Craps Strategy | Best Odds & Payouts
A winning Craps strategy is to play the bets with the best odds and payouts. A few wagers have a house edge under 1.5%, and there’s even one option that isn’t marked on the table with no edge at all.
In this guide, we’ll explain the best Craps strategies and show you where to put your chips and why those spots win more often. We’ll also cover the odds and payouts of every zone on the table and why some wagers are long shots or even sucker bets.
Craps Strategy Guide
Place the Right Bets to Win More Money
Craps Odds
The odds in Craps describe the chance of hitting a certain number on the dice. Each die has six sides, so when you roll a pair of dice, there are 6×6 possibilities or 36 total combinations. Therefore you have a 1 in 36 chance of rolling any specific combination.
However, each number has a different chance of showing up. For example, there is only one way to get a 3-3, but there are five ways to make 6 between both dice.
How to Calculate Odds in Craps
It’s handy to understand how to calculate the odds in Craps. That way, you know exactly what you’re betting on and if you have a good chance of winning or not.
Let’s look at the odds of rolling a 4. To figure this out, we take all the possible combinations that equal 4 (1-3, 2-2, 3-1) and compare that to the 36 total possibilities between two dice. So we have a 3 in 36, or 1 in 12, chance to roll a 4. You can express that chance in a couple of ways.
Expressed As Odds
The odds of rolling a 4 are 11 to 1. That is because out of every 12 rolls, there is one chance to get a 4 and 11 opportunities to get something else.Expressed as Probability
The probability of rolling a 4 is 8.33%. The formula to figure out the percentage chance of rolling a 4 is 1 divided by 12 times 100.
Comparing Two Numbers
What are the chances the shooter will get a 4 on the next roll before rolling a 7? To figure out the odds of any number happening before another, you simply need to compare the two.
Six combinations equal 7, and only three for a 4. So, your odds of getting a 4 before a 7 with a pair of dice are 3 to 6. Or, 1 to 2, if we simplify. When you simplify the example, you can see that you’re twice as likely to roll a 7 than 4.
Craps Odds Chart
This Craps odds chart saves you from having to do the math. It shows all possible two dice combinations and the odds and probability you have of seeing a specific number.
The Best Craps Strategy
Your best betting strategy in Craps is playing the math and making bets with a low house edge. Once you understand the basics of the game and know the odds and payouts for popular bets
Craps Strategy #1: Only Play Popular Bets
The most popular bets at the Craps table are the pass line, don’t pass, come, and don’t come. Playing them is a good strategy since all of these bets have a house edge under 1.5%. That means in the long run, every $100 you stake in these areas will give you more than $98.50 back.
Pass Line / Come
These are by far the most common bets at the Craps table.
When the button is off, you place pass line wagers and win on a 7 or 11 but lose on 2, 3, or 12. Come bets behave the same way, but you place the stake after the point is on.
Almost everyone at the table will have one of these bets active. It generates exciting energy and camaraderie because everyone wins or loses at the same time.
- House Edge: 1.41%
- Payout: 1 to 1
Don’t Pass / Don’t Come
These wagers are the opposite of the pass / come bets.
Don’t pass hopes for a 2 or 3 while the point is off. Don’t come does the same when the point is on. These bets lose when the shooter throws a 7 or 11.
A 12 on the don’t bets breaks even, making for better odds. Despite the lower house edge, it’s a less popular option since you’re usually betting against the table.
- House Edge: 1.35%
- Payout: 1 to 1
Craps Strategy #2: “Taking the Odds” Bet
One of the best Craps strategies involves a somewhat hidden bet that often gets overlooked since it isn’t marked on the table. The odds wagers, “taking the odds” and “laying the odds,” are the only bets in the casino with a 0% house edge.
You can place odds bets on your pass line, don’t pass, come, and don’t come stakes. You “take” odds on pass / come, and “lay” odds on don’t pass / don’t come. These wagers are basically doubling down on the currently set point number, but you can bet more than double.
It’s a great strategy to make odds bets since they have a 0% house edge. The only risk is that these wagers get cleared with your initial one. So if you take the odds on your pass line stakes and the shooter rolls a 7 before hitting the point, you’ll lose them both.
Betting the Max Odds
The odds bet is such a good play that casinos cap the amount you can wager.
In land-based casinos, the cap is usually based on the odds of hitting the point number. For example, the rules may say you can add up to 3x your stake on 4 / 10, 4x on 5 / 9, and 5x on 6 / 8.
Most online casinos just put a flat cap of 2-3x on odds bets.
Craps Strategy #3: Place the 6 and 8 to Win
Place bets are put on the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 and are only active after the point is on. No other rolls matter for these wagers, and you can bet on the number winning or losing. Placing numbers to lose has better odds, but the payouts are diminished, so it’s a good strategy to avoid these bets.
At land-based casinos, the dealer will assist you in placing your chips in the proper areas. To bet on the 6 to win, you would put money in the come area and ask them to “place the 6.” When playing real money Craps online, make sure you hover the cursor on the area that says “place 6” or “place win 6.”
Each number has different odds and payouts based on its probability to hit.
4 or 10 to Win
At 2 to 1 odds, you’re twice as likely to see a 7 before getting a 4 or 10.
Since dealers don’t make change, these bets are always in $5 increments because of their payouts.
