Craps Odds Bet Calculator: Zero House Edge Strategy (2026)
Craps Odds Bet Calculator: The Only Fair Bet in the Casino
The odds bet is the single best bet in the casino—it pays at true odds with zero house edge. Our calculator shows exact payouts for taking and laying odds, helping you maximize this unique opportunity behind pass/don't pass bets.
What Is the Craps Odds Bet?
The odds bet is an additional wager made after a point is established, backing your original pass line or don't pass bet. It's paid at true mathematical odds with no house edge.
Quick Answer: Odds bets pay at true odds: 6:5 on 6/8, 3:2 on 5/9, 2:1 on 4/10. With a $5 pass line and $50 odds on 6, you'd win $5 + $50×(6/5) = $65. Max odds reduce combined house edge from 1.41% to under 0.5%. Always take maximum odds allowed—it's mathematically perfect.
How to Use Our Odds Bet Calculator
Use the Craps Odds Bet Calculator →
Enter your pass line bet, point number, and odds amount to see exact payouts.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Select Bet Type: Pass or Don't Pass
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Enter Line Bet: Original wager
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Select Point: Established number
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Enter Odds Amount: Additional bet
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View Payout: Exact winning amount
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bet Type | Pass or Don't | Pass Line |
| Line Bet | Original bet | $10 |
| Point | Number established | 8 |
| Odds Bet | Additional wager | $50 |
| Odds Payout | If point hits | $60 |
| Total Win | Line + odds | $70 |
True Odds Payouts
Taking Odds (Pass Line)
| Point | Odds | Payout Ratio | Example ($50 odds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2:1 | $100 | Win $100 |
| 5 | 3:2 | $75 | Win $75 |
| 6 | 6:5 | $60 | Win $60 |
| 8 | 6:5 | $60 | Win $60 |
| 9 | 3:2 | $75 | Win $75 |
| 10 | 2:1 | $100 | Win $100 |
Laying Odds (Don't Pass)
| Point | Odds | Payout Ratio | Example ($60 lay) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1:2 | $30 | Win $30 |
| 5 | 2:3 | $40 | Win $40 |
| 6 | 5:6 | $50 | Win $50 |
| 8 | 5:6 | $50 | Win $50 |
| 9 | 2:3 | $40 | Win $40 |
| 10 | 1:2 | $30 | Win $30 |
Why Zero House Edge?
The Math
| Point | Ways to Make | Ways to 7 | True Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4, 10 | 3 | 6 | 2:1 (6÷3) |
| 5, 9 | 4 | 6 | 3:2 (6÷4) |
| 6, 8 | 5 | 6 | 6:5 (6÷5) |
Odds bets pay exactly these ratios—no house advantage.
Combined House Edge
| Odds Multiple | Combined Edge |
|---|---|
| 0x (no odds) | 1.41% |
| 1x | 0.85% |
| 2x | 0.61% |
| 3x-4x-5x | 0.37% |
| 10x | 0.18% |
| 100x | 0.02% |
Max Odds by Casino
Common Odds Limits
| Casino Type | Max Odds | Combined Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2x | 0.61% |
| Liberal | 3x-4x-5x | 0.37% |
| Premium | 10x | 0.18% |
| Vegas (select) | 20x | 0.10% |
| Cromwell LV | 100x | 0.02% |
3x-4x-5x Explained
This common system allows different max odds by point:
| Point | Max Odds | Win on $10 Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 4, 10 | 3x ($30) | $60 |
| 5, 9 | 4x ($40) | $60 |
| 6, 8 | 5x ($50) | $60 |
All points win exactly 6x the pass line bet—simplified payouts.
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Taking Odds on 6
Pass Line: $10 Point: 6 Odds: $50 (5x)
If 6 rolls:
- Pass line wins: $10
- Odds win: $50 × 6/5 = $60
- Total win: $70
If 7 rolls:
- Pass line loses: -$10
- Odds lose: -$50
- Total loss: -$60
Example 2: Laying Odds on 4
Don't Pass: $15 Point: 4 Laying Odds: $60 (to win $30)
If 7 rolls:
- Don't pass wins: $15
- Odds win: $30 (60 × 1/2)
- Total win: $45
If 4 rolls:
- Don't pass loses: -$15
- Odds lose: -$60
- Total loss: -$75
Example 3: Full Table Bet
Pass Line: $25 Point: 9 Odds: $100 (4x)
Calculations:
- Pass line pays: 1:1 = $25
- Odds pay: 3:2 = $150
- Total win: $175
Combined expected loss per bet: ~0.37% × $125 = $0.46
Optimal Odds Strategy
Taking Maximum Odds
| Rule | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Always take max | Zero edge on additional money |
| Bet minimum on pass | Minimize 1.41% edge exposure |
| Load up on odds | All additional money at 0% edge |
Example: $100 Budget
| Approach | Expected Loss |
|---|---|
| $100 pass, no odds | $1.41 |
| $10 pass, $90 odds | $0.14 |
| Savings: | $1.27 per session |
Bankroll Considerations
| Factor | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Variance | Odds increase swings |
| Session length | May bust faster |
| Entertainment | More action per dollar |
Don't Pass Odds (Laying)
Why Lay Odds?
