The pass line: the basic craps bet
The pass line is the main bet in craps. On the come-out roll, 7 or 11 wins and 2, 3 or 12 loses. Any other number becomes the point; you win if it rolls again before a 7.
Reviewed Oct 15, 2026
Answer first
90s- 01The pass line pays even money.
- 02Its house edge is about 1.41%, one of the lowest in the casino.
- 03Adding odds behind the line lowers your overall edge.
Key numbers
Pass line in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- Bet before the come-out roll.
- Once a point is set, the bet cannot be taken down.
- Odds bets pay true odds with no house edge.
- Most players at the table bet the pass line.
Cheat sheet
A pass line round
Glance the pips — compare in one second.
1Come-out: 6
Point is 6
2Roll: 9
No decision
3Roll: 6
Point made, pass wins
A 7 before the 6 would have lost.
Come-out results
| Roll | Result | Ways |
|---|---|---|
| 7 or 11 | Win | 8 of 36 |
| 2, 3 or 12 | Lose (craps) | 4 of 36 |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 | Point set | 24 of 36 |
Two dice give 36 combinations.
How a round works
The shooter rolls the come-out. A 7 or 11 is a natural and pass bets win. A 2, 3 or 12 is craps and pass bets lose. Any other number becomes the point and the dealer moves the puck to it.
The shooter keeps rolling. If the point comes again before a 7, pass wins. If a 7 comes first, pass loses and the dice pass to the next shooter.
Chance of making each point
| Point | Chance | Odds bet pays |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 1 in 3 | 2 to 1 |
| 5 or 9 | 2 in 5 | 3 to 2 |
| 6 or 8 | 5 in 11 | 6 to 5 |
Odds bets pay these true odds.
Taking odds
After a point is set, you can add an odds bet behind your pass line bet. It pays true odds, so it has no house edge. Casinos limit odds to a multiple of your pass bet, often 3x, 4x and 5x.
Taking full odds lowers the combined edge well below 1%.
Sequence
Playing the pass line
Step 01
Place chips on the pass line
Before the come-out.
Step 02
Watch the come-out
7, 11 wins; 2, 3, 12 loses.
Step 03
Note the point
The puck shows it.
Step 04
Add odds behind
As much as you are comfortable with.
Step 05
Wait for point or 7
Then bet again.
Why it is a good bet
At 1.41%, the pass line costs much less than most proposition bets, some of which carry edges of 10% or more. It is also simple and social: most of the table wins and loses together.
Pair it with odds for the best value on a craps table.
Floor rules
Pass line terms
Know before you sit
- Come-out
- The first roll of a round.
- Natural
- A 7 or 11 on the come-out.
- Point
- The number to repeat.
- Seven out
- A 7 after a point, ending the round.
Pass vs don’t pass
The don’t pass bet is the opposite: it wins on 2 or 3, pushes on 12 and wins if a 7 comes before the point. Its edge is about 1.36%, slightly lower, but most players prefer to bet with the shooter.
Either choice is a low-edge way to play.
Combined edge with odds
| Odds taken | Combined edge |
|---|---|
| None | 1.41% |
| 1x | 0.85% |
| 2x | 0.61% |
| 3x-4x-5x | 0.37% |
Approximate.
Pass line etiquette
Place your pass line bet in the long strip in front of you, not in the middle of the table. Put chips down only when the stickman is not about to send the dice, and keep your hands clear while the shooter rolls.
Odds go just behind your pass line chips, and you can ask the dealer if you are unsure how much the table allows.
When you are the shooter, you must have a pass or don’t pass bet down. Roll both dice so they hit the far wall.
Common mistakes
- Skipping odds
- They have no edge.
- Removing the bet after a point
- Not allowed.
- Betting during a roll
- Wait for the stickman.
- Mixing in high-edge props
- They cost more.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
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Questions before and after you play
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01Basics
What is the pass line?
The main craps bet that wins on 7 or 11 at the come-out, or by making the point.
What does it pay?
Even money, 1 to 1. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
When does it lose?
On 2, 3 or 12 at the come-out, or a 7 before the point. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
02Odds
What is the house edge?
About 1.41% on the pass line alone. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
What are odds bets?
Extra bets behind the line that pay true odds with no house edge. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
How much odds can I take?
Often 3x, 4x and 5x the pass bet; check the table. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
03Rules
Can I take my pass bet down?
Not after a point is set; it is a contract bet. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Can I bet pass after the come-out?
Some casinos allow a put bet, but it is worse value. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
What is the most common point?
6 and 8, each 5 ways of 36. 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 15, 2026Rules, odds and house edge
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Research library on casino games and gambling
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER