Craps can look fast and confounding from the rail, but a few simple rules make it easy to play sensibly. One of the most common table conventions is called 3-4-5x odds, which defines how much you may place behind a Pass Line or Come bet depending on which point is active. This article explains that convention, shows exact payout examples, and walks through what it means for house edge and session volatility. If you want a quick ready-made reference for play, think of a compact craps odds chart that maps each point to its maximum odds and the true-odds ratio. Read on for worked dollar examples you can use at the table and a short checklist to confirm posted limits before you bet.

3-4-5x means 3x on 4/10, 4x on 5/9, 5x on 6/8, equalizing maximum odds payout across points.

Free odds pay true odds and carry no house edge; the flat bet still favors the house.

Higher allowed odds lower percentage house edge but increase variance and absolute dollar swings.

Quick overview: what 3x, 4x, 5x odds mean in craps

The 3-4-5x odds convention limits how much you can place behind a Pass Line or Come bet by point: 3x on 4 and 10, 4x on 5 and 9, and 5x on 6 and 8. This setup equalizes the maximum odds payout so the largest possible odds win on any point equals six times the original flat bet, which makes dealer payoffs simpler and keeps the free-odds portion paying true odds.

If you want a quick reference while scanning casino tables, see our blog for compact charts that map each point to its maximum backable odds and the associated true-odds ratio; remember that the free odds portion pays at true odds and carries no house edge while the flat Pass bet retains the house advantage.

Always check the posted table sign because each casino sets its own odds limits and the numbers at one table may differ from another.

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Before you stake extra dollars behind a flat bet, take a moment to read the posted odds sign and confirm the limits with the dealer to make sure your intended odds are allowed and match your bankroll plan.

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How craps odds work: flat bets versus free odds

The flat bet is the basic Pass Line or Come wager you place before the come-out roll; it wins even money if the shooter makes the point and loses if a seven-out happens. Dealers pay the flat bet at even money and the casino keeps a built-in house edge on that wager.

Free-odds bets are additional wagers placed behind the flat bet after a point is established; these odds pay at the true mathematical odds for that point, which means the odds portion carries no house edge. For an authoritative overview of rules and payouts that describe flat and free-odds bets, see the Wizard of Odds craps guide: Wizard of Odds craps guide

Dont Pass and Dont Come bets can also be backed with lay odds, which are paid at the inverse true-odds ratios for the same points; the odds layer remains zero-edge while the flat portion on the Dont side keeps the house advantage.

What the 3-4-5x odds convention actually means at the table

Under the 3-4-5x rule you can back your flat Pass or Come bet by up to 3 times on points 4 or 10, up to 4 times on points 5 or 9, and up to 5 times on points 6 or 8. That means a $10 flat bet can be backed with $30 on a 4 or 10, $40 on a 5 or 9, and $50 on a 6 or 8.

The choice of multipliers equalizes the maximum possible odds payout at six times the flat bet because the underlying true-odds ratios differ by point; using the 3-4-5x schedule yields the same highest cash payout across points and simplifies dealer math, which is why many casinos use this convention. For the standard explanation and house-edge effects tied to these limits, see the Wizard of Odds appendix on taking odds: Wizard of Odds odds appendix

What are the practical implications of 3-4-5x odds when I play a short session?

Using full 3-4-5x odds lowers your long-run percentage loss but increases session volatility; size odds relative to your bankroll and your tolerance for single-session swings.

Because casinos control table rules, this convention is common but not universal; if a venue posts 5x, 10x or other limits you will need to read the sign to know exactly how much to place behind your flat bet.

True-odds pay schedule and the math behind payouts

Craps odds chart on a close up posted casino table sign showing odds limits with blurred players and chips in the background in a minimalist Funded Plays color palette

True odds for Pass and Come odds are based on the combinatorics of two dice and pay at fixed ratios: 2:1 for points 4 and 10, 3:2 for points 5 and 9, and 6:5 for points 6 and 8. Those ratios reflect the true probability of the shooter making each point before rolling a seven, which is why the odds bet itself has zero house edge.

The regulatory and rules documentation that defines approved pay tables confirms these ratios as the standard true-odds schedule for craps. See the Mississippi Gaming Commission rules for the game for authoritative rule-level descriptions: Mississippi Gaming Commission craps rules

For Dont Pass and Dont Come lay odds, the payouts are the inverse rates: where Pass odds pay 2:1, a Dont lay pays 1:2, and similarly for the other points. This inverse relationship keeps the underlying probability math consistent across bet types.

