Craps Optimal Strategy: Pass Line and Full Odds
Last reviewed: June 2026
The mathematically optimal craps strategy is two steps: bet the Pass line (or Don’t Pass), then take the maximum free Odds behind it every single time a point is established. Everything else at a craps table either matches that edge or — far more often — makes it substantially worse.
This article explains why those two bets are the right moves, how much the Odds multiplier actually matters, and which bets to avoid entirely.
The foundation: Pass and Don’t Pass
Every craps decision starts with the come-out roll. The two lowest-edge bets on that decision are:
- Pass Line — house edge 1.41% (exactly 7/495 per resolved wager)
- Don’t Pass — house edge 1.36% (exactly 27/1,980, accounting for the bar-12 push)
Don’t Pass wins slightly more often in the long run because the bar-12 rule prevents a tie from becoming a player win. In practice the difference is tiny; most recreational players choose Pass because it keeps you cheering with the shooter rather than against the table. Either choice is mathematically sound — the important thing is that you stick to one of them and skip the exotic bets surrounding them.
For a deeper look at how these two bets compare across every scenario, see Craps: Pass vs. Don’t Pass.
Free Odds: the only 0% edge bet in the casino
Once a point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is established, the casino lets you place an additional free Odds bet behind your Pass line wager. This bet pays at true mathematical odds — no house edge at all, 0.00%.
Because the Odds bet itself costs nothing in expectation, taking the maximum allowed is always the right move. The more of your total action that sits on a 0% bet, the lower your blended edge across all money wagered.
Most casinos use a 3-4-5× Odds structure, which means:
- Point of 4 or 10: up to 3× your flat bet
- Point of 5 or 9: up to 4× your flat bet
- Point of 6 or 8: up to 5× your flat bet
This structure conveniently keeps the Odds payout at exactly 6× your flat Pass bet regardless of which point you are on.
How the combined edge falls as Odds increase
| Odds Cap | Combined Edge on Total Action |
|---|---|
| No Odds (flat only) | 1.41% |
| 1× | ~0.85% |
| 2× | ~0.61% |
| 3-4-5× (casino default) | ~0.37% |
| 5× flat | ~0.33% |
| 10× | ~0.18% |
The pattern is clear: more Odds pressure means a lower blended edge. A 10× Odds game is genuinely rare, but the common 3-4-5× structure already cuts the effective edge by roughly three-quarters compared to playing Pass alone.
See Craps Odds Bets for full payout tables and how true-odds payouts are calculated for each point number.
Worked example: $10 Pass + $30 Odds on a point of 6
Say the come-out roll lands on 6, establishing it as the point. You have $10 on Pass. Under 3-4-5× rules, the maximum Odds on a 6 or 8 is 5× — so you place $30 behind the line.
If the 6 is made before a 7:
- Pass line pays even money: +$10
- $30 Odds on a 6 pays 6:5: +$36
- Total win: $46 on $40 wagered
If a 7 comes first:
- Both bets lose: -$40
Your total money at risk was $40. The combined house edge on that $40 is approximately 0.37% — meaning your long-run expected cost per $40 resolved is about $0.15. That is among the lowest exposure of any table-game bet in the casino.
Try Pass + Max Odds yourself
- Place a $10 Pass Line bet on every come-out roll.
- After each point is set, add the maximum free Odds (3-4-5× structure).
- After 30 resolved points, check your net result — the 0.37% edge is small enough that variance will dominate short-term.
What about Come bets?
Come bets work identically to the Pass line, just placed after the come-out. Come + Odds carries exactly the same edges: 1.41% on the flat portion, 0% on the Odds, and the same blended result at whatever cap the table offers.
Adding Come bets is not a mistake. It simply means you have multiple points working at once, which increases both volatility and the pace of action. If you enjoy the excitement of several numbers in play, Come bets are a perfectly valid extension of optimal strategy. If you prefer a simpler session, one Pass + Odds position at a time is equally efficient on a per-dollar basis.
Learn more at Craps: Come and Don’t Come Bets.
Bets to avoid
Every other bet on the craps layout carries a meaningfully higher edge. The gap is not subtle:
| Bet | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Pass / Don’t Pass | 1.41% / 1.36% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | 6.67% |
| Field (2:1 on 2 and 12) | 5.56% |
| Any 7 | 16.67% |
| Any Craps | 11.1% |
Place 4 and 10 are a particular trap. The 9:5 payout sounds reasonable, but the correct edge is 6.67% — nearly five times worse than Pass + Odds. See Craps Place Bets and Craps Trap Bets for the full breakdown of what to avoid and why.
Bankroll and variance considerations
Taking maximum Odds does not change your expected dollar loss per session — it only changes how that loss is distributed. With $10 Pass and $50 Odds, your expected loss per resolved point is about the same as $10 Pass alone, but your results swing much more dramatically in either direction.
The practical implication: size your flat Pass or Don’t Pass bet to fit your bankroll, then add Odds on top. A common guideline is to bring at least 20–30× your flat bet to the table so that normal variance does not end your session prematurely. If a $10 flat bet + $50 Odds feels too volatile, drop to $5 flat + $25 Odds rather than skipping the Odds entirely.
For a deeper look at how variance scales with Odds multiples, see Craps Variance and Bankroll and Bankroll Management Explained.
Frequently asked
Is Don’t Pass always better than Pass? In pure edge terms, yes — 1.36% vs. 1.41%. Over a typical recreational session the difference is negligible. Choose whichever suits your table style. Both are correct.
Should I always take maximum Odds? Yes, as long as your bankroll supports the swings. Maximum Odds minimizes the blended house edge on your total action. If the size feels uncomfortable, reduce your flat bet rather than your Odds multiplier.
Are Come bets worth adding? They carry identical math to Pass bets, so they are not harmful. Adding one or two Come bets with Odds increases variance and complexity without hurting your edge. Whether that trade-off appeals to you is a personal preference, not a math question.
What is the single worst bet on the craps table? Proposition bets like Any 7 (16.67%) and hardways lead the list. The field bet at 5.56% and place bets on 4 or 10 at 6.67% are also well worth avoiding. See Craps Trap Bets for the complete picture.
Sources & further reading
- Wizard of Odds — Craps: house edge tables and combinatorial proofs for all standard bets
- Craps for Beginners — how the game works before worrying about edge
- Best and Worst Casino Bets — cross-game edge comparison
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).