Craps House Edge and Odds: How to Calculate Your Chances of Winning

Samuel Kiprop
Written bySamuel KipropWriter

Craps, the dice game loved for generations, is now at your fingertips! Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned player, understanding the basics is quick, but mastering your strategy takes skill. Looking for the best online craps experience in Kenya? We've reviewed and ranked the top licensed online casinos offering craps and other popular games.

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Craps House Edge and Odds: How to Calculate Your Chances of Winning

Breaking Down Payouts and Odds in Craps\n\n

Before you roll those dice, it pays to know your odds and how each wager stacks up. Whether you fund your play with M-Pesa or Airtel Money, understanding the basic rules and crafting a solid craps betting strategy is key. Let’s peek at the main bets, the payouts you can expect, and how the house edge shapes your game in Kenya’s regulated scene under the BCLB.

Core Craps Wagers

These bets are a favourite for newbies and seasoned rollers since they keep the house edge nice and low:

  • Pass Line & Come bets
    You’re backing the shooter to land a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. Hit it, you win even money; roll a 2, 3 or 12, and you’re out. Payout: 1:1.

  • Don’t Pass & Don’t Come bets
    Going against the shooter, you win if 2 or 3 shows up, lose on a 7 or 11. Push on 12 for Don’t Pass. Payout: 1:1.

Laying On Odds

Once a point is set, you can top up your Pass/Don’t Pass or Come/Don’t Come bet with an Odds Bet—no house edge here, so this is pure value:

  • Point 4 or 10: KSh 2:1
  • Point 5 or 9: KSh 3:2
  • Point 6 or 8: KSh 6:5

Betting on Specific Numbers

If you fancy a bit more variety, Place Bets let you back any of the point numbers to hit before a 7:

  • 4 or 10: KSh 9:5
  • 5 or 9: KSh 7:5
  • 6 or 8: KSh 7:6

Side Wagers: Field, Big 6/8 & Any 7

For a quick thrill, these bets pay out differently, but watch that house edge:

  • Field Bet: Win if next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. Pays 1:1 on most, 2:1 on 2 and 12.
  • Big 6/8: Bet either 6 or 8 beats a 7. Pays 1:1.
  • Any 7: Pure punt on a 7 next. Pays 4:1.

How the House Edge Shapes Your Game\n\n

Every wager in craps carries a built-in house edge that’s your long-term cost of playing. In Kenya, casinos licensed by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) rely on this margin to stay afloat. Here’s a quick glance at key bets, their payouts, and casino edge:

Bet Type Payout House Edge (%)
Pass Line / Come 1:1 1.41
Don’t Pass / Don’t Come 1:1 1.36
Odds on 4/10 2:1 0
Odds on 5/9 3:2 0
Odds on 6/8 6:5 0
Place 4/10 9:5 6.67
Place 5/9 7:5 4.00
Place 6/8 7:6 1.52
Field (3,4,9,10,11) 1:1 5.56
Field (2,12) 2:1 5.56
Big 6 / Big 8 1:1 9.09
Any 7 4:1 16.67

See? The Pass Line/Don’t Pass and Come bets are the most "poa" choices when chasing lower house hold-advantage. On the flip side, Any 7 and Big 6/8 will cost you more over time.

Calculating Your Winnings\n\n

Knowing odds isn’t enough—you’ve got to work out your actual returns. Say you stake KSh 1,000 on Pass Line and land a 7. You win KSh 1,000 thanks to the 1:1 payout. The true probability of that win on the come-out roll is roughly 50.7%.

Or consider this: you bet KSh 1,000 on the point of 6 with −110 odds, then tack on KSh 500 in Odds Bet. If a 6 hits first, you collect KSh 600 on the odds piece plus KSh 1,000 even-money. Your total return is KSh 1,600 from a KSh 1,500 outlay.

Every bet works the same way—factor in both win chance and payout odds before you press "roll."

