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Craps Odds Calculator: Complete Probability Guide (2026)

Practical Web Tools Team
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Craps Odds Calculator: Complete Probability Guide (2026)

Craps Odds Calculator: Master Every Bet at the Table

Craps has some of the best and worst bets in the casino—all at the same table. Our free craps odds calculator shows you the exact probability, payout, and house edge for every bet, helping you play the mathematically optimal strategy.

What Are Craps Odds?

Craps odds represent the probability of specific dice outcomes and the payouts offered by the casino. The key insight: some bets have nearly zero house edge while others exceed 16%.

Quick Answer: The best craps bets are pass/don't pass (1.41%/1.36% house edge) combined with free odds bets (0% house edge). The worst bets are proposition bets in the center of the table (house edge 9-17%). Always take maximum odds behind your pass line bet.

How to Use Our Free Craps Odds Calculator

Use the Craps Odds Calculator →

Select any bet type to see its probability, payout, and house edge.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Select Bet Type: Choose from pass line, odds, place bets, props, etc.

  2. View Probability: See the exact chance of winning

  3. Check Payout: Understand what you'll receive on a win

  4. Compare House Edge: Make informed decisions about which bets to place

Input Fields Explained

Field Description Example
Bet Type Type of craps wager Pass Line
Point Number The established point (if applicable) 6
Bet Amount How much you're wagering $10

Dice Probability Fundamentals

Two dice create 36 possible combinations with varying frequencies:

Total Combinations Ways Probability
2 1-1 1 2.78%
3 1-2, 2-1 2 5.56%
4 1-3, 2-2, 3-1 3 8.33%
5 1-4, 2-3, 3-2, 4-1 4 11.11%
6 1-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-1 5 13.89%
7 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1 6 16.67%
8 2-6, 3-5, 4-4, 5-3, 6-2 5 13.89%
9 3-6, 4-5, 5-4, 6-3 4 11.11%
10 4-6, 5-5, 6-4 3 8.33%
11 5-6, 6-5 2 5.56%
12 6-6 1 2.78%

Key insight: 7 is the most common roll (6 ways). This is why the pass line works—after a point is established, there are always more ways to roll 7 than any single point.

Best Craps Bets (Low House Edge)

Pass Line (1.41% House Edge)

How it works:

  • Come-out roll: Win on 7 or 11, lose on 2, 3, or 12
  • If 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, that becomes the "point"
  • Win by rolling the point again before a 7

Probability: Win 49.29% of decisions

Don't Pass (1.36% House Edge)

How it works:

  • Come-out roll: Win on 2 or 3, push on 12, lose on 7 or 11
  • Point established: Win if 7 rolls before the point

Probability: Win 49.32% of decisions (slightly better than pass)

Free Odds Bet (0% House Edge)

This is the best bet in the casino. After a point is established, you can "take odds" behind your pass line bet:

Point True Odds Payout
4 or 10 2:1 2:1
5 or 9 3:2 3:2
6 or 8 6:5 6:5

The casino pays true odds with no house edge. Casinos limit odds bets (3x, 5x, 10x, 100x) because they make no money on them.

Come/Don't Come (1.41%/1.36% House Edge)

Same as pass/don't pass but can be made after a point is established. Creates a new personal "point" for that bet.

Place Bets (Moderate House Edge)

Place bets allow you to bet directly on a number without waiting for a point:

Number Payout House Edge
6 or 8 7:6 1.52%
5 or 9 7:5 4.00%
4 or 10 9:5 6.67%

Strategy: Only place 6 and 8. The 1.52% edge is acceptable. Avoid placing 4, 5, 9, or 10.

Worst Craps Bets (High House Edge)

Proposition Bets

Never make these bets—they're designed to take your money:

Bet Payout House Edge
Any 7 4:1 16.67%
Any Craps 7:1 11.11%
Hard 4/10 7:1 11.11%
Hard 6/8 9:1 9.09%
2 or 12 30:1 13.89%
3 or 11 15:1 11.11%
Field (2,3,4,9,10,11,12) 1:1 (2:1 on 2,12) 5.56%

Big 6 and Big 8 (9.09% House Edge)

These pay even money on 6 or 8. The place bet on 6/8 pays 7:6 with only 1.52% edge. Big 6/8 is a sucker bet.

Hardways (9-11% House Edge)

Betting that 4, 6, 8, or 10 will be made "the hard way" (doubles) before a 7 or easy way. Terrible odds.

