True Craps Odds Bet Explained: 0% House Edge Strategy

Many players feel overwhelmed by the dozens of bets at a craps table, unsure which ones actually give them a fair chance. Yet, one stands apart for being completely fair: the Craps odds bet.

Craps is often described as the heartbeat of the casino floor, fun, unpredictable, and with many betting options. Unlike every other wager, it has no house edge.

To learn the catch, we’ll explain what the odds bet is, how it works. We will also show step by step how to use it to play smarter.

What Is the Odds Bet in Craps?

The odds bet is a side wager you place in support of your Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet. You can’t make it on its own, which is why so many beginners don’t notice it at first. 

Once a point is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), you can back your original bet with an odds wager, which pays out at true odds.

Additionally, casinos often set limits on how much you can place. They are commonly expressed as single odds, double odds, or the popular 3-4-5x odds structure. 

It means you can place an additional bet up to 3 times your Pass Line bet on points of 4 and 10, and 4 times on points of 5 and 9. For points of 6 and 8, the limit is 5 times your Pass Line bet.

Why the Odds Bet Has 0% House Edge

Every casino game is built with a small advantage that ensures the house profits over time. When playing Craps, even the core Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets carry a house edge of about 1.41% and 1.36%. 

The odds bet is the only exception because it pays out at the exact probability of winning. To understand this, consider how casinos typically generate revenue: they offer payout odds that are slightly worse than the true odds.

For example, a single-number bet in Roulette has true odds of 37 to 1, but it only pays 35 to 1. That small gap is the house edge.

With the odds bet, there’s no such gap. If you’re backing a Pass Line bet with the point set at 4, the chance of rolling a 4 before a 7 is 1 in 3, and the payout is exactly 2 to 1.

The math lines up perfectly, making the odds bet mathematically fair, neither favoring the player nor the casino.

Step-by-Step: How to Place the Odds Bet

The odds bet only comes into play after a point has been established. Before placing an odds bet, you must first have a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come wager on the table. 

After the shooter sets the point, you can back your original bet with an odds wager behind the line. Here’s how it works in practice:

Pass Line Odds

1. Make a Pass Line bet before the come-out roll.

2. Shooter establishes the point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10).

3. Place your odds bet directly behind your Pass Line bet.

4. Pays at true odds:

• 4 or 10 → 2 to 1

• 5 or 9 → 3 to 2

• 6 or 8 → 6 to 5

Don’t Pass Odds

1. Bet the Don’t Pass line before the come-out roll.

2. Shooter establishes the point as above.

3. Lay odds (Bet against the point being rolled before a 7).

4. Pays at reverse true odds:

• 4 or 10 → 1 to 2

• 5 or 9 → 2 to 3

• 6 or 8 → 5 to 6

Odds Limits

Casinos usually cap how much you can back your line bet with odds. Some common structures include:

• Single odds: Up to 1x your base bet.

• Double odds: Up to 2x your base bet.

• 3-4-5x odds: Up to 3x on 4/10, 4x on 5/9, 5x on 6/8.

By combining the base wager with odds, you’re effectively reducing the total house edge on your action.

Using the Odds Bet to Your Advantage

The odds bet in Craps has no house edge, but it still carries risk. You add more money to the table, so careless use can hurt your bankroll.

You can approach it strategically by:

Maximize Value with Odds

The odds bet is the only wager in the casino with a 0% house edge. By backing your Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet with odds, you lower the overall house edge on your total wager.

Experienced players often call it the “Best bet in the house” because it gives pure value. So, the key is adding as many odds as your bankroll allows while keeping the base bet manageable.

Manage Your Bankroll

Adding odds multiplies your risk. For example, a $10 Pass Line bet with 5x odds means you now have $60 on the table ($10 base + $50 odds). To keep control, you should:

• Keep your base bet smaller if you plan to back it heavily with odds.

• Avoid chasing losses by maxing out odds every time.

• Use proportional betting; the more aggressive the odds, the smaller your starting line bet should be.

Smart Play in Action

• Pass Line with maximum odds: The strongest play for lowering the casino’s edge.

• Don’t Pass with maximum lay odds: The lowest edge mathematically, though many players find it less fun.

So, combining odds with consistent bankroll management gives you longer sessions and steadier results. In short, the odds bet doesn’t guarantee wins, but it lets you play on level ground, a rarity in gambling. 

Craps Odds Bet vs Other Craps Bets

Most bets carry a built-in house edge, even the ones considered “safe.” The odds bet is the only one that truly levels the playing field. 

To see how the odds bet stacks up against other wagers, take a look at this simple Craps odds chart, comparing the house edge across popular bets:

While Craps offers some of the fairest bets in the casino, the table is also filled with traps. Proposition bets and certain place bets can drain your bankroll quickly. 

By sticking to Pass/Don’t Pass with odds, you’re always playing on the sharpest possible terms.

Tips for Playing Odds Bet at Online Craps

There are a few things worth keeping in mind:

• Check table limits first: Online casinos often use the popular 3-4-5x odds structure, but some may cap odds lower or allow higher multipliers.

• Practice in demo mode: If you’re new to Craps, start with free play to get comfortable with when and how the odds bet is placed.

• Manage your bankroll: Since odds increase your total bet quickly, plan your unit sizes carefully to avoid overextending.

• Look for transparent odds: The rules and payout structures are clearly displayed on platforms like Jackpot.bet, so you always know what you’re working with.

Conclusion

The odds bet in Craps is a rare gem in casino gaming, the only wager with no built-in house edge. By paying out at true odds, it lets you back your Pass Line or Don’t Pass bets on even mathematical ground, something no other casino bet can offer.

That doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Odds bets still depend on the dice, and variance means short-term swings are inevitable. 

However, when combined with smart bankroll management and disciplined play, they give you the fairest shot possible at stretching your sessions and maximizing value.

So, learning to use the odds bet is essential, both when playing online on Jackpot.bet and at a live Craps table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the odds on Craps?

They depend on the bet. Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets carry about a 1.4% house edge, while proposition bets can be much higher. 

The odds bet is unique; it pays at true odds and has no house edge at all.

What are the odds of Craps dice?

Craps is based on two dice, giving 36 possible outcomes per roll. The most common result is a 7, which has 6 combinations (16.67% chance). 

Less frequent numbers like 2 and 12 each have just one combination (2.78%). 

Is Craps 50/50?

Craps isn’t truly 50/50. While even-money bets like the Pass Line might look balanced, the house edge makes sure the casino has a small advantage. 

Only the odds bet pays at exact mathematical probability, giving you a genuine 50/50 chance against the dice. But you can only use it to back another wager, not on its own.

How often does 7 hit in Craps?

The number 7 is the most frequent roll in Craps, appearing in 6 out of 36 possible combinations, about once every 6 rolls on average. 

What are the best odds for Craps?

The best odds in Craps come from pairing a Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet with the odds bet. The base line wagers already have a low house edge of 1.4%. 

Once you add odds behind them, you’re playing with the fairest possible math in the casino, true odds with no house edge.