Field Bets in Craps: One-Roll Bet Explained
Last reviewed: June 2026
The field bet looks like the friendliest wager on the craps table — it wins on nine different numbers — but the math is working against you from the moment the dice leave the shooter’s hand.
That is not a reason to never make the bet. It is a reason to understand exactly what you are paying for before you toss a chip on the felt.
What the Field Bet Covers
The field bet is a rectangular zone on the craps layout that lists the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Place a chip there before any roll and you win if the next number rolled is any one of those seven values. You lose if a 5, 6, 7, or 8 appears.
That looks like a lopsided deal in your favor: nine winning outcomes versus just four losing numbers. The catch is that craps is not about how many numbers appear on the layout — it is about how many of the 36 possible two-dice combinations those numbers represent.
| Result | Numbers Covered | Combinations |
|---|---|---|
| Field wins (3, 4, 9, 10, 11) | 5 numbers | 14 ways |
| Field wins (2 and 12, bonus pay) | 2 numbers | 2 ways |
| Field loses (5, 6, 7, 8) | 4 numbers | 20 ways |
The non-field numbers — 5, 6, 7, and 8 — are the four most common rolls in craps. The 7 alone accounts for 6 combinations. The 6 and 8 each account for 5. The 5 accounts for 4. That is 20 ways out of 36 that send your chip to the dealer.
How Payouts Work
The field pays even money (1:1) on 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11. To compensate for the losing side’s extra combinations, the 2 and 12 pay at 2:1 (some casinos upgrade the 12 to 3:1 — more on that below).
With 2:1 on both 2 and 12, the math works out as follows:
- 14 ways win $1 each → +$14
- 2 ways win $2 each (the bonus pays) → +$4
- 20 ways lose $1 each → −$20
- Net per 36 rolls: −$2
- House edge: $2 ÷ $36 = 5.56% (exactly 1/18)
That 5.56% edge is fixed and applies to every single roll. The field is a one-roll bet — it is settled immediately on the very next throw, regardless of whether the shooter is on the come-out roll or trying to make a point.
The 3:1 on 12 Variation
Some casinos offer 3:1 on the 12 instead of 2:1. That single upgrade cuts the house edge in half. The same calculation with 3:1 on the 12 produces a net loss of $1 per 36 rolls, giving a house edge of 2.78%.
If you are going to play the field at all, it is worth a few seconds to check the table layout for which bonus pay is in effect. A 3:1 on the 12 makes the bet meaningfully more competitive.
How the Field Compares to Other Craps Bets
The field sits in the middle of the craps betting spectrum — worse than the table’s best bets, but far better than the proposition bets that line the center of the layout.
| Bet | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Pass / Come | 1.41% |
| Place 6 or Place 8 | 1.52% |
| Field (3:1 on 12) | 2.78% |
| Field (2:1 on both) | 5.56% |
| Place 5 or Place 9 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or Place 10 | 6.67% |
| Proposition bets | 11–17% |
The Pass line at 1.41% and Place 6/8 at 1.52% are the two most efficient bets for players who want straightforward action. The field at 5.56% is roughly four times more expensive than the Pass line per dollar wagered.
That said, the field is not in the same territory as the one-roll proposition bets. Any 7 carries a 16.67% edge. Hardways and other center-table bets range from 9% to 17%. By that comparison, the field is a reasonable middle-ground bet.
Why Some Players Choose the Field
The field’s primary appeal is its pace. Pass line bettors spend most of a craps session waiting — waiting for the come-out, waiting for the point to resolve, sometimes watching eight or ten rolls of the dice before their bet is settled. Place bets on 6 and 8 are also inactive on certain rolls.
The field, by contrast, is alive on every single throw. A player who wants constant resolution — a decision on every roll without sitting through point cycles — will find the field uniquely satisfying. The bet is also easy to understand at a glance, which makes it popular with newer players who have not yet learned the full craps layout.
Neither of those is an irrational reason. Faster action is a legitimate preference. Just know the cost: at 5.56%, a player wagering $10 per roll on a table averaging 100 rolls per hour is theoretically surrendering about $55.60 per hour to the house. On a Pass-line strategy, that same $1,000 in action would cost around $14.10.
One-Roll Mechanics: No Phase Matters
A common question from newer craps players is whether the field bet behaves differently on the come-out roll versus during a point phase. It does not. The field is phase-independent: it resolves on the very next roll, collects or pays immediately, and the player decides whether to place another field bet before the following throw.
This also means the field has no interaction with the free odds bet, which is attached to Pass or Come bets and carries a 0% house edge. You cannot take odds behind a field bet.
Frequently Asked
Does the field pay differently on the come-out roll? No. The field pays the same regardless of whether a point has been established. It is a pure one-roll bet that resolves immediately on every throw.
What happens if the casino pays 3:1 on 12 instead of 2:1? The house edge drops from 5.56% to 2.78%. That is a meaningful difference — it puts the field in roughly the same range as a Place 5 or Place 9 bet (4.00%), and makes the field a noticeably better deal. Always check the table layout.
Is the field bet considered a “trap” bet? It depends on context. At 5.56%, it is more expensive than the Pass line or Place 6/8, so it is often cited as a bet to avoid in strategy guides. It is not in the extreme-trap category of proposition bets (11–17%), but it does carry a significantly higher edge than the table’s best options.
Can I combine the field with Pass-line bets? Yes, there is no rule against it. However, stacking a 5.56% bet alongside a 1.41% bet blends your average edge upward and increases your total dollars at risk per roll. Players who want maximum efficiency are generally better served putting that money toward free odds behind their Pass bet.
Sources & Further Reading
- Wizard of Odds — Craps Field Bet Analysis
- Craps for Beginners — LearnTheOdds overview of the full layout
- House Edge by Game — Comparative edge across casino bets
Educational explanation only. No real-money gambling happens on LearnTheOdds.
Responsible gambling: Play for entertainment, not income — the math favors the house over time. Set limits, never chase losses, and if it stops being fun, take a break. 21+. Need help? Call 1-800-MY-RESET (1800myreset.org).