If you’re new to the game, you may have heard about the free odds bet in craps but need clarification on what it is and how it works.
Don’t worry. I got you covered.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about the free odds bet, including how it works, when to use it, and how it can help you improve your craps strategy.
Free Odds Bet Key Takeaways
- Essential Understanding: The free odds bet in craps is a supplementary bet that comes with no house edge, making it one of the most favorable bets for players in the game.
- Conditional Placement: This bet can only be placed after a player has made a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet and a point number has been established.
- Maximizing Winnings: By leveraging the free odds bet, players can significantly reduce the overall house edge on their total action, thus improving their chances of winning.
- Odds and Payoffs: The payouts for free odds bets are determined by the true odds of the dice, varying based on the point number, offering a unique advantage to experienced players.
- Strategic Application: Understanding when and how to use the free odds bet is crucial for any craps strategy, enhancing both the gameplay experience and the potential for profit.
What is the Free Odds Bet in Craps?
The free odds bet in craps is a bet that can be placed after a player has made a pass line or come bet.
It is called a “free” bet because it has no house edge – the odds of winning are exactly the same as the true odds of the bet.
This means that the free odds bet has the lowest house advantage of any stake in the game of craps, making it a popular choice for experienced players looking to maximize their chances of winning.
However, it’s important to note that you cannot make this bet on its own.
Players must first place a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet before making a Free Odds bet.
These initial bets are placed in the side betting sections of the craps table and are known as self-service bets because players can place their chips in the corresponding sections.
Before you can make any of these bets, the come-out roll must be a number other than 7, 11, 2, 3, or 12.
This will determine a point number, which can be 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
Once the dealer has placed the puck with the “ON” side facing up in the point box, players can then make a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet and also place a Free Odds bet.
Most casinos allow players to bet up to 3x their initial wager on a Free Odds bet, but some may offer the option to bet 50x or even 100x their initial stake.
Taking the Odds
| Odds Offered | House Edge of Pass/Come Bets + Odds |
| 1x | 0.8% |
| 2x | 0.6% |
| 3x | 0.5% |
| 3x, 4x, 5x | 0.4% |
| 5x | 0.3% |
| 10x | 0.2% |
| 20x | 0.1% |
| 100x | 0.02% |
As you can see, the higher the Free Odds bet multiplier, the lower the house edge becomes. It is recommended for players to take the free odds on the Pass Line or Come bet to get the most advantage.
Laying the Odds
| Odds Offered | House Edge on Come and Pass Bets Plus Odds |
| 1x | 0.7% |
| 2x | 0.5% |
| 3x | 0.3% |
| 3x, 4x, 5x | 0.3% |
| 5x | 0.2% |
| 10x | 0.2% |
| 20x | 0.07% |
| 100x | 0.01% |
Free Odds Bets in Craps Explained
To understand the free odds bet, it’s vital first to get familiarized with the pass line and come bets.
In craps, the pass line bets that the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll (the first roll of a new game).
The bet loses if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter rolls any other number, that number becomes the “point,” and the shooter continues rolling until they either roll the point again (in which case the bet wins) or roll a 7 (in which case the bet loses).
The come bet is similar to the pass line bet, but you can place it at any time during the game (not just on the come-out roll).
The bet wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. The bet loses if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12.
If the shooter rolls any other number, that number becomes the “point,” and the shooter continues rolling until they either roll the point again (in which case the bet wins) or roll a 7 (in which case the bet loses).
Once you have made a pass line or come bet, they can place a free odds bet. The free odds bet placed on the same number as the pass line or come bet (the point), which pays out at the true odds of rolling that number.
For example, if the point is a 4, the true odds of rolling a 4 are 2:1 (since there are three ways to roll a 4 – 1-3, 2-2, and 3-1 – and six total possible combinations of two dice).
If you place a $5 free odds bet on a 4, and the shooter rolls a 4, you will win $10 (your original $5 bet plus $5 in winnings).
House Advantage for Free Odds Bet
As mentioned earlier, the free odds bet has no house edge, meaning the casino has no advantage over the player.
This makes it an attractive option for experienced players looking to maximize their chances of winning.
However, it’s important to note that the free odds bet is only available after a player has made a pass line or come bet, and the size of the free odds bet limited by the size of the pass line or come bet.
For example, if you have a $5 pass line bet, you will only be able to place a $5 free odds bet.
Taking and Laying Odds
In craps, players can either take odds or lay odds. Taking odds means betting that the shooter will roll the point again before rolling a 7.
Laying odds means betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before rolling the point again.
When taking odds, you are betting with the shooter. The casino has the advantage (also known as the “house edge”).
When laying odds, the player is betting against the shooter and has the advantage (also known as the “player edge”).
Taking Odds on Pass Line Bets
If you have made a pass line bet and the shooter has established a point, you can take odds by betting that the shooter will roll the point again before rolling a 7.
The odds offered will depend on the point:
- For points 4 and 10, the odds offered are 2:1.
- For points 5 and 9, the odds offered are 3:2.
