How the bet works
You place the bet before the come-out roll. That first roll resolves immediately in three of eleven cases:
- 7 or 11 — you win even money straight away. That is 8 of 36 outcomes.
- 2, 3 or 12 — you lose. That is 4 of 36.
- Anything else — that number becomes the point, and the shooter keeps rolling until either the point repeats, which wins, or a 7 appears, which loses.
Why the edge is so small
The come-out roll is strongly in your favour: eight ways to win against four ways to lose. Once a point is set the position inverts, because 7 is the most common total and now beats you.
Combining both phases gives a win probability of exactly 244/495, or 49.2929%, against a loss probability of 251/495. The difference is the house edge: 7/495 = 1.4141%.
Always back it with odds
Once a point is established you may place a free odds bet behind your Pass Line. It pays true odds and carries a house edge of exactly zero, which is unique on a casino floor. It does not reduce the edge on the original bet, but it lowers the combined edge across your total money at risk. Taking maximum odds is the single most effective thing a craps player can do.
Rule variations that matter
The Pass Line itself is standard everywhere, so the number above holds across casinos. What varies is the maximum odds multiple the house allows, which is where the real difference between tables lies. A table offering 10x odds is materially better value than one offering 2x, and neither changes the 1.41% on the line bet itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the house edge on the Pass Line?
- Exactly 7/495, or 1.4141%. It is one of the lowest edges in the casino.
- Is Pass or Don't Pass better?
- Don't Pass is marginally better at 1.36% against 1.41%, a difference of about five hundredths of a percent. It is also a lonelier bet, because you are wagering against the rest of the table.
- Can I remove a Pass Line bet?
- Not once a point is established. The bet is contract and stays up until it resolves. You can always remove or reduce the odds behind it.
- How much should I put behind in odds?
- As much as the table permits and your bankroll comfortably covers, because the odds portion is the only wager in the building with no house edge at all.
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.