The craps table is undeniably the most intimidating, visually complex game on the entire casino floor.
This secret wager is universally known among veteran players as the “Free Odds” bet, or simply “Taking the Odds.”
Why the Odds Bet is Perfect
For example, if the true odds of winning are 2 to 1, the casino will only pay you 1.5 to 1, keeping the difference as their guaranteed profit.
If you place an Odds bet and win, the casino pays you exactly, perfectly at “true odds,” keeping absolutely zero mathematical edge for themselves.
- There is no specific box or printed text on the craps table for the Odds bet
- It is a “secret” bet placed directly behind your original Pass Line chips
- Professional craps players place the absolute maximum Odds bet allowed on every single roll
How to Place the Odds Bet
There is no clearly marked box labeled “Odds”; you must know exactly where to place your chips to execute the bet.
If the shooter successfully rolls the Point number again before rolling a 7, both your Pass Line bet and your massive Odds bet win.
The 3-4-5x Odds System
The standard structure utilized by almost all major Las Vegas casinos is the mathematically elegant “3-4-5x Odds” system.
Some highly competitive off-Strip casinos offer incredibly generous 10x, 20x, or even 100x Odds to actively attract serious, high-volume professional players.
| Point Rolled | Max Odds Allowed (3-4-5x System) | Example (On a $10 Pass Bet) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 or 8 | 5x Pass Line Bet | $50 Max Odds |
| 4 or 10 | 3x Pass Line Bet | $30 Max Odds |
By keeping your Pass Line bet small and aggressively maximizing your Odds bet, you reduce the casino‘s overall advantage to nearly zero.
