The Any Craps Bet: 7:1 Payout, 11.11% House Edge, and the “Insurance” Myth
Jake WilfredFour dice combinations out of 36. An 11.11% chance of winning on every throw. A 7:1 payout that turns a $1 chip into $8 in your hand. The any craps bet is a one-roll proposition wager that wins when the shooter rolls a 2 (snake eyes), 3 (ace-deuce), or 12 (boxcars).
Those are the three “craps” numbers, the same outcomes that kill a pass line bet on the come-out roll. That connection is why the any craps bet exists in its most popular form: as come-out “insurance.” Players toss $1 on any craps to protect their $10 pass line bet against the 2, 3, or 12. It feels smart. The math says otherwise.
The insurance costs more in expected value than the losses it prevents. This guide breaks down the any craps bet’s exact probabilities, the real cost of using it as a hedge, and how it compares to every other center-table wager on the craps table.
- The any craps bet wins on the 2, 3, or 12 (4 out of 36 dice combinations, 11.11% probability)
- It pays 7:1 with true odds of 8:1, producing an 11.11% house edge
- Using any craps as “insurance” for the pass line on the come-out costs more in expected value than the pass line losses it covers
- The any craps bet is part of the “C” in the C and E bet and one component of the horn bet
- Your winning bet stays on the table by default after a win; tell the dealer “take it down” to collect
- At $1 per bet, the absolute cost is small, but regular use drains your bankroll at nearly 8 times the pass line rate
What Is the Any Craps Bet?
The any craps bet is a single-roll proposition bet covering three specific outcomes: the 2, the 3, and the 12. These are the “craps” numbers in the game’s terminology, the same rolls that lose for pass line bettors on the come-out.
You toss your chips toward the center of the craps table and call “any craps.” The stickman catches them and places your bet in the “Any Craps” box on the proposition layout. The bet resolves on the very next throw. If the 2, 3, or 12 appears, you win. Any other number, and your chips are swept.
The bet can be placed on any roll, not just the come-out. But it’s used most often on the come-out as a supposed hedge against pass line losses. More on why that hedge doesn’t work in a moment.
The any craps bet is sometimes called the “three-way craps” or just “craps” at the table. Don’t confuse it with the game itself. If you call out “craps” to the stickman while tossing a chip, they’ll understand you mean the any craps proposition bet. Some tables also label the area simply as “C” in the C and E section. For the full list of table lingo, check our craps terms glossary.
Any Craps Bet Odds, Payout, and House Edge
The math is clean and easy to calculate.
Out of 36 possible dice combinations on two dice, exactly 4 produce a craps number. The 2 has 1 combination (1+1). The 3 has 2 combinations (1+2, 2+1). The 12 has 1 combination (6+6). That’s 4 winning outcomes out of 36 total, giving you an 11.11% chance of winning on each throw.
The casino pays 7:1. True odds are 8:1 (32 losing combinations to 4 winning). The one-unit gap between the true payout and the craps casino payout is the house’s margin.
You bet $1 on any craps for 36 consecutive rolls. You win 4 times, collecting $7 each = $28 in payouts. You lose 32 times, losing $1 each = $32 in losses. Net result: $28 – $32 = -$4 on $36 wagered. That’s $4 / $36 = 11.11% house edge, confirmed.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Winning Numbers | 2, 3, 12 |
| Winning Combinations | 4 out of 36 (11.11%) |
| Casino Payout | 7:1 |
| True Odds | 8:1 |
| House Edge | 11.11% |
| Expected Loss Per $100 Wagered | $11.11 |
For context, the pass line costs $1.41 per $100. Free odds cost $0. The any craps bet costs roughly 8 times more per dollar than the pass line and infinitely more than odds. Full edge comparisons are in our craps payout chart.
Some craps table layouts display the any craps payout as “8 for 1” instead of “7 to 1.” These are the same thing. “For” includes your original wager in the total return. “To” shows profit only. A $1 bet at “8 for 1” returns $8 total ($7 profit + $1 original). A $1 bet at “7 to 1” returns the same $8 total. The “for” wording is designed to make payouts appear more generous. Always check which format your table uses and do the math accordingly.
The “Insurance” Myth: Why Any Craps Doesn’t Protect Your Pass Line
This is the most common use case for the any craps bet, and it’s a money loser every time. Here’s why.
On the come-out roll, the pass line loses on 2, 3, or 12 (4 combinations). Some players place a $1 any craps bet alongside their $10 pass line bet to “insure” against those craps numbers. If a craps number hits, the any craps pays $7, partially offsetting the $10 pass line loss. Net loss becomes $3 instead of $10.
Sounds reasonable. But let’s run the full math across 36 come-out rolls.
Without insurance (pass line only):
Rolls of 7 or 11 (8 times): +$10 each = +$80.
Rolls of 2, 3, or 12 (4 times): -$10 each = -$40.
Rolls setting a point (24 times): bet carries forward, resolved later.
Come-out net: +$40 on the come-out phase alone.
