Proposition Bets Guide: Mastering the Props Bets in Craps

Table of Contents

If you’re still stuck on the props bets, you’re in the right place.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the proposition bets in craps (a.k.a. “prop bets” or “center bets”), a category of single-roll wagers that you can make at any point during the game.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a complete understanding of the correct table etiquette, payouts, types of prop bets, and whether or not you should make them.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Key Takeaways: Proposition Bets in Craps

  1. High House Edge: Proposition bets, including Any Craps, Hi-Lo, and Hardways, come with a high house edge, often exceeding 9%, making them less favorable for players over time.
  2. Quick Resolution: These bets are resolved in a single roll, offering instant outcomes but also a higher risk due to their all-or-nothing nature.
  3. Table Etiquette: When making prop bets, it’s crucial to follow proper table etiquette by placing bets through the stickman and avoiding late bets that disrupt the game flow.
  4. Payout Structure: The payouts for proposition bets can be attractive but need to be weighed against the high house edge. The use of “for” instead of “to” in payout descriptions can sometimes mislead players about the actual winnings.
  5. Strategic Use: Despite their high risk, prop bets can add excitement to the craps gameplay. Strategies like the Martingale System or d’Alembert can be applied, but caution and moderation are advised due to the bets’ inherent risk.
proposition bets in craps

What are Proposition Bets in Craps?

Proposition bets are a category of single-roll wagers in craps. These bets can win or lose on the next roll of the dice and can be made at any point during the game. (unlike flat bets like the Come wager, which you can only make after the shooter has established a point on the Pass Line)

These bets are often referred to by experienced craps players as “sucker bets” because they typically have a high house edge, meaning the casino has a more significant advantage. 

In fact, most proposition bets have a house edge of at least 9%, with some as high as 16.67%.

One of the key characteristics of proposition bets is that they are resolved on the very next roll of the dice.

Hardways, a subgroup of prop bets, are determined by multiple dice rolls and remain active on the layout until they win or lose. This can sometimes take several rolls to occur.

The most popular proposition bets you will find at a craps table are:

  • Any Craps
  • Yo-Leven
  • Hi-Lo on 2 and 12
  • Hop Bet
  • Boxcars
  • Whirl Bet (Horn Bet + Any Seven)
  • Hardways

Following Proper Table Etiquette for the Props Bets

If you want to make a proposition bet at the craps table, there are a few things you should keep in mind to show proper table etiquette.

Firstly, the betting boxes for prop bets are located in the center of the layout, and the stickman is the only person allowed to handle the chips for these wagers.

The exception to the rule is the Hop bet, which is placed by the boxman instead.

To make a prop bet, you should catch the stickman’s attention before tossing your chips on the table.

Then, specify which prop bet you want to make so the stickman can place your chips in the corresponding betting box.

It’s important to book your bet before the stickman has pushed the dice toward the shooter.

Tossing your chips on the layout right before the shooter is about to roll is considered poor table etiquette and may upset other players.

Expert’s Recommendation

Proposition bettors can bet smaller amounts than the table minimum, sometimes as little as $1.

However, the maximum a prop bettor can wager is often lower than the maximum limit at the table and depends on the maximum the player can win from a single dice roll.

It’s generally discouraged to request change for prop bets.

After the bet outcome has been determined, the stickman will wait for the base dealers to finish their job. 

Then, he will calculate each player’s profits and instruct the dealers on how much to pay out to the winners.

The stickman will typically start with the player closest to the base dealer and opposite the shooter and then proceed around the table until they reach the player next to them, repeating the process for players on the shooter’s side of the table.

Keep in Mind Next Time You’re at The Table

The dealer will only pay out the profits from prop bets, with the initial wager remaining on the table.This means your bet is still in play during the next dice roll, as you are making the same prop bet again.

The “For” Payouts on Prop Bets

As an experienced player, you will notice that the payouts for some proposition bets in craps are not listed in the usual way on the table.

Instead of using the word “to,” these payouts are often listed using the word “for.”

For example, a winning Any Craps could be listed as paying out 8 for 1. This can be misleading, as players may assume they will receive 8 units in addition to their original wager if the shooter rolls a 2 on the next throw. However, this is not the case.

In reality, the “for” phrasing means that the original wager is included in the payout.

So, a winning Any Craps bet would actually return at a rate of 7 to 1, not 8 to 1. It’s important to keep this in mind when making proposition bets, as it’s easy to assume you are getting enhanced odds when you are not.

Take Down Your Winning Bet

After the outcome of a prop bet has been determined, the stickman will calculate each player’s profits and instruct the dealers to pay out the winning bets.

