Craps Strategy 101 – Best Bets, Odds & House Edge
Craps looks chaotic, but most of the smart action is in just a few simple bets: Pass Line, Don’t Pass and Odds. This guide walks through rules, flow, best bets, trap bets and bankroll tips so you can enjoy the game without getting crushed by the house edge.
1. How a Craps Round Works
Craps revolves around the roll of two dice. The first roll is called the come-out roll. Depending on the total, the round either ends immediately or a “point” is set.
Come-out roll – Pass Line bets
- Roll 7 or 11 → Pass Line wins immediately.
- Roll 2, 3 or 12 → Pass Line loses (“craps out”).
- Roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 → that number becomes the point.
After the point is set
- Shooter keeps rolling until either:
- They roll the point again → Pass Line wins, or
- They roll a 7 → Pass Line loses (called “seven out”).
2. Best Low-Edge Bets in Craps
Craps offers some of the best bets in the casino and some of the worst bets, often just inches apart on the felt. Start with these:
| Bet | What It Is | Approx. House Edge | Why It’s Good |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | Bet on shooter winning the round. | ~1.41% | Simple, solid, low-edge core bet. |
| Don’t Pass | Bet against the shooter. | ~1.36% | Slightly lower edge; socially “unpopular” at some tables. |
| Come | Like Pass Line, but made after point established. | ~1.41% | Lets you create multiple “mini-points”. |
| Don’t Come | Like Don’t Pass, but after point. | ~1.36% | Low-edge “against” bet once the point is on. |
| Odds (on PL/DC/C/DC) | Extra bet behind your main bet once a point exists. | 0% | No house edge – pays true odds. Best bet on the table. |
3. Odds Bets – The Only 0% Edge Bet
Once a point is set, you can place an additional bet called Odds behind your Pass Line, Come, Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet. This bet pays true mathematical odds and has no house edge.
Typical maximum odds
- Single odds (1x)
- Double odds (2x)
- 3–4–5x odds (common in many casinos)
The more you can put on odds (within your bankroll), the more your overall effective house edge drops — because part of your total action is at 0% edge.
4. Trap Bets to Avoid (Prop Bets & Long Shots)
The centre of the craps layout is full of “proposition” bets – single-roll bets and long shots with flashy payouts. Most come with a brutal house edge.
| Bet | Example | Typical Payout | Approx. House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any 7 | 7 on next roll | 4:1 | ~16.7% |
| Any Craps | 2,3 or 12 on next roll | 7:1 | ~11.1% |
| Hardways | Hard 6 (3–3) before 7 or easy 6 | 9:1 or 10:1 | Often 9–11%+ |
| Horn bets | 2, 3, 11, 12 split | Varies | Usually double-digit edge |
5. Bankroll & Session Planning for Craps
Craps is social and fast, which makes it easy to lose track of how much you’ve put on the table. Go in with a simple plan.
- Decide a trip or monthly bankroll that you can afford to lose 100%.
- Split that into smaller session bankrolls (e.g., 3–5 sessions).
- Choose a base unit size that gives you 50–100 bets per session.
- Use mostly Pass Line (or Don’t Pass) with odds within your comfort level.
- Set a strict stop-loss and a realistic win goal for each session.
6. Online Craps vs Live Craps
Online craps removes the physical table but keeps the same core rules.
- RNG craps: fast and solo; great for learning layout and bets without pressure, but watch your pace.
- Live dealer craps: a streamed table with real dice, slower and more social, closer to casino feel.
- Mobile craps: convenient but easy to “just roll one more time” – set time limits.
Always check the rules and table limits on your chosen site and stick to licensed casinos with fair games and responsible gambling tools.
7. Keeping Craps Fun & Under Control
The energy at a craps table is part of the appeal – and also part of the danger. Don’t let the crowd override your plan.
- Know your limits before you step up to the rail.
- Stick to low-edge bets even if others are firing on props.
- Walk away when you hit your stop-loss or time limit, win or lose.
- Pay attention to how you feel – if you’re chasing or stressed, it’s time to quit.
If craps (or any gambling) starts to feel out of control, stop and visit Responsible Gambling for help resources in your region.
Your Next Craps Steps
- Review House Edge by Game to see where craps sits overall.
- Brush up on Odds Explained and Expected Value.
- Write a bankroll plan from Bankroll Management for Beginners.