Real-World Craps Examples

Example 1: Optimal Strategy Play

You approach the table with $200.

Strategy:

  1. Bet $10 on pass line
  2. After point established (say, 6), take 5x odds ($50)
  3. Your total at risk: $60

Expected Results:

  • Pass line: 1.41% edge on $10 = -$0.14 expected
  • Odds bet: 0% edge on $50 = $0.00 expected
  • Combined: -$0.14 per round (extremely low)

Example 2: Prop Bet Disaster

You get excited and bet $5 on "Any 7."

The Math:

  • Win: 6/36 = 16.67%
  • Payout: 4:1 ($20 profit)
  • Expected value: (0.1667 × $20) - (0.8333 × $5) = $3.33 - $4.17 = -$0.83

Result: You lose 16.67% of your bet on average. That's over 10x worse than the pass line!

Example 3: Understanding the Point

Point is established at 8. What are your chances?

Calculation:

  • Ways to roll 8: 5
  • Ways to roll 7: 6
  • Win probability: 5 / (5 + 6) = 45.45%

This is why odds bets on 6/8 pay 6:5—true odds reflect the 6:5 disadvantage against seven.

Craps House Edge Summary

Bet House Edge Verdict
Pass/Come with max odds ~0.2-0.8% Best bet
Don't Pass/Don't Come 1.36% Great
Pass Line 1.41% Great
Place 6 or 8 1.52% Good
Field (with 3x on 12) 2.78% Acceptable
Place 5 or 9 4.00% Avoid
Field (standard) 5.56% Avoid
Place 4 or 10 6.67% Avoid
Hard 6/8 9.09% Never
Hard 4/10 11.11% Never
Any Craps 11.11% Never
Any 7 16.67% Never

Common Craps Odds Mistakes

  1. Not Taking Maximum Odds: The odds bet has 0% house edge. If the casino offers 10x odds, take it! Most players leave money on the table.

  2. Making Proposition Bets: They look exciting with big payouts, but the house edge is crushing. The $1 prop bet costs more in expected value than a $5 pass line bet.

  3. Playing Big 6/8: Place 6/8 pays 7:6 with 1.52% edge. Big 6/8 pays 1:1 with 9.09% edge. Always place, never Big.

  4. Thinking Dice Are "Due": Each roll is independent. If 7 hasn't hit in 20 rolls, it's still 16.67% likely on the next roll.

  5. Complex Hedge Bets: Hedging your pass line with "any craps" increases total house edge. Simple is better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best bet in craps?

The best overall strategy is Pass Line + maximum odds. The blended house edge approaches zero with high odds multipliers. Don't Pass + odds is mathematically slightly better but may attract table hostility.

Is the Don't Pass bet better than Pass?

Mathematically yes (1.36% vs 1.41%), but the difference is tiny. Don't players are betting against the shooter and other players, which some consider bad etiquette.

What are "free odds"?

After a point is established, you can place an additional bet behind your pass line that pays true odds (no house edge). This is the only bet in the casino with 0% house edge.

Should I ever make prop bets?

No. Proposition bets exist to fund the casino. With house edges of 9-17%, you're guaranteed to lose significantly over time. Keep your money on pass/don't pass with odds.

What's a "shooter" and does it matter?

The shooter is the player rolling the dice. Mathematically, it doesn't matter who throws—each roll is random. Some players have superstitious preferences.

Can dice control work?

Casino dice must hit the back wall, making controlled throws extremely difficult if not impossible. Most gambling experts consider dice control unproven and likely ineffective.

Pro Tips for Craps Players

  • Take Maximum Odds Always: If casino offers 10x odds, use them. You're diluting the house edge with every dollar in odds.

  • Avoid the Center: Prop bets in the middle of the table have the worst odds. Pretend they don't exist.

  • Stick to Pass/Come or Don't: Master these bets with odds before considering anything else.

  • Set Win/Loss Limits: Craps is volatile. Set limits and stick to them regardless of streaks.

  • Learn Table Etiquette: Don't say "seven" when dice are out, don't throw money, wait for the stick to push dice to you.

Conclusion

Craps can be one of the best bets in the casino—or one of the worst—depending entirely on which bets you make. Stick to pass line with maximum odds, avoid proposition bets, and you'll enjoy some of the lowest house edges available. Our calculator shows you exactly why.

Calculate Your Craps Odds Now →

Learn the math, make smart bets, and let the dice fall where they may. When you play optimal craps strategy, the house edge is nearly nonexistent.

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