With insurance (pass line + $1 any craps on every come-out):
Same pass line outcomes as above.
Any craps wins 4 times: +$7 each = +$28.
Any craps loses 32 times: -$1 each = -$32.
Insurance net: $28 – $32 = -$4 from the insurance alone.
The $1 any craps bet costs you $4 across 36 come-out rolls. The pass line losses on craps numbers (which the insurance is supposed to cover) total $40. The insurance recovers $28 of that, but costs $32. You save $28 in pass line losses and spend $32 to do it. You’re $4 worse off than if you’d just taken the pass line hits without insurance.
The hedge always costs more than the protection it provides. This is true for every “insurance” bet in craps, not just the any craps. Hedging on a craps table raises your total expected loss, period. It’s one of the most persistent craps myths out there.
If you want to reduce your come-out risk on the pass line, the correct move isn’t hedging with any craps. It’s betting the don’t pass instead. The don’t pass wins on 2 and 3 on the come-out (losing only on 7 and 11, pushing on 12) and carries a 1.36% house edge. That’s the real “insurance” against craps numbers, built into the bet’s structure with zero extra cost. See our don’t pass guide for the full breakdown.
How to Place the Any Craps Bet
The any craps bet lives in the center of the craps table layout alongside the other proposition bets. You can’t place it yourself. The stickman handles all center-table action.
Toss your chip or chips toward the center of the table before the next roll. Call out “any craps” or just “craps.” The stickman catches your chips and places them in the “Any Craps” box, positioned to identify which player owns the bet.
The bet resolves on the very next throw. If the 2, 3, or 12 hits, the stickman announces the result and instructs the dealer on your side to pay you. If any other number appears, the chips are swept.
Prop bets, including any craps, typically allow wagers below the table minimum. At a $10 or $15 table, you can often bet $1 on any craps. After a win, your original wager stays on the table by default. This means you’re automatically betting any craps again on the next roll. If you want to collect your win and stop, tell the dealer “take it down” immediately after the payout. Forgetting to do this is how players give back their prop wins on the very next throw. For the full guide to table communication, see our craps etiquette page.
The Any Craps Bet’s Probability Breakdown
Understanding exactly how the 4 winning combinations break down helps you see why the any craps bet wins as often (or rarely) as it does.
The dice combinations for each craps number:
The 2 (snake eyes): 1 combination (1+1). Probability: 1/36 = 2.78%.
The 3 (ace-deuce): 2 combinations (1+2, 2+1). Probability: 2/36 = 5.56%.
The 12 (boxcars): 1 combination (6+6). Probability: 1/36 = 2.78%.
Total: 4 combinations. Probability: 4/36 = 11.11%. You’ll see a craps number roughly once every 9 rolls.
At a table averaging 80 rolls per hour, a craps number (2, 3, or 12) should appear roughly 9 times. If you bet $1 on any craps for every roll, you’d wager $80 total. You’d win about 9 times ($63 in payouts) and lose about 71 times ($71 in losses). Net: approximately -$8 per hour. That’s your 11.11% house edge in action.
The 3 is the most likely craps number because it has 2 combinations versus 1 each for the 2 and 12. If you specifically want the 2 or 12, the Hi-Lo bet covers both at 15:1 with the same 11.11% house edge. If you want all four extreme numbers (2, 3, 11, 12), the horn bet or C and E bet covers them, though at different costs.
Any Craps vs. Other Proposition Bets That Cover the Same Numbers
Several center-table bets overlap with the any craps bet’s coverage. Here’s how they compare.
| Bet | Numbers Covered | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any Craps | 2, 3, 12 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| C and E (C portion) | 2, 3, 12 (plus 11 on E) | 3:1 net on C hit | 11.11% |
| Horn Bet | 2, 3, 11, 12 | Varies | 12.50% |
| Hi-Lo | 2, 12 | 15:1 | 11.11% |
| Snake Eyes (standalone) | 2 | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Boxcars (standalone) | 12 | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Ace-Deuce (standalone) | 3 | 15:1 | 11.11% |
The any craps bet and the “C” portion of the C and E bet cover the exact same three numbers with the same 11.11% house edge. The difference is structural: the C and E adds the yo eleven to the package for one additional unit.
The horn bet covers the same three craps numbers plus the 11, but carries a higher blended edge of 12.50% because each number gets its own unit and the payouts don’t quite compensate for the additional exposure.
If you only want the craps numbers (2, 3, 12) and nothing else, the standalone any craps bet is the cleanest way to get that coverage at 11.11%. Betting snake eyes, ace-deuce, and boxcars individually would cost you three separate bets at 11.11% to 13.89% each.
If you insist on center-table action covering the craps numbers, the any craps bet at 11.11% is cheaper than the horn (12.50%) and dramatically cheaper than betting snake eyes and boxcars individually (13.89% each). But all of these are expensive compared to the table’s best bets. A $1 any craps bet costs you 11 cents in expected value. That same $1 behind your pass line as free odds costs you zero.
