Craps Don't Pass Calculator: Bet Against the Shooter

The don't pass line is craps' "dark side"—betting against the shooter while the table cheers for them. Despite the social stigma, it's one of the best bets in the casino. Our calculator shows exact odds and optimal strategy for wrong-way betting.

What Is the Don't Pass Bet?

Don't pass is the opposite of pass line: you win when the shooter loses (craps out with 7 after establishing a point). It has a slightly lower house edge than pass line.

Quick Answer: Don't pass has a 1.36% house edge—slightly better than pass line's 1.41%. The trade-off is social: you're betting against everyone else at the table. With laying odds, you can reduce the combined house edge to under 0.5%.

How to Use Our Free Don't Pass Calculator

Use the Craps Don't Pass Calculator →

Enter your bet to see odds, payouts, and optimal lay amounts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Don't Pass Bet: Your flat wager

2. Select Odds Multiple: How much to lay behind

3. View Payouts: See returns for each scenario

4. Compare to Pass Line: Understand the differences

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Don't Pass Bet	Flat wager	$10
Lay Odds	Odds bet amount	$30
Point	Established number	6
Win Payout	Return on 7-out	$35
House Edge	Casino advantage	1.36%

Don't Pass Mechanics

Come-Out Roll

Roll	Result
2 or 3	Win (even money)
7 or 11	Lose
12	Push (bar 12)
4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10	Establishes point

Note: The 12 pushing (not winning) is where the house gets its edge on don't pass.

After Point Established

Outcome	Result
7 rolls	Win (even money on flat, paid on odds)
Point rolls	Lose everything
Other numbers	No action

Laying Odds Behind Don't Pass

Why Lay Odds?

Laying odds behind don't pass pays true odds—zero house edge:

Point	True Odds	Lay to Win
4 or 10	1:2	Lay $20 to win $10
5 or 9	2:3	Lay $30 to win $20
6 or 8	5:6	Lay $30 to win $25

Lay Odds Calculation

You lay more than you win because 7 is more likely than the point:

Point 6 or 8:

• 6 ways to roll 7, 5 ways to roll point
• You're the favorite, so you lay 6:5

Point 4 or 10:

• 6 ways to roll 7, 3 ways to roll point
• You're 2:1 favorite, so you lay 2:1

Combined House Edge

Flat Only: 1.36%

With Lay Odds:

Odds Multiple	Combined Edge
No odds	1.36%
1× odds	0.68%
2× odds	0.45%
3× odds	0.34%
5× odds	0.23%
10× odds	0.12%

Maximum lay odds dramatically reduce house edge.

Don't Pass vs. Pass Line

Head-to-Head Comparison

Factor	Pass Line	Don't Pass
House edge (flat)	1.41%	1.36%
Come-out advantage	Pass	Don't Pass
Point advantage	Point	Don't Pass
Social acceptance	High	Low
Odds direction	Take (win more)	Lay (risk more)

Mathematical Edge

Don't pass is 0.05% better—about 5 cents per $100 wagered. Tiny, but technically superior.

Real-World Don't Pass Examples

Example 1: Basic Don't Pass

Bet: $10 don't pass Come-out: 6 (point established) Next roll: 7

Payout: Win $10 (even money)

Example 2: Don't Pass with Lay Odds

Bet: $10 don't pass, point is 4 Lay: $40 odds (4× lay)

If 7 rolls:

• Flat bet wins $10
• Lay odds win $20 (laid $40 at 1:2)
• Total win: $30

If 4 rolls:

• Lose $10 flat + $40 lay = -$50

Example 3: Lay Against 6

Bet: $10 don't pass, point is 6 Lay: $30 odds

If 7 rolls:

• Flat wins $10
• Lay wins $25 (6:5 odds)
• Total win: $35

Don't Come Bets

Extension of Don't Pass

Don't come bets work like don't pass but can be made after the point is established:

• Works on next roll as "come-out"
• Travels to point number if established
• Can lay odds behind it

Multiple Don't Points

Experienced dark side players build multiple don't points:

• Don't pass on initial point
• Don't come bets on subsequent points
• Lay odds on all

Risk: One hot shooter wipes out everything.

Dark Side Strategy

Conservative Approach

1. Wait for point to be established
2. Bet don't pass
3. Lay maximum odds
4. Wait for resolution

This avoids come-out disadvantage on don't pass (7/11 loses).

Aggressive Approach

Build multiple don't positions:

1. Don't pass with odds
2. Don't come with odds
3. Don't come with odds
4. Profit when 7 inevitably rolls

Warning: Hot shooter = massive losses.

Common Don't Pass Mistakes

1. Not Laying Odds

Problem: Playing flat only Reality: The odds portion is zero edge—always lay maximum.

2. Taking Down After Point

Problem: Removing don't pass after point established Reality: You now have the advantage! Never remove.

3. Too Many Don't Positions

Problem: Don't pass + 3 don't come bets Reality: One hot shooter destroys your session.

4. Social Pressure

Problem: Switching to pass when table pressures you Reality: Your edge is your edge. Be polite but firm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is don't pass bad luck for the table?

Superstition. Your bet doesn't affect the dice. Mathematically, it's slightly better than pass.

Why does 12 push?

Without the bar 12, don't pass would have positive expectation. The push on 12 creates the house edge.

Should I play don't pass?

If you can handle the social aspect, yes. It's mathematically superior to pass line.

Can I remove my don't pass bet?

Yes, but why would you? Once the point is established, you're the favorite. Removing the bet is giving up your advantage.

What are the odds of 7-out?

Point	7-Out Probability
4 or 10	66.7%
5 or 9	60.0%
6 or 8	54.5%

You're always the favorite once a point is established.

Do casinos ban dark side players?

No. Don't pass is a standard bet. Some players may glare, but casinos don't care.

Advanced Don't Concepts

Hedging the Come-Out

Some players bet small pass on come-out to hedge:

• Protects against 7/11 loss
• Costs money on push-through

Math says: Don't hedge. It increases combined house edge.

Don't Progression

Increasing don't bets after losses:

• Doesn't change mathematical expectation
• Increases variance and potential loss

Combining with Place Bets

Some players play don't pass + place bets:

• Don't pass profits on 7
• Place bets profit on numbers
• Hedges but increases total exposure

Psychology of Dark Side

Handling Social Pressure

• Be respectful and quiet
• Don't celebrate loudly when 7 hits
• Tip the dealers regardless of table mood
• Remember: it's your money, your choice

Staying Disciplined

• Stick to your strategy
• Don't switch sides mid-session
• Accept that some sessions you'll lose big to hot shooters
• Trust the math long-term

Pro Tips for Don't Pass

• Always lay maximum odds: Zero house edge portion

• Don't remove bets: You have the advantage after point

• Limit don't positions: 1-2 maximum to control variance

• Stay respectful: Dark side is legal, be courteous

• Track results: Know your long-term performance

Related Craps Calculators

• Craps Pass Line Calculator - Pass line strategy
• Craps Don't Come Calculator - Don't come bets
• Craps Odds Calculator - Odds multipliers
• Craps Place Bet Calculator - Place bet odds
• Craps House Edge Calculator - Compare all bets

Conclusion

Don't pass offers the lowest house edge on the craps table when combined with maximum lay odds. Our calculator shows exact payouts and optimal strategy for dark side betting. Yes, you'll get looks—but the math is on your side.

Calculate Don't Pass Payouts Now →

The social stigma is real, but so is the mathematical advantage. If you can handle betting against the table, don't pass with maximum lay odds is one of the best bets in any casino.