The field bet in craps is a popular betting option that offers players the chance to win a quick payout based on the outcome of a single roll of the dice.
In this article, we’ll cover how the field bet works, whether you should make a bet on it, and explain the odds and house edge.
Craps is a fast-paced dice game that is played in casinos around the world. The game is played with two dice, and players place bets on the outcome of each roll. There are numerous betting options in craps, and the field bet is one of the most popular choices for players. But should it be?
5.56%
House
Advantage
44.4%
Chance to
Win
Good Bet?
How the Craps Field Bet works
To make a craps bet on the field, you must place a wager equal to or greater than the table minimum bet, but not exceeding the table maximum bet.
It is a self service bet, so you’ll need to place the chips in the designated field bet area on the craps table layout. This area is usually marked with the word “Field” and is located near the center of the table. The field bet is a one roll bet, meaning that it is resolved on the next roll of the dice.
There are a few possible outcomes for a field bet.
If the next roll is a 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11 the field bet wins and the player is paid even money (1-to-1).
If the next roll is a 2 or 12 the field bet wins and the player is paid 2-to-1 in most casinos, some will pay 3-to-1 on the 12.
If the next roll is a 5, 6, 7, or 8, the field bet loses.
Learn more about how to play craps here.
Should You Bet the Field in Craps?
Whether or not you should bet the field in craps depends on your personal preferences and whether you are following a specific betting strategy.
Here are a couple of points to consider when deciding whether to make a field bet.
Odds of Winning a Field Bet in Craps
Overall, the odds of winning a field bet in craps are approximately 44.4%. There are 20 ways to lose and only 16 ways to win.
There are 36 possible dice combinations of two, six-sided dice. The possible ways to make each total outcome are as follows:
- Total of 2: (1,1)
- Total of 3: (1,2), (2,1)
- Total of 4: (1,3), (2,2), (3,1)
- Total of 5: (1,4), (2,3), (3,2), (4,1)
- Total of 6: (1,5), (2,4), (3,3), (4,2), (5,1)
- Total of 7: (1,6), (2,5), (3,4), (4,3), (5,2), (6,1)
- Total of 8: (2,6), (3,5), (4,4), (5,3), (6,2)
- Total of 9: (3,6), (4,5), (5,4), (6,3)
- Total of 10: (4,6), (5,5), (6,4)
- Total of 11: (5,6), (6,5)
- Total of 12: (6,6)
Despite the slightly unfavorable odds, many players enjoy making field bets because of the quick payouts and often times the perception: “there are so many ways to win”. Some players also like to make field bets as part of a broader betting strategy.
House Edge of a Craps Field Bet
If you’re considering making a field bet, it’s important to understand the house edge and how it affects your chances of winning. The house edge is the percentage of each bet that the casino expects to win over time.
For example, if the house edge was 5.5% you can expect to lose around $5.50 for every $100 you bet in an hour.
For field bets, the house edge is 5.56% when the payouts are double on 2 & 12. When a casino pays triple on the 12, it brings the house advantage down to 2.78%
To put that into perspective, house edge on the craps table ranges from 1.4% to 16.67% depending on what bets you’re playing.
Here is an advanced craps betting strategy that you can implement to maximize your odds of winning! Odds bets are by far the best bet in the casino, so check it out.
The bets with the lowest house edge are the pass line, don’t pass, come, and don’t come. These bets have a 1.4% house edge. Any Seven gets the reward for worst bet on the table with a 16.67% house advantage.
Here is a more comprehensive list on craps terminology.
Bet Responsibly & Watch Your Money
To minimize risk and manage your bankroll effectively, you may want to consider setting limits on the amount you bet on field bets, or craps in general. It’s also a good idea to have a basic craps strategy in place and to be familiar with the other betting options available at the table.
You should also be mindful of the situation on the table. Dealers do such an amazing job paying out bets and placing new bets on nearly every single roll. But they are human and sometimes miss a payout.
Know where you’re betting and what is rolled. Patiently wait for the dealer to get through their payouts, and if you were not paid kindly point out the field bet. They’ll fix it right away. But if they miss it, and you’re not paying attention, you’ll be missing out.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the field bet in craps is a popular betting option that offers players the chance to win a quick payout based on the outcome of a single roll of the dice.
While field bets may be appealing because of their fast payouts and the perception that there are many ways to win, it’s important to understand that the odds of winning a field bet are slightly in favor of the house and the house edge is typically around 5.5%.
Craps Players should consider their personal betting preferences and goals when deciding whether to make field bets, as well as the odds and house edge of different betting options.
Compared to other bets, it may seem like you have fairly good odds on the field, but in general, it is not a good bet to make.
Nothing beats a good craps game in the casino, at least not in my opinion. It is such a fun and fast paced game with tons of excitement. Plenty of lows too!
Good luck with your craps game!