Tips for Sharpening Your Craps Strategy\n\n

  1. Stick to low‐edge plays: Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, Don’t Come.
  2. Layer on odds bets whenever you can—zero house edge is pure gravy.
  3. Skip the sucker bets: Any 7, Big 6/8, and Place 4/10 are best given a pass.
  4. Use local slang to stay loose—"sasa, mambo poa?" is a great icebreaker at the table.
  5. Deposit and withdraw via M-Pesa or Airtel Money for quick, reliable cash flow.

Mastering these basics will give you more "shwari" sessions at the virtual table. Ready to roll? Hit up one of our top CasinoRank picks and let the fun begin.\n\n

18+ | Play responsibly – begambleaware.org

About the author
Samuel Kiprop
Samuel Kiprop
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Born in Nairobi, Samuel Kiprop expertly marries the world of online casinos with the pulse of Kenyan life. Fusing urban flair with cultural wisdom, he's a name to know in East African digital gaming.

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More posts by Samuel Kiprop

What's the Pass Line Bet in Craps, and what are my chances of winning in Kenya?

The Pass Line Bet is the most common bet in craps. You win if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the first roll (the "come-out" roll). You also win if the shooter establishes a "point" (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) and then rolls that point again before rolling a 7. Your odds of winning a Pass Line bet are roughly 50.7%.

What’s the house edge in craps, and why should I care as a Kenyan player?

The house edge in craps is the percentage of each bet the casino expects to keep over time. Understanding the house edge is crucial because it helps you make smart betting decisions. If you want to improve your chances in the long run, focus on bets with a smaller house edge. Think of it like this: a lower house edge means more of your stake stays with you.

What is an Odds Bet in craps, and how does it lower the house edge for Kenyan players?

An Odds Bet is an extra bet you can make after placing a Pass Line, Don't Pass, Come, or Don't Come bet. The beauty of an Odds Bet is that it has no house edge, meaning the payout is directly proportional to your chances of winning. By placing an Odds Bet, you effectively lower the overall house edge on your initial Pass Line or Come Bet.

What's the Any 7 Bet in craps, and why is it a risky choice for Kenyan players?

The Any 7 Bet is a bet that the next roll will be a 7. While it might seem tempting, the house edge on this bet is a whopping 16.67%! This makes it a very risky bet because the casino has a significant advantage. The payoff is 4 to 1, but your chances of winning are slim, so it's best to avoid this bet if you're looking for value.

What's the difference between a Place Bet and a Come Bet in craps, and which is better for a Kenyan player?

Place Bets are wagers on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). You win if that number is rolled before a 7. A Come Bet is similar to a Pass Line Bet, but it's placed after the come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 after you place a Come Bet, you win. You also win if the shooter rolls your Come Bet point before rolling a 7. Come Bets have the same odds as Pass Line Bets. There isn't a definitively "better" option; it depends on your betting strategy.

What is the best strategy for winning craps in Kenya?

There's no guaranteed winning strategy, but focusing on bets with low house edges like the Pass Line with Odds, or Come bets with Odds, improves your odds. Managing your bankroll wisely is also essential. Avoid chasing losses and set a budget before you start playing.

What is the 3 4 5 rule in craps, and how can I use it in my gameplay?

The "3-4-5" rule relates to laying odds on the 6 and 8. You bet in multiples of 3, 4, and 5 to get the maximum payout. For example, if the table minimum bet is $5, you could bet $3 on the 6 or 8, and then lay odds of $5 on the 6 or 8. However, this rule is more relevant in casinos with specific odds structures and may not directly translate to all online craps versions available in Kenya.

What is the most profitable bet in craps for Kenyan players?

The most "profitable" bet depends on your risk tolerance. The Pass Line bet with maximum odds offers a good balance of reasonable odds and potential payout. While other bets might have higher payouts, they come with a significantly higher house edge, making them less likely to be profitable in the long run.

What is the best combination in craps, and how can I use it in my gameplay?

There's no single "best" combination, but a common strategy is to combine a Pass Line bet with maximum odds, and then place Come bets with odds on additional numbers. This allows you to have multiple numbers working for you, increasing your chances of winning on each roll. Remember to manage your bankroll carefully when using this strategy.

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