What Is a Don't Pass Bet in Craps?
A Don’t Pass bet is a craps line wager that opposes the shooter. On the come-out roll, 2 or 3 wins, 7 or 11 loses, and 12 normally pushes under the common “bar 12” rule.
If 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 establishes the point, the wager wins when 7 appears before that point repeats. A winning base bet pays 1:1 and carries a house edge of about 1.36%.
For Canadian players, understanding the rule card, point cycle, lay odds, and operator’s provincial authorization helps distinguish the bet’s mathematical value from short-term results.
How the Don't Pass Bet Works at Craps Tables
The come-out roll determines whether a Don’t Pass wager settles immediately or moves to the point phase. A total of 2 or 3 wins, 7 or 11 loses, and 12 returns the stake under standard bar-12 rules. Totals of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 establish the point. Afterward, rolling 7 first wins the bet; repeating the point first loses it.
House Edge and Lay Odds
The standard Don’t Pass house edge is 1.36% when 12 pushes. The base wager pays 1:1, but an optional lay-odds bet after a point uses true odds: 1:2 against 4 or 10, 2:3 against 5 or 9, and 5:6 against 6 or 8. Lay odds carry no built-in house advantage on their own, although the required stake exceeds the potential profit. Combining them with the contract bet lowers the blended house edge relative to the total amount placed. Rules and permitted odds multiples vary by table, so Canadian players should check the game information before wagering.
Using Don't Pass Bets in Canadian Craps Play
Don’t Pass offers a slightly lower mathematical disadvantage than the 1.41% Pass Line bet, but it does not predict the next roll. Each dice outcome remains independent, so streaks and betting systems cannot change the underlying probability. A fixed session budget and modest stake size provide more practical control than increasing wagers after losses.
Canadian gambling oversight differs by province and territory. In Ontario’s regulated internet market, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario sets standards and iGaming Ontario conducts and manages authorized private-operator play. Elsewhere, players should use the gambling authority or lottery corporation recognized in their jurisdiction. Before placing a wager, verify the bar number, table minimum, maximum lay-odds multiple, and responsible-gambling controls shown in the game interface.
| Come-Out Roll | Don't Pass Result | Base-Bet Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or 3 | Immediate win | Pays 1:1 |
| 7 or 11 | Immediate loss | Stake lost |
| 12 | Push under bar 12 | Stake returned |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 | Point established | Bet remains active |
