Definition of Horn Bet in Craps – Craps offers a wide variety of betting options, and the horn bet is one that’s often misunderstood, despite its potential for big payouts. If you’re new to craps and curious about how this bet works, you’re in the right place.

Let’s break down what a horn bet is, look at some strategies, and see how you can use them in your craps game, whether you’re playing in a casino or online.

What Is a Horn Bet in Craps?

A horn bet is a one-roll bet on specific numbers, meaning you’re betting on the next roll of the dice. When you place a horn bet, it’s only valid for that single roll — either you win based on the result, or you lose the wager.

Craps Horn Bet Numbers

The horn bet covers four specific numbers: 2, 3, 11, and 12. When you place a horn bet, your total wager is split evenly across these numbers. For example, a $100 horn bet would be divided into $25 bets on each of the four numbers. These are commonly referred to as horn numbers.

Types of Horn Bets

You can bet on any two horn numbers, or you can bet on all four. The less likely a number is to come up, the bigger the payout if it hits. Some tables refer to bets on two numbers as prop bets, while a horn bet always involves covering all four numbers.

Betting Horn Bets in Multiples of Four

A key part of any horn bet strategy is to bet amounts divisible by four. This is important because casinos round down if the winnings aren’t divisible by four, which can result in small losses.

For example, if you place a $25 bet across all four numbers, each number gets $6.25. If you win on a 2 with a 30:1 payout, your winnings would technically be $187.50, but the $0.50 gets rounded down, resulting in a slight loss. While this may seem minor, it adds up over time.

Can You Bet on Individual Numbers?

Yes, but technically, that’s no longer a horn bet. A true horn bet involves all four numbers. Betting on any one of the horn numbers individually is considered a prop bet. Although horn bets carry risk, they offer a better chance of payout compared to making individual bets on those numbers.

Horn Bet House Edge

One thing to keep in mind is that the horn bet has one of the highest house edges in craps. The house edge is around 11.1% for the 11 or 3, and a whopping 13.9% for the 2 or 12. Despite the large potential payouts, horn bets are often called “sucker bets” because the odds are stacked heavily in favor of the house. Winning consistently with this bet can be challenging.

Craps Horn Bet Strategy

Many horn bet strategies apply whether you’re playing in person or online. While there are numerous ways to approach betting in craps, horn bets are among the riskier options, so they should be part of a broader strategy.

Strategy #1: Martingale and Levels Progression Horn Bets

One popular approach is the Martingale strategy, where you double your bet after every loss until you win. Starting with a small bet, like $8, you place a horn bet on all four numbers. If you lose, you double your next bet to $16, then $32, and so on. Some players reset to their original bet size after a win.

Keep in mind that while this strategy can yield big wins, it also requires a substantial bankroll, as losses can quickly add up.