Step-by-step payout examples for 3x, 4x, and 5x odds

Example A: $10 Pass Line with point 6 using 5x odds. With a $10 flat Pass bet you may place up to $50 in odds behind it on a 3-4-5x table. The odds portion pays at 6:5, so a $50 odds bet returns $60 on the odds portion plus the $10 flat even-money, for a $70 total win when the point hits. This concrete worked example follows the standard payout schedule: Wizard of Odds craps guide

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Example B: $10 Pass Line with point 4 using 3x odds. With the same $10 flat you can place $30 behind it on point 4. The odds pay at 2:1, so the $30 odds bet returns $60 on the odds portion plus the $10 flat for a $70 total win. The 3-4-5x convention again produces a maximum odds payout equal to six times the flat bet.

Example C: $10 Pass Line with point 5 using 4x odds. Place $40 in odds behind a $10 flat; the odds pay 3:2, so the $40 odds bet returns $60 on the odds portion plus the $10 flat, giving a $70 total win. This demonstrates how different multipliers and ratios are chosen so the absolute odds payout lines up across points.

How 3-4-5x odds affect house edge, expected value, and variance

Because free odds pay at true odds and carry no house edge, increasing the size of odds relative to the flat bet reduces the percentage house edge on total action. In the widely used 3-4-5x arrangement, the combined Pass Line house edge falls to roughly 0.37 percent of total action when you take the maximum allowed odds, which is why many players seek higher odds tables to reduce the casinos percentage advantage on their play; see the Wizard of Odds analysis of odds effects for the specific edge calculations: Wizard of Odds odds appendix

That arithmetic benefit comes with a trade-off. Allowing more dollars to be placed behind a zero-edge bet increases variance and the size of absolute swings in your session because more money is at risk on each resolved point. Practical guidance on this trade-off and variance implications is discussed in player-facing explainers: Investopedia explanation of craps odds and variance and Riverwind's craps odds guide

In short, higher odds lower the house-edge percentage but increase volatility, so players should size odds relative to the size of their bankroll and their tolerance for session swings.

How to choose a table: odds limits, posted signs, and bankroll implications

Start by reading the posted table sign, usually mounted on or near the table; it lists the flat bet minimums and the allowable odds multipliers such as 3-4-5x, 5x, or higher. For venue surveys see Wizard of Vegas.

Casinos set their own odds limits and they can vary widely between properties and even between tables in the same room, so never assume a limit without reading the sign and confirming with the dealer. For a recent survey of common Las Vegas table odds and limits that highlights differing conventions across venues, see the Las Vegas craps survey: Vegas Advantage table odds survey. For a comprehensive table-game list see Vegas Advantage's table-game survey.

Quick pre-bet table checks to confirm odds and choose odds size

Read posted odds sign
Confirm with dealer
Decide odds amount relative to bankroll

Use conservative odds relative to bankroll

As a practical rule of thumb, prefer higher-odds tables when your goal is to minimize the percentage house edge and you have sufficient bankroll to absorb larger variance; prefer lower-odds tables when you want smaller session swings even if the house-edge percentage is slightly higher. Read more on how we evaluate tables.

Common mistakes and table-sign checks every player should avoid

A common error is assuming a table allows higher odds than are posted; always confirm the exact numbers on the sign because a dealer will enforce the posted limit. If you try to place more than the allowed odds the dealer will decline or return the excess, which can interrupt play and cost time.

Another frequent confusion is forgetting that odds portions pay at different ratios by point and that the dealer pays the odds portion separately from the flat bet; asking the dealer to confirm the payoff on a prospective placement will remove ambiguity. When in doubt ask the dealer to show how they would pay a standard example such as a $10 flat with maximum allowed odds so you can see the math in practice.

Comparing 3-4-5x tables with 5x, 10x and higher limits

The payout math is identical regardless of the odds cap; higher numeric limits simply allow you to place more dollars at zero-edge true odds, which lowers the percentage house edge on total action but increases the variance of your session. A table that offers 10x or higher lets you back a $10 flat with $100 in odds on a point that allows 10x, producing proportionately larger absolute wins and losses even though the odds portion itself remains fair.

