The Don’t Pass bet is the opposite of the Pass Line — you’re betting against the shooter. It carries the lowest base house edge of any standard craps bet at just 1.36%, making it mathematically one of the smartest wagers on the table.
Despite the slightly better odds, many players avoid it because betting “wrong” (against the shooter) can feel socially awkward at a live table. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works, what it pays, and when to use it.
Don’t Pass Bet Calculator
How the Don’t Pass Bet Works
The Don’t Pass bet is placed on the “Don’t Pass Bar” section of the craps table layout before the come-out roll. Here’s how it plays out:
On the Come-Out Roll
- You WIN if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3
- You LOSE if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11
- PUSH (tie) if the shooter rolls a 12 — your bet is returned (this is the “Bar 12” rule)
- Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) establishes the point
After the Point is Established
- You WIN if a 7 is rolled before the point number (the shooter “sevens out”)
- You LOSE if the point number is rolled before a 7
This is the exact opposite of the Pass Line bet. Pass Line bettors want the shooter to make the point; Don’t Pass bettors want the shooter to seven out.
Why is 12 a Push (Bar 12)?
Without the “Bar 12” rule, the Don’t Pass bet would actually have a mathematical edge over the casino. The push on 12 is how the casino maintains its 1.36% advantage. Some casinos bar the 2 instead of the 12 — the math works out the same either way.
Don’t Pass Odds and Payouts
| Scenario | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Don’t Pass (base bet) | 1:1 (even money) | 1.36% |
| Lay Odds on 6 or 8 | 5:6 | 0% |
| Lay Odds on 5 or 9 | 2:3 | 0% |
| Lay Odds on 4 or 10 | 1:2 | 0% |
Key point: Once a point is established, you can “lay odds” behind your Don’t Pass bet. This pays true odds with 0% house edge — just like taking odds on the Pass Line. The difference is you’re laying more to win less (because once the point is set, you’re actually favored to win).
Probability Breakdown
- Win on come-out: 8.33% (rolling 2 or 3 = 3 ways out of 36)
- Lose on come-out: 22.22% (rolling 7 or 11 = 8 ways out of 36)
- Push on come-out: 2.78% (rolling 12 = 1 way out of 36)
- Point established: 66.67% (any other number)
- Overall win probability: ~47.93%
Don’t Pass vs. Pass Line: Which is Better?
| Factor | Pass Line | Don’t Pass |
|---|---|---|
| House Edge | 1.41% | 1.36% ✓ |
| Payout | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Win on come-out (7 or 11) | 22.22% ✓ | — |
| Win on come-out (2 or 3) | — | 8.33% |
| Favored after point set? | No | Yes ✓ |
| Social acceptance | High ✓ | Low (“wrong” bettor) |
| Can remove bet after point? | No | Yes ✓ |
The Don’t Pass has a slight mathematical edge (0.05% better), but the real advantage is after the point is established — you’re favored to win because 7 is the most likely number to roll. You can also remove your Don’t Pass bet after the point (though you’d be giving up your advantage, so you shouldn’t).
Don’t Pass Strategy Tips
- Always lay maximum odds — This reduces your combined house edge. With 3-4-5x odds, the combined edge drops to about 0.27%.
- Never remove your bet after the point — Once the point is set, you’re favored. Removing the bet gives up your advantage.
- Be discreet at live tables — Cheering when the shooter sevens out won’t make you popular. Many “wrong” bettors stay quiet or step away from the rail.
- Combine with Don’t Come bets — Spread your action across multiple numbers while maintaining the low house edge.
- Consider the 5% rule — If you’re uncomfortable betting against the table, the 0.05% difference between Pass and Don’t Pass is negligible. Play what you enjoy.
Don’t Pass Bet FAQs
What does “Don’t Pass Bar” mean?
The “Bar” in Don’t Pass Bar refers to the barred number (usually 12). When 12 rolls on the come-out, the bet pushes (ties) instead of winning. This prevents the Don’t Pass from having a player advantage over the casino.
Is the Don’t Pass bet rude?
It’s not rude — it’s a legitimate bet with the best base odds on the table. However, at a live table, most players bet the Pass Line and cheer for the shooter. Openly celebrating when the shooter loses can create tension. Many experienced “wrong” bettors simply stay quiet about their bets.
Can I take down my Don’t Pass bet?
Yes — unlike the Pass Line, you can remove a Don’t Pass bet after the point is established. However, you should never do this because once the point is set, you’re mathematically favored to win (7 is more likely than any single point number).
What are “laying odds” on Don’t Pass?
After a point is established, you can place an additional bet behind your Don’t Pass that pays true odds (0% house edge). You’re “laying” odds because you bet more to win less — for example, laying $12 to win $10 on a point of 6 or 8. This is because you’re favored once the point is set. See our Odds bet guide for more details.
Is Don’t Pass better than Pass Line?
Mathematically, yes — by 0.05% (1.36% vs 1.41%). Over thousands of bets this adds up slightly, but for a casual session the difference is negligible. Choose based on what you enjoy. If you’re a pure math player, Don’t Pass with maximum lay odds is the optimal strategy.
Final Thoughts
The Don’t Pass bet is the mathematically optimal base bet in craps. Combined with laying maximum odds, it gives you the lowest possible house edge on the table (as low as 0.27% with 3-4-5x odds). The only downside is the social stigma of betting against the shooter — but your bankroll doesn’t care about table politics.
If you’re comfortable being a “wrong” bettor, the Don’t Pass with lay odds is the smartest long-term craps strategy available. Pair it with Don’t Come bets to spread your action, and use our craps payout calculator to verify any payout before you play.
