Craps Field Bet Calculator: Odds & Payout Guide (2026)
Craps Field Bet Calculator: One-Roll Action
The field bet is one of craps' most visible wagers—that big section of the layout covered in numbers. It resolves on every roll, making it popular for players wanting constant action. Our calculator shows exact odds, payouts, and how bonus payouts affect house edge.
What Is the Field Bet?
The field bet is a one-roll wager that wins if 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 rolls. It loses on 5, 6, 7, or 8. Some numbers pay bonuses.
Quick Answer: The field bet has a 5.56% house edge with standard payouts (2:1 on 2, 2:1 on 12). With triple 12 (3:1), it drops to 2.78%. It's a middle-tier craps bet—not terrible, but not optimal either. The appeal is instant resolution and simple rules.
How to Use Our Free Field Bet Calculator
Use the Craps Field Bet Calculator →
Enter bet amount and payout rules to see odds and returns.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Enter Bet Amount: Your field wager
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Select Payout Rules: 2× or 3× on 2 and 12
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View Win Probability: Chance of winning
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See House Edge: Based on your casino's rules
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bet Amount | Your wager | $10 |
| 2 Payout | Double or triple | 2:1 |
| 12 Payout | Double or triple | 3:1 |
| Win Probability | Chance of winning | 44.44% |
| House Edge | Casino advantage | 2.78% |
Field Bet Mechanics
Winning Numbers
| Roll | Ways | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 2:1 (or 3:1) |
| 3 | 2 | 1:1 |
| 4 | 3 | 1:1 |
| 9 | 4 | 1:1 |
| 10 | 3 | 1:1 |
| 11 | 2 | 1:1 |
| 12 | 1 | 2:1 (or 3:1) |
| Total Winners | 16 |
Losing Numbers
| Roll | Ways |
|---|---|
| 5 | 4 |
| 6 | 5 |
| 7 | 6 |
| 8 | 5 |
| Total Losers | 20 |
You're an underdog: 16 winners vs 20 losers.
House Edge Calculation
Standard Field (2:1 on 2 and 12)
EV = (1 × 1/36) × 2 + (2 × 2/36) × 1 + (3 × 3/36) × 1 +
(4 × 4/36) × 1 + (3 × 3/36) × 1 + (2 × 2/36) × 1 +
(1 × 1/36) × 2 - (20/36) × 1
EV = 2/36 + 2/36 + 3/36 + 4/36 + 3/36 + 2/36 + 2/36 - 20/36
EV = 18/36 - 20/36 = -2/36 = -5.56%
House edge: 5.56%
Triple 12 Field (2:1 on 2, 3:1 on 12)
EV = (1/36) × 2 + (2/36) × 1 + (3/36) × 1 + (4/36) × 1 +
(3/36) × 1 + (2/36) × 1 + (1/36) × 3 - (20/36) × 1
EV = 2/36 + 2/36 + 3/36 + 4/36 + 3/36 + 2/36 + 3/36 - 20/36
EV = 19/36 - 20/36 = -1/36 = -2.78%
House edge: 2.78%
Triple 2 AND 12 (Best Case)
EV = (1/36) × 3 + 14/36 × 1 + (1/36) × 3 - 20/36
EV = 3/36 + 14/36 + 3/36 - 20/36 = 0%
House edge: 0% (Rare—found in some promotional periods)
Payout Comparison
| Casino Rules | House Edge |
|---|---|
| 2:1 on both 2 and 12 | 5.56% |
| 2:1 on 2, 3:1 on 12 | 2.78% |
| 3:1 on 2, 2:1 on 12 | 2.78% |
| 3:1 on both 2 and 12 | 0% |
Always look for triple payouts—they cut house edge in half.
Field Bet vs. Other Craps Bets
House Edge Comparison
| Bet | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Pass line with odds | 0.37-1.41% |
| Don't pass with odds | 0.27-1.36% |
| Place 6/8 | 1.52% |
| Field (triple 12) | 2.78% |
| Place 5/9 | 4.00% |
| Field (standard) | 5.56% |
| Place 4/10 | 6.67% |
| Hardways | 9-11% |
| Any 7 | 16.67% |
Field with triple payouts is middle-of-the-road for craps.
