Odds Bet
If you’re serious about learning craps and want to make the most mathematically sound decisions at the table, whether in a live venue or at an online casino, you need to understand the Odds Bet.
Often referred to as the best bet in the casino, the Odds Bet is unique because it carries a zero house edge. Unlike nearly every other wager, it pays true odds.
The catch? You can’t place it on its own. An Odds Bet must be made alongside a Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line bet, and only after a point has been established. This makes it a cornerstone of smart craps strategy for players looking to minimize the house’s advantage.
What Is an Odds Bet in Craps?
An Odds Bet in Craps betting is a supplementary wager that can be made after the come-out roll, and only if a point has been established. If you're betting on the Pass Line, you’re hoping the shooter rolls the point number again before a 7. If you're betting on the Don’t Pass Line, you're hoping the shooter rolls a 7 before the point number.
The Odds Bet lets you back up your initial bet with extra chips and gives you a payout at true odds—which means there’s no built-in advantage for the house. For this reason, it’s widely considered the smartest wager on the craps table.
Here’s how it works in simple terms:
- You place a Pass Line bet.
- The shooter rolls a point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10).
- You then add chips behind your original bet—this is your Odds Bet.
Payouts on Odds Bets
The reason Odds Bets are so valuable is that they pay true odds based on the mathematical probability of rolling the point number before a 7. The payout depends on the point:
| Point | Payout |
|---|---|
| Point of 4 or 10 | Pays 2 to 1 |
| Point of 5 or 9 | Pays 3 to 2 |
| Point of 6 or 8 | Pays 6 to 5 |
For example, if you make a $10 Pass Line bet and the point is 4, you can back it with a $10 Odds Bet. If the shooter rolls a 4, your Pass Line bet pays even money ($10), and your Odds Bet pays 2 to 1 ($20).
On the Don’t Pass side, the Odds Bet pays differently (and in reverse), since you’re betting against the point being rolled before a 7. For instance, a point of 4 or 10 would pay 1 to 2 on the Don’t Pass Odds, because the odds are in your favor.
Betting Limits and Odds Multiples
Most casinos set a limit on how much you can wager as an Odds Bet compared to your original Pass or Don’t Pass bet. These are called odds multiples, and you’ll often hear terms like:
- Single Odds: Bet up to 1x your original wager
- Double Odds: Bet up to 2x
- 5x, 10x, or even 100x Odds: Available in select casinos
The higher the allowed multiple, the more potential you have to maximize winnings without increasing the house edge—because again, the Odds Bet itself carries zero house edge.
How to Place an 'Odds Bet'
| For Pass Line players | Wait until a point is established, then place chips directly behind your Pass Line bet. The dealer will know this is your Odds Bet. |
| For Don’t Pass players | Also wait for the point, then place your Odds Bet laid behind your original wager. You’ll be laying odds against the point. |
Dealers don’t typically ask you for an Odds Bet—you have to know to make it. Once you start using this strategy, you’ll be playing craps at a much more advanced level.
Why Odds Bets Are So Powerful
Here’s why experienced players never skip the Odds Bet:
- Zero house edge means you’re not giving the casino an advantage on this portion of your wager.
- It allows you to risk more with a fair payout when the odds are in your favor.
- It can transform a low-variance bet into a high-reward opportunity without sacrificing fairness.
- If you’re playing craps without taking odds, you’re missing out on one of the best advantages in all of casino gaming.
Odds Bet FAQs
What is an Odds Bet in craps?
An Odds Bet is a supplemental bet made after a point is established, placed behind a Pass or Don’t Pass Line bet, and it pays out at true odds with no house edge.
Can I make an Odds Bet on the come-out roll?
No, you can only make an Odds Bet after a point has been established.
Is there a house edge on Odds Bet?
No, the 'Odds Bet' is the only wager in craps that carries zero house edge.
What are typical odds multiples at a craps table?
Most tables allow 1x, 2x, or 3x odds, but some casinos offer up to 100x odds, especially in places like Las Vegas.
Can I make an Odds Bet on a Don’t Pass wager?
Yes, and in that case, it’s known as laying odds—you’re betting that a 7 will come before the point number.
