This guide translates standard craps math and jurisdictional considerations into a practical, table-ready approach. It explains how to read a craps odds chart, which bets typically offer the best long-run value, and how local rules can change those rankings. The goal is not to promise wins but to give a repeatable framework that reduces expected loss and clarifies decision points at the table. Readers will learn which wagers to prioritize, which to avoid, and how to verify posted rules before play.

Free odds behind line bets carry no house edge and reduce combined expected loss.

Place 6 and Place 8 are the strongest non-line Place options on standard charts.

Avoid proposition bets like Any 7 and Hardways if your priority is minimizing expected loss.

What 'odds' mean on a craps odds chart: definition and context

Basic probability concepts used in craps

A craps odds chart is a compact reference that lists common bets, their payouts, and the expected long-run loss for each option. Players use the chart to compare choices quickly and to prioritize bets that minimize expected loss. A clear odds chart helps separate payout size from expected value so decisions are driven by math rather than just payout appeal.

On those charts you will commonly see the term house edge, which measures the casino's average advantage on a given wager over many repeated plays. House edge is not the same as short-term volatility or how often you win a single roll; it is an expected loss rate expressed as a percentage of the wager size. For a simple working definition: if a bet has a 1.4 percent house edge, a player who made many identical bets would lose on average 1.4 percent of the money wagered on that bet.

The odds portion behind Pass and Come bets is handled differently than flat-line bets. The odds portion pays true odds and therefore carries no house edge on that portion; this matters because a combined wager that mixes a line bet with backed odds lowers the overall expected loss compared with the line bet alone. For readers interested in the canonical derivations of these edges, the Wizard of Odds has detailed game summaries and appendices that explain the figures commonly shown on odds charts Wizard of Odds craps page

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How house edge relates to expected loss

Think of house edge as the long-run percentage you should expect to lose, on average, if you make the same bet many times. It is a statistical property, not a promise about any single session. A low house edge reduces average losses over many bets, but it does not eliminate variance or guarantee a winning session.

For decision-making, use house edge to rank bets. A lower edge means the casino keeps less of each wager on average. That ranking is exactly what a well-made craps odds chart is designed to show, so you can pick the smaller-loss options when you want to minimize risk.

Why a 'craps odds chart' is useful at the table

A craps odds chart makes it fast to see which bets are comparatively better or worse and highlights table-specific notes, such as special payouts for the Field or limits on odds multiples. With one glance you can focus on low-edge bets while avoiding high-edge proposition wagers that look tempting because they pay large sums on a single roll.

How to read a craps odds chart: layout and key entries

Common columns: bet name, payout, house edge

A typical chart lists three core columns: the bet name (for example Pass, Place 6), the nominal payout or payoff rule, and the house edge or expected loss. The payout column tells you the payoff on a win; the edge column translates that payoff and the underlying die probabilities into the long-run cost of the bet. When you compare bets, weight the edge column more heavily than payout alone.

Charts sometimes include footnotes that change the effective edge for specific entries. For example, a Field bet that pays triple on 12 or a table that allows very large odds multiples will change the listed edge for those wagers; always read footnotes and posted table signage before assuming a number from a generic chart applies.

If you want a canonical, reproducible reference to compare typical entries and their derivations, the Wizard of Odds maintains a comprehensive craps overview that shows the usual columns and typical edges seen on standardized charts Wizard of Odds craps page

Interpreting single-roll versus multi-roll entries

Single-roll or proposition bets (for example Any 7 or Any Craps) are judged by the probability of the next roll alone and usually appear as single-roll entries on charts. Multi-roll bets, such as Pass or Place bets, depend on sequences of rolls until a resolution condition is met, and charts express their edge as the long-run percentage across that resolution process.

When reading a chart, note whether an entry is single-roll or multi-roll because a single-roll check is resolved instantly and has a different variance profile. Good charts label this clearly, helping you choose based on both edge and the kind of session experience you want.

