What is a put bet in craps?
The put bet, in essence, is a pass line bet which will be available for placing after the initial come out roll and the point has been established.
Players can experience the impact of put bets while playing at casinos, and a casino will show you a particular offer for this type of place bet as well as the full odds available for each game.
Craps games are generally fast-paced and frantic, and more often than not, these kinds of bets aren’t used effectively which is what we look at in more detail later in this guide.
However, the odds for this kind of bet can be reasonable especially in terms of keeping the house edge low.
How to play put bet in craps
A put bet can be a viable way to play craps at online casinos. You can increase your payout by placing a flat line pass line bet. You may also take the extra odds which will be advertised at land based casinos. There are also plenty of scenarios involving a bet on the come out roll.
Anyway, after the shooter rolls, there are eight ways to win and only four ways to lose when rolling at the table. A good example might be where you place a flat pass line bet, and the flat bet might be worth $10. The odds available for this might be 5x (ie 5 x 10 = $50).
Things might intensify as the shooter rolls for 15 minutes with a 7-out, and the other players are scoring big wins with their place bets. You are therefore convinced the shooter will make their point numbers, and as such, you prefer to increase your pass line odds bet. However, by increasing your odds bet, you also shift the overall house edge.
Alternatively, you can also make a put bet without going through the come out roll. You might tell the dealer that with your next wager, you want to make a Put and Come. Experienced dealers will be well equipped at casinos to help out with this, especially if you want to get more money from the chips put down. From there, those playing will have to wait to see if they are successful.
Craps put bet strategies
To master these place bets, here are a couple of worthwhile strategies to take advantage of:
Take free odds on pass bets
Once you have established a point in a craps game, then make sure you back put bets with free odds. These are secondary wagers, however, they are paid out at true odds. Indeed, the true odds for these pass line bets will see payouts rocket when you win. By playing a 6 or 8, you can skip the higher house edge numbers when you place a bet in free odds.
Consider the Iron Cross
The theory behind the iron cross is that you can cover more numbers, which in turn, will bolster your chances of generating a win with your wager. You can look for a win on your first roll and by making say place bets on 5, 6, and 8, you will be able to return profits much quicker at casinos.
Craps put bet odds and payouts
| Come out rolls and chances | Chance | Win % | Lose % | Point rolls and chances (Win Chance) | Win % | Lose Chance | Lose % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1/36 | 2.78 | |||||
| 3 | 2/36 | 5.56 | |||||
| 4 | 3/36 | 3/36 x 3/9 | 2.78 | 3/36 x 6/9 | 5.5 | ||
| 5 | 4/36 | 4/36 x 4/10 | 4.44 | 4/36 x 6/10 | 6.67 | ||
| 6 | 5/36 | 5/36 x 5/11 | 6.31 | 5/36 x 6/11 | 7.58 | ||
| 7 | 6/36 | 16.67 | |||||
| 8 | 5/36 | 5/36 x 5/11 | 6.31 | 5/36 x 6/11 | 7.58 | ||
| 9 | 4/36 | 4/36 x 4/10 | 4.44 | 4/36 x 6/10 | 6.67 | ||
| 10 | 3/36 | 3/36 x 3/9 | 2.78 | 3/36 x 6/9 | 5.55 | ||
| 11 | 2/36 | 5.56 | |||||
| 12 | 1/36 | 2.78 | |||||
| Total winning % (49.29%) | Total losing % (50.71%) |
Craps put bets house edge
| Combinations | House edge (%) |
|---|---|
| 6 or 8 | 9.1 |
| 5 or 9 | 20 |
| 4 or 10 | 33.3 |
Pros and cons of put bet in craps
With any pass line bet from the come out roll, there are a few things that will affect the true odds of payouts.
A player will need to be mindful of this when rolling, but let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages with this type of bet.
Pros
Can choose own numbers
With a put bet, you can choose your own point numbers which is a big advantage. As such, you can enjoy a tidy profit on the come out, and you will be able to manipulate the game to your advantage as you will have more flexibility over the point number.
Can place bets with free odds
As mentioned, bets that can be made with free odds will suit a pass line player, as you can take advantage of any given roll. Winning with free odds work as the same as pass line bets, and there won’t be an edge to the house.
Cons
Some casinos are unfamiliar with a put bet
A put bet might not be something that casinos offer all the time, so you will need to ask a dealer whether you can make a pass line bet with full odds after the point is established. The more knowledgeable dealers will let you make this place bet even if you don’t ask to make this before the come out roll.
Not as popular as other bet types
Compared to the odds available for other bet types, the put bet has largely been ignored until recently. As such, some players might be a more confused with establishing the point or how to get value for money with a place 6. Players need to get to grip with roll rules before betting.
Put bet common mistakes
- Players obsessed with trend betting – Trend betting will not help you win when considering a place bet. Although trends exist, nobody really knows what will come next with a come bet.
- Ignoring the pass line – This bet along with Come and Don’t Pass will give you an advantage when rolling at a casino, and some players overlook this place bet.
- Not following decorum – There is an element of etiquette involved at the casino especially when rolling, and you shouldn’t throw in bets when the shooter is rolling.
- Over betting – When a bet loses, some players refuse to walk away from the casino, and instead, stick around to try and recover the damage done. If you lose a place bet, then take time to regroup before returning to the casino.
Summary
Put bets have their place even if some casinos are yet to fully embrace them. If you can make the most of place bets once the point is determined, then you can reap the rewards. We hope this guide has provided some useful pointers, so you can approach put bets with more confidence.