minimize risk while still providing solid returns. Plus, they don’t recommend applying a big craps strategy.
So, Are You Ready to Use Your Craps Bets Knowledge in Online Craps Now?
In this guide, you have learned about the types of craps and which one is most suitable for your gaming strategy. The explanation on each bet type is built to help you make smarter and more strategic bets during your next online craps session.
Curious about how these strategies apply to other online casino games? Discover how you can maximize your winnings in online blackjack.