Pass Line FAQ
10 questions about the most fundamental bet on the craps table.
What is a Pass Line bet in craps?
A Pass Line bet is placed before the come-out roll. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win even money. If the roll is 2, 3, or 12, you lose. Any other number becomes the point, and the shooter must roll that number again before rolling a 7 for you to win.
What is the house edge on the Pass Line?
The Pass Line carries a 1.41% house edge. For every $100 wagered over time, the casino expects to keep $1.41. This makes it one of the lowest-edge bets available in any casino game.
Can I remove my Pass Line bet after a point is set?
No. Once a point is established, a Pass Line bet is a contract bet. You cannot take it down or reduce it. This is by design: the odds shift in your favor once a point is set, which is exactly when the casino locks you in.
Should I always bet the Pass Line?
The Pass Line is one of the best bets on the table with its 1.41% edge. The only bet with a lower house edge is Don't Pass at 1.36%. For most players, the Pass Line combined with free odds is the mathematically strongest approach.
What happens to my Pass Line bet on a come-out roll of 12?
On the come-out roll, 12 is a loss for Pass Line bettors. The shooter craps out and a new come-out roll begins. Your bet is collected by the house.
How does the Pass Line compare to Place bets?
The Pass Line at 1.41% beats every Place bet. Place 6/8 come closest at 1.52%, but Place 5/9 (4.00%) and Place 4/10 (6.67%) are significantly worse. The gap widens further when you add free odds to the Pass Line.
What are the odds of winning a Pass Line bet?
The probability of winning a Pass Line bet is 244/495, or about 49.29%. You lose 251/495 of the time (50.71%). That 1.42-percentage-point gap is where the 1.41% house edge lives.
Does the Pass Line pay even money?
Yes. The Pass Line pays 1:1 (even money). If you bet $10 and win, you receive $10 in profit plus your original $10 back. The real value comes from backing it with free odds, which pay at true odds with zero house edge.
Is the Pass Line better than the Field bet?
Much better. The Pass Line has a 1.41% house edge vs. the Field bet at 5.56% (or 2.78% if the casino pays triple on 2 and 12). Over 1,000 bets at $10 each, the Pass Line costs you about $141 in expected value while the Field costs $556.
Can I bet the Pass Line and Don't Pass at the same time?
You can, but there is no mathematical reason to do it. On the come-out, 7 and 11 win Pass and lose Don't Pass. Rolls of 2 and 3 lose Pass and win Don't Pass. The 12 loses Pass and pushes Don't Pass. You are grinding against yourself with no net edge advantage.
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