Quick Answer: What Are Prop Bets In Craps?
Prop bets are one-roll or short-term bets placed in the center of the table.
Most prop bets:
- are resolved on the next roll
- pay large amounts
- have a higher cost over time than standard bets like line bets or place bets
In simple terms:
prop bets are entertainment bets, not efficiency bets.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
Why Prop Bets Are So Popular
Prop bets are popular because they:
- feel dramatic
- can win instantly
- have big payouts
- are easy to “sprinkle in” during a session
The danger is that “sprinkle in” often becomes:
- “every roll.”
The Center Table Prop Bet Zone (What You’re Looking At)
Most craps tables group prop bets around the middle, including:
- Any 7
- Any Craps
- Yo (11)
- Horn bets
- C&E
- and sometimes hardways near the center area
If you want help decoding the overall board layout, read Why Craps Has One Of The Most Complex Betting Boards In The Casino.
The Most Common Prop Bets (Explained Simply)
1) Yo (Eleven)
A Yo bet is a one-roll bet that the next roll is 11.
- Wins if the next roll is 11
- Loses on anything else
Why it’s popular:
- simple
- iconic table call (“Yo!”)
- quick win feeling
Why it’s risky:
- 11 only has 2 combinations out of 36
2) Any 7
Any 7 is a one-roll bet that the next roll is 7.
- Wins if the next roll is 7
- Loses on anything else
This sounds “safe” because 7 is the most common total.
But it’s still a one-roll bet, and the payout is not true odds.
It can be fun in tiny doses, but repeated Any 7 betting can bleed bankroll quickly.
3) Any Craps
Any Craps is a one-roll bet that the next roll is:
- 2, 3, or 12
- Wins if the next roll is 2, 3, or 12
- Loses on anything else
This bet hits rarely because:
- 2 and 12 have 1 combo each
- 3 has 2 combos
So it’s not a frequent winner, even if the payout looks attractive.
4) Horn Bet
A Horn bet is a one-roll bet that splits your chips across:
- 2, 3, 11, 12
So it wins if the next roll is one of those four numbers.
How it works:
- your stake is divided into four smaller bets
- if one hits, that portion wins, the other three lose
Horn bets are common in “celebration moments” or as a small fun bet when the table is hot.
But it’s still a prop bet, so keep it small.
5) C&E (Craps And Eleven)
C&E splits your stake across:
- Any Craps (2, 3, 12)
- Yo (11)
It wins if the next roll is:
- 2, 3, 12, or 11
This bet is popular because it covers more outcomes than a single-number prop bet, so it feels like:
- “more ways to win.”
But again, payout structure matters, and repetition is the danger.
6) The “Hop” Bets (If Your Casino Offers Them)
Hop bets are one-roll bets on specific dice combinations, like:
- 2-3
- 4-6
- 5-5
They’re basically “pick the exact roll.”
Hop bets can be extremely expensive over time because they’re very specific outcomes.
If you see someone hopping exact combos every roll, that’s usually entertainment, not advantage.
Why Prop Bets Cost More Over Time (Simple Math)
The key is this:
Prop bets often pay less than true odds.
Example:
- 11 is a 2/36 outcome
- a fair payout would be based on that rarity
- but prop bet payouts include a house advantage
If you want the full combinations breakdown, read The Probability Of Rolling Each Number On Two Dice.
That’s why prop bets can feel like:
- “I’m hitting sometimes”
but still drain money across a session.
The Biggest Prop Bet Trap: Re-Betting
Prop bets settle instantly.
That creates a loop:
- bet
- roll
- win or lose
- bet again
- roll again
And you can do that dozens of times in a short period.
Even small bets add up fast.
If you play props, the smart move is to treat them like:
- a tiny budgeted expense
not a core strategy.
A Responsible Way To Use Prop Bets (If You Want Them)
If you like props, try this rule:
- Set a “prop budget” for the session (example: 5 units total)
- Once it’s spent, you’re done
- Never increase size after losing
- Never prop bet to recover losses
- Avoid stacking multiple prop bets at once
This keeps props as entertainment without turning your session into a bankroll leak.
Common Beginner Mistakes With Prop Bets
Mistake 1: Thinking “Big Payout = Good Value”
Big payouts often exist because the event is rare and the bet is priced for the house.
Mistake 2: Betting Props Every Roll
This is how money disappears quickly without noticing.
Mistake 3: Mixing Props With Too Much Exposure Elsewhere
If you already have line bets, odds, and place bets, props can push your total risk too high.
Mistake 4: Using Props When You’re Tilted
Props feel like a quick “fix.” That’s when they hurt the most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Prop Bets In Craps?
Prop bets are center-table wagers that usually settle in one roll, like Yo (11), Any 7, Any Craps, Horn, and C&E.
Are Prop Bets Bad Bets?
They’re usually higher-cost over time than core bets. They can be fine as small entertainment bets, but risky as a main plan.
What Does “Horn Bet” Mean In Craps?
A horn bet covers 2, 3, 11, and 12 on the next roll.
What Is A C&E Bet?
C&E splits your bet between Any Craps (2, 3, 12) and Yo (11) for the next roll.
Why Do Casinos Like Prop Bets?
They’re high-action and higher-cost over time, and they encourage frequent re-bets.
Where To Go Next
You now understand prop bets: what they are, how common center bets work, and why repeated prop betting can be one of the fastest ways to drain a bankroll.
Next, we’ll cover “seven out” in detail: what it means, why it ends the shooter’s turn, and how it changes the emotional flow of a session.
Continue with What “Seven Out” Means & Why It Ends The Shooter’s Turn.