Real-World Field Bet Examples
Example 1: Basic Win
Bet: $10 on field Roll: 9 Payout: $10 (even money)
Example 2: Double Payout
Bet: $25 on field Roll: 2 (snake eyes) Payout: $50 (2:1)
Example 3: Triple Payout
Bet: $25 on field (triple 12 casino) Roll: 12 (boxcars) Payout: $75 (3:1)
Example 4: Loss
Bet: $15 on field Roll: 7 Result: Lose $15
Field Bet Strategy
When Field Makes Sense
- One-roll action: Want immediate resolution
- Triple payout casinos: 2.78% edge is reasonable
- Small bankroll sessions: Quick wins or losses
- Casual entertainment: Simple, visual, engaging
When to Avoid Field
- Long sessions: House edge grinds you down
- Standard payouts: 5.56% is high for craps
- Serious play: Pass/don't pass with odds is superior
- Bankroll building: Variance and edge work against you
Field Progression Warning
Some players use Martingale on field:
- Double after each loss
- Win recovers losses plus profit
Problem:
- 7 appears most often (6/36)
- Streaks of 5-6-7-8 happen
- Table limits stop progression
- One bad streak = major loss
Conclusion: Progressions don't overcome house edge.
The Iron Cross System
What Is It?
Combine field bet with place bets on 5, 6, and 8:
- Field covers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Place bets cover 5, 6, 8
- Only 7 loses
Reality Check
| Roll | Field | Place 5 | Place 6 | Place 8 | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | +$20 | - | - | - | +$20 |
| 5 | -$10 | +$14 | - | - | +$4 |
| 7 | -$10 | -$5 | -$6 | -$6 | -$27 |
One 7 wipes out multiple wins. Combined house edge ~2.5% on total action.
Common Field Bet Mistakes
1. Ignoring Payout Rules
Mistake: Not checking 2/12 payouts Reality: Difference is 2.78% vs 5.56% Fix: Always verify before betting
2. Chasing Losses
Mistake: Doubling up after field losses Reality: 7 can streak, limits end progression Fix: Flat bet or walk away
3. Treating It as Low Edge
Mistake: Thinking field is a "good" bet Reality: It's mediocre at best Fix: Use for entertainment, not serious play
4. Ignoring the 7
Mistake: Forgetting 7 has most ways (6/36) Reality: 7 appears more than any single field number Fix: Respect the math
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the field bet a good bet?
It's not terrible with triple payouts (2.78%), but pass line with odds (0.4-1.4%) is significantly better for serious play.
Why does the field look like it should win?
Seven numbers win, only four lose—but those four numbers represent 20 of 36 possible outcomes. Numbers ≠ ways to roll.
Should I bet field every roll?
That's personal preference. It's designed for continuous action, but the house edge accumulates every roll.
What's the best field bet strategy?
Find triple-payout casinos, flat bet, set loss limits. Don't use progressions.
Does the field bet affect other bets?
No. Each bet resolves independently. Field is one-roll; pass line can last many rolls.
Is Iron Cross a winning system?
No. It covers more numbers but combines multiple house edges. The 7 still appears 1/6 of the time.
Probability Distribution
Detailed Breakdown
| Roll | Ways | Probability | Cumulative Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 2.78% | 2.78% |
| 3 | 2 | 5.56% | 8.33% |
| 4 | 3 | 8.33% | 16.67% |
| 9 | 4 | 11.11% | 27.78% |
| 10 | 3 | 8.33% | 36.11% |
| 11 | 2 | 5.56% | 41.67% |
| 12 | 1 | 2.78% | 44.44% |
Win probability: 44.44% (lose 55.56%)
Pro Tips for Field Bets
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Check payouts first: Triple 12 or 2 halves house edge
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Use for entertainment: Not for grinding profit
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Flat bet always: Progressions increase risk, not returns
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Combine wisely: If using Iron Cross, understand combined edge
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Know when to walk: Field is high-variance for one-roll bet
Related Craps Calculators
- Craps Pass Line Calculator - Best basic bet
- Craps Don't Pass Calculator - Dark side betting
- Craps Place Bet Calculator - Place bet odds
- Craps Odds Calculator - Zero-edge odds bets
- Craps House Edge Calculator - Compare all bets
Conclusion
The field bet offers instant action with straightforward rules. At 2.78% (triple payouts) to 5.56% (standard), it's a middle-tier craps wager—acceptable for entertainment but not optimal for serious play. Our calculator shows exact payouts based on your casino's rules.
Calculate Field Bet Payouts Now →
The field is fun, visual, and resolves every roll. Just understand the math, find triple-payout tables when possible, and don't bet more than you can afford to lose on each throw.