When you bet on don't pass line, you are betting that shooter will roll either a 2 or a 3 on comeout roll (or a 3 or 12 if in Reno and Tahoe), or will roll one of place numbers and then seven out before rolling place number again.

Odds on a Line Bet (or, simply called "odds bets")

When a point has been established (a place number is rolled) on comeout, you are permitted to take true odds against a 7 appearing before point number is rolled again. This means you can bet an additional amount up to amount of your line bet. This called an "odds" bet.

Your odds bet can be any amount up to amount of your line bet, although many casinos will now allow you to make odds bets of two, three or even more times amount of your line bet. This odds bet is paid at a rate equal to odds of that point number being made before a 7 is rolled.

You make an odds bet by placing your bet directly behind your pass line bet. You notice that there is nothing on table to indicate that you can place an odds bet, while there are indications loudly printed all over that table for other "sucker" bets. This is because casino does not want to encourage odds bets. You have to know that you can make one.

Here's how these odds are computed. Since there are 6 ways that a number 7 can be rolled and 5 ways that a 6 or 8 can be rolled, odds of a 6 or 8 being rolled before a 7 is rolled again are 6 to 5 against you. This means that if point number is a 6 or 8, your odds bet will be paid off at rate of 6 to 5. For every $10 you bet, you will win $12 (bets smaller or larger than $10 are of course paid at same 6 to 5 ratio). The odds of a 5 or 9 being rolled before a 7 is rolled are 3 to 2, so you get paid $15 for every $10 bet. The odds of 4 or 10 being rolled first are 2 to 1, so you get paid $20 for every $10 you bet.

Note that these are true odds - you are paid exactly proportional to your chance of winning. This is only true odds bet you will find in a casino, so be sure to make it whenever you play craps.

AN EASY TO LEARN BASIC CRAPS STRATEGY

Here's an example of three types of outcomes that result when a new shooter plays and how you should bet.

Assume new shooter is getting ready to make comeout roll and you make a $10 bet (or whatever amount you want) on pass line. The shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on comeout. You win $10, amount of your bet.

You bet $10 again on pass line and shooter makes a comeout roll again. This time a 3 is rolled (the player "craps out"). You lose your $10 pass line bet.

You bet another $10 and shooter makes his third comeout roll (remember, each shooter continues to roll until he sevens out after making a point). This time a 4 is rolled - one of place numbers or "points". You now want to take an odds bet, so you place $10 directly behind your pass line bet to indicate you are taking odds. The shooter continues to roll dice until a 4 is rolled (the point is made), at which time you win $10 on your pass line bet, and $20 on your odds bet (remember, a 4 is paid at 2 to 1 odds), for a total win of $30. Take your chips off table and get ready to bet again.

However, if a 7 is rolled before point number (in this case, before 4), you lose both your $10 pass line bet and your $10 odds bet.

And that's all there is to it! You simply make you pass line bet, take odds if a point is rolled on comeout, and then wait for either point or a 7 to be rolled. Ignore all other confusion and sucker bets. Your have best bet in casino and are playing wisely.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT ODDS BETS

Odds bets can be made any time after a comeout point is rolled. You don't have to make them right away . However, you'd be foolish not to make an odds bet as soon as possible considering it's best bet on table. However, you are permitted to make, withdraw, or reinstate an odds bet anytime after comeout and before a 7 is rolled.

When you win an odds bet, be sure to take your chips off table. Otherwise, they are considered to be automatically "off" on next comeout and will not count as another odds bet unless you specifically tell dealer that you want them to be "working". But in a fast moving and loud game, your request may not be heard, so it's better to simply take your winnings off table and bet again with next comeout.

Good Luck!