Bet Ugly - But Win: The "Don't Pass Line" Bet

Description: If you want to go to a casino and make lots of friends around the craps table, then you should never bet on the don't pass line. However, if your object is to play real money craps and win cash, you really should take a look at this bet.

What is the Don't Pass Line

The don't pass line is a bet that whomever is rolling the dice will lose. That's right, when everyone is crowded round the table cheering on the lucky lady who is eagerly trying to hit her point, you stand there with a stack of chips on the don't pass line hoping she goes home a big loser. You see, in Craps, the object is to roll the "point". The point is set on your first roll. Whatever number the two dice add up to is the point. The shooter continues rolling until either the point comes up again, or a seven is rolled. When you bet don't pass, you are hoping that the shooter rolls a seven before making the point. You will know instantly when this happens because everyone around the table will groan. Just don't jump up and down in the midst of their sorrow.

How to Bet the Don't Pass Line and Win on the First Roll!

Usually, the point is set on the first roll. However, there are several numbers which could be rolled on the first roll and which do not set the point. When these numbers come up, you either win or lose, and the round is over. If the shooter rolls snake eyes (double ones), loose deuce (a two and a one), or boxcars (two sixes), and you have a bet on don't pass, you win automatically. On the other hand, if the shooter rolls a seven or an eleven, you lose.

How Much Can You Win Betting the Don't Pass Line?

When you bet on the don't pass line and win (when the shooters loses), you win what is called even money. That means you get an amount back that equals your wager, plus your original bet. So, for example, let's say you bet $20 on the don't pass line. Then the shooter rolled a six on the come out roll. If a seven comes up before another six, you win a total of $40. That is your $20 bet back, plus an additional $20. Likewise, if you bet $20 on the don't pass line and the shooter rolls snake eyes on the first roll, you instantly win the same amount, $40.

Why It's Better To Play Don't Pass At Home

So when you bet the don't pass line, you are betting with the House. When the shooter loses, you and the casino win. When the shooter wins, you lose. Statistically, you are much better off playing don't pass than playing pass. However, it is an unwritten rule that in casinos, this is considered a rude bet. It is not nice to bet that someone else at the table (or even a lot of people) will lose. You may get lots of nasty looks for placing a bet on don't pass. On the other hand, when you play real money craps on the Internet from home, no one knows what you are betting on. There really should be no reason why you wouldn't what to play the better odds as long as you do it in private.