Don't Pass Craps Calculator: The Dark Side Advantage

Don't Pass in craps—betting against the shooter—offers the lowest house edge on the table at 1.36%. Despite social stigma, our calculator reveals why "wrong" betting is mathematically superior, and how laying odds reduces the edge even further.

What Is Don't Pass?

Don't Pass is the opposite of the pass line—you win when the shooter loses. On the come-out, you win on 2 or 3, push on 12 (bar 12), and lose on 7 or 11. Once a point is established, you win if 7 comes before the point. The slightly lower 1.36% edge makes it the best basic craps bet.

Quick Answer: Don't Pass = bet against shooter. Come-out: Win on 2/3, push on 12, lose on 7/11. After point: Win on 7, lose on point. House edge: 1.36% (lower than pass line). Can lay odds to reduce further. Social stigma but better math. Called "dark side" or "wrong" betting.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Don't Pass Calculator →

Calculate don't pass probabilities and laying odds.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Enter Don't Pass Bet: Base wager
View Come-Out Odds: 2/3 win, 12 push, 7/11 lose
See Point Scenarios: Your advantage
Calculate Lay Odds: Reduce edge
Check Effective Edge: With odds

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Don't Pass Bet	Base wager	$10
Win on 2 or 3	Come-out win	8.33%
Push on 12	Bar twelve	2.78%
Lose on 7 or 11	Come-out loss	22.22%
Lay Odds	Behind bet	3x
Effective Edge	With odds	0.46%

How Don't Pass Works

Come-Out Roll

Don't Pass on come-out:

WIN: 2 or 3 (3 ways = 8.33%)
PUSH: 12 (1 way = 2.78%)
LOSE: 7 or 11 (8 ways = 22.22%)
POINT: 4,5,6,8,9,10 (24 ways = 66.67%)

Net disadvantage on come-out
But advantage after point

After Point Established

Once point is set:

You WANT 7 to appear
You DON'T want point

7 has 6 ways (16.67%)
Points have fewer ways

Point 6/8: 5 ways (you're underdog)
Point 5/9: 4 ways (you're favorite)
Point 4/10: 3 ways (you're big favorite)

Bar 12 (Push)

Why 12 is barred:

Without bar 12:
Don't pass would have edge

12 appears: 1/36 = 2.78%
This creates the house edge

Bar 12 = push (tie)
Some casinos bar 2 instead
Same effect mathematically

The Mathematics

House Edge Calculation

Don't Pass edge:

Pass line edge: 1.41%
Don't Pass edge: 1.36%

Difference: 0.05%
Slightly better for don't

Bar 12 prevents player edge
Creates minimal house edge

Point Probabilities

After point established (don't pass advantage):

Point 4: Win 66.67%, Lose 33.33%
Point 5: Win 60.00%, Lose 40.00%
Point 6: Win 54.55%, Lose 45.45%
Point 8: Win 54.55%, Lose 45.45%
Point 9: Win 60.00%, Lose 40.00%
Point 10: Win 66.67%, Lose 33.33%

You're favorite on every point!

Laying Odds

How Lay Odds Work

Laying odds (opposite of taking):

Pass line: BET MORE to WIN MORE
Don't pass: BET MORE to WIN LESS

You're the "house" on odds
Lay $6 to win $5 on 6/8
Lay $3 to win $2 on 5/9
Lay $2 to win $1 on 4/10

Zero house edge

Lay Odds Payouts

True odds (no house edge):

6 or 8: Lay 6:5 (lay $6 to win $5)
5 or 9: Lay 3:2 (lay $3 to win $2)
4 or 10: Lay 2:1 (lay $2 to win $1)

Risk more to win less
But you're the favorite

Effective Edge with Odds

Laying maximum odds:

1x odds: 0.69% edge
2x odds: 0.46% edge
3x odds: 0.34% edge
3-4-5x: 0.27% edge
10x odds: 0.12% edge

Better than pass line with same odds
Best bet in the casino

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Come-Out Win

2 or 3 appears:

Bet: $10 Don't Pass
Come-out roll: 1-2 (Three!)

Result: WIN $10

8.33% probability
Good start for don't

Example 2: Come-Out Loss

Seven winner:

Bet: $10 Don't Pass
Come-out roll: 4-3 (Seven!)

Result: LOSE $10

22.22% probability
Table cheers, you lose

Example 3: Point Established

Now you're the favorite:

Bet: $10 Don't Pass
Come-out roll: 4-4 (Eight!)

Result: Point is 8

Now: Win on 7, lose on 8
Your odds: 6 ways to 5 ways
You're 54.5% favorite!

Example 4: Laying Odds

Maximum value:

Don't Pass: $10 (point is 4)
Lay odds: $40 (to win $20)

Roll: 2-5 (Seven!)

Result: WIN

Don't Pass: +$10
Lay odds: +$20
Total: +$30

You were 2:1 favorite

The Stigma

"Wrong" betting reality:

Table may dislike you
Cheering against shooter
Social isolation possible

But:
It's your money
Better math
Personal choice

Managing Reactions

Tips for don't bettors:

Be quiet when winning
Don't celebrate sevens
Stay poker-faced
Consider end-of-table spot

Hybrid Strategies

Some players:

Don't Pass with odds
But also Place 6/8

Hedges some exposure
More table action
Reduces pure dark side feel

Common Mistakes

1. Not Laying Odds

Mistake: Don't Pass without odds Problem: Full 1.36% edge Fix: Always lay maximum odds

2. Taking Down After Point

Mistake: Removing don't pass on point Problem: Giving up your advantage Fix: Keep it—you're the favorite now

3. Hedging with Yo

Mistake: Betting 11 to "protect" Problem: 11.11% edge on Yo Fix: Accept come-out variance

4. Playing Scared

Mistake: Timid don't play Problem: Not maximizing edge Fix: Full confidence in math

Frequently Asked Questions

Is don't pass really better than pass?

Yes. 1.36% vs 1.41% house edge. Small but real difference. Both are excellent bets.

Why is 12 a push?

Without bar 12, don't pass would have a player advantage. The push creates the house edge.

Can I take down my don't pass?

Yes, but why? After point is established, you're the favorite. Taking it down gives up your edge.

What are "laying" odds?

Opposite of "taking" odds. You bet more to win less, but at true odds (0% edge). You're acting like the house.

Is don't pass socially acceptable?

Technically allowed at all casinos. Some players find it rude. Your choice—it's your money.

Should I hedge with 7?

No. Hedging doesn't help expected value. Just adds cost. Play pure don't pass with odds.

Pro Tips

1.36% is best base bet: Lower than pass line
Lay maximum odds: Edge drops below 0.3%
Never remove after point: You're the favorite
Ignore social pressure: Math doesn't care
Bar 12 is push: Not a loss

Craps Odds Calculator - Main game
Pass Line Calculator - Opposite bet
Don't Come Calculator - After point
Lay Bets Calculator - Similar concept
House Edge Calculator - Compare games

Conclusion

Don't Pass offers craps' lowest base house edge at 1.36%—and laying maximum odds drops it below 0.3%. Our calculator reveals why "wrong" bettors have the mathematical advantage, even if the table doesn't cheer with them.

Calculate Don't Pass Odds Now →

That 7 the table groans about is your winner once a point is set. Our calculator shows why the "dark side" is actually the bright side mathematically.