Noting table-specific payout variations

Always verify local table signage. Jurisdictional rules and posted house notices can change how a chart entry should be interpreted, for example whether a Field 12 pays double or triple, or what odds multiples the table permits, and those local differences must be used instead of generic chart numbers when making bets at that table. Regulatory documents and house rules set these permissible variations, so if a table sign conflicts with a generic chart, follow the posted information and local rules N.J.A.C. 13:69F rules

Core low-edge bets: Pass/Come and Don’t Pass/Don’t Come explained

How these line bets work in practice

Pass and Come are player-favoring line bets that win if the shooter makes the point and lose on certain early rolls; Don’t Pass and Don’t Come are the opposite side, betting against the shooter. Both pairs settle in similar procedural ways, but they differ in which outcomes count as immediate wins or losses.

For a quick practical rule: players who prefer to root with the shooter typically use Pass or Come, while players who prefer slightly lower long-run loss often choose Don’t Pass or Don’t Come. The canonical probability derivations show a small but consistent edge advantage for the Don’t side compared with the Pass side Wizard of Odds derivations

What are the best odds for craps?

The best odds on a typical craps layout come from Don’t Pass/Don’t Come and Pass/Come when those line bets are backed with the maximum allowed free odds, with Place 6 and 8 as the strongest Place bets; always confirm table-specific payouts and odds caps before play.

Why Don’t bets have a slightly lower house edge

The math that produces the marginally lower Don’t edge comes from the asymmetric handling of ties on the come-out roll and the exact distribution of winning and losing totals; established derivations indicate Don’t Pass and Don’t Come are typically about a few hundredths of a percentage point better than Pass and Come. That small difference is reflected on most authoritative odds charts and is a reason the Don’t options often appear at or near the very top of a low-edge list when no odds are backed.

In practice, the difference is modest. Table dynamics like dealer handling, player interaction, or your personal comfort with betting against the shooter may lead you to prefer Pass even though Don’t has a slightly lower house edge. The key is to be consistent and to back your line bets with allowed odds if your priority is minimizing expected loss Wizard of Odds craps page

Free odds and odds multiples: why increasing odds lowers your combined expected loss

What 'free odds' or 'lay odds' mean on the table

Free odds are the portion you place behind a Pass or Come bet, and lay odds are the symmetrical option behind Don’t bets. These odds are paid at true mathematical odds, so they carry no house edge on the odds portion itself. Adding odds therefore lowers the weighted average house edge of the combined wager because the zero-edge component dilutes the line bet portion.

Because the odds portion has no house edge, standard strategic guidance is to take the highest multiple of odds the table permits if your sole goal is to minimize expected loss. The reduction is mechanical: you are increasing the share of your combined exposure that is paid at true odds rather than at the line-bet payout that embeds the house edge Wizard of Odds derivations

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How odds multiples work and typical table limits

Tables set odds multiples as caps such as 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x, or higher depending on the casino and pit. The precise cap determines how much you can reduce the overall expected loss by adding the zero-edge odds portion. Higher permitted multiples allow a greater reduction in combined house edge; practice tables that allow larger odds let players see the impact directly on expected loss calculations.

Remember that permitted odds vary by jurisdiction and by table, and posted limits are authoritative. If you are unfamiliar with a table's odds cap, confirm it with the dealer before you place an odds bet, because the cap materially affects which bet is mathematically superior in combined terms Wizard of Odds craps page

Place bets compared: why 6 and 8 are the strongest Place options

How Place bets differ from line bets

Place bets are wagers on a specific point number paying fixed odds if that number rolls before a seven. They do not require a point to be established on the table and are resolved differently than Pass or Come bets. Place bets are single-number commitments you can make at almost any time during play.

