Even though the house edge for 2x odds craps remains one of the lowest in the casino, it’s not what it used to be and there are plenty of options for better odds for craps players. One of the things that makes Las Vegas so great is that there’s plenty of competition. The sheer number of craps games available in Las Vegas offer the craps player plenty of choices on where to roll the bones.
The Odds
There are two things that make for a great craps game - a fun and comfortable atmosphere and good odds. First, let’s take a look at best odds for around Las Vegas.
100x odds: Casino Royale
Pass Line house edge - 0.00021%
Don’t Pass house edge - 0.00014%
20x odds: Main Street Station
Pass Line house edge - 0.099%
Don’t Pass house edge - 0.065%
10x odds: The D, Downtown Grand, El Cortez, Golden Gate, Plaza, Red Rock, Stratosphere
Pass Line house edge - 0.184%
Don’t Pass house edge - 0.124%
5x odds: Binion’s, 4 Queens
Pass Line house edge - 0.326%
Don’t Pass house edge - 0.227%
The house edge listed is when your pass line wager is accompanied by maximum odds. The minimum pass line wager for most of these casinos is $5 so your minimum wager with maximum odds for the games above ranges from $30 ($5 + $25 for 5x odds) to $505 ($5 x $500 for 100x odds). There's really a good odds option available for any sized bankroll - especially in Downtown Vegas.
Heading Downtown For Craps
I’m most comfortable playing with 10x odds which makes my pass line wager $55 ($5 + $50 for 10x odds). When playing at a 10x odds table I’ll usually add two Come bets per roll since they cost the same and offer better returns than just placing numbers. When I play 3x-4x-5x odds I’ll usually just place the 6 and 8 but that’s just a personal preference.
El Cortez
Sometimes playing craps in a low-key environment can be fun. It’s a very zen feeling as easier to "become one" with the dice. El Cortez is one of my favorite options for this mood. While it’s located in Downtown Vegas it’s not entirely a tourist casino so you’ll find plenty of older locals, especially during the week. I’ve enjoyed rolling dice with the seniors going back to my days in Atlantic City and I still do to this day. You’ll find a younger and much less sober crowd rolling dice on the weekend which is a different kind of fun.
Golden Gate
My favorite craps game anywhere in Vegas is at the Golden Gate.
The 10x odds hits my sweet spot and since most people don’t max their odds I feel like a high roller with my big $55 wagers on the table (sic). The Golden Gate has an intimate casino. It’s small, tight and there’s not a lot of space to move around. The ceiling is low so that you can almost touch it. The craps tables are combustible on the weekend.
The confined feeling and somewhat loud dance music makes the atmosphere in the casino intense. The energy at the Golden Gate craps games is explosive and has nowhere to go but into your body. This feeling is unmatched by any casino. The combination of great energy and odds make this my favorite Vegas craps game. I get the chills just thinking about it.
The D
The D has another favorite craps game. Similar to the Golden Gate (both casinos are operated by the same company) The D has 10x odds, loud music, dancing dealers and an all around party atmosphere. The D has higher ceilings and a larger casino floor than the Golden Gate so it feels less intense but still fun. When I'm not playing craps at The D you can often find me upstairs at the Vue Bar where they have great video poker and excellent bartenders.
Main Street Station
I have to give an honorable mention to Main Street Station. The 20x odds craps game is always packed. The majority of players don’t take advantage of full odds but since it’s usually the only craps table open so it’s always crowded. Main Street Station doesn't have a party vibe like some of other casinos unless you’re hitting points. Does anything else matter when you have 20x odds on each wager?
Good odds and atmosphere make for the best craps games. Frankly even the worst odds in craps are still some of the best odds in the casino. In a perfect world I would always be able to gamble with the best odds.
Unfortunately that’s not the case in today’s Las Vegas.