- House Edge: 6.67%
- Payout: 9 to 5
5 or 9 to Win
You get slightly better odds 3 to 2 on hitting the 5 or 9 before a 7.
Again, the payout structure for these bets calls for $5 bet increments. Online this won’t matter.
- House Edge: 4.00%
- Payout: 7 to 5
6 or 8 to Win
The 6 and 8 are the most popular, with the best place odds at 6 to 5.
Dealers only place these wagers in $6 increments due to the payouts. Again this is to avoid change.
- House Edge: 1.52%
- Payout: 7 to 6
Craps Strategy #4: Avoid Prop & Single Roll Bets
If you want to win more, the final Craps strategy you should employ is to avoid the sucker bets with high house edges.
Prop Bets
The proposition bets are the ones in the center of the table with the dice combinations displayed.
They are all single-roll bets with attractive payouts but carry a much higher 9 – 17% house edge.
- House Edge: Over 9%
- Payout: 4 to 1 and up
The Field
The field bet gets mixed reviews since it’s a single-roll bet, but it has closer to even odds.
You’re betting on a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 where 2 and 12 pay double. If they pay triple, the edge is better.
- House Edge: 5.56%
- Payout: 1.125 to 1
Big 6 & Big 8
Big 6 or Big 8 are multi-roll bets but only payout 1 to 1, which is less than you get placing the same numbers.
The only difference is that the wagers are active when the point is off and have a higher house edge.
- House Edge: 9.09%
- Payout: 1 to 1
Practice Craps Strategies
Test the strategies above on this free virtual Craps table. See for yourself how the different bets work and watch your chip stack’s behavior as you play.
Craps Payout Chart
The table below shows the typical payout examples for all the Craps bets and their house edges. Keep it handy so you always know your chances of hitting one of those long shot single roll prop bets.
Craps Payout Table
| Bet | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1 to 1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass | 0.95 to 1 | 1.35% |
| Come | 1 to 1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Come | 0.95 to 1 | 1.35% |
| Take Odds 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 | 0.00% |
| Take Odds 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 | 0.00% |
| Take Odds 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 | 0.00% |
| Lay Odds 4 or 10 | 1 to 2 | 0.00% |
| Lay Odds 5 or 9 | 2 to 3 | 0.00% |
| Lay Odds 6 or 8 | 5 to 6 | 0.00% |
| Buy 4 or 10 | 39 to 21 | 4.76% |
| Buy 5 or 9 | 29 to 21 | 4.76% |
| Buy 6 or 8 | 23 to 21 | 4.76% |
| Lay 4 or 10 | 19 to 41 | 2.44% |
| Lay 5 or 9 | 19 to 31 | 3.32% |
| Lay 6 or 8 | 19 to 25 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 to Win | 9 to 5 | 6.67% |
| Place 5 or 9 to Win | 7 to 5 | 4.00% |
| Place 6 or 8 to Win | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
| Place 4 or 10 to Lose | 5 to 11 | 3.03% |
| Place 5 or 9 to Lose | 5 to 8 | 2.50% |
| Place 6 or 8 to Lose | 4 to 5 | 1.82% |
| Hardway 6 or 8 | 9 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Hardway 4 or 10 | 7 to 1 | 11.1% |
| Any 7 | 4 to 1 | 16.7% |
| Any Craps | 7 to 1 | 11.1% |
| 2 or 12 | 30 to 1 | 13.9% |
| 3 or 11 | 15 to 1 | 11.1% |
| Big 6 or Big 8 | 1 to 1 | 9.09% |
| The Field | 1.125 to 1 | 5.56% |
Note: Payouts and odds may vary from casino to casino as table rules are altered.
Online Craps Tables That Payout
Many online casinos have real money Craps tables that payout when you win. Based on our reviews and the available games, we recommend the following gambling sites for shooting dice. They all have reliable banking and software that makes the game easier to understand.
| RANK | ONLINE CASINO | Craps GAMES | BONUS | START |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DuckyLuck Casino |
Craps GAMES 1 | BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | Play Now |
| 2 |
Bovada Casino |
Craps GAMES 1 | BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | Play Now |
| 3 |
SlotsandCasino |
Craps GAMES 1 | BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | Play Now |
| 4 |
BetUS |
Craps GAMES 2 | BONUS 150% up to $3,000 | Play Now |
| 5 |
Cafe Casino |
Craps GAMES 1 | BONUS 350% up to $2,500 | Play Now |
Roll the Dice on Winning Craps Strategies
Use one of the Craps strategies on this page to win more money at the table. They all hinge on the concept of playing the bets with good odds and low house edge that have solid payouts.
With luck on your side, and if you stick to the plan by avoiding the sucker bets, you might just watch your chip stack grow.
Craps Odds & Payouts FAQ
Below are some of the most common questions we get regarding Craps odds and payout strategies.
What is the highest payout in Craps?
The highest payout on the Craps table is the single-roll bet on two or twelve. These two wagers pay 30 to 1, but at almost 14% house edge, your best strategy is to avoid them.
How much should you bet on Craps odds?
Since the odds bet at the Craps table has a 0% house edge, you should wager the max allowed by the casino if you can afford it. Remember to use bankroll management best practices so you don’t burn your chip stack out too fast.
What is the best Craps betting strategy?
The best Craps betting strategy is to play pass/don’t pass and come/don’t come bets taking the max odds whenever possible. These wagers have the lowest house edge and best opportunity to payout in the long run.