Players who prefer to reduce the house-edge percentage should favor tables that offer larger odds if they have the bankroll to handle the increased swings. If you are balancing session volatility against long-term percentage advantage, verify on the posted sign what multipliers the table allows before making your choice; surveys and venue-specific lists can help you find tables with higher odds limits.

Practical session scenarios: worked examples of bankroll impact and swings

Scenario A, conservative player. Start bankroll $500, flat bet $10, minimal or no odds. With only the flat bet exposed each resolved point risks $10 and the session shows lower variance. Over many points the player will face the original house edge on the flat bets, leading to steadier but slower bankroll drift.

Scenario B, aggressive player. Start bankroll $500, flat bet $10, full 3-4-5x odds used. On a point 6 the player places $50 in odds behind the $10 flat, so each resolved point can swing $70 on a win or lose $60 on a loss. The expected percentage loss is lower because more action is on zero-edge odds, but the bankroll will experience larger absolute swings per decision. The trade-off is the same effect described in analyses comparing house-edge percentage and variance for larger odds bets.

Minimal 2D vector cheatsheet showing three panels comparing flat bet odds bet and total payout for a ten dollar flat bet using chip icons on dark background craps odds chart

Choose an odds strategy that matches the size of your bankroll and how much session volatility you are willing to tolerate. If a single large swing would materially affect your ability to continue playing, reduce odds sizes accordingly; if you are comfortable with larger swings and want a lower long-run percentage loss, larger odds make sense.

Rules, regulation references, and why casinos set odds limits

Approved game rules and pay tables for craps are published by state gaming authorities and divisions of gaming enforcement; those documents describe allowed bets, approved payoff schedules, and operational rules dealers must follow. For an example of regulatory game rules consult the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement craps rules: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement craps rules

Casinos set odds limits for operational reasons such as table liquidity, ease of dealer payout math, and house risk management. Equalizing maximum payout amounts across points with conventions like 3-4-5x reduces calculation errors and speeds play while still preserving true-odds pay on the odds portion.

Quick cheat sheet: simple odds table and payout reference

For a quick mental chart using a $10 flat bet on a 3-4-5x table the maximum odds and total winning on a point hit are as follows. Point 4 or 10: up to $30 odds, odds pay 2:1, odds win $60, plus $10 flat = $70 total. Point 5 or 9: up to $40 odds, odds pay 3:2, odds win $60, plus $10 flat = $70 total. Point 6 or 8: up to $50 odds, odds pay 6:5, odds win $60, plus $10 flat = $70 total.

Scale this reference by multiplying every number if your flat bet is different. Always confirm the tables posted odds multipliers because the actual legal backing at the table may be different from the 3-4-5x convention.

Conclusion: key takeaways and what to check before you bet

Three short action items: 1) Read the posted table sign to confirm the odds multipliers. 2) Understand that 3-4-5x equals maximum backable odds of 3x on 4/10, 4x on 5/9, and 5x on 6/8 and that the free-odds portion pays true odds. 3) Size odds relative to your bankroll because higher odds lower percentage house edge but increase session variance.

If you want to learn more about rules, odds calculations, and how different venues post their limits, consult the regulatory documents and rule guides mentioned earlier to verify specifics for your jurisdiction or visit Funded Plays.

How does the 3-4-5x rule determine maximum odds by point?

It sets the maximum backable odds at 3x for points 4 and 10, 4x for points 5 and 9, and 5x for points 6 and 8 so the maximum odds payout equals six times the flat bet.

Do odds bets have a house edge?

No, the odds portion pays at true mathematical odds and carries no house edge; the house edge remains on the flat Pass or Come bet.

Should I always take the maximum odds?

Not always. Larger odds reduce percentage house edge but increase variance and absolute dollar swings, so match odds sizes to your bankroll and volatility tolerance.

If you plan a session, take a moment before you sit to scan the posted table sign and decide how much of your bankroll you will place on flat bets and how much you will risk on odds. Higher odds reduce the house-edge percentage but increase how much you can win or lose on a single decision. Being deliberate about that trade-off will help you manage risk and play more confidently. For venue-specific limits and official pay tables, consult the casinos posted rules and the state gaming commission documents referenced above.