Craps Pass Line Calculator: Odds & Strategy Guide (2026)
Craps Pass Line Calculator: Minimize the House Edge
The pass line is craps' most fundamental bet—and one of the best wagers in the casino. Our free calculator shows you the math behind pass line betting, optimal odds strategies, and how to reduce the house edge to nearly zero with free odds.
What Is the Pass Line Bet?
The pass line bet is made before the come-out roll. You win on 7 or 11, lose on 2, 3, or 12, and any other number becomes "the point" which must be rolled again before a 7 to win.
Quick Answer: The pass line has a 1.41% house edge—excellent for casino games. But the real power is in "free odds" behind the pass line, which have 0% house edge. Taking maximum odds reduces your combined edge to under 0.4% at many casinos.
How to Use Our Free Pass Line Calculator
Use the Craps Pass Line Calculator →
Enter your bet and odds multiple to see expected value and optimal strategy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Enter Pass Line Bet: Your base wager
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Select Odds Multiple: 1×, 2×, 3×, or table maximum
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View Win Probabilities: See odds for each point
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Calculate Expected Loss: Understand your true cost
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line Bet | Base wager amount | $10 |
| Odds Multiple | How much odds you'll take | 3× |
| Point | If established, which number | 6 |
Pass Line Probability Breakdown
Come-Out Roll Outcomes
| Outcome | Numbers | Probability | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural | 7, 11 | 22.22% | Win |
| Craps | 2, 3, 12 | 11.11% | Lose |
| Point | 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 | 66.67% | Establish point |
Point Conversion Probabilities
| Point | Ways to Roll | Ways to Roll 7 | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 3 | 6 | 33.33% |
| 5 or 9 | 4 | 6 | 40.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 5 | 6 | 45.45% |
Overall Pass Line Win Rate
Combining come-out and point phases:
- Total win probability: 49.29%
- Total lose probability: 50.71%
- House edge: 1.41%
The Power of Free Odds
What Are Free Odds?
After a point is established, you can place an additional "odds" bet behind your pass line. This bet:
- Pays true odds (no house edge)
- Is the only 0% edge bet in the casino
- Dramatically reduces combined house edge
Odds Payouts by Point
| Point | True Odds | $10 Odds Bet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | $20 |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | $15 |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | $12 |
Combined House Edge with Odds
| Odds Multiple | Combined House Edge |
|---|---|
| No odds | 1.41% |
| 1× odds | 0.85% |
| 2× odds | 0.61% |
| 3× odds | 0.47% |
| 5× odds | 0.33% |
| 10× odds | 0.18% |
| 100× odds | 0.02% |
Key insight: Maximum odds makes pass line one of the best bets in any casino.
Real-World Pass Line Examples
Example 1: Basic Pass Line
Bet: $10 pass line, no odds
Scenarios:
- Come-out 7 or 11: Win $10 (22.22% chance)
- Come-out 2, 3, or 12: Lose $10 (11.11% chance)
- Point established: Continue to point resolution
Expected loss: $10 × 1.41% = $0.14 per decision
Example 2: Pass Line with 3× Odds
Bet: $10 pass line + $30 odds on point of 6
Scenarios:
- Point hits (6 before 7): Win $10 (pass) + $36 (odds) = $46
- Seven-out: Lose $10 (pass) + $30 (odds) = $40
Expected loss: $40 total at risk × 0.47% = $0.19 per decision
Comparison: More money at risk but better percentage.
Example 3: Maximum Odds Strategy
Casino offers: 10× odds
Optimal bet: $5 pass + $50 odds
Combined edge: 0.18%
Per $55 at risk: $0.10 expected loss
This is one of the absolute best bets in any casino.
