Craps Odds Strategy Explained: The Only Casino Bet With a Zero House Edge

The odds bet in craps is a side bet with a zero house edge. I show a craps simulator and explain the payoff ratios for the various point values. If you want to try the simulator yourself, go to:
wizardofodds.com
Scroll down to "Play For Fun", and click the craps table.
I assume that you are already familiar with the Pass bet in craps. If not, learn about it first at the Wizard of Odds website or Wikipedia before you watch the video.
The video explains the reason for the payout ratio for each point value. For example, suppose that the point is 10. A decision is rendered by throwing a 7, which loses, or 10, which wins. Any other throw is ignored.
There are 6 ways to throw a seven: 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, and 6-1.
There are 3 ways to throw a ten: 4-6, 5-5, and 6-4.
All together, there are 9 throws that render a decision, 3 that win and 6 that lose. Your chance of winning is 3/9, and your chance of losing is 6/9.
The odds bet is fair, so the payoff on a win is 6:3 (same as 2:1), so you win twice the size of your odds bet because you are twice as likely to lose than win.
In summary, the "taking the odds" side bet has a zero house edge and a payoff of 2:1, 3:2, or 6:5, depending on the point.
How does the casino make money on this bet?
Continue with Part 2 for the answer:
• Craps Odds Bet Strateg...

[@TrailBlazer5280]

You are the only person that has explained what they mean by true odds. Best explanation yet and the chart is very informative.

[@markhuber8345]

Thank you for taking the time to make all of your content. I have enjoyed all of it, especially regarding blackjack...👍

[@thickchip2694]

Very Very useful. Today was my first day in dealer school. Thanks for this, man

[@blackjackcalc]

Thanks for the comment. Good luck!

[@allphasemobility5496]

Seriously, like we wouldn’t notice your dialect ? Where’s your good looking sidekicks voice? Very educational.thanks.

[@drdontpassone8164]

G Changs the man...............need more craps vids from him cmon now gc

[@blackjackcalc]

My current videos tell you everything I know about craps, so I won't be making any more. To learn more, try The Wizard of Odds: wizardofodds.com/games/craps/

[@drdontpassone8164]

@@blackjackcalc thanks. so your best strat would be either pass line with full odds or dp with full odds from viewing all your tapes............would u follow your pass line bets with continuous come bets with full odds like the wizard does...or only pass /dp with full odds and nothing else.......thats my basic ? to you........you gaming tapes are the best thanks...ddp1

[@blackjackcalc]

My first recommendation is not to gamble at all. It's a waste of time and money. If you gamble, do the least possible while getting the entertainment you want, and play the games with the best odds.

[@drdontpassone8164]

@@blackjackcalc so howvwould smart guy like yourself attack craps p dp c dc with full odds and roll them

[@blackjackcalc]

A really smart guy would not gamble at all. But to have fun, I would bet the minimum allowed on pass or don't pass, and then take/lay odds up to the maximum multiple or some fraction thereof.

[@denverdigiman]

Admittedly, I suck at math, but I got lost on the part around time-mark 4:09 when he says, "As you play this particular odds bet 9 times, and each possible decision occurs once. You'll lose 1 bet 6 times and you'll win 2 bets 3 times .... shouldn't it be "you'll win 1 bet 3 times? ... hence the 6:3? ... how can you "win 2 bets 3 times"? ... isn't there only 1 bet per roll?

[@blackjackcalc]

For this odds bet on the 10, there are nine different rolls that can cause you to either win or lose. All other rolls are ignored. I'm also ignoring the original Pass bet, and just considering the odds bet. Let's say your odds bet is $1.

[@blackjackcalc]

If you then throw a 7 (1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, or 6-1), you lose your $1 odds bet. If you throw a 10, (4-6, 5-5, or 6-4), you win $2 on your odds bet. If you play this game nine times, and each possibility occurs once (as they are all equally likely), you lose $1 six times and win $2 three times. In other words, you break even. That's a zero house edge.

[@MrZola1234]

He sounds like Michael Shackelford.

[@Phlegethon]

You sound exactly like the wizard though

[@andyp3834]

but actually you can not bet $50 on the 8 due to the pay out odds? right? so like $48 would be the most at a 3X4X5 table?????????

[@blackjackcalc]

You can bet less than the allowed maximum, but it should be a multiple of 5 so you can be paid whole dollars when you win. Otherwise, they will round down your win.

[@andyp3834]

@@blackjackcalc So please help me understand, 5 times on 6&8 AND also in increments of 5? isnt the payout 6:5 so for every $5 bet on the pass or dont pass; Id have to bet $6 for the odds?

[@blackjackcalc]

If you bet $10 and Pass and 8 is thrown, max odds bet is $50, winning pays 60 to 50; your odds bet should be a multiple of 5. If you bet $10 on Don't Pass and 8 is thrown, max odds bet is $60, winning pays 50 to 60; your odds bet should be a multiple of 6.

[@andyp3834]

@@blackjackcalc THANKS! finally someone who knows the game, betting AND strategy! I always play the dont come and dont pass so I was getting mixed up by all these normal players who are losing their money NOT betting on the 7, if they only knew ;-) Thanks again.. .. .....

[@eightinches6094]

@@andyp3834 .....but playing the don't with odds means you bet more than you're gonna win. If the point is 4 and as a don't player you wager $10 in odds then you only win $5. Yes, 7's come up the most so it's a SAFE bet but monetarily it's not very profitable.

[@paideuxvox]

Shouldve bet the 5,6,8,9. And hardways. when the come.

[@blackjackcalc]

For the best chance of winning, stick to the Pass, Don't Pass, Come, and Don't Come bets (1.4% house edge) and the related taking or laying the odds bets (0% house edge). Avoid all the other bets, which have a much larger house edge.

[@neilrichey1998]

@@blackjackcalc Your statement is false. You are neglecting a large portion of the total math involved in the game and only focusing on the house edge. Casinos make lots of money based off people with your limited understanding. you would do well to learn all the math of the game, and not just one facet. Even the single point you speak about you delude yourself.

[@lelsqueks]

Anyone with a brain could sit down w a pen and paper and make that chart themselves.