Craps odds & expected loss
| Bet | Pays | House edge | Expected loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass line | 1:1 | 1.41% | −$7.05 |
| Don't pass | 1:1 | 1.36% | −$6.80 |
| Come | 1:1 | 1.41% | −$7.05 |
| Pass + 2x odds | varies | 0.61% | −$3.05 |
| Pass + 5x odds | varies | 0.33% | −$1.65 |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 1.52% | −$7.60 |
| Place 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4% | −$20.00 |
| Place 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 6.67% | −$33.35 |
| Field | 1:1 / 2:1 | 5.56% | −$27.80 |
| Any craps | 7:1 | 11.11% | −$55.55 |
| Any seven | 4:1 | 16.67% | −$83.35 |
| Hardway 6 or 8 | 9:1 | 9.09% | −$45.45 |
Expected loss = bet size × number of bets × house edge. Red means the math expects to eat your whole bankroll over that many bets.
The best and worst craps bets
Pass line (1.41%) and don't pass (1.36%) are the cheapest bets on the table. Free odds behind the line carry no house edge at all, which is why experienced players keep their flat bets small and their odds large.
Proposition bets in the middle of the layout are the expensive end: any seven costs 16.67% of every dollar wagered, more than ten times the pass line.
Why expected loss matters more than edge
A 1.41% edge sounds harmless until you multiply it by the number of bets. A hundred $5 pass-line bets is $500 in action and about $7 of expected loss; a hundred $5 any-seven bets is about $83. Same money on the table, twelve times the cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the house edge on the pass line?
1.41%. Don't pass is marginally lower at 1.36%.
Do free odds have a house edge?
No. Odds bets pay true odds, so their house edge is zero — they dilute the edge on your overall action.
Which craps bet is worst?
Any seven, at 16.67%. Any craps (11.11%) and hardways (9–11%) are close behind.