Pass Line

The Pass Line bet is the most fundamental wager in craps and one of the easiest for beginners to understand. This bet is placed before the come-out roll, and you are betting that the shooter will roll a winning number. It’s a multi-roll bet with one of the lowest house edges in the game, making it a staple of most players’ strategies.

Key Details of the Pass Line Bet

To fully understand how the Pass Line bet works, let's break down the essential aspects:

• Odds: The odds vary depending on the stage of the game. On the come-out roll, there’s an 8 to 3 chance of winning on a 7 or 11 and a 4 to 1 chance of losing on a 2, 3, or 12. If a point is established, the odds depend on the number rolled.
• House Edge: 1.41% – One of the lowest house edges in craps, making it a relatively safe bet for long-term play.
• Payout: 1 to 1 – The payout is even money, meaning if you bet $10, you’ll win $10 if the bet is successful.

How to Bet on Pass Line in Craps

In the game of craps, the Pass Line bet is the most popular and easiest wager to understand. You place this bet before the come-out roll (the first roll of a new round). If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, you win. If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12 (called "craps"), you lose. Any other number rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) becomes the point. After the point is established, the shooter must roll the point number again before rolling a 7 for the bet to win.

How Does the Pass Line Bet Work?

To place a Pass Line bet, simply put your chips in the area marked "Pass Line" on the craps table. This is a multi-roll bet, meaning the game could continue for several rolls before the outcome is determined. The come-out roll is critical in this bet:

- If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win.
- If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, you lose.
- If the shooter rolls any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that number becomes the point.

Once a point is established, the goal is for the shooter to roll that number again before rolling a 7. If they do, you win. If a 7 comes first, you lose.

Examples of Pass Line Bet in Action

Let's say you place a $10 Pass Line bet. On the come-out roll, the shooter rolls a 7. You win $10, as the payout is 1:1. Now, imagine you place the same bet, but the come-out roll is a 5, which becomes the point. The shooter now continues to roll the dice. If they roll a 5 before rolling a 7, you win $10. However, if they roll a 7 before hitting 5 again, you lose your $10 bet.

In another scenario, you place a Pass Line bet, and the come-out roll is a 12 (craps). In this case, you lose your bet immediately.

Tips for Betting on Pass Line

The Pass Line bet is an excellent choice for beginners because it has a low house edge and is easy to follow. Here are some tips to help you make the most of this bet:

- Stick to the Pass Line if you're new to craps, as it's the simplest and safest bet with a low house edge of 1.41%.
- Combine the Pass Line with an Odds Bet (an additional wager made after the point is established) to increase your potential payouts. The Odds Bet has no house edge, making it one of the best bets in the casino.
- Be patient: Because the Pass Line is a multi-roll bet, the game can last several rolls. Stay focused and avoid betting on high-risk propositions that might deplete your bankroll too quickly.

Pass Line Bet FAQs