Welcome to the ultimate guide on the free odds bet in craps! If you’re new to the game, you may have heard about this bet 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.
So let’s dive right in!
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.
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.
