Craps’ Ultimate Long-Shot Bet: Why Players Love (and Fear) the Infamous Snake Eyes Wager

The Snake Eyes Bet in Craps is a high-risk, high-reward wager where the player bets that the next roll will be a total of 2—achieved by rolling double ones (1-1). This outcome is the rarest possible roll in the game, making it both exciting and difficult to land.

The term “Snake Eyes” comes from the way the two single pips on the dice resemble a pair of snake’s eyes. While this bet offers a massive payout, it comes with a very high house edge, making it a long-shot bet that is more for entertainment than strategic play.

Where Can You Place the Snake Eyes Bet?
The Snake Eyes Bet is available in most land-based and online casinos that offer Craps. It can be found on standard Craps tables as a “One Roll Proposition Bet”, meaning it is resolved immediately on the next roll.

Many Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos, as well as online Craps platforms, include this bet. Some casinos may have slight variations in the payout odds, but the fundamental risk-reward ratio remains the same.

Odds and Competitiveness of the Snake Eyes Bet
The Snake Eyes Bet is one of the riskiest wagers in Craps due to the extremely low probability of rolling a 2. The odds of rolling double ones (1-1) are 1 in 36, meaning a probability of just 2.78%.

Because of its difficulty, the bet typically offers a payout of 30:1 or 35:1 (depending on the casino). However, the house edge is around 13.89%, making it one of the least favorable bets in Craps.

For comparison:

1. Pass Line Bet – House edge of 1.41%

2. Come Bet – House edge of 1.41%

3. Don’t Pass Bet – House edge of 1.36%

4. Hardway 4 or 10 Bet – House edge of 11.1%

5. Snake Eyes Bet – House edge of 13.89%

This means that in the long run, players will statistically lose more money on Snake Eyes than on most other Craps bets.

Comparing the Snake Eyes Bet to Other Proposition Bets
In Craps, Proposition Bets are single-roll bets that have high payouts but poor odds. Here’s how the Snake Eyes Bet compares:

1. Better than a “12” Bet (Boxcars) – The 12 Bet (rolling double sixes) has the same odds and payout structure as Snake Eyes but is slightly less common in some casinos.

2. Worse than Field Bets – Some Field Bets cover the number 2, but also offer more ways to win with other numbers.

3. Similar to Hardway Bets – Hardway 4 or 10 has a lower house edge than Snake Eyes, making it a slightly better choice for long-term play.

For serious Craps players, the Snake Eyes Bet is not a strong strategic option due to its high house edge. However, for casual players looking for a big-risk, big-reward thrill, it remains an exciting wager.

Why Consider the Snake Eyes Bet?
Despite its high risk, players may place the Snake Eyes Bet for several reasons:

1. High payouts make it appealing to those seeking big wins from small stakes.

2. Excitement factor – Betting on a rare roll adds suspense and entertainment to the game.

3. Short-term fun – Casual players may try this bet for quick, high-risk action rather than strategic gameplay.

Strategic Reasons to Avoid the Snake Eyes Bet

From a professional Craps strategy perspective, the Snake Eyes Bet is not recommended due to its extremely high house edge. Consistently placing this bet will result in long-term losses, as the statistical probability of winning is too low to justify the risk.

Alternative bets like Pass Line, Come, or Lay bets offer significantly better odds and lower risk, making them the preferred choices for experienced players.

Concluding the Snake Eyes Bet
The Snake Eyes Bet in Craps is a classic high-risk, high-reward wager. It offers an exciting payout potential but comes with a significant house edge, making it one of the least favorable bets from a strategic standpoint. While it can be fun to place as a novelty bet, serious players will avoid it in favor of lower-edge bets like Pass Line and Come Bets.