| Aspect | Taking | Laying |
|---|---|---|
| Win probability | Lower | Higher |
| Payout | Higher | Lower |
| House edge | 0% | 0% |
Laying Calculations
To lay odds, you risk more to win less:
| Point | Risk | To Win |
|---|---|---|
| 4, 10 | $60 | $30 |
| 5, 9 | $60 | $40 |
| 6, 8 | $60 | $50 |
Max Lay Odds
Usually expressed as max win:
- "2x" don't pass odds = 2x line bet win
- $10 don't pass, 2x = lay up to $20 win potential
Common Odds Mistakes
1. Not Taking Odds
Mistake: Betting pass line only Problem: Missing 0% edge opportunity Fix: Always take maximum allowed odds
2. Wrong Amounts
Mistake: Betting odd amounts that don't pay evenly Problem: Lost fractional dollars Fix: Bet amounts that pay in whole dollars
3. Odds on Come-Out
Mistake: Trying to place odds before point Problem: Odds only available after point established Fix: Wait for point, then add odds
4. Excessive Line Bet
Mistake: $50 pass line, $50 odds Problem: Half money at 1.41% edge Fix: Minimum pass, maximum odds
Proper Betting Amounts
Even Payouts
| Point | Bet Multiples Of | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 4, 10 | Any amount | 2:1 pays even |
| 5, 9 | $2 | 3:2 needs even base |
| 6, 8 | $5 | 6:5 needs $5 base |
Examples
| Point | Good Bets | Bad Bets |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | $25, $50, $100 | $27, $43 |
| 9 | $20, $40, $100 | $25, $35 |
| 4 | Any | Any (always pays even) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't casinos advertise odds bets?
They make no money on them. Casinos profit from the pass line edge; odds bets are break-even for the house.
Can I only bet odds, no pass line?
No. Odds bets require a prior pass/don't pass bet. They're "free" in the sense of zero edge, not free to access.
What's better: taking or laying odds?
Mathematically identical at 0% edge. Taking has higher variance (bigger wins/losses); laying is more consistent.
Should I always max out odds?
If bankroll allows, yes. More money at 0% beats less money at 0%. But manage session variance.
Why isn't everyone betting odds?
Many casual players don't understand odds bets. Others prefer action on every roll (place bets, field, etc.) despite worse edges.
Can I remove odds bets?
Yes, anytime. Unlike the pass line, you can pick up odds whenever you want.
Advanced Odds Concepts
Working Odds on Come-Out
| Choice | Default | Option |
|---|---|---|
| Taking odds | OFF | Can leave ON |
| Laying odds | ON | Can turn OFF |
Odds Behind Come Bets
Same rules as pass line:
- Make come bet
- Point established for your come bet
- Add odds behind
Regression Strategy
| Stage | Action |
|---|---|
| Initial | Full odds |
| After first hit | Reduce odds |
| Lock profit | Minimum odds or remove |
Pro Tips
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Minimum pass, maximum odds: Best expected value
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Proper bet amounts: Avoid losing fractions
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Understand variance: More odds = bigger swings
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Come with odds: Spreads action at 0% edge
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Shop for max odds: Higher limits = lower edge
Related Calculators
- Craps Odds Calculator - All bet types
- Craps Pass Line Calculator - Pass line math
- Craps House Edge Calculator - Edge comparison
- Craps Payout Calculator - All payouts
- Craps Expected Loss Calculator - Session costs
Conclusion
The odds bet is mathematically perfect—zero house edge at true odds. Our calculator shows exact payouts for taking and laying odds on any point. Always bet minimum on the pass line and maximum on odds to minimize the casino's advantage while maximizing your gambling dollar.
Calculate Your Odds Bets Now →
The craps odds bet is the single best deal in the casino. While you must pay the 1.41% pass line toll, every dollar you add in odds faces zero house edge. Find a casino with high odds limits, bet minimum pass and maximum odds, and you'll experience the fairest gambling available anywhere.
