Everything You Need to Know About Craps Payouts: Odds, Bets & Strategies
Craps is one of the fastest games in the casino, but the real story is in the payouts. Each bet comes with its own odds, some based on solid math, others more of a gamble.
Knowing how payouts work and where they shift in your favour can change the way you play.
This guide breaks down the numbers behind each type of bet, from the reliable to the risky, and helps you approach the table with more than just instinct.
Getting Started with Craps Odds and Payouts
Craps is played with two dice, creating 36 possible roll combinations.
True odds reflect the actual chances of an outcome. For example, there are six ways to roll a 7, giving it a probability of 1 in 6, or about 16.67%.
Payout odds are what the casino offers. If a bet with true odds of 6:1 only pays 4:1, that gap creates the house edge. Some bets, like the Pass Line, pay 1:1.
Others have different payouts depending on which number you’re betting on.
Knowing where payouts fall short of the math helps you avoid the worst-value bets.
Pass Line Bets
The Pass Line bet is the most popular wager in craps.
On the come-out roll, you win with a 7 or 11 and lose with a 2, 3, or 12.
Any other roll establishes the point.
If the shooter hits the point again before a 7, you win. If a 7 comes first, you lose. The payout is even money (1:1).
Don’t Pass Bets
The Don’t Pass bet is the opposite. You win if the first roll is a 2 or 3, lose on a 7 or 11, and push (tie) on a 12.
After a point is set, you bet that a 7 will appear before the shooter hits the point again. This also pays 1:1.
Pushes only happen on the come-out roll when a 12 is rolled on a Don’t Pass bet. In that case, your bet just stays in play for the next roll.
Come Bets
Come and Don’t Come bets follow the same rules as Pass and Don’t Pass bets, but are placed after the come-out roll.
A Come bet wins instantly if the next roll is a 7 or 11 (regardless of the original point) and loses on a 2, 3, or 12.
Any other number becomes a new point (called a come point) for your bet, which then follows the same rules as a Pass Line wager. If your point is rolled again before a 7, you win. Otherwise, you lose. The payout is 1:1.
Don’t Come Bets
Don’t Come bets are the opposite. You win on a 2 or 3, lose on a 7 or 11, and push on a 12.
If another number lands, that becomes the point for your bet.
From there, you win if a 7 is rolled before that number comes up again. The payout, again, is 1:1.
Odds Bets (Back-Up Bets)
Odds bets are extra wagers placed behind Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bets once a point is set.
They pay true odds with no house edge, making them the fairest bets at the table.
Payouts for Pass and Come odds are:
- 4 or 10 pays 2:1
- 5 or 9 pays 3:2
- 6 or 8 pays 6:5
Payouts for Don’t Pass and Don’t Come odds are:
- Against 4 or 10 pays 1:2
- Against 5 or 9 pays 2:3
- Against 6 or 8 pays 5:6
Because the casino has no advantage on odds bets, most tables cap the amount you can wager, often using 3x, 4x, or 5x limits based on the point.
Place Bets and Their Payouts
Place bets let you pick a number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) and bet that it will roll before a 7. You can place this bet any time after the come-out roll.
If your number hits first, you win.
If a 7 comes first, you lose.
Payouts depend on the number:
- 4 or 10 pays 9:5
- 5 or 9 pays 7:5
- 6 or 8 pays 7:6
The house edge also varies:
- 4 or 10: about 6.7%
- 5 or 9: about 4.0%
- 6 or 8: about 1.5%
Place bets are easy to manage and can be adjusted or removed at any time, though they don’t offer as much value as odds bets.
Buy and Lay Bets
Buy bets work like place bets but offer better payouts by using true odds, with a small commission added, usually 5%.
They’re most favourable when placed on numbers with longer odds, like 4 and 10.
The payouts for Buy bets are:
- 4 or 10 pays 2:1
- 5 or 9 pays 3:2
- 6 or 8 pays 6:5
Some casinos take the commission upfront, while others only charge it if the bet wins.
Lay bets are the reverse. You are betting that a 7 will roll before the point number. Like Buy bets, they use true odds and include a 5% commission.
The payouts for Lay bets are:
- Against 4 or 10 pays 1:2
- Against 5 or 9 pays 2:3
- Against 6 or 8 pays 5:6
Since 7 is the most likely roll in craps, Lay bets can be effective when used against numbers like 4 or 10, though the payout is reduced by the house edge.
Proposition Bets and Payouts
Proposition bets, or prop bets, are high-risk wagers placed at the centre of the table.
