Having a good understanding of the house edge in any gambling game is extremely important, and the same applies to craps. The house edge is an important concept as it’s the bread and butter of every online casino out there. Having said that, there are ways to limit its effect on your bankroll while playing craps, so let’s dive into it!
What is the House Edge in Craps?
The house edge in craps is the built-in advantage that the casino has over players on each bet. It varies depending on the type of bet you make. Some bets, like the Pass Line and Don’t Pass, have a low house edge (around 1.41% and 1.36%, respectively) making them some of the best bets in the online casino. On the other hand, bets like Any 7 or certain proposition bets can have a much higher edge, sometimes over 10%, which means the odds are stacked more heavily in the house’s favour.
How to Calculate the House Edge
To do that, you’re basically looking at the average amount you’ll lose on a bet over time. You take the expected value (based on all the possible outcomes and their probabilities) and compare it to the amount you’re wagering. For example, if a bet pays $1 but the probability of winning is only 49.3%, and losing is 50.7%, the house edge is the difference between what you should win and what you actually get (expressed as a percentage of your original bet).
House Edge of Craps Bets
Just like any casino game, craps is a game whereby the house edge (or house advantage) is very prevalent. Here are the different bets in craps with their respective house edge. Below the table, you can find out more about these bets in the context of their house edge.
| Bet Type | House Edge (%) |
|---|---|
| Odds on Pass/Come (Single) | 0.00% |
| Odds on Don't Pass/Come (Single) | 0.00% |
| Don't Pass | 1.36% |
| Don't Come | 1.36% |
| Pass Line | 1.41% |
| Come | 1.41% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% |
| Field (2:1 on 2, 3:1 on 12) | 2.78% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 4.00% |
| Field (2:1 on 2 and 12) | 5.56% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 6.67% |
| Big 6 or Big 8 | 9.09% |
| Hard 6 or 8 | 9.09% |
| Hard 4 or 10 | 11.11% |
| Yo (11) | 11.11% |
| Ace Deuce (3) | 11.11% |
| Horn Bet | 12.50% |
| Any 7 | 16.67% |
Odds on Pass/Come (Single)
This one’s the holy grail of craps bets with a 0% house edge. It’s a side bet you make after a point is set, and it pays out with true odds, meaning the casino doesn’t take a cut. The only catch? You need a Pass or Come bet first, which does have a house edge.
Odds on Don’t Pass/Come (Single)
Same deal as above, but it goes on the Don’t Pass/Don’t Come side. Also has 0% house edge because the payout matches the actual odds. Great for lowering your overall house edge when combined with the base bet.
Don’t Pass
At 1.36%, this is one of the best bets on the table. You’re betting against the shooter, hoping they don’t make their point. It’s slightly better odds-wise than Pass Line, but some players avoid it because they don’t like rooting against the table.
Don’t Come
Basically the same as Don’t Pass, but used after the come-out roll. Also 1.36% house edge, and works the same way—betting against the shooter. It’s a solid bet if you’re playing smart.
Pass Line
Probably the most iconic bet in craps. You’re betting that the shooter will win by hitting their point. It has a 1.41% house edge, which is low and player-friendly, making it the go-to for most players.
Come
Same thing as the Pass Line, but you can place it any time after the come-out roll. Also 1.41% house edge, and another core bet that experienced players use as part of their strategy.
Place 6 or 8
These bets have a pretty nice edge (1.52%), which is still low compared to most casino games. You’re betting the shooter rolls a 6 or 8 before a 7. People like this one because 6 and 8 are common rolls.
Field (2:1 on 2, 3:1 on 12)
This version of the Field bet has a 2.78% house edge, which isn’t great but better than the standard one. It’s a one-roll bet, so it moves fast. Some people use it to spice things up, but it’s not the best value long-term.
Place 5 or 9
Now we’re creeping up in house edge (4.00%). Not awful, but not ideal. Most players stick with placing 6 or 8 instead. Betting on 5 or 9 to hit before a 7 isn’t terrible, just not efficient.
Field (2:1 on 2 and 12)
This is the standard Field bet, and it’s worse than the bonus 3:1 version. At 5.56% house edge, it’s flashy but not smart to rely on. It looks tempting since it wins on many numbers, but the math doesn’t work in your favour.
Place 4 or 10
The house edge here jumps to 6.67%. These numbers don’t hit as often, so the casino takes a bigger cut. Most people skip these unless they’re just messing around or trying for a big payout.
Big 6 or Big 8
Definitely not worth your chips. With a 9.09% house edge, this is just a worse version of placing the 6 or 8. The payout is the same, but the math is way worse. Most players know to avoid it.
Hard 6 or 8
Now you’re betting on a double (like 3-3 for a hard 6) instead of any combination. The house edge is 9.09%, and it’s just not worth it unless you’re feeling lucky. These are fun bets but risky.
Hard 4 or 10
Even riskier than hard 6/8. With a 11.11% house edge, you’re hoping to roll a 2-2 or 5-5 before any easy combo or a 7. It’s tough to hit, and the casino loves when players go for these.
Yo (11)
This is a single-roll proposition bet. You’re betting the next roll will be an 11. The payout seems sweet, but the 11.11% house edge is rough. It’s a classic “sucker bet” that looks fun but bleeds chips over time.
Ace Deuce (3)
Same idea as Yo, but you’re betting on a 3. Again, it’s a 11.11% house edge with a tiny chance of hitting. Not a great long-term play, only worth a chip or two if you’re just playing for fun.
Horn Bet
This covers 2, 3, 11, and 12 all in one shot, but don’t be fooled. It has a 12.50% house edge, making it one of the worst bets you can make. It looks flashy and exciting, but it’s a money drain.
Any 7
At 16.67%, this has the highest house edge on the craps table. You’re betting the next roll is a 7. It’s tempting because 7 is common, but the payout doesn’t make up for the odds. Total bankroll killer.
How Can You Beat House Edge In Craps?
Here’s the thing. You can’t completely beat the house edge in craps as it’s built into the game, but you can work around it to minimise your losses and stretch your bankroll by being smart with your bets. The key is to stick with the major bets that have the lowest edge, like the pass line bet, come bet, and especially the odds bet. These are the foundation of a solid craps strategy, and they give you the best shot at a winning bet. The pass line and come bet have a low house edge on their own, but when you back them up with free odds (also called pass line odds), you’re getting true odds with no house advantage.
One of the smartest moves on the craps table is to always take maximum odds behind your line bet once a point number is established. This is the initial wager you make when the shooter rolls a natural or sets a point. The odds bet, which you place behind that pass line or come bet, doesn’t give the casino an edge, so the more you put on it, the more you reduce the overall house edge on your total bet. For example, placing double odds behind a pass bet cuts the effective house edge significantly. You can check a craps odds payout chart to see exactly how much each craps payout is based on the dice combinations.
Avoiding the other bets—like the field bet, roll bets, buy bets, or any one-roll specific bet—is another smart way to beat the odds. These might look fun, and they offer tempting potential payouts, but they come with different house edges that are way higher. The same goes for place bets on 4, 5, 9, or 10 since, while not the worst, they aren’t as good as betting on 6 or 8, or just sticking to pass odds and come bets.
In more advanced craps strategy, some players use a lay bet to bet against a number being rolled before a 7, and if done with lay odds, it can also offer true odds. Just like with pass line odds, lay odds don’t favour the house. Having said that, the trick is knowing when to use them and understanding the odds of winning across multiple rolls.