Among the Place options, the 6 and 8 are the most favorable because their payout rates align well with their roll probabilities, producing a much lower house edge than other Place numbers. This ranking appears on standard odds charts and is a durable result of the dice probabilities involved Wizard of Odds craps page

compare expected value for Place bets quickly

uses given fields to estimate expected value

Relative edges for 6/8 vs 5/9 vs 4/10

Standard comparisons show Place 6 and Place 8 with materially lower house edge than Place 5 or 9, and those are in turn better than Place 4 or 10. This ordering comes from the differences in how often each number appears on the dice and the standard pay rates assigned to Place bets. When a chart lists Place edges, 6 and 8 are routinely near the top of the Place list for value.

Pick Place 6 or 8 when you want a steady, lower-edge alternative to backing the line with odds, particularly if the table limits on odds are low. Place bets are a simple way to target favorable numbers without committing to the point structure of Pass and Come wagers Wizard of Odds craps page

Proposition and single-roll wagers: why these typically have the worst odds

Examples: Any 7, Any Craps, Hardways

Single-roll and prop wagers are attractive because they pay larger sums on a successful roll, but the underlying one-roll probabilities make their house edges high. Common examples are Any 7, Any Craps, and Hardways, which consistently show much worse expected-loss rates than line or Place bets. The outsized payoff is balanced by the relative improbability of the exact winning outcomes.

Because prop bets resolve on the next roll, they have high variance as well as high house edge, which makes them poor choices for players focused on minimizing long-run losses. For concrete edge categories and reasoning, the Wizard of Odds maintains standard listings showing these prop wagers among the worst-value options on the layout Wizard of Odds craps page

Typical house edge ranges for common props

Approximate categories you will see on a standard odds chart place bets like Any 7 in the mid-to-high double-digit house-edge range, Any Craps in the low double digits, and Hardways often around single-digit to low double-digit edges depending on the specific payoff. These categories make the relative cost of playing prop bets clear and explain why they are often listed at the bottom of value-focused rankings.

If your aim is to reduce expected loss, avoid most proposition wagers and keep play focused on line and selective Place options. Reserve props for entertainment value when you accept the higher long-run cost rather than as part of a low-risk strategy Wizard of Odds craps page

How table rules and jurisdictional regulations change a craps odds chart

Examples of rule-driven variations (Field pay, odds limits)

Not all charts are universal. Local rules and table signage can and do change specific payouts or allowable wager types in ways that alter the effective edge. A common example is a Field bet that pays triple on 12 at some tables; that single change alters the Field's edge compared with versions that pay only double or even single on 12.

Regulatory codes and house rules set the permissible payouts and wagers; when in doubt, rely on the posted table sign and the jurisdictional rules that govern the casino rather than a generic chart. For regulatory baseline information, New Jersey's published craps chapter is a representative example of how rules are codified and how they feed into table signage and permissible payoffs N.J.A.C. 13:69F rules

Where to find official rules for a jurisdiction

Check the casino's posted rules, ask the dealer for clarifications, and consult the state or provincial gaming authority's published documents for authoritative guidance. These official sources explain allowable payout schedules and any restrictions that could make a specific chart number inapplicable at a particular table.

When you see unusual pays on a chart or table sign, treat that as a trigger to confirm the math. A posted promotional or unusual payout can be legitimate, but it also changes the comparison baseline used for your decision-making.

Decision framework: how to turn the chart into a repeatable low-risk approach

Priority list: line with max odds, then Place 6/8, avoid props

Build a simple priority list you can apply at every table: first, use a line bet (Pass or Don’t) and back it with the maximum allowed odds; second, if you want non-line exposure, prefer Place 6 or 8; third, avoid proposition bets as a habitual play because their long-run cost is much higher. This sequence reduces expected loss while keeping play straightforward.

This prioritization comes from the mechanical effect of the zero-edge odds portion combined with the relatively low edge of Place 6 and 8; authoritative derivations and standard charts show these options as top choices for minimizing house advantage Wizard of Odds derivations

Checklist to use at the table

Before you place chips, run a short checklist: confirm the table's odds cap, verify any special payout notes (for example Field pays), and set session goals and stop-loss limits. These checks ensure that the numbers on your reference chart are applicable and that your play aligns with your risk tolerance.

