Craps Odds Bet

An additional craps bet placed behind an existing Pass or Don't Pass wager once a point is set, uniquely paid at true odds so it carries a 0% house edge.

Definition

After a point is established, players who have a Pass or Don't Pass bet may back it with an Odds bet. Unlike almost every other casino wager, the Odds bet is paid at the true mathematical odds of the point being made: 2:1 on points of 4 or 10, 3:2 on 5 or 9, and 6:5 on 6 or 8. Because payout exactly matches probability, the Odds bet has zero house edge in isolation. It does not remove the edge on the underlying Pass Line bet, but by adding fairly-priced money it lowers the combined house edge on your total wager. Casinos cap how much Odds you can take (for example '3-4-5x' the flat bet), which limits this benefit.

Worked example

You have $10 on the Pass Line and the point is 4. You add $10 in Odds. If the 4 is rolled before a 7, the Pass Line pays $10 (even money) and the Odds pays $20 (2:1, its true odds), for $30 total. The Odds portion is priced exactly fairly, so it contributes no house edge.

Why it matters

For learners, the Odds bet is the rare casino wager with no built-in edge, a vivid contrast that clarifies what 'house edge' actually means. For professionals, it illustrates how maximum-odds limits are set precisely because fairly-priced bets earn the house nothing.

Related

Note: The 0% edge is exact only on the Odds portion; the overall wager still loses money long-term because of the underlying Pass Line edge. Maximum odds multiples vary by casino.