The Craps table is the loudest and most exciting place in the casino, but it is also the most mathematically complex. With dozens of different bets — some paying true odds and others taking a 5% commission — it is easy to get shortchanged if you do not know the math.
Our Craps Payout Calculator covers the most common U.S. craps bets and helps you compare posted payouts vs fair odds, account for breakage (improper bet rounding), and see the vig on Buy/Lay bets. It is especially useful for Place, Buy, Lay, Odds, Field, Hardways, and common one-roll props.
Note: this calculator assumes vig on win for Buy and Lay bets (the player-friendly standard used at many U.S. tables). Some casinos charge vig upfront on the bet amount, which produces a higher effective house edge. Check your table’s rules.
Craps Payout Calculator
How to Use the Calculator
This tool mimics the logic of a Stickman and Boxman to give you precise payout figures. Here is how to configure your bet:
- Select Bet Type:
- Main Bets: Pass Line, Don’t Pass, and the Free Odds (which pay zero house edge).
- Point Numbers: Place Bets, Buy Bets (vig on win), and Lay Bets (vig on win).
- Props: One-roll bets like Any 7, Any Craps, Yo (11), or multi-roll Hardways.
- Choose the Number: For Place/Buy/Lay/Hardway bets, select the point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10).
- Enter Bet Amount: Input your wager size. Watch for the Improper Bet Warning — if your bet is not in the correct increment for the payout ratio, the casino will round your payout down.
- Analyze the Returns:
- Net Profit: What the dealer pays you.
- Casino Payout Ratio: The posted odds on the table layout.
- True Odds: What the math says you should win in a fair game.
- House Edge: The gap between casino payout and true odds, expressed as a percentage.
Related tools: to see how variance affects your bankroll over a long craps session, use our Session Risk Calculator. For general probability math, try the Probability After N Attempts Calculator.
Place vs Buy vs Lay: Which Bet Is Better?
The answer depends on which number you are targeting. Here is the house edge comparison for vig-on-win tables:
| Number | Place Bet HE | Buy Bet HE | Lay Bet HE | Best Choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 / 10 | 6.67% | 3.33% | 1.67% | Buy (saves ~3.3%) |
| 5 / 9 | 4.00% | 3.00% | 2.00% | Buy (saves ~1.0%) |
| 6 / 8 | 1.52% | 2.73% | 2.27% | Place (cheapest) |
Key takeaway: Buy the 4 and 10 (always better than placing). Place the 6 and 8 (always better than buying). For 5 and 9, buying is slightly better at vig-on-win tables but the difference is small.
Real-World Examples
Example 1: The “Improper” Place Bet
You bet $5 on the 6. The payout ratio is 7:6.
- The Math: $5 × (7/6) = $5.83.
- The Payout: Casinos do not deal in coins. They round down to $5.00.
- The Fix: Bet in multiples of $6 for the 6 and 8, and multiples of $5 for the 5 and 9, to get the full payout ratio.
Example 2: The Buy Bet Commission (Vig)
You bet $20 Buy on the 4 (vig on win).
- True Odds: The 4 pays 2:1. Gross win = $40.
- The Vig: 5% of $40 = $2.
- Net Profit: $38. House edge = 3.33%.
- Comparison: A $20 Place bet on 4 would pay only $36 (9:5 ratio) with a 6.67% house edge. Buying saves you 3.34% — a meaningful difference on repeated bets.
Example 3: The Prop Bet Trap
You bet $10 on Any Craps (2, 3, or 12).
- Payout: 7:1 → you win $70.
- True Odds: 8:1. The house keeps the equivalent of one unit.
- House Edge: 11.11%. This is why experienced players avoid proposition bets as regular wagers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between “Place” and “Buy” bets?
A Place Bet pays fixed odds (e.g., 9:5 for the 4). A Buy Bet pays true odds (2:1 for the 4) but charges a 5% commission on your winnings. Generally, you should Buy the 4 and 10 (lower HE), but Place the 6 and 8 (where the place ratio is already close to true odds).
What are “True Odds” in Craps?
True Odds represent the mathematical probability of a number rolling vs a 7. There are 6 ways to roll a 7 and 3 ways to roll a 4 — the true odds are 2:1. The Odds Bet (taken behind the Pass Line) is the only bet in the casino that pays true odds, meaning it has a 0% House Edge.
What happens if I bet an odd amount on the 6 or 8?
This is called an “Improper Bet.” The Place 6/8 payout is 7:6, so bets not divisible by $6 produce a fractional payout that the casino rounds down. Over time, this rounding increases your effective house edge. Always bet the 6 and 8 in multiples of $6, and the 5 and 9 in multiples of $5.
What is the best bet on the Craps table?
The Odds Bet behind a Pass or Don’t Pass wager — it has a 0% house edge. After that, the best standalone bets are Place 6/8 (1.52% HE) and Pass Line (1.41% HE). The worst bets are the proposition wagers like Any 7 (16.67% HE) and Aces/Boxcars (13.89% HE).
Does the vig calculation differ between casinos?
Yes. This calculator assumes vig on win (you only pay the 5% commission when you win). Some casinos charge vig on the bet amount regardless of outcome, which produces a higher house edge (4.76% flat for all buy bets). Always ask the dealer which rule applies at your table.
What is the house edge on Field bets?
It depends on the 12 payout. If the 12 pays 2:1 (standard), the Field house edge is 5.56%. If the 12 pays 3:1 (generous tables), it drops to 2.78%. The 2 always pays 2:1 on the Field. Check the table layout to see which rule applies.