Keep the checklist concise and repeat it each session. The combination of chart-based prioritization and a short pre-play checklist is a practical way to reduce errors and stay disciplined while you play Wizard of Odds craps page

Managing variance and session goals

Even low-edge bets experience variance. Decide on a session goal and stop-loss before you start and treat the session as entertainment rather than an investment. If variance exceeds your planned tolerance, scale down stakes or stop the session rather than chasing losses.

Discipline and consistent application of the priority list are the most reliable ways to ensure your decisions reflect the math behind the odds chart rather than emotional reactions during play.

Bankroll and bet-sizing guidance tied to the odds chart

Sizing bets to manage volatility

Use conservative stake sizing when you prioritize low-edge bets. Because even line bets and Place 6/8 have negative expectation, your goal is not to find a guaranteed return but to limit the probability of ruin and keep sessions affordable. Reasonable unit sizing relative to your session bankroll helps manage the swings inherent to dice outcomes.

Higher odds reduce expected loss on combined bets but do not remove variance in the line component. That means you can lower long-run loss by using odds but still need to size bets so that typical losing runs do not exhaust your planned session bankroll Wizard of Odds craps page

Using the chart to set realistic session risk

Translate chart rankings into session rules: decide how many units you will risk per session, how many units you will risk on a single bet, and what stop-loss will end the session. Use the chart to choose lower-edge bet types within those unit limits. Doing this turns a theoretical ranking into practical session-level risk management.

If a table allows very large odds multiples, consider increasing the fraction of your stake that goes to the odds portion while keeping the line component consistent, since the odds portion reduces the average house edge on the combined bet.

When to shrink stakes after losses

Have a rule to reduce bet size after a defined losing stretch. Shrinking stakes after losses preserves playtime and prevents escalation that can turn a manageable session into a large drawdown. The chart guides which bets to keep when shrinking: favor the lowest-edge options and avoid props that magnify losses.

Pre-committed sizing rules and a willingness to step back after a loss are practical complements to using a craps odds chart for better decision-making.

Common mistakes and pitfalls when using an odds chart

Misreading payout vs edge

A common error is equating a large payout with superior value. Charts show that a higher payout often accompanies a much lower probability of success, and the house edge captures that trade-off. Read the edge column, not the payout column, when comparing long-run value.

Do not assume a dramatic one-roll payoff is a good value; the odds chart demonstrates that many high-payout props have the worst edges on the layout Wizard of Odds craps page

Ignoring table-specific exceptions

Another frequent mistake is using a generic chart without checking a table sign for local exceptions. Promoted or unusual pays can be present on a given table and will change the math for that session; if you ignore them, you may misapply a chart-derived decision.

When you see a special payout or a high odds cap, pause and verify the posted rules. Dealers can clarify posted limits, and regulatory documents explain the binding rules for the table.

Overweighting single big payouts

Chasing single high-payoff outcomes is emotionally tempting but detrimental to long-term expected value. If your objective is to minimize average loss, weight your decisions toward low-edge bets and view big props as entertainment, not as part of a disciplined strategy.

Remember that increasing odds reduces relative edge but does not make any bet profitable in expectation; prepare to accept negative expectation as part of casino play.

Practical examples and short scenarios: applying the chart at the table

Scenario A: focused low-risk session

Imagine you want a low-variance evening. You check the posted sign and confirm the table allows 5x odds and that Field pays are standard. You commit to using Don’t Pass with the maximum allowed odds, and you size your base line bet so you can withstand several losing rounds if variance pushes against you. This approach prioritizes the lowest combined expected loss available under the table rules and uses the chart to justify each choice.

Before placing chips, you confirm the odds cap on the posted sign and then place the line bet with the intent to add the full odds when a point is set; that combination reduces your overall expected loss compared with playing line bets without odds Wizard of Odds derivations

Scenario B: mixing Place 6/8 with backed odds

Suppose a table has a low odds cap that limits how much you can back a line bet. In that case you might combine a modest line bet with maximum allowed odds and add Place 6 and 8 to target additional lower-edge exposure. This mix uses the strengths of both approaches: the odds portion reduces combined edge while Place 6 and 8 give steady number-focused exposure that charts list as solid-value Place options.

