Craps: Payouts and House Edge of the Bets (and the Zero-Margin Bet)
Craps looks chaotic but few bets matter: Pass Line and Don't Pass (~1.4%) and the Odds bet, the casino's only zero-house-edge bet. What to avoid and how to lower the margin.
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Craps intimidates: a table full of boxes, English terms, fast pace. But beneath the apparent chaos are only a few bets that really matter — and one of them is the casino's only bet with zero house edge. Here is what you need to know to play it wisely.
In one line: Craps looks chaotic but only a few bets matter: Pass Line and Don't Pass have a low house edge (~1.4%), the Odds bet is the only zero-house-edge bet. The centre (Proposition) bets are spectacular but terrible.
The Bets That Matter
| Bet | House edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | ~1.41% | The base, efficient |
| Don't Pass | ~1.36% | Slightly better, "against" |
| Odds bet | 0% | Only no-margin bet — added after the point |
| Come / Don't Come | ~1.4% | Like Pass but in later phases |
| Proposition (centre) | over 10% | Spectacular, to avoid |
Indicative values for standard Craps; rules and payouts vary by table. The Odds bet has amount limits (e.g. 2x, 3x the Pass Line).
The Craps Secret: The Odds Bet
After the "point" is set, you can add an Odds bet: it pays at true odds, with no house margin. It is the casino's only zero-house-edge bet. It does not cancel the Pass Line margin, but dilutes the average margin of your combined bet: the more Odds you add (within table limits), the lower the overall house edge.
The Bets to Avoid
The centre of the table — Hardways, single numbers, "Any Seven" — is the most theatrical part and the worst for value: house edge often over 10%. They pay a lot because they land rarely, exactly like triples in Sic Bo. Spectacle, not value.
How to Play It Better
- Stay on Pass/Don't Pass as the efficient base.
- Add the Odds bet: the only way to lower the average house edge.
- Ignore the centre of the table: Proposition bets are payout traps.
- Remember: every roll is independent, no system beats the margin.
Craps payouts and house edge: FAQ
How do you play Craps?
You bet on the outcome of a roll of two dice. The base bet is the Pass Line: you win with 7 or 11 on the come-out, lose with 2, 3 or 12; other numbers become the "point" to repeat before a 7. It looks complex, but the bets that matter are few.
What is the best bet in Craps?
The Pass Line (~1.41% house edge) and Don't Pass (~1.36%) are the most efficient bases. But the real gem is the Odds bet: added after the point, it has zero house edge, unique in the casino.
What is the zero-house-edge Odds bet?
It is an additional bet, available after the point is set, paying at true odds with no house margin. It does not remove the Pass Line house edge, but lowers the average margin of your combined bet.
Are the centre-table bets worthwhile?
No. The "Proposition" bets (e.g. single numbers, Hardways) pay a lot but have a very high house edge (often over 10%). They are the most theatrical and least worthwhile part of the game.
Responsible Gambling
Online gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a source of income. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, free support resources are available:
- ADM — Responsible Gambling
- GiocoHelpline freephone: 800 558822 (free, 24/7)
- Every ADM casino offers self-exclusion tools, deposit limits and reality-check reminders of time played.