Most are settled in one roll, with payouts reflecting their long odds. They offer tempting payouts, but the odds of winning are low and the house edge is high.
Common one-roll prop bets:
- Any Craps (2, 3, or 12): pays 7:1
- Any 7: pays 4:1
- Yo (11): pays 15:1
- Ace-Deuce (3): pays 15:1
- Snake Eyes (2) or Boxcars (12): pays 30:1
Some prop bets span multiple rolls, like betting a total appears before a 7. These bets offer even higher payouts but come with even slimmer chances. Prop bets are best treated as side action, not a core part of your strategy.
Field Bets
Field bets are quick, one-roll wagers placed on a broad set of numbers.
If the next roll is a 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11, you win even money.
A roll of 2 or 12 pays more, usually double or sometimes triple, depending on the table. Any other number means a loss.
Typical payouts look like this:
- 2 or 12: 2:1 or 3:1 (depending on house rules)
- 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: 1:1
The appeal lies in the simplicity and immediate result.
However, since 5, 6, 7, and 8 do not pay and appear often, the house edge on field bets is relatively high. While the occasional big payout draws attention, over time, the math favours the house.
Big 6 and Big 8 Bets
Big 6 and Big 8 bets are wagers that a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7. They pay 1:1 and can be placed at any time, but they come with a higher house edge than other bets on the same numbers.
These bets are often considered poor value. For example, placing a bet directly on the 6 or 8 offers better odds and a lower house edge than betting on the Big 6 or 8 space.
Despite their visibility on the table, most experienced players avoid them.
Hardways Bets
Hardways bets are wagers that a number will be rolled as a pair before a 7 or before that number appears in any other combination.
For example, a Hard 8 means rolling two 4s. If the shooter rolls 6 and 2 instead, or a 7, the bet loses.
The payouts for Hardways bets are:
- Hard 6 or 8: 9:1
- Hard 4 or 10: 7:1
These bets come with a high house edge, but some players use them for long-shot value during extended rolls.
They can complement conservative strategies if used in moderation, though they’re best treated as secondary plays rather than core wagers.
Advanced Multi-Roll Bets
Some craps side bets track outcomes across multiple rolls, offering large payouts but with long odds.
Fire Bet
The Fire Bet wins if the shooter makes several different point numbers before rolling a 7.
The more they hit, the higher the payout. Hitting all six points can pay up to 999:1.
All Small, All Tall, and Make ‘Em All
All Small, All Tall, and Make ‘Em All are side bets that pay if the shooter rolls specific sets of numbers before a 7.
All Small covers 2 through 6, All Tall covers 8 through 12, and Make ‘Em All requires rolling every number from 2 to 6 and 8 to 12.
Payouts typically range from 30:1 to 150:1.
Hopping Bets
Hopping bets are one-roll wagers on a specific dice combination.
For instance, betting on a 3 and 4 to hop means the dice must show exactly 3 on one die and 4 on the other.
Payouts are typically 15:1 or 30:1, depending on how many ways the combo can be rolled.
Comparing Payouts by Bet Type
Craps offers a wide spread of payouts, from even money to extreme long shots.
Here's a snapshot of how common bets compare:
- Even Money (1:1): Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come, Field (common outcomes), Big 6/8
- Moderate Returns: Place 6/8 (7:6), Place 5/9 (7:5), Place 4/10 (9:5), Buy bets (true odds with commission)
- High Returns: Any Craps (7:1), Hard 6/8 (9:1), Hard 4/10 (7:1), Yo or Ace-Deuce (15:1), Snake Eyes or Boxcars (30:1)
- Huge Payouts: Fire Bet, All Small/Tall, Make ‘Em All (up to 999:1)
Risk and Reward
Bigger payouts come with lower odds and higher house edges.
While long shots have their place, steady results come from bets that offer better odds and lower risk.
The following bets have a low house edge:
- Pass Line with Odds
- Don’t Pass with Odds
- Come/Don’t Come with Odds
- Place 6 or 8
- Buy 4 or 10 (with fair commission)
Casino Variations and Table Rules
Craps rules are mostly standard across casinos, but some vary in odds limits and side bet options.
Many use 3-4-5x odds tables, where max odds depend on the point: 3x on 4 or 10, 4x on 5 or 9, and 5x on 6 or 8, keeping payouts balanced.
Regional differences also apply.
Las Vegas tables usually follow standard rules, while Atlantic City may have stricter limits and dealer-managed bets. Always check posted rules before playing.