Craps horn bet: four one-roll numbers at once
The horn bet splits one wager across 2, 3, 11 and 12 for the next roll. A 2 or 12 pays 30 to 1 on its quarter, and a 3 or 11 pays 15 to 1. The other three quarters lose.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Roll | Ways out of 36 | Pays on its unit | Net on a $4 horn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 30 to 1 | +$27 |
| 3 | 2 | 15 to 1 | +$12 |
| 11 | 2 | 15 to 1 | +$12 |
| 12 | 1 | 30 to 1 | +$27 |
| Anything else | 30 | — | −$4 |
Key numbers
The horn in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- A horn bet is four bets at once; three of them lose even when one wins.
- A 2 or 12 nets 27 units on a 4-unit horn; a 3 or 11 nets 12.
- The bet loses five rolls in six.
- Horn high adds a fifth unit on one number for a bigger hit.
Cheat sheet
Horn numbers
Glance the pips — compare in one second.
1Aces (2)
Pays 30 to 1 on its unit
2Ace-deuce (3)
Pays 15 to 1
3Yo (11)
Pays 15 to 1
4Boxcars (12)
Pays 30 to 1
5Seven
Horn loses
Horn high variations on $5
| Bet | Extra unit on | Net if that number hits |
|---|---|---|
| Horn high yo | 11 | +$27 |
| Horn high aces | 2 | +$57 |
| Horn high twelve | 12 | +$57 |
| Horn high ace-deuce | 3 | +$27 |
A $5 horn high puts $1 on each number plus $1 more on the high number.
Why the edge is 12.5%
Each piece of the horn is a separate one-roll bet. The 2 and 12 pay 30 to 1 against true odds of 35 to 1, and the 3 and 11 pay 15 to 1 against 17 to 1.
Averaged over all four, the house keeps about 12.5% of every dollar on the horn.
Sequence
Placing a horn bet
Step 01
Use a multiple of 4
Or 5 for horn high.
Step 02
Toss chips to the stickman
Say "Horn bet" or "Horn high yo".
Step 03
Watch one roll
Any other number loses.
Step 04
Collect
The dealer pays the winning number and takes the rest.
Who bets the horn
Many players toss a horn on the come-out roll, hoping for a quick hit while their pass bet waits. Others bet it as a hedge against craps.
Hedging the pass line with a horn costs more than it protects. The pass line loses on 2, 3 and 12 only about 11% of come-outs.
Whirl and world bets
A whirl or world bet adds the 7 to the horn, split five ways. When a 7 rolls, it pushes, which is why some tables see it as a cheaper horn.
Its edge is still about 13.3%, higher than the plain horn.
Floor rules
Horn terms
Know before you sit
- Horn
- A one-roll bet on 2, 3, 11 and 12.
- Horn high
- A horn with an extra unit on one number.
- Whirl
- A horn plus the 7, split five ways.
- Yo
- Dealer slang for 11.
How dealers pay a horn
If an 11 rolls on a $4 horn, the dealer pays $15 on the 11 unit and takes the other $3. Many dealers will ask if you want to "go again", leaving the bet up.
Say "down" if you want your winnings back without a new horn.
The horn and the come-out
A pass line bet loses to 2, 3 and 12 on the come-out. Some players add a horn to soften that loss, but the horn loses on every 7 and point roll.
Over many come-outs, the hedge costs more than the losses it covers.
Common mistakes
- Betting odd amounts
- A $3 horn cannot be split evenly. Use multiples of 4 or 5.
- Thinking you win the whole bet
- Only one quarter wins. The other units lose.
- Hedging the pass line
- A horn costs more than it saves on come-out craps.
- Betting it every roll
- The high edge makes it one of the fastest ways to lose at the table.
Keep reading
Related pages
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01Basics
What is a horn bet in craps?
A one-roll bet split across 2, 3, 11 and 12. It is placed in multiples of four, one unit on each number.
What does the horn pay?
The 2 or 12 pays 30 to 1 on its unit and the 3 or 11 pays 15 to 1. The three losing units are taken.
What is horn high?
A five-unit horn with the extra unit on one chosen number, such as horn high yo for 11.
02Odds
What is the house edge on the horn bet?
About 12.5% at standard pays, among the highest on the craps table. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
How often does a horn win?
Six rolls in 36, about one roll in six. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Is the whirl bet better?
No. Adding the 7 makes it about 13.3%, and a 7 only pushes the bet. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
03At the table
When can I bet the horn?
On any roll, including the come-out. It is always a one-roll bet. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Do I need to bet $4?
At most tables, yes, or $5 for horn high. Some tables accept $1 units. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Is the horn on online craps?
Yes. Most online games list it under proposition bets with the payouts shown. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds — Craps Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules, odds and house edge
- Wizard of Odds — Craps appendix 1 Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules, odds and house edge
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER