How to Understand Odds and Payouts in Craps

For decades, the Craps table has perplexed and bedazzled. It is not a game for the lapse-minded - there are rules, then there are rules for those rules, and rules within those sets of rules.

But, like every game, it's a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.

The key is understanding the odds and wrapping your head around the payout structure - find the best bets for you!

Here is our brief breakdown on Craps, how it works, and the returns you can expect from your bets.

What is Craps

Put simply, players bet on the outcome of each roll of the dice. But the simplicity stops there - here's why.

To start off, one player, known as the "shooter", rolls both dice simultaneously. The numbers on the two dice are added together, and the total is called the "dice roll". Depending on the dice roll, different bets will either win or lose. The shooter continues to roll until they get a seven or a number that they have already rolled before.

There are many different types of bets in craps, but the most common ones are the "Pass Line" and "Don't Pass Line" bets. On the "Pass Line" bet, players win if the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11 on their first roll, also known as the "come out" roll. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, also known as "craps", then players lose. Any other number becomes the "point", and the shooter continues to roll until they either get the point number again or a 7. Players win if they get the point number, but if they roll a 7 before getting the point, players lose. Essentially, the player is attempting to enter the betting round.

On the other hand, the "Don't Pass Line" bet is essentially the opposite of the "Pass Line". Players win on a come out roll if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, and lose on a roll of 7 or 11. If the shooter rolls a 12, it is considered a tie or "push". After the come out roll, players win if the shooter rolls a number that they have not rolled before and loses if they get a number that has already been rolled.

Another popular bet in craps is the "Come Bet", which is similar to the "Pass Line" bet but can only be placed after the come out roll. Players win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, and lose on a roll of 2, 3, or 12. The "Don't Come Bet" works just like the "Don't Pass Line" bet, but can only be placed after the come out roll. Players win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, and lose on a roll of 7 or 11.

craps game with the dice on the table

Craps Payout Odds

Following? No offence if you're struggling to piece it together - a lot of it is word soup to the uninitiated. But after a few rounds, Pass Line and Come Bets become as familiar as the alphabet, and it all clicks into place.

When you've mastered the game, the next thing is to understand the odds - here's the return you can expect from popular Craps bets.

craps bet types table
Bet Type Payout Odds
Pass Line 2:1
Come Bet (4 or 10) 2:1
Come Bet (5 or 9) 3:2
Pass Line (6 or 8) 5:6
Don’t Pass 2:1
Don’t Pass (4 or 10) 2:1
Don’t Pass (5 or 9) 3:2
Don’t Pass (6 or 8) 5:6
Place Bets (4 or 10) 9:5
Place Bets (5 or 9) 7:5
Place Bets (6 or 8) 7:6
Field Bets (3, 4, 9, 10 or 11) 1:1
Field Bets (2 or 12) 2:1
Hardways (6 or 8) 9:1
Hardways (4 or 10) 7:1
Any 7 4:1
Any Craps 7 to 1
2 Craps or 12 Craps 30 to 1
3 Craps or 11 Craps 15 to 1
Big 6 or Big 8 1 to 1
Horn Bet (3 or 11) 3.75 to 1
Horn Bet (2 or 12) 7.5 to 1

Remember, to calculate your returns on a winning bet using fractional odds, you divide the potential winnings (profit) by the amount of money wagered.

For example, if you see odds displayed as 3/1, it means that for every $1 bet, you will potentially win $3 in profit.

What is the Difference Between Live Casino Craps and Online Craps?

Social, immersive, exhilarating - Craps ticks all the boxes a live casino game should. It's the go-to game as soon as groups descend on the Las Vegas strip, while online casinos are beginning to integrate Craps betting opportunities into their respective platforms.

The first distinctive difference is the most obvious - the physical nature of live casino craps versus the virtual interface of online craps. In live casino craps, players are gathered around a physical table with a real-life dealer. This creates a more social and interactive experience, as players can interact with each other and the dealer in real-time.

Online craps is played virtually through an online casino platform or app. While this allows for convenient and flexible gameplay from anywhere with an internet connection, it lacks the same physical presence and interaction as live casino craps.

Another difference between the two versions is the speed of gameplay. In live casino craps, players must wait for others to take their turn before they can place their bets and roll the dice. This can lead to a slower pace of play, which some may enjoy for a more relaxed gaming experience. However, online craps allows players to play at their own pace, without having to wait for others.

The betting options may also differ between live casino craps and online craps. In live casino craps, players typically have more betting options available, such as placing bets on specific numbers or combinations of numbers. Online craps may have a more limited selection of bets due to the virtual nature of the game.

Lucas Goldberg
Lucas, a seasoned site editor at CasinoCanada, boasts a decade-long journey in the gambling industry with a focus on providing players with meticulous reviews and insights of online games and casinos.
Site Editor
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Digital Media, and Journalism, PlayTech Analytics career, communication with users through high-quality gambling content.
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Reviewed by Head of Content:
Dmitry Rogalchuk
Last updated on: 20.02.2024

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