If you’re looking for practical online casino betting tips that can help you make smarter decisions at the craps table, understanding the put bet is worth your time. This lesser-used wager gives players a way to join the pass line after a point has already been established.
For many years, put bets were mostly ignored because they gave up one of the main advantages of a standard pass line bet: exposure to the come-out roll. That changed when more casinos began offering 5X, 10X, and even 100X odds, making the put bet more appealing in specific situations.
The key idea is simple: a put bet can make sense when the point is 6 or 8 and the casino allows large odds behind the bet.
Understanding Put Bets in Craps
A put bet is a pass line-style wager placed after the point is already established. In other words, instead of making a pass line bet before the come-out roll, you wait until a point is on the board and then enter the action.
Put Bet Definition
What it is:
A pass line bet made after the point has been established.
What it skips:
The come-out roll, which means you miss the natural wins on 7 or 11.
For example, imagine you did not place a pass line bet before the shooter established a point of 6. With a put bet, you can still place a pass line wager on that number and then back it with odds, assuming the table allows it.
Key Insight
Concept:
You are effectively entering the pass line late, after the point is known.
Why it matters:
That flexibility lets you choose specific point numbers instead of being locked into whatever the come-out roll produces.
Visual Model
Why Put Bets Were Often Ignored
A put bet was long considered a forgotten wager because it gives up the built-in value of the come-out roll. A regular pass line player benefits from immediate wins when the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 before a point is established. A put bet misses that entirely.
| Element | Standard Pass Line Bet | Put Bet |
|---|---|---|
| When placed | Before the come-out roll | After the point is established |
| Access to 7 or 11 wins | Yes | No |
| Choice of point number | No | Yes |
| Main appeal | Full pass line value | Selective entry with odds |
That disadvantage is exactly why put bets went mostly unused in traditional craps games. Without strong odds behind the wager, there usually was not enough value to justify skipping the come-out roll.
Why Put Bets Matter More Today
Put bets became more relevant once casinos began offering larger odds on pass line bets. Today, some tables allow 5X, 10X, 100X, or even effectively unlimited odds. Those larger odds can help offset what the player gives up by not being on the line during the come-out roll.
When a Put Bet Becomes More Attractive
Best point numbers:
Put bets are most often discussed when the point is 6 or 8.
Best table condition:
The casino should allow at least 10X odds behind the flat bet.
That is why casinos offering 100X or unlimited odds are often viewed as the best places to consider this wager. Still, the situation matters. The put bet is not automatically strong just because the table advertises big odds. It only becomes more interesting when the established point and the odds structure line up in your favor.
Before you try it, confirm that the casino actually allows a pass line wager with full odds after the point is set. Some dealers may permit it without much discussion, while others may require that you ask specifically.
Learn how odds and progression systems fit your style
If you like selective betting approaches, compare the put bet with other structured strategies such as the Paroli system to see how players manage risk and winning streaks.
Read the Paroli System guidePut Bet Example With Odds
Here is the core example. Let’s say you place a $5 flat put bet after the point is established, and the table allows you to take $50 in odds behind it. If the point is 6 and it hits, the odds portion pays at 6:5.
| Element | Amount |
|---|---|
| Flat bet | $5 |
| Odds bet | $50 |
| Odds payout at 6:5 | $60 |
| Flat bet win | $5 |
| Total win | $65 |
Why This Example Matters
Concept:
The real value of the put bet comes from the odds behind it, not just the small flat wager.
Why it matters:
If the table limits odds too heavily, the put bet loses much of the logic that makes players consider it in the first place.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Put Bets
The biggest advantage of the put bet is control. Instead of taking whatever point results from the come-out roll, you get to choose when to enter and which established point you want to back.
The main drawback is just as important: you miss the chance to win on come-out rolls of 7 and 11. That lost value is why many players still use the wager only selectively rather than as a default approach on every hand.
Quick Pros and Cons
Advantages:
You choose your point number, enter only when conditions suit you, and can leverage large odds where available.
Disadvantages:
You give up the come-out roll edge and need the right table rules for the bet to make practical sense.
Because put bets are often used selectively rather than on every round, some players pair them with disciplined wagering plans that focus more on managing momentum than chasing losses. One well-known example is a positive progression approach like the Paroli system.
FAQ
What is a put bet in craps?
A put bet is a pass line-type wager made after the point has already been established, instead of before the come-out roll.
Why don’t all craps players use put bets?
Because the bet gives up the advantage of the come-out roll, including possible wins on 7 and 11. Without strong odds behind it, many players do not see enough value.
When is a put bet most worth considering?
It is most commonly considered when the point is 6 or 8 and the casino allows large odds, typically 10X or more.
Do all casinos allow put bets with full odds?
No. Table rules vary, so you should always confirm whether the casino allows a pass line wager with full odds after the point is established.
Summary
- A put bet lets you make a pass line wager after the point is already established.
- Its main weakness is that you miss the value of the come-out roll, especially 7 and 11.
- Its main strength is selective entry, which can become more useful on tables offering large odds, especially when the point is 6 or 8.
Final Thoughts
Put bets are not a universal solution, but they are no longer the forgotten wager they once were. In the right game, with the right point number, and with enough odds available, they can be a profitable option for players who want more control over when they enter the action.
If your goal is to improve your overall craps decision-making, the smartest move is to understand exactly what you gain and what you give up. That is what makes the put bet useful: not because it always works, but because it can work in the right situation.
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About the Author
Since 2008, D.S. Williamson has written about sports and sports handicapping. His philosophy is value-based, meaning stats and other handicapping factors are only worth something in comparison to wagering odds. He believes money management and making value-based wagers is the single more important factor that distinguishes successful sports bettors from non-successful sports bettors.
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