Craps Strategy Guide: Best Bets, House Edge, and How to Play Smarter

Craps has a reputation for complexity – a large table, its own terminology, and dozens of betting options competing for the attention of anyone approaching it for the first time.

But underneath that surface, the structure is simple: most of the available bets are not worth making, and the ones that are can be learned quickly.

The best craps strategy comes down to low-house-edge bets – pass line, come, and odds – and avoiding proposition bets that give the casino a significantly larger edge. This guide covers how those bets work, what sets them apart from the rest, and how to manage your bankroll at the table.

House Edge by Bet Type

A solid craps strategy starts with understanding the math. Here’s how the main bets compare:

• Pass line :41% house edge
• Don’t pass line: 36% house edge
• Place bets on 6 or 8: 52% house edge
• Field bet: The edge depends on the specific table rules
• Any 7: Approximately 16.67% house edge

That gap between the pass line and the Any 7 is the entire argument for strategic play. The top of the list is where you want to be; the bottom is where money disappears quickly.

Pass Line and Odds Bets

The pass line is the foundation of any sensible craps betting strategy. You bet before the come-out roll, win on 7 or 11, lose on 2, 3, or 12, and then follow the point until it either repeats (win) or a 7 lands (lose). Simple, predictable, and well-suited to anyone learning how to play craps strategy for the first time.

Once the point is established, the odds bet is the most valuable option on the table. It carries no house edge and pays at true odds:

• 4 or 10: pay 2:1
• 5 or 9: pay 3:2
• 6 or 8: pay 6:5

That zero house edge is what makes the pass line plus odds the benchmark for the best craps strategy. The odds bet does not change the probability of winning or losing. Instead, it removes the casino’s margin from the portion of the bet that follows the point. Keep your base bet proportionate to your bankroll, then back it with odds when the table allows.

Come and Don’t Come Bets

Come bets work like pass line bets but are placed after a point has already been established. Each come bet creates its own individual point and follows the same win/loss logic. A come bet with odds operates on the same principle as a pass line bet with odds, so it fits naturally within the same strategy.

Don’t come bets are on the opposite side: they track against the shooter and behave like a don’t pass bet once a point is made. Both belong to the same low-edge group. The key is discipline. Use these bets to stay within a coherent mathematical framework rather than spreading wagers across the layout.

Bets to Avoid

Proposition bets are the most common mistake at a craps table. They sit at the centre of the layout, they have large stated payouts, and they carry a house edge that makes them poor choices for anyone focused on craps strategy. Any 7 at roughly 16.67% is the clearest example; the payout does not compensate for the probability.

Exotic options such as lay bets and fire bets exist and are covered separately. As a rule for strategy purposes, if a bet relies on a single-roll outcome and the house edge is high, it does not belong in a considered approach to the game.

If you’re looking for a casino game where strategy plays a bigger role on every hand, our blackjack guide is a good place to start.

Bankroll Management

Bet selection is only part of craps strategy. Managing the size and pace of your wagers matters just as much.

• Set a session bankroll before you sit down, and do not exceed it
• Keep your base bet consistent – typically the pass line or don’t pass line
• Add odds only after the point is established and within a preset limit
• Do not increase stakes to chase losses
• Walk away when your session limit is reached, whether you are up or down

These rules keep the session structured. They limit how much a losing run can cost, and they stop a winning run from unravelling through overconfidence.

Ready to put it into practice? Play craps at William Hill Casino!

Craps Strategy FAQs:

What is the best craps strategy for beginners?

Start with the pass line bet and add an odds bet once the point is established. It’s the lowest-edge combination on the table and straightforward to follow.

Is the don’t pass line better than the pass line?

The don’t pass line carries a slightly lower house edge – 1.36% compared to 1.41% for the pass line. Whether to use it comes down to whether you want to bet with the shooter or against them. Both are strong strategic choices.

Why are odds bets so important?

Odds bets carry no house edge and pay at true odds. They’re the only bets in craps where the casino holds no mathematical advantage, which makes them the best-value addition to any base bet.

Are come bets part of the best craps strategy?

Yes. Come bets function like pass line bets after the point is established, so they carry the same low house edge and fit the same strategic approach.

Which craps bets should I avoid?

Avoid proposition bets as a rule. Their house edge is significantly higher than the pass line, come, and odds bets. Any 7 is the clearest example at roughly 16.67%.

How should I manage my bankroll at the craps table?

Set a fixed session limit, keep your base bet steady, and only add odds bets within a predetermined amount. Stop when you hit your limit, in either direction.

Key Takeaways

• The best craps strategy is built on pass line, come, and odds bets
• Odds bets carry no house edge – they’re the highest-value add-on in the game
• Don’t pass and don’t come bets are marginally lower-edge than their counterparts, but both groups are strong
• Place bets on 6 or 8 are acceptable; proposition bets are not part of a sound strategy
• Bankroll discipline is as important as bet selection
• Stay within the low-edge bets and ignore the high-payout traps at the centre of the layout