- For points 6 and 8, the odds offered are 6:5.
For example, if you have a $5 pass line bet and the point is a 5, you can take odds by betting an additional $5 on the odds.
If the shooter rolls a 5 before a 7, you will win both your pass line bet, and your odds bet for a total payout of $15.
Laying Odds on Don’t Pass Bets
If you have made a don’t pass bet and the shooter has established a point, you can lay odds by betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before rolling the point again.
The odds offered will depend on the point, as follow:
- For points 4 and 10, the odds offered are 1:2.
- For points 5 and 9, the odds offered are 2:3.
- For points 6 and 8, the odds offered are 5:6.
If you have a $5 don’t pass bet, and the point is a 5, you can lay odds by betting an additional $5 on the odds. If the shooter rolls a 7 before a 5, you will win both your don’t pass bet, and your odds bet for a total payout of $15.
Taking Odds on Come Bets
If you have made a come bet and the shooter has established a point, you can take odds by betting that the shooter will roll the point again before rolling a 7.
The odds offered will depend on the point:
- For points 4 and 10, the odds offered are 2:1.
- For points 5 and 9, the odds offered are 3:2.
- For points 6 and 8, the odds offered are 6:5.
If you have a $5 come bet and the point is a 5, you can take odds by betting an additional $5 on the odds. If the shooter rolls a 5 before a 7, you will win both your come bet and your odds bet for a total payout of $15.
Laying Odds on Don’t Come Bets
If you have made a don’t come bet and the shooter has established a point, you can lay odds by betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before rolling the point again.
The odds offered will depend on the point:
- For points 4 and 10, the odds offered are 1:2.
- For points 5 and 9, the odds offered are 2:3.
- For points 6 and 8, the odds offered are 5:6.
For example, if you have a $5 don’t come bet, and the point is a 5, you can lay odds by betting an additional $5 on the odds. If the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling a 5, you will win both your don’t come bet, and your odds bet for a total payout of $15.
Advanced Free Odds Strategies in Craps
Mastering the free odds bet in craps can significantly enhance your gameplay and increase your winning potential. Below are advanced techniques and strategies for leveraging free odds to your advantage.
Maximizing Free Odds
The key to making the most out of free odds bets is understanding when and how much to bet.
Casinos often allow varying multiples of your original bet for free odds, ranging from 1x to 100x. The more you’re allowed to bet on free odds, the more you can reduce the overall house edge against you.
Advanced players often wait for moments when they feel confident about the outcome to place larger free odds bets, especially when playing the pass or come bets.
Combining Bets for Strategic Coverage
Experienced players use free odds in conjunction with pass and come bets to cover a broader range of outcomes and protect their initial wagers.
By placing a pass line or come bet and following it up with a free odds bet, you effectively lower the house edge on your total action.
A strategic combination could involve placing come bets on several numbers and backing each with free odds, spreading your risk and increasing your chances of winning on each roll.
Laying Odds on Don’t Pass and Don’t Come Bets
While most discussions on free odds focus on taking odds (betting additional money on pass and come bets), laying odds on don’t pass and don’t come bets is an equally strategic move.
When you lay odds, you’re betting more money that a 7 will come up before the point number, increasing your potential win. This technique requires a deep understanding of the odds and a keen sense of timing to maximize returns while managing risk.
Understanding Table Limits and Payouts
Advanced players must thoroughly understand table limits and payouts related to free odds bets.
Knowing the maximum allowed free odds can inform your strategy on how much to bet initially.
Additionally, being familiar with the payout ratios for different point numbers ensures you can quickly calculate potential winnings and make informed betting decisions on the fly.
Bankroll Management for Free Odds Betting
Effective bankroll management is crucial when employing advanced free odds techniques.
Allocate a portion of your bankroll for free odds bets, considering the higher volatility associated with larger payouts.
Advanced players often set aside a specific percentage of their winnings to reinvest in free odds bets, allowing them to capitalize on successful rolls without depleting their primary bankroll.
Timing and Observation
The most successful craps players are not only good with numbers but also excellent observers of the game’s flow and dynamics.
They know when to increase their free odds bets based on the shooter’s history or table trends. This can involve betting more aggressively on a shooter who has consistently made points or adjusting bets based on the observed outcomes of several rolls.
Psychological Elements
Betting on free odds, especially with high multiples, can be intimidating due to the larger amounts of money at risk. Advanced players learn to manage the psychological pressure that comes with high-stakes betting.
They remain disciplined, sticking to their strategy regardless of short-term outcomes, and understand that the true odds nature of free odds bets provides the best chance to win against the house over time.
The Bottom Line
The free odds bet in craps is a valuable tool for both beginner and experienced players looking to maximize their chances of winning.
By understanding how to take and lay odds, you can effectively reduce the house edge and increase your chances of winning on each dice roll. My advice is to take the time to master all the craps bets before trying those.
So the next time you’re at the craps table, keep these tips in mind and see if the free odds bet can help you improve your game.