Always re-check the posted payout and limits; if a table advertises an unusual Field payout or an atypical odds cap, adapt by choosing the option that the chart indicates has the lower effective edge under those posted rules Wizard of Odds craps page

How to read posted rules and act in the moment

When you arrive at a table, do three quick things: read the posted sign for odds multiples and special pays, ask the dealer if anything is unclear, and consult your odds checklist. This sequence prevents mistakes where a generic chart would mislead you because the local rules differ from the canonical numbers.

Make decisions based on the posted information and treat generic charts as a baseline that you adjust for actual table rules.

Quick ranking: best-to-worst wagers based on standard charts

Top tier: Don’t Pass/Don’t Come, Pass/Come with max odds

Top-tier choices on most standard charts are the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come pairs and Pass and Come when backed with maximum allowed odds. These bets combine the relatively low edge of the line component with the zero-edge odds portion, yielding the lowest combined expected loss available on the layout Wizard of Odds derivations

Middle tier: Place 6/8, selective Place bets

Place 6 and Place 8 are the strongest non-line options and typically sit in the middle tier of value. They are a practical alternative if you prefer simpler number bets or face a table with low odds caps for line bets.

Place 5/9 and Place 4/10 carry visibly higher edges and usually fall into a lower middle tier; use them selectively and only when chart numbers and your session goals justify it Wizard of Odds craps page

Bottom tier: Any 7, Any Craps, Hardways, exotic props

Proposition bets and single-roll wagers are bottom-tier choices on standard charts because their large payoffs come at the cost of a much higher house edge. If minimizing expected loss matters, avoid these bets except for occasional entertainment-sized stakes.

Charts consistently rank these prop bets as the worst value on the layout; reserve them for moments when you accept the high expected loss as part of entertainment rather than strategy Wizard of Odds craps page

Pre-play checklist: what to confirm on a posted chart or table sign

Confirm three things before you sit: the table's odds cap (for example 3x, 5x, or higher), any special Field or prop payouts (for example a triple on 12), and any posted house rules that change standard payouts. These three items are sufficient to decide whether a generic chart number applies to this table or needs adjustment.

If something is unclear, ask the dealer politely; if the posted rules still leave doubt, consult the casino's cage or the jurisdictional rules published by the gaming authority. Accurate verification prevents costly misreads.

Conclusion: practical takeaways from a craps odds chart

Three short action items

First, use line bets with the maximum allowed odds whenever your goal is to minimize expected loss. Second, prefer Place 6 and 8 among non-line options. Third, avoid proposition and single-roll bets as routine plays.

Remember that even disciplined low-edge play has negative expectation; treat table time as entertainment and set session limits in advance. For deeper technical derivations and detailed edges, consult canonical sources and local regulatory documents to confirm table-specific rules Wizard of Odds derivations

If something is still unclear before you sit, check Funded Plays for additional guidance or the table signage and dealer instructions as the final authority.

What is a craps odds chart and why use it?

A craps odds chart lists common bets, payouts, and house edges so players can compare long-run expected loss and choose lower-edge options at the table.

Which bets generally have the best odds in craps?

Line bets (Pass/Come and Don’t Pass/Don’t Come) backed with maximum allowed odds, and Place 6/8 among Place bets, are typically the best-value choices.

Do free odds make a bet profitable?

No. Free odds carry no house edge on the odds portion and reduce combined expected loss, but they do not make a bet positive expectation overall.

Use the odds chart as a baseline and always verify posted table rules before you play. Prioritize low-edge options, set session-level risk limits, and treat play as structured entertainment. For more technical derivations, consult authoritative game math resources and local regulatory documents to confirm any table-specific payout details before relying on a generic chart.