What is the Safest Bet in Craps?

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Updated on: September 25th, 2024

Since it was introduced to online casinos, craps has grown in popularity. Most beginner players ask: “What is the safest bet in craps” to place? Well, in this quick breakdown of the best wagers to make, we’ll tell you when and where to put your chips.

While the craps table can look confusing at first with dozens of bets across the felt, there’s a method to it. Whether you’re playing at a land-based or online casino, most bets will be the same, with some variations. However, the house edge might be higher or lower, so factor that into your craps strategy.

The house advantage is the percentage that a casino will take from winning bets. Most craps games have an advantage of 1.41% or higher. So, let’s get into the safest bet to stake your money on.

Safest Bet in Craps

Safest Bet in Craps

While playing craps, you’ll have a variety of bets that depend on the next outcome or a series. Each roll of the dice is not related to the last. So, if you want to win at craps, you should keep that in mind as the shooter rolls.

Before we get into wagering, we’re going to walk through the basics of the game, namely:

  1. The shooter is selected from the group of players and handed the dice;
  2. If the shooter automatically rolls a seven or 11, they will win;
  3. But, if they get a two, three, or 12, they automatically lose;
  4. So, if they don’t, the shooter will then roll the dice and establish the point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10);
  5. With the point number established, they will keep rolling until they hit the point number.

With that said, these are the safest bets to place on the table for craps players:

1. Pass Line Bet

In craps, the pass line is known as “right way” betting because you’re supporting the shooter. For new players, it can be considered the minimum bet you need to buy-in with.

Most players will make this bet because it has a house edge of 1.41% (the second-lowest in the game). So, if you win, you pay less to the casino and you get your bet back.

2. Don’t Pass Line

Since the pass bet is considered the “right” way, you’ll be going to the “dark side” when you bet against the shooter. As the name implies, you’re betting that the shooter won’t get the right number.

For this bet, the casino’s advantage is 1.36%, so you will still get your stake back. Of course, there’s also the fact that you’ll get 0.05% of your wager back over multiple sessions.

3. Odds Bet

In craps, odds bets can be added to the come/don’t come or pass/don’t pass lines, but you need to call out the odds. To add to your wagers, you need to bet on 4 and 10, 5 and 9, or 6 and 8.

In craps terms, betting the “right” way means “taking the odds,” while betting the “wrong” way means “laying the odds”. So, keep that in mind while you’re stacking your chips on the table.

Point # on Pass and Come Bets Pays
4 and 10 2 to 1 ($5 wager paid $10)
5 and 9 3 to 2 ($5 wager is paid $7)
6 and 8 6 to 5 ($5 wager is paid $6)
Point # on Don’t Pass and Come Lines Pays
4 and 10 1 to 2 ($10 wager is paid $5)
5 and 9 2 to 3 ($7 wager is paid $5)
6 and 8 5 to 6 ($6 wager is paid $5)

4. Come Bet

In craps, the “come” bet is essentially a second wager on the same outcome as the pass line. At any point, after the “come out” roll, you can place a stake on the point number.

So, if the next roll is a seven or 11, you will win even money on the bet. However, if a two, three, or 12 is thrown, you lose your wager to the house. But, any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) establishes a new point going forward.

Overall, this is the safest bet to make when you’re just starting out and still trying to find which bet works.

5. Don’t Come Bet

As the exact opposite of the last bet, the “don’t come” wager is added to the don’t pass line. So, you’ll want a two or three to win, or a 12 to push the new come-out roll. On the other hand, if the shooter rolls a seven, you will lose. So, not the safest bet you could make on the whole.

6. Outside – Safest Bet

The other bets you can place are divided into fields, hard ways, and single rolls, which payout slightly more than the others. However, we believe that the safest bet is to take the place stakes because they can pay out more consistently.

Payouts Table – Safest Bet

All craps bets you make will have basic odds at the start that are influenced by the house edge. So, keep this chart in mind while you’re playing.

Bet Type True Odds Payout Odds House Edge %
Pass Line or Come Bet 251 to 244 1 to 1 1.41%
Don’t Pass or Don’t Come Bet 976 to 949 1 to 1 1.36%
Pass Line Odds, Come Bet Odds, Buy Bets (5% Commission)
Numbers 4 or 10 2 to 1 2 to 1 4.76%
Numbers 5 or 9 3 to 2 3 to 2 4.76
Numbers 6 or 8 5 to 6 5 to 6 4.76
Don’t Pass Odds, Don’t Come Bet Odds, Lay Bets (5% Commission)
Numbers 4 or 10 1 to 2 1 to 2 2.44%
Numbers 5 or 9 2 to 3 2 to 3 3.23%
Numbers 6 or 8 5 to 6 5 to 6 4.00%
Field Bets
3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 1 to 1 5.50%
2, 12 2 to 1 5.50%
Place Bets
Numbers 4 or 10 2 to 1 9 to 5 6.70%
Numbers 5 or 9 3 to 2 7 to 5 4.00%
Numbers 6 or 8 6 to 5 7 to 6 1.52%
Hardways
6 or 8 10 to 1 9 to 1 9.09%
4 or 10 8 to 1 7 to 1 11.10%
One Roll Bets
Any 7 5 to 1 4 to 1 16.90%
Any Craps 8 to 1 7 to 1 11.10%
2 Craps or 12 Craps 35 to 1 30 to 1 13.90%
3 Craps or 11 Craps 17 to 1 15 to 1 11.10%
Horn Bet (3 or 11) 3.75 to 1
Horn Bet (2 or 12) 7.5 to 1
Big 6 or 8 1 to 1 9.09%