No Bet

Craps is a fast-moving and dynamic game, with chips flying, bets being placed and removed, and a unique lingo that regular players use effortlessly, whether you’re at a live table or playing in an online casino. One of the most critical terms to understand, especially when the action heats up, is 'No Bet.'

In craps, 'No Bet' is used to cancel a wager, refuse a bet that was just attempted, or indicate that a bet is not valid or in play. Whether it comes from a dealer, a boxman, or a player, the phrase has a particular and often urgent purpose: it stops a wager from being accepted, resolved, or acted upon.

What Does 'No Bet' Mean in Craps?

'No Bet' in craps strategy is essentially a void declaration. When someone says 'No Bet', they are either:

Cancelling their own bet,
Not accepting another player’s bet (in informal play),
Referring to a situation where a bet does not count due to improper timing or invalidity,
Or, most often, the dealer is announcing that a bet made by a player is not accepted.

The reason for the bet being invalid can vary. It could be because it was placed too late (after the dice were already in motion), incorrectly placed, improperly funded, or violates a table rule. The call 'No Bet' ensures the player does not lose money on a bet that shouldn’t be live in the first place.

When Is 'No Bet' Used?

Here are common situations where the dealer or boxman might call 'No Bet':

Late Bet: If you try to throw chips on the layout after the shooter has already rolled the dice, a dealer might shout 'No Bet!' and return your chips. This is especially common with proposition bets in the center of the table.
Improper Bet Amount: If you place a bet with an amount that doesn’t meet the table minimum or violates the required multiples (such as with odds bets), it might be invalid. Again, you'll hear 'No Bet'.
Out of Turn: If you try to place a bet or move chips during another player's turn or while the dice are still being resolved, you might get a 'No Bet' ruling.
Misunderstanding: Occasionally, players attempt bets that are not allowed or not offered by the house. For example, placing a Field bet after a roll but before payout resolution—again, 'No Bet'.

In all of these cases, your chips are usually returned to you, and no action is taken on the invalid wager.

Player Use of 'No Bet'

Players can also use the phrase 'No Bet' to cancel their own wager, but it has to be done in a timely fashion. For example:

A player tosses a $10 chip toward the Stickman for an 'Any Craps' bet but immediately realizes they don’t want it and says 'No Bet!' before the dice are thrown.
A player sets chips down for a Place Bet but decides to pull it back before the dealer locks it into position and announces the bet.

Dealers will usually honor this request as long as the timing is correct and the shooter hasn’t started the roll. Once the dice are in the air or hit the table, it's too late—the bet stands or gets declared invalid by the dealer if there’s an issue.

Why 'No Bet' Matters in Craps

In a high-energy craps game, chips are flying and players are placing side bets rapidly. Having a clear, enforceable way to declare when a bet doesn’t count helps prevent disputes. 'No Bet' is a way of resetting the situation, protecting both the house and the player from mistakes or unclear betting actions.

It also serves as a protective measure. If a dealer sees that a player is about to lose money on a clearly mistaken or invalid bet, they may call 'No Bet' in the player's favor.

No Bet in Craps FAQs

What does 'No Bet' mean in craps?

'No Bet' means a wager is not accepted or has been cancelled. It’s used to void invalid, mistimed, or unauthorized bets.

Can I call 'No Bet' after the dice have been rolled?

No, once the dice are in motion or have landed, you typically cannot cancel a bet.

Do I lose money if a dealer calls 'No Bet'?

No, if the dealer declares 'No Bet', your chips are usually returned because the wager wasn’t accepted.

Why do dealers say 'No Bet' so quickly?

Because craps moves fast, dealers need to make immediate decisions to maintain fairness and order at the table.

Can I use 'No Bet' to cancel someone else's bet?

No, only the person who placed the bet—or the dealer/boxman—can declare 'No Bet' for that wager.