Craps Odds and Payouts: Your Complete Guide to Winning

If you've ever walked past a craps table at a casino, you've probably heard the excitement—the cheers, the groans, the energy. But when you look at that green felt covered in numbers and betting zones, it can feel overwhelming. Understanding craps odds and payouts is the key to transforming confusion into confidence at the dice table.

While craps might seem complex at first glance, the math behind it is actually straightforward once you know which bets to make. The secret? Some bets offer a house edge as low as 1.41%, and you can even reduce it to 0% with the right strategy. Let's break down everything you need to know about craps odds and payouts so you can play smarter.

Understanding True Odds vs. Payout Odds

Before you place your first chip on the craps table, you need to understand the difference between true odds and payout odds. True odds reflect the actual odds associated with the probability of winning or losing a wager on a potential outcome, like a coin flip that remains 50/50 every time.

Here's where casinos make their money: payout odds include a house edge to ensure the casino remains profitable by reducing the probability of a big payout. For example, the true odds of rolling snake eyes (two ones) equal 35:1, but casinos may only pay 30:1 to 33:1. That difference is the house edge—the casino's built-in advantage.

There are 36 possible dice combinations with two six-sided dice, and totals like six and eight occur five times each, while four and ten appear three times each. Understanding these probabilities helps you evaluate which bets offer real value.

Best Craps Bets: Lowest House Edge Options

Not all craps bets are created equal. Some give you a fighting chance, while others are designed to drain your bankroll quickly. Here are the smartest bets on the table:

Pass Line and Don't Pass Line

Pass Line bets have a house edge of 1.41%, while Don't Pass Line bets offer a 1.36% edge—making them two of the best fundamental bets in any casino game. Both bets pay even money when won, which means you double your money on a winning bet.

The Pass Line bet is the most popular wager in craps. You win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, and lose on 2, 3, or 12. Any other number becomes the "point," and you win if that number is rolled again before a 7 appears.

Odds Bets: The Holy Grail of Craps

Here's the game-changer: Odds bets offer a 0% house edge, making them the only truly fair bet in the entire casino. Free odds placed behind the Pass Line or Don't Pass Line pay at exact rates, producing a rare wager that carries no house margin.

Craps Pass Line odds bets offer payout odds of 2:1 for 4 or 10, 3:2 for 5 or 9, and 6:5 for 6 or 8. Most online casinos allow between 3x and 6x odds, though some brick-and-mortar casinos offer even higher multiples. The more you can bet on odds, the lower your overall house edge becomes.

Place Bets on 6 and 8

Placing the 6 and 8 has a house edge of 1.52%, making it the best Place bet on the table. These numbers appear more frequently than other point numbers with five ways to be rolled, while also offering the lowest house edge of these types of wagers.

Craps Payouts: How to Calculate Your Winnings

Understanding how payouts work helps you make informed betting decisions. Let's look at a practical example:

The payout odds for landing a 4 are 9:5, meaning for every $5 bet you win, the dealer will pay you $9. If you bet $10 at a craps table, that equates to two $5 units—multiply 2 by 9 to get 18, so your $10 bet will win $18 if the 4 lands.

For irregular betting amounts, convert the payout odds from a fraction to a decimal—for example, 9:5 becomes 1.8, then multiply by your wager amount.

Worst Bets to Avoid

While we're talking about smart bets, let's address the traps. Proposition bets in the center area of the craps table carry very high house edges and should be avoided by the average player.

Rolling a 2 or 12 from a One Roll wager carries a house edge of 13.89%—nearly ten times worse than a Pass Line bet. Hardways betting on a hard 4 or 10 holds an 11.11% house edge, while Any Craps also holds 11.11%.

These exotic bets might offer tempting payouts, but the math works heavily against you. Stick with the low house edge bets if you want your bankroll to last.

Applying Strategy to Other Casino Games

The principles you learn from craps odds and payouts apply across casino gaming. In blackjack, using basic strategy can reduce the house edge to around 0.5%, making it one of the best bets available. Understanding poker odds helps you make better decisions about when to bet, fold, or raise.

The common thread? Knowledge is power. Whether you're calculating pot odds in Texas Hold'em or evaluating whether to take insurance in blackjack, understanding the mathematical reality behind each decision separates winning players from those who rely purely on luck.

Smart Bankroll Management

Even with the best odds, craps remains a game of chance. It can be shown mathematically that a player will lose all their money to the casino in the long run, while in the short run the player is more likely to lose money than make money. However, one can slow, but not eliminate, average losses by only placing bets with the smallest house advantage.

Set a budget before you play and stick to it. Consider your bets as entertainment expenses rather than investment opportunities. If you start with $200 at a $10 minimum table and focus on Pass Line bets with maximum odds, you'll give yourself the best chance to enjoy extended play time while keeping losses manageable.

Putting It All Together

Craps offers some of the best odds in the casino when you know where to look. Focus your action on Pass Line or Don't Pass bets, always take maximum odds when a point is established, and consider Place bets on 6 and 8 if you want more action. Avoid the tempting proposition bets in the middle of the table—they're designed to look exciting while quietly draining your chips.

The beauty of craps is that it rewards educated players. You don't need to be a mathematical genius, but understanding basic probabilities and payout structures gives you a significant advantage. Compare craps to slot machines or Keno, where house edges can exceed 10-25%, and you'll see why knowledgeable players gravitate toward the dice table.

For more information about probability and gambling mathematics, check out the gambling mathematics resources available online. Understanding the mathematical foundations of casino games transforms gambling from blind luck into informed decision-making.

Remember: craps should be fun. With the knowledge of odds and payouts in your arsenal, you can step up to the table with confidence, make smart bets, and enjoy one of the most exciting games in the casino. The dice don't remember previous rolls, but armed with this information, you'll remember which bets give you the best shot at walking away a winner.