Craps Expected Loss Calculator

Calculate your expected loss at the craps table. Enter your bet size, odds multiple, and session length to see your mathematical expectation and how odds affect your bottom line.

Formula:Expected Loss = Total Wagered × House Edge

Expected Loss

$16

$4/hour

Total Wagered

$1,160

House Edge

1.41%

Session Setup

$

Typical: 100-120

Session Breakdown

Total Rolls400
Est. Decisions116
Bet Per Decision$10
Total Wagered$1,160
House Edge1.410%
Expected Loss$16
Loss Per Hour$4

Expected Range (95% Confidence)

Best Case

$91 win

Expected

-$16

Worst Case

-$124

95% of sessions will fall within this range. Standard deviation: $54

Odds Impact Comparison

OddsTotal BetEdgeTotal WageredExpected Loss
0x$101.410%$1,160$16
1x$200.705%$2,320$16
2x$300.470%$3,480$16
3x$400.352%$4,640$16
5x$600.235%$6,960$16
10x$1100.128%$12,760$16

* All calculations based on 4 hours at 100 rolls/hour

Quick Answer

A Pass Line player betting $10 at 100 rolls/hour for 4 hours will wager $4000 total. With 1.41% house edge, expected loss is $56.4. Adding 3x odds reduces the edge to 0.47%, cutting expected loss to $75.2 on $16000 total wagered.

Key Facts

  • Expected Loss = Total Wagered × House Edge
  • $1000 wagered on Pass Line = $14.1 expected loss
  • $1000 wagered on Any Seven = $166.7 expected loss
  • Average craps table: 100-120 rolls per hour
  • Taking odds increases total wagered but lowers combined edge
  • Comp rate typically calculated on total action, not expected loss

Calculating Expected Loss

Expected loss is the mathematical average of what you'll lose over time. It's calculated by multiplying your total action (all bets placed) by the house edge. While any individual session can vary wildly, over many sessions your results will approach this expected value.

Why Take Odds?

Taking odds seems counterintuitive - you're betting more money. But odds bets have 0% house edge, so they dilute the overall edge of your total action. The more odds you take, the closer your combined edge approaches zero.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate expected loss at craps?

Expected Loss = Total Wagered × House Edge. If you bet $25 per roll for 100 rolls ($2,500 total) on Pass Line (1.41% edge), expected loss = $2,500 × 1.41% = $35.25. Actual results vary, but this is the mathematical average.

How many rolls per hour at a craps table?

A typical craps table averages 100-120 rolls per hour, depending on the number of players and betting activity. During busy periods, it may slow to 60-80 rolls. For conservative session planning, use 100 rolls/hour.

Does taking odds change my expected loss?

Taking odds changes the math. With $10 Pass Line only: $10 × 1.41% = $0.14 per resolution. With $10 Pass + $30 odds: $40 total × 0.47% = $0.19. You lose slightly more dollars but at a much lower rate.

What is total wagered vs buy-in?

Total wagered is the sum of all bets made. A $500 buy-in recycled through wins might generate $2,000+ in total wagers. Casinos calculate comps and expected loss on total action, not your initial buy-in.

How much bankroll do I need for a craps session?

Rule of thumb: 30-50 bet units for a session. At $10 Pass + $30 odds ($40 total), bring $1,200-2,000. This provides reasonable protection against normal variance while still enjoying the game.