Craps offers some of the best odds in the casino. It also offers some of the worst. The best bet on the table doesn't even appear on the layout, while the worst ones are some of the easiest to make. Every wager one the table is presented in such a way as to make it seem like the player could. For example, '3-4-5x Odds,' usually means you can bet 3x Odds on the 4 or 10, 4x Odds on the 5 or 9, and 5x Odds on the 6 or 8. Check out some great online casinos such as Sunpalace, Casino Max, or slotsplus. Let's look at a simple scenario to see how the flat and Free Odds bets work together. Craps is a game that appears to contain levels upon levels of wagering variety, but only a few of those bets matter. The rest are longshots, crafted specifically by the casino to entice unsophisticated gamblers into backing poor odds. Once you've played the game for any amount of time, the apparent complexity of craps melts away. This is the most powerful bet in all of craps. In order to play the free odds bet, you must have wagered on the pass line bet or the come bet.If the shooter has not. Craps odds can be expensive depending on your betting preferences. In a nutshell, you will have to risk a large stake to place these bets. Anything up to 5x odds or more will mean you're taking a much bigger chance. For example, 10x odds (betting 10x the amount of your original wager) will mean you stand just over a 50% chance of losing this.
Let me begin by apologizing to our beginner craps players. I pride myself on being a good teacher, but I overlooked the fact the I have not yet written an article dedicated to the free odds bet. I took it for granted that everyone understood what is mathematically the best bet in the game.
However, recently, I started seeing very basic questions about the free odds bet pop up on the RoadGambler YouTube channel.
So let's have a simple discussion about the free odds bet.
For purposes of simplicity, I am only going to discuss free odds on the light side, aka the pass and come side. For the dark side of free odds, see this: https://roadgambler.com/casino/darkside/
Also, the free odds are simply referred to as ‘odds'; so going forward, I will use the term ‘odds' in lieu of ‘free odds.
WHAT ARE THE FREE ODDS BET?
The odds bet is a bet that can only be made once the player has bet on the pass line or come bet.
It's mathematically the best bet on the table because the odds pay true odds. That means that, unlike almost every other bet in the casino, the house has no advantage.
Odds bets are usually capped. At most Las Vegas strip properties, the odds bet is capped at a maximum of 3x, 4x, and 5x.
For example, here is a table limit sign at a Las Vegas Strip casino.
Notice that the minimum bet on this table is $15. 3x, 4x, and 5x means that: if the point is 4 or 10, then the maximum odds are 3 times the pass line bet; if the point is 5 or 9, then the maximum odds are 4 times the pass line bet; and if the point is 6 or 8, the maximum odds allowed are 5 times the pass line.
Let's say that you make a $15 pass line bet. That means that in the above picture since the point is 8 (as marked by the white puck), you can bet $75 worth of odds.
Some casinos will allow more free odds. Notice the sign that says 100x. That means if you bet $5, you can bet up to $500 worth of odds.
WIN-LOSS CONDITIONS OF THE ODDS BET
The odds bet will win if the point assigned to that odds bet rolls before the 7 rolls.
For example, if the point is 8, and the 8 rolls before the 7 rolls, then the odds bet will win. If the 7 rolls before the 8 rolls, then the odds bet will lose.
Odds bets can also be wagered on Come bets after the Come bet point has been established. Be warned that typically if the bettor has a live come bet with odds, and the pass line has just won, then the next roll will be a come out roll for the pass line. In that case, the odds bet attached to the come bet will not be working unless the bettor declares the odds to be working.
HOW TO IDENTIFY AND MAKE THE ODDS BET
In the picture below, the two bets that are behind the pass line bet are the odds bet. To make the odds bet, you just position your chips in the area behind your pass line bet, AFTER THE POINT HAS ROLLED.
If you are playing online, the odds bet is made by dragging chips to the area behind your pass line bet, like this…
PAYOUT ON ODDS BET
The most important thing to know about the odds bet is the payout.
The following are the payouts for each point…
Point is 4 or 10
- Odds will pay 2-1.
- For example, if you bet $10 on the odds, you will be paid $20
Point is 5 or 9
- Odds will pay 3-2.
- For example, if you bet $10 on the odds, you will be paid $15.
- When betting odds on the 5 or 9, always make sure that you bet in even dollar increments. For example, if you bet $5, you will be penalized. True odds payout would be $7.50, but since most casinos do not have 50 cent chips, the casino will round down and pay $7.
Point is 6 or 8
- Odds will pay 6-5.
- For example, if you bet $10 on the odds, you will be paid $12.
- Always bet in $5 increments, or else you will be penalized. The casino will round down from the true odds payout.
FINAL ADVICE
Best Odds On Craps Table
When in doubt about how much to bet, follow this one simple rule about how much to bet on free odds: Bet in $10 increments.
If you bet in $10 increments, you will always have the correct odds bet. Make sure that the $10 increment does not go over the maximum odds allowed.
Play responsibly and enjoy!
Posted in: Casino, Craps, Gambling
CRAPS ODDS
HOW TO IDENTIFY AND MAKE THE ODDS BET
In the picture below, the two bets that are behind the pass line bet are the odds bet. To make the odds bet, you just position your chips in the area behind your pass line bet, AFTER THE POINT HAS ROLLED.