To avoid confusion, you should speak up and request that your bet be taken down before the dice are given to the shooter for the next roll.

However, avoid reaching across the table to take the bet down yourself, as only the stickman can handle the chips in the center of the layout.

Types of Proposition Bets and Their Payouts

Several proposition bets are available in craps, each with its unique set of payouts and odds. 

It’s important to understand the specifics of each bet and their respective house edges before deciding which ones to place.

Here are the main prop bets in craps and their payouts:

Any Craps

This bet involves betting that one of the craps numbers (2, 3, or 12) will appear on the next roll of the dice. Players are allowed to wager below the table minimum with Any Craps bets.

The stickman will place your chips in the betting box labeled “Any Craps”. This is a poor bet due to the small number of dice combinations that result in a craps number. There are only 4 winning combinations (1-1 or 6-6 for 2 and 3-2 or 2-3 for 3).

The house pays this bet at odds of 7 to 1 (or 8 for 1). The true odds of winning with the Any Craps bet are 8 to 1.

This gives the house an 11.11% advantage on Any Craps bets, meaning the expected theoretical loss for betting $5 for 100 rounds on Any Craps for an hour is $55.55 (100 x $5 x 0.1111 x 1 = $55.55).

Yo-Leven

This is a proposition bet that the shooter will roll an 11 on the next dice throw. Players use this term to avoid confusion, as 7 and 11 are pronounced the same.

This number is rolled infrequently, with only 2 dice permutations (6-5 and 5-6) out of 36 possible combinations. The actual odds of winning with Yo-Leven are 17 to 1. However, the payout is reduced to 15 to 1, corresponding to a house edge of 11.11%.

The stickman places the chips for Yo-Leven bets in the betting box directly above the Any Craps one, which is easily distinguishable due to the picture of a pair of dice totaling 11.

The average expected losses per hour for betting $5 on Yo-leven 100 times in a row are $55.55 (100 x $5 x 0.1111 x 1 = $55.55).

Hi-Lo on 2 and 12

This bet involves betting that the next roll of the dice will be a 2 or a 12. The stickman will place your chips in the betting box labeled “Hi-Lo”.

The odds of winning this bet are low, with only 2 possible combinations for 2 (1-1) and only 2 possible combinations for 12 (6-6).

The true odds for this bet are 35 to 1, but the payout is 30 to 1, giving the house an 11.11% edge.

So, if you bet $10 and make 100 bets per hour, you can expect to incur average expected losses of $111.11 per hour (100 x $10 x 0.1111 x 1 = $111.11).

Hop Bet

A Hop bet is a one-roll wager that allows you to bet on the outcome of the next roll being a specific combination of the dice.

The boxman will place your chips in the betting box labeled “Hop”. You must specify which combination you are betting on, such as “5 and 6”, or “2 and 3”.

The odds of winning this bet vary depending on the combination chosen, but the payouts are generally lower than the true odds, giving the house an edge.

For example, the true odds for rolling a 5 and 6 are 31 to 1, but the payout is 15 to 1, giving the house a 13.33% edge.

If you bet $5 and make 100 bets per hour, you can expect to incur average expected losses of $66.65 per hour (100 x $5 x 0.1333 x 1 = $66.65).

Boxcars

This single-roll wager wins if the shooter rolls a 12 on the next toss of the dice. The stickman will place your chips in the betting box labeled “Boxcars”. The odds of winning this bet are low, with only 2 possible combinations (6-6) out of 36.

The true odds for this bet are 35 to 1, but the payout is 30 to 1, giving the house an 11.11% edge.

This means that if you bet $5 and make 100 bets per hour, you can expect to incur average expected losses of $55.55 per hour.

Whirl Bet

The Whirl Bet in Craps is a bet that combines a Horn bet and a bet on the Any Seven. It is a one-roll wager that wins if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, 11, or 12 on the next toss of the dice.

The stickman will place your chips in the betting box labeled “Whirl”. The odds of winning this bet vary depending on the combination chosen, but the payouts are generally lower than the true odds, giving the house an edge.

For example, the true odds for rolling a 2 or 12 are 17 to 1, but the payout is 15 to 1, giving the house an 11.11% edge.

The true odds for rolling a 3 or 11 are 11 to 1, but the payout is 10 to 1, giving the house a 9.09% edge.

If you bet $5 and make 100 bets per hour, you can expect to incur average expected losses of $50.50 per hour (100 x $5 x 0.1111 x 1 = $50.50).

