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Best craps bets: The 5 smartest craps bets and best craps betting strategies
Some of the best craps bets are the ones you likely ignore or don't even know about. Learn about the best bets in craps with house edges going as low as 0%.
While craps features lots of bets, the pass line wager is definitely the most popular one. But is it among the best craps odds? But if you become too attached to pass line, you'll miss out on some of the best bets in craps. I've ranked the 5 best bets in craps below, based on their house edge and usefulness in building a strong betting strategy.
1. The odds bet – Only casino bet with a 0% house edge
Whenever the casino games with the best odds are discussed, blackjack, baccarat, and video poker come up the most. But craps can have a lower house advantage than all of these games for one reason—the odds bet.
Why it matters
This is the only wager in the casino that has a 0% house edge. Many online casinos allow up to 2x or 3x odds, which affect the house advantage as follows:
Odds
Pass line
Don't pass line
1x
0.85%
0.68%
2x
0.61%
0.45%
3x
0.47%
0.34%
When to use it
You can place odds behind your original pass line or don't pass line wager after a point is established. The craps odds bet pays at true odds, meaning it offers no cut to the casino.
Why players ignore it
Two reasons: larger bet sizes and misunderstanding. If you put 3x odds behind a $5 pass line wager, for example, you're risking $20 total. Many players don't even bother doing the math because they fail to realize how valuable odds are.
2. Don't Pass / Don't Come – 1.36% house edge, but socially unpopular
Don't pass line and don't come each carry a 1.36% house edge, making them slightly better than pass line.
Why they matter
Statistically, these are the best craps bets besides odds. You shave another 0.05% off the house advantage compared to pass line wagers.
When to use them
Anytime you're comfortable playing against the shooter (a.k.a., "dark side")—and the table in the case of a live dealer online casino. These bets work well when the dice are cold, and shooters aren't lasting long.
Why players ignore them
Craps is one of the few casino games where players can feel like they're on the same team rather than mere individuals. Wagering against the shooter puts you at odds with most/all of the table. Of course, you don't have to worry about social pressure in RNG-based online craps games.
3. Come bet – 1.41% house edge, confusing to players
This is essentially the same as pass line, except that it's available after a point number is established.
Why it matters
In combination with a pass line bet placed beforehand, a come wager allows you to build multiple positions on different numbers. You can even put odds behind come bets, just like with pass line and don't pass line.
When to use it
Make this wager when a point has been determined. Of course, that's assuming you want more action within the round and have the bankroll to do so.
Why players ignore it
Come bets look complicated, especially to anybody who's new to the online craps real money scene. More chips are moving around the table, and extra numbers being tracked create a somewhat chaotic feeling. Luckily, this feeling eventually fades with more experience.
4. Place 6 / Place 8 – 1.52% house edge, simple and fast
If you'd like to venture outside the main bets, then placing the 6 and 8 are your best options. These wagers both carry a 1.52% house edge, making them competitive with line bets.
Why it matters
The 6 and 8 are the two most commonly rolled numbers besides 7, meaning they win at a decent clip. Besides offering excellent craps odds, they also add some variety to your strategy.
When to use it
Right after a point is determined, especially if you want direct control over the potential winning number versus the more varied outcomes with come bets.
Why players ignore it
These wagers are stuck in the middle. Beginners don't take the time to understand place 6 and 8, while advanced players think they're too basic.
5. Pass line – 1.41% house edge, the baseline smart bet
Okay, I couldn't help but discuss pass line even though you're probably very familiar with it. This bet's iconic status and 1.41% house advantage make it the foundation of any solid craps strategy.
Why it matters
Pass line is likely the first bet that you'll learn when first researching how to win at craps. It's also a nice entry point for learning the game in general because it's simple enough while still introducing you to multi-roll and multi-number complexities.
When to use it
Pass line is the starting point when you're playing with the shooter. It's particularly good for live dealer craps, when you want to join in the camaraderie with fellow "light side" players.
Why players misuse it
Nobody really ignores pass line, but they do make one mistake by not putting odds behind it. Enjoying that 0% house edge is important, even if your bankroll only allows for 1x odds.
Quick reference for comparing craps bet house edges
Here's how the best bets in craps stack up to each other:
Bet
House edge
Odds bet
0.0%
Don't pass line
1.36%
Don't come
1.36%
Pass line
1.41%
Come bet
1.41%
Place 6
1.52%
Place 8
1.52%
For context, many wagers like field, hardways, and Whirl ramp up the house advantage to 5–15%. This makes a huge difference over time compared to the much more favorable bets listed above.
In summary, the pass line bet makes for a good entry point into craps. But there are several wagers that rival or even outdo it. The best craps betting strategy is to mix the line, come, or don't come bets with odds. You might even throw in the occasional place 6 or 8 wager to enjoy some variety.
You should also go for the biggest odds possible, provided your bankroll is big enough. For example, you can join DraftKings and use up to 5x odds—the biggest odds we've seen in online craps.
