Why it looks better than it is
The field covers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 — seven of the eleven possible totals. Players read that as a majority and assume the bet is close to even.
It is not, because the numbers are not equally likely. The four totals the field does not cover are 5, 6, 7 and 8, which are the four most common. Those four account for 20 of the 36 outcomes, against 16 for the seven field numbers. You lose more often than you win.
The rule that halves the edge
The field pays even money on most of its numbers and a bonus on the two extremes. How much bonus is a house rule, and it is the whole game:
| Bet | Payout | True odds | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field, 3:1 on 12 (2:1 on 2) | 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 | — | 2.78% |
| Field, 3:1 on 2 (2:1 on 12) | 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 | — | 2.78% |
| Field, 2:1 on both 2 and 12 | 1:1, 2:1 | — | 5.56% |
One outcome in 36 rolls, paid at 3:1 instead of 2:1, moves the house edge from 5.56% to 2.78%. That is a factor of two on a bet most players never look at twice.
What to check before betting it
Read the field box on the layout. The 2 and the 12 will be circled or annotated with their payout. If both say 2:1, you are on the 5.56% version and should leave it alone. If one says 3:1, the bet is 2.78%, which is roughly comparable to placing the 5 or 9.
The verdict
Even at its best, the field is worse than the Pass Line at 1.41%, worse than placing the 6 or 8 at 1.52%, and vastly worse than free odds at zero. It resolves on every roll, which is its genuine appeal: it is an action bet, not a value bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the house edge on the field bet?
- 2.78% if one of the 2 or 12 pays 3:1, and 5.56% if both pay 2:1. Check the layout.
- Why does the field lose when it covers seven numbers?
- Because it excludes 5, 6, 7 and 8, which are the four most likely totals and account for 20 of 36 outcomes.
- Is the field a good bet?
- No. Even the better version at 2.78% is worse than the Pass Line, and the common version at 5.56% is roughly four times the cost.
- Does the field resolve every roll?
- Yes, which is why it appeals to players who dislike waiting through a point. That is a pacing preference, not an edge.
Every figure on this page is computed from the 36 outcomes of two dice using exact rational arithmetic, then checked against published reference values before publication. Where a number depends on a house rule, the rule is named. Payouts vary between casinos, so read the felt before you bet.