Hardways

Hardways are proposition bets that involve betting on a specific pair of numbers being rolled before a 7 or the other pair appears.

The stickman will place your chips in the ” Hardways ” betting box.

There are 4 possible Hardway bets:

  • Hard 4 (2-2);
  • Hard 6 (3-3);
  • Hard 8 (4-4);
  • Hard 10 (5-5).

The odds of winning these bets vary depending on the combination chosen, but the payouts are generally lower than the true odds, giving the house an edge.

For example, the true odds for rolling a Hard 4 are 7 to 1, but the payout is 9 to 1, giving the house a 22.22% edge.

If you bet $5 and make 100 bets per hour, you can expect to incur average expected losses of $111.10 per hour (100 x $5 x 0.2222 x 1 = $111.10).

Detailed Odds Breakdown for Proposition Bets

The odds are directly tied to the probability of the dice landing on specific numbers, and these probabilities dictate the house edge and the payouts for each bet.

Here’s a closer look:

  • Any Craps (2, 3, or 12): The total possible dice combinations are 36. For Any Craps, there are 4 winning combinations (1-1 for 2, 1-2 and 2-1 for 3, and 6-6 for 12), resulting in a probability of 4/36 or 11.11%. The standard payout is 7:1, but with a house edge of about 11.11%.
  • Hardways: Hardway bets win if the chosen hard number (4, 6, 8, or 10) comes up as a pair before either a 7 or that number as a non-pair. For example, Hard 6 (3-3) and Hard 8 (4-4) have a probability of landing of 1/36, with the house edge around 9.09%. Payouts for hardways vary, typically offering 9:1 for Hard 6 and 8, and 7:1 for Hard 4 and 10.
  • Horn Bet (2, 3, 11, 12): This combines bets on 2, 3, 11, and 12. There are 5 winning combinations out of 36 possible outcomes, leading to a house edge of 12.5%. The payout varies depending on the number rolled, with higher payouts for the 2 and 12.

Comparing Prop Bets: An Analysis

Comparing different proposition bets against each other and more traditional craps bets can provide valuable insights into their potential value and risk. Here’s a comparative analysis:

  • Any Craps vs. Pass Line: The Pass Line bet has a much lower house edge of around 1.41%, making it a more favorable long-term bet compared to the Any Craps bet with an 11.11% house edge.
  • Hardways vs. Place Bets: Place bets on 6 or 8 have a house edge of 1.52%, significantly lower than the approximately 9.09% for Hardway bets on the same numbers. Place bets offer better odds of winning and a more consistent return.
  • Horn Bet vs. Field Bet: The Field bet has a house edge that can be as low as 2.78% (depending on casino rules), making it a more attractive option than the Horn bet, which carries a higher risk with its 12.5% house edge.

Pro Tips: Are Proposition Bets Actually Worth It?

As mentioned earlier, proposition bets have a higher house edge than flat bets like the Pass Line or Come.

This means that while you may be able to win more money with prop bets, you are also more likely to lose your bet in the long run.

Experienced craps players often avoid prop bets due to their high house edge and instead stick to other bets with a lower edge.

That being said, prop bets can be fun and exciting, and many casual players enjoy making them. If you choose to make prop bets, it’s important to remember that they should be made in moderation and not as the main focus of your betting strategy.

Risk Management Tips for Proposition Bets

Given the high house edge associated with proposition bets in craps, effective risk management is vital. Here are some tips to help players manage their bankroll and mitigate losses:

  • Set a Budget: Before you start playing, decide on a maximum amount you’re willing to lose on proposition bets. Stick to this budget to avoid significant losses.
  • Limit Proposition Bets: Due to their high house edge, limit the frequency and amount of proposition bets. They should not form the bulk of your betting strategy.
  • Use Winnings Wisely: If you win a proposition bet, consider using the winnings to fund further bets or pocketing them rather than reinvesting all into more high-risk bets.
  • Betting Units: Bet in smaller units to extend your gameplay and reduce the impact of losses. This also allows you to enjoy the excitement of prop bets without risking a large portion of your bankroll.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – the complete guide to Proposition Bets in craps.

Now you’re ready to go out there and try out some of these single-roll bets yourself.

We hope this guide has provided you with a better understanding of props bets and will help you make informed decisions at the craps table.

However, while these bets offer high payouts, they also come with a significantly worse house edge than many of the alternative wagers available.

Remember to follow proper table etiquette when making prop bets, and take down your winning bets as soon as possible.

See you at the tables!

Proposition Bets in Craps Frequently Asked Questions

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