Is the Any Craps Bet Worth Making?
At 11.11%, the any craps bet costs $11.11 per $100 wagered. The pass line costs $1.41 per $100. Free odds cost $0. Place bets on 6 and 8 cost $1.52 per $100. The any craps bet is roughly 8 times more expensive per dollar than the table’s core wagers.
- 7:1 payout turns a $1 chip into $8 in your hand
- Covers all three craps numbers (2, 3, 12) in a single bet
- Can be placed for as little as $1, even at tables with higher minimums
- Quick resolution: one roll, done
- Slightly cheaper than the horn (12.50%) or standalone snake eyes/boxcars (13.89%) for covering craps numbers
- 11.11% house edge, roughly 8 times the pass line cost
- You lose 88.89% of the time (32 out of 36 rolls)
- The “insurance” use case costs more in expected value than the pass line losses it covers
- Winning bets stay active by default; forgetting to take them down gives back profits on the next roll
- Every dollar here is a dollar not earning 0% on free odds
The verdict is the same as every other proposition bet: entertainment money only. A $1 any craps bet on the come-out adds a moment of excitement for a trivial cost. Betting it on every roll at $5 per pop drains your bankroll at a rate that wipes out whatever your pass line and odds are saving you.
The Any Craps Parlay: A High-Risk Side Adventure
Some players parlay their any craps wins, rolling the full payout into another any craps bet immediately. Here’s what that looks like mathematically.
You bet $1 on any craps. The shooter rolls a 3. You win $7 profit. Your total: $8 ($7 + $1 original). You parlay the entire $8 on any craps. The shooter rolls a 12. You win $56 ($8 x 7:1). Your total: $64.
Probability of hitting any craps twice in a row: 11.11% x 11.11% = 1.23%. That’s about 1 in 81. Starting from $1, you’d walk away with $64 if you hit two in a row. Tempting on paper. But 79 out of 81 attempts, you lose the original $1 (first miss) or the $8 (second miss).
The parlay doesn’t change the house edge on any individual bet. Each any craps wager still carries 11.11%. What the parlay does is concentrate your risk into a sequence where you need two (or more) consecutive 11.11% events to succeed. It’s fun money taken to its extreme. If you try it, start with $1 and accept that you’re running a slot-machine-style gamble on the center of a craps table.
No progressive or parlay strategy changes the house edge on the any craps bet. Each roll is independent. The dice carry no memory. Doubling up after a win doesn’t make the next win more likely. Chasing losses with increasing bets on any craps accelerates your losses at 11.11% per dollar. That’s basic probability, and it’s a craps myth that systems can overcome it. Your craps strategy should be built on bet selection and bankroll management, not on parlaying propositions.
The Any Craps Bet: 7:1 for the Craps Numbers, 11.11% for the House
The any craps bet packages the table’s three most dreaded come-out numbers into a single $1 call. When the snake eyes or boxcars drops, your $1 turns into $8. That’s a moment worth remembering. But the 11.11% house edge means this bet costs nearly 8 times what the pass line charges and infinitely more than free odds.
Use it sparingly. Skip the insurance angle entirely. And keep your core money where the math actually works: pass line with max odds, place bets on 6 and 8, and the Three Point Molly if your bankroll supports it. Practice at our free craps simulator and try the any craps call a few times to see how it feels. Then, when you’re at a live table, you’ll know exactly what that $1 buys you: a 1-in-9 shot at $7, and nothing more.
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Any Craps Bet FAQs
The any craps bet is a one-roll proposition bet that wins if the next throw produces a 2 (snake eyes), 3, or 12 (boxcars). It pays 7:1 with an 11.11% house edge. Four out of 36 dice combinations produce a craps number, giving you an 11.11% chance of winning on each roll.
The any craps bet pays 7:1. A $1 bet returns $8 total ($7 profit + $1 original). Some tables list this as “8 for 1,” which means the same thing. True odds are 8:1, and the one-unit gap between true odds and casino payout creates the 11.11% house edge. Full payout details are in our craps payout chart.
No. Using any craps as come-out insurance for the pass line costs more in expected value than the pass line losses it covers. Over 36 come-out rolls, a $1 any craps bet loses $4 net, while the pass line losses on craps numbers it’s supposed to hedge total $3.33 in expected cost. The hedge makes you worse off, not better. If you want protection against craps numbers, the don’t pass bet (1.36% house edge) is the mathematically correct alternative.
The any craps numbers are 2, 3, and 12. The 2 has 1 dice combination (1+1). The 3 has 2 combinations (1+2, 2+1). The 12 has 1 combination (6+6). That’s 4 winning combinations out of 36 total possible outcomes on two dice, producing an 11.11% win probability per roll.
Yes. The “C” in the C and E bet stands for “craps” and covers the same three numbers (2, 3, 12) with the same 7:1 payout and 11.11% house edge. The “E” covers the 11 (yo eleven). The C and E is a two-unit bet that packages any craps and yo together, while the standalone any craps bet is a single-unit wager on just the craps numbers.