If you are playing online, the odds bet is made by dragging chips to the area behind your pass line bet, like this…
PAYOUT ON ODDS BET
The most important thing to know about the odds bet is the payout.
The following are the payouts for each point…
Point is 4 or 10
- Odds will pay 2-1.
- For example, if you bet $10 on the odds, you will be paid $20
Point is 5 or 9
- Odds will pay 3-2.
- For example, if you bet $10 on the odds, you will be paid $15.
- When betting odds on the 5 or 9, always make sure that you bet in even dollar increments. For example, if you bet $5, you will be penalized. True odds payout would be $7.50, but since most casinos do not have 50 cent chips, the casino will round down and pay $7.
Point is 6 or 8
- Odds will pay 6-5.
- For example, if you bet $10 on the odds, you will be paid $12.
- Always bet in $5 increments, or else you will be penalized. The casino will round down from the true odds payout.
FINAL ADVICE
Best Odds On Craps Table
When in doubt about how much to bet, follow this one simple rule about how much to bet on free odds: Bet in $10 increments.
If you bet in $10 increments, you will always have the correct odds bet. Make sure that the $10 increment does not go over the maximum odds allowed.
Play responsibly and enjoy!
Posted in: Casino, Craps, Gambling
CRAPS ODDS
Odds describes the number of times something won't happen next to the number of times it will happen. If an event is determined to have 1 to 1 odds, that means the event has an equal chance of occurring or not occurring. Craps is played with a pair of dice. Since each die has six sides there are six possible outcomes. Two dice makes 6×6 and therefore there are 36 possible combinations on each roll.
Since only one combination can give you a total of 12 (6 + 6), the probability of this on any given roll is one in thirty-six.
In order to become a more confident player, it can be helpful to know the odds of any number being rolled before a 7. For example, the odds against rolling a 5 before a 7 using two dice are 6 to 4. We get these odds because there are six ways to make the 7 vs. four ways to make the 5.
To figure this out, take the number of ways a 5 can be made with two dice (1 + 4, 2 + 3, 3 + 2 and 4 + 1) for a total of four ways. Then, compare this to the total number of combinations that two dice can make, which is thirty-six.
Now, we have a four in thirty-six, or one in nine, chance that a 5 will come up on any given roll. To express these odds, you would say the odds against rolling a 5 are 8 to 1. We say this because there are eight chances of not rolling a 5 vs. one chance of rolling a 5 for a total of nine rolls. This determines the ‘true odds' of rolling a 5.
What is the house edge?
The house edge is a built-in mathematical advantage the casino has over the player in a game. Think of it as the amount of profit the casino earns – a percentage of a player's original bet.
The house edge in craps varies based on the different bets available, but the game is among those with some of the lowest house edges in the casino. In fact, some bets in craps have no house edge at all. Of course, for other bets the house edge can go as high as 16.67%.
No matter how you bet, the longer you play the less likely you are to walk away a winner. Anyone can win, but it's not a good strategy to try to win back the money you've lost. This is more likely to lead to further losses.
Below is a summary of the most popular craps bets with their true odds and respective payouts, or odds paid. These bets are popular because of their favourable odds and lower house edge, compared to other craps bets.
The following shows you the true odds for popular craps bets, alongside their standard payouts, which include the house edge. Keep in mind, payouts are standard and will vary depending on the casino. The house edge ensures that over time, players lose more money than they win.
Pass Line/Come Bet
Actual or 'True' Odds: 251 to 244 Odds Paid or Payout: 1 to 1 House Edge: 1.41%
Don't Pass/Don't Come Bar
Actual or 'True' Odds:
244 to 251
How To Play Odds On Craps
Odds Paid or Payout:
1 to 1
House Edge:
1.36%
Pass Odds/Come Odds
Actual or 'True' Odds:
2 to 1 on 4 or 10, 3 to 2 on 5 or 9, 6 to 5 on 6 or 8
Odds Paid or Payout:
2 to 1 on 4 or 10, 3 to 2 on 5 or 9, 6 to 5 on 6 or 8
Pass Line Odds Craps
House Edge:
0%
Don't Pass Odds/Don't Come Odds
Odds On Craps
Actual or 'True' Odds:
1 to 2 against the 4 or 10, 3 to 2 against the 5 or 9, 6 to 5 against the 6 or 8
Odds Paid or Payout:
1 to 2 against the 4 or 10, 3 to 2 against the 5 or 9, 6 to 5 against the 6 or 8 The white snake play.
House Edge:
0%
Place Bets
Actual or 'True' Odds:
2 to 1 on 4 or 10, 3 to 2 on 5 or 9, 6 to 5 on 6 or 8
Odds Paid or Payout:
9 to 5 on 4 or 10, 7 to 5 on 5 or 9, 7 to 6 on 6 or 8
House Edge:
6.67% on 4 or 10, 4% on 5 or 9, 1.52% on 6 or 8
Can I increase my chances of winning?
The true odds in craps are based on mathematical probability. Nothing you can do will affect the outcome of the dice. Even if you stick to bets where the true odds are higher, there's no guarantee of rolling a winning outcome.
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