Laying the Odds in Craps: The Most Lucrative Way to Ruin the Night

If you play craps you likely like betting the Pass Line and backing up your bet with odds, but don’t forget about the other side of the coin.  While I wouldn’t recommend betting against the shooter every time if you are looking to make friends, your wallet might enjoy it. Laying the odds gives you the same zero-house-edge over the house but when you do it you’re waiting on a 7 as opposed to another roll. This makes this little strategy one of the best bets in the casino. 

How Laying the Odds Works

Yes, you’re gonna have to be ‘that guy’ betting against the roller by betting the Don’t Pass Line and you can still strategically make additional winnings after the point has been set. Here are the mathematical odds: 

Point -- Payout

4 or 10 -- 1:2 (Bet $20=> win $10)

5 or 9 -- 2:3 (Bet $30=> win $20)

6 or 8 -- 5:6 (Bet $30=> win $25)

How to Bet It

Don’t leave money on the table and make your money work for you.  Because these payout as indicated above you always want to bet in multiples that match these payouts. For example, if the point is 5, lay odds in multiples of $3 so that you get the full 2:3 payout.

Why Laying Odds is a Smart Move

1. Zero House Edge – The house has no edge on any odds bet.
2. Better Winning Percentage – 7 is the most commonly rolled number. 

Craps Tips: 

• Some casinos allow high multipliers – Usually it will be 3-5x odds but occasionally you’ll see it higher. 🫰 
• Play it safe – Stick with low house edge bets (i.e. Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come, and Place bets on 6 & 8).
• Don’t have too much fun – While Hardways, any 7, and the whole middle of the table are the big paydays, the odds are not good– stay away!

If you’re comfortable going against the grain, or maybe you just want to troll some friends, Laying the Odds is an effective method.  Just sit back, let the rest of the table win big (and then lose big) while you sit back and let the math maximize your Bankroll.