What “House Edge” Actually Means In Craps
House edge is the casino’s built-in advantage on a bet, shown as a percentage.
A simple way to think about it:
- A lower house edge means you’re paying less “cost” to play that bet over time.
- A higher house edge means the bet is more expensive if you keep repeating it.
Important note: house edge does not tell you what will happen in one session. Craps is swingy. You can win on high-edge bets and lose on low-edge bets. House edge is about the long run.
If you want a simple framework for swings, read Understanding Volatility In Craps Betting Sequences.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
The Low-Cost Core Bets (Best “Value” For Most Players)
These are the bets many players build around because they’re relatively low-cost compared to most of the board.
Pass Line
- Typical house edge: about 1.41%
Don’t Pass
- Typical house edge: about 1.36%
Come
- Typical house edge: about 1.41%
Don’t Come
- Typical house edge: about 1.36%
These bets aren’t “guaranteed winners,” but they’re generally lower-cost than the flashy center action.
Odds Bets (The Special Case)
Odds are the unusual part of craps because the odds portion is typically:
- 0% house edge on that portion
That doesn’t mean “free money.” It means the odds bet pays at true odds, so the casino doesn’t take an extra cut on that specific part.
The key is that odds still increase your exposure, so your swings can get bigger.
We’ll go deeper next in The Difference Between Free Odds & Paid Odds Bets.
The “Middle Cost” Bets (Not Terrible, But Know What You’re Paying)
These bets aren’t the worst, but they’re not the cheapest either. They can make sense depending on your style.
Place Bets (Common And Easy To Use)
Place bet house edges vary by number.
Place 6 and 8
- Typical house edge: about 1.52%
These are the most popular place bets for a reason: they hit often enough to feel active, and they’re not insanely expensive.
Place 5 and 9
- Typical house edge: about 4.00%
Place 4 and 10
- Typical house edge: about 6.67%
As you move away from the “middle numbers,” the cost usually climbs.
If you need the mechanics first, read Place Bets Explained: How They Work On Each Number.
Buy Bets (Often Better Than Place Bets On 4/10, Sometimes On 5/9)
Buy bets are often used on 4 and 10 because they can reduce cost compared to placing those numbers, depending on how the casino charges commission.
A common setup is a 5% commission charged only on wins. Under that setup:
- Buy 4 or 10: typically around 1.67%
- Buy 5 or 9: typically around about 1.96%
Casinos handle buy bet commission differently, so always ask how they charge it.
Field Bets (Rule Variations Matter A Lot)
Field bets look simple, but payouts vary by casino, and that changes the house edge.
Common versions:
- If 2 and 12 pay double, the house edge is typically about 5.56%
- If 12 pays triple (and 2 pays double), the house edge is typically about 2.78%
Same bet name, very different cost.
If you’re using the field a lot, this is one of the first rules to check at a table.
The Expensive Bets (Fun, Flashy, And Usually Costly)
These bets aren’t “forbidden.” They’re just expensive if you make them a habit.
Hardways
Hardways can feel great when they hit, but they’re usually high house edge.
Typical examples:
- Hard 6 / Hard 8: house edge often around 9%
- Hard 4 / Hard 10: house edge often around 11%
They can be fun as an occasional “side snack,” but they’re not great as a constant bet.
Big 6 / Big 8
These are the big boxes on many layouts.
They’re usually a bad deal compared to placing the 6 or 8.
- Typical house edge: about 9%
If you want 6 or 8 action, placing is usually the smarter version.
One-Roll Prop Bets (Center Table)
These are the “fast food” bets of craps: quick, exciting, and expensive if you keep repeating them.
Examples include:
- Any 7
- Horn bets
- Yo (11)
- Ace-Deuce (3)
- Twelve (12)
- C&E style bets
House edge varies by the exact prop, but many are in the double-digit range.
The real problem is repetition. A $5 prop “just this roll” becomes $50 without you noticing.
If you want the warning explained, read The Hidden Dangers Of Center Table Betting.
A Simple Way To Use House Edge Without Overthinking It
You don’t need to memorize every percentage. Use this quick rule:
Build Your Session In Three Layers
- Core (low-cost): Pass/Don’t + (optional) odds
- Optional layer (moderate): place 6/8, maybe controlled buy bets
- Entertainment (expensive): props, hardways, bonus bets with a strict budget
If you keep your “expensive layer” small, your sessions usually last longer and feel more controlled.
If you want a low-risk structure, read How To Build A Conservative Craps Betting Approach.
Why Casinos Love Side Bets And Bonus Bets
Casinos promote:
- props
- hardways
- bonus features
Because they:
- create big moments
- drive table excitement
- and usually have higher house edge than core bets
That doesn’t mean you can’t play them. It just means you should treat them like entertainment, not a “smart plan.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Lowest House Edge Bet In Craps?
The odds portion of an odds bet is typically 0% house edge. Among common base bets, Don’t Pass and Don’t Come are usually slightly lower than Pass Line and Come.
Are Pass Line Bets Good In Craps?
They’re one of the lower-cost, standard bets in the game. They don’t guarantee profit, but they’re generally cheaper than many center-table props.
Are Place Bets Better Than Prop Bets?
Usually yes, in terms of cost. Place 6 and 8 are commonly much lower house edge than one-roll prop bets.
Why Do Field Bet Odds Change?
Because the payout on 2 and 12 varies by casino. That payout difference changes the house edge.
Should I Avoid Hardways Completely?
Not necessarily. They can be fun as an occasional small bet, but they’re usually expensive if you keep them up every roll.
Where To Go Next
You now know the big picture: core line bets tend to be lower-cost, place and buy bets vary by number and rules, and many props and hardways are expensive if repeated.
Next, we’ll zoom in on the most confusing part for beginners: odds betting and what do “free odds” mean.
Continue with The Difference Between Free Odds & Paid Odds Bets.