Pass Line Strategy
Optimal Approach
- Bet minimum on pass line: This is the portion with 1.41% edge
- Take maximum odds: This is 0% edge—bet as much as bankroll allows
- Skip proposition bets: All other craps bets have higher edges
Bankroll Considerations
More odds = more variance:
| Strategy | Pass Line | Odds | Total Risk | Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | $10 | $0 | $10 | Low |
| Moderate | $10 | $30 (3×) | $40 | Medium |
| Aggressive | $10 | $100 (10×) | $110 | High |
Higher odds reduce house edge but increase bet-to-bet swings.
Session Expectations
$10 pass, 3× odds, 100 decisions:
- Total wagered: ~$4,000
- Expected loss: ~$19
- Standard deviation: ~$400
You'll typically win or lose $300-$500, rarely close to the $19 expected loss.
Pass Line vs. Don't Pass
Comparison
| Bet | House Edge | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1.41% | Bet with shooter, wins on 7/11 |
| Don't Pass | 1.36% | Bet against shooter, wins on 2/3 |
Don't pass has slightly better odds but:
- You're betting against the table
- Social pressure may be uncomfortable
- Push on 12 (some casinos 2)
Both are excellent bets with odds.
Common Pass Line Mistakes
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Skipping Odds: Not taking free odds throws away the game's best advantage
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Big Pass Line, Small Odds: Inverse of optimal. Minimize pass line, maximize odds.
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Removing Odds: You can remove odds anytime, but mathematically you never should
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Proposition Bets: "Horn," "hardways," and field bets have 5-16% edges. Avoid them.
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Hedge Betting: Betting both pass and don't pass is pointless—they nearly cancel out
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I ever bet don't pass?
If you don't mind betting against the shooter, don't pass has a 0.05% lower edge. With odds, the difference is negligible. Choose based on preference.
Can I take down my pass line bet?
No. Once a point is established, pass line bets are "contract bets" and must stay. You CAN remove odds at any time (but shouldn't).
What if the casino offers 100× odds?
Take as much as your bankroll comfortably allows. 100× odds makes pass line essentially a 0% edge bet. This is extraordinarily rare.
Is there a pass line strategy to win?
No strategy changes the math. The house has an edge regardless of betting patterns. Optimal play minimizes that edge through maximum odds.
How many pass line bets should I have working?
One pass line (or come bet) at a time is simplest. Multiple bets increase action but also variance. Match to your bankroll and preferences.
Why is the pass line better than other bets?
Historical accident. Craps evolved from street dice; the pass line reflects basic fair dice odds. Casinos added proposition bets with huge edges to profit.
Advanced Pass Line Concepts
Come Bets
Come bets work exactly like pass line but made after point is established:
- Same 1.41% edge
- Same odds rules
- Creates multiple points working
Calculating Variance
Standard deviation per pass line decision:
- No odds: ~1× bet
- 3× odds: ~3× bet
- 10× odds: ~10× bet
Higher odds = more extreme session results.
Table Selection
Look for:
- Maximum odds available (10× better than 2×)
- Lower minimums (allows proportionally larger odds)
- Less crowded (more rolls per hour)
Pro Tips for Pass Line Betting
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Always take odds: The 0% edge is the whole point
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Minimize pass line amount: Just enough to get odds access
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Avoid proposition bets: They exist to drain your bankroll
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Set session limits: Variance can swing dramatically
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Learn come bets: Same math, more action
Related Craps Calculators
- Craps Odds Calculator - All craps bet probabilities
- Craps Don't Pass Calculator - Wrong bettor math
- Craps House Edge Calculator - Compare all bets
- Craps Strategy Calculator - Optimal betting
- Craps Bankroll Calculator - Session planning
Conclusion
The pass line with maximum odds is one of the smartest bets in any casino. Our free calculator shows exactly how odds reduce the house edge, helping you understand why this simple bet structure is the foundation of intelligent craps play.
Calculate Your Pass Line Bet Now →
Craps can seem intimidating, but the math is simple: pass line good, odds better, everything else worse. Master this fundamental and you'll play smarter than 90% of the craps table.
