Choosing between the Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line comes down to a winning strategy
When playing online craps, two of the most fundamental bets are the Pass Line and the Don’t Pass Line. Understanding these can help new players grasp the basics of the game and make informed decisions.
The Pass Line bet is the most popular wager in craps, typically placed at the start of the game during the “come-out roll.” A player wins this bet if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, instantly doubling the amount wagered. However, if the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12—known as “craps”—the Pass Line bet loses. If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, this becomes the “point.” The goal, then, is for the shooter to roll this point number again before rolling a 7. If the point is repeated first, the Pass Line bet wins; if a 7 comes up, the bet loses.
On the other side, the Don’t Pass Line bet is essentially a wager against the shooter. Players who choose this bet are betting that the shooter will lose. For the come-out roll, the Don’t Pass Line wins if a 2 or 3 is rolled, but loses if a 7 or 11 comes up. Rolling a 12 results in a push, which means the bet neither wins nor loses. Once the point is established, Don’t Pass players hope the shooter will roll a 7 before hitting the point again. If a 7 is rolled first, the Don’t Pass bet wins.
The main difference between the two bets lies in which outcome the player is rooting for. Pass Line players want the shooter to succeed, while Don’t Pass players are betting on the shooter’s failure. Despite their oppositional nature, both bets have low house edges, making them popular among players.
