Free Odds

Please explain how taking odds on the numbers reduces the 1.41% line bet odds. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.

It does, and it doesn't.

If you consider taking odds to be replacing the original line bet with a new line plus odds aggregate wager once a point is established, it does - the combined house edge on the aggregate wager is less than the edge on the original line bet.

If you consider taking odds to be a separate, independent (but co-graded) wager, it doesn't change the line bet odds one bit.


I don't consider either way of looking at the bets to be wrong.

It's often pointed out that "adding odds to your passline bet doesn't help you win more money". This is true and worth saying, since it's so easy to think of it the wrong way

The other view that is valid is that the more of your total action that you put in free odds, the more you lower the house edge on that total action. For practical purposes, this would mean something like not making the middle table bets at all and instead using the same amount on the free odds. And I ask you, what do you see going on at the craps table? Players making all the middle table bets they can possibly dream up and then adding some free odds "to win more money"

If your question was about the math, go to https://wizardofodds.com/games/craps/appendix/1/

Honestly the best way to explain it is in relation to a players bankroll and session goals. For myself, I want a big win or zero out. I only gamble a preset amount and never hit up atm to chase a loss. I want to double, 50% increase, or bust. If I bring 1000, I stop at 2000 or 1000(if I've been playing more than 2 hours), or zero.

Odds allows for larger wins or larger losses in a shorter period of time. Craps, like all casino math rigged games, is only a way to increase your bankroll if you hit a pocket of positive variance for whatever strategy you're playing. So shorter, high variance plays are usually better than super drawn out strategies.

Having said that, flat betting without odds can be smart if you're looking for a modest win and stretching your bankroll out.

If you don't like getting gyped on the payouts of Place bets, taking odds takes the sting out of the HA. Make Come bets with odds too. With 2X odds, you can lower the HA to 0.6% on line bets with odds, which compares favorably to the Black Jack HA.
But really it comes down to how the dice roll as to how you'll fare with the variance. You can lose 20% on variance and it has nothing to do with HA.
With Don't Pass, I'd go with 3X odds minimum. With Don't Come, I don't really need odds on those.

Once your dp and DC move to a box number you're favored. That's the best time for odds, if you're wanting to do that strategy.

Inverse, I'd argue PL and Come you should have a higher wager and zero odds.

Once your dp and DC move to a box number you're favored. That's the best time for odds, if you're wanting to do that strategy.

Inverse, I'd argue PL and Come you should have a higher wager and zero odds.

My favorite play is with $40 bets, make it $20 PL with $20 odds, then two $10 come bets with $30 odds. If a come bet hits, just fill up two place bets at $20 each ($18 for the 6 & 8). I hate getting hit with come-out 7's after I've already made my come points.