Horn Bet in Craps Explained: Odds, Payouts and Strategy (2025 Guide)
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Horn Bet in Craps Explained: What You’ll Learn
🎲 Discover what a Horn Bet really is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most exciting wagers at the Craps table.
💵 Learn how to place Horn Bets and Horn High Bets like a seasoned player, including typical chip amounts and table etiquette.
📊 Understand the odds, payouts, and math behind the Horn Bet so you know exactly what’s at stake on every roll.
🎯 Find out when to make Horn Bets, when to skip them, and how to fit them into a smart and balanced Craps strategy.
🔥 Uncover the truth behind Horn Bet myths and see why they’re thrilling for fun but dangerous for serious play.
Quick Answer:
A Horn Bet in Craps is a one-roll wager that covers four numbers at once: 2, 3, 11, and 12. If any of these numbers appear, the bet wins. It pays well when it hits but carries a steep house edge of about 12.5 percent, making it one of the riskiest bets on the table.
What Is a Horn Bet in Craps
Imagine you are standing at a busy Craps table at the Bellagio on a Saturday night. The dice are hot, the crowd is cheering, and the stickman just called out, “Horn bet pays!” as a player across the table celebrates a big win. His four-dollar bet just turned into one hundred fifteen dollars on a single roll.
You watch with curiosity as he slides more chips to the center and calls out, “Horn high twelve.” The experienced players nod knowingly, but you might be left wondering what exactly a Horn Bet is and whether you should make one yourself.
Horn Bets are popular proposition bets in Craps. They are exciting and flashy, and they offer large payouts when they hit. They can also drain your bankroll quickly if you do not fully understand them. This guide explains what a Horn Bet is, how it works, what it pays, and when it might make sense to use one.
How the Horn Bet Works
A Horn Bet is a single-roll wager that covers four numbers at the same time: 2, 3, 11, and 12. When you announce a Horn Bet, you are making four separate bets in one motion with one unit placed on each number. The bet wins if any of those numbers appear on the next roll. If any other number shows up, the bet loses.
The Four Numbers in a Horn Bet
| Number | Nickname | Ways to Roll | Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Snake Eyes | 1 (1-1) | 30 to 1 |
| 3 | Ace-Deuce | 2 (1-2, 2-1) | 15 to 1 |
| 11 | Yo or Yo-leven | 2 (5-6, 6-5) | 15 to 1 |
| 12 | Boxcars or Midnight | 1 (6-6) | 30 to 1 |
Combined, these numbers can appear in six ways out of thirty-six possible combinations, which equals a 16.67 percent chance of winning. In other words, you can expect to lose about five Horn Bets for every one you win.
How to Place a Horn Bet
Horn Bets are placed in the center of the Craps table and are handled by the stickman. You cannot place them directly yourself. Either toss your chips toward the center and call out “Horn Bet” or hand them to the dealer who will set the bet for you.
Minimum Bet Requirement
Because the Horn Bet covers four separate numbers, the total must be divisible by four. Most casinos require a four-dollar minimum, which means one dollar on each number.
Common Horn Bet amounts include:
- $4 Horn Bet = $1 on each number
- $8 Horn Bet = $2 on each number
- $12 Horn Bet = $3 on each number
- $20 Horn Bet = $5 on each number
Horn High Bets Explained
A Horn High Bet is a variation where you place one extra unit on a specific number within the Horn Bet. For example, a five-dollar Horn High Twelve means one dollar on 2, one dollar on 3, one dollar on 11, and two dollars on 12, which is the high number. You can go high on any of the four Horn numbers, but 11 and 12 are the most popular choices among players.
Image Credit: Netfalls Remy Musser/Shutterstock
Horn Bet Payouts and Odds
The payout depends on which of the four numbers hits.
| Roll | Payout | Net Profit (on $4 Bet) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or 12 | 30 to 1 | $27 |
| 3 or 11 | 15 to 1 | $12 |
Example 1: A $4 Horn Bet wins when a 12 rolls. You win $30 and lose $3 on the other bets for a net profit of $27.
Example 2: A $20 Horn Bet wins when an 11 rolls. You win $75 and lose $15 on the other bets for a net profit of $60.
Even when a Horn Bet wins, three out of four parts of the bet lose because only one number can appear per roll.
The Math Behind the Horn Bet
The Horn Bet has an average house edge of about 12.5 percent, which makes it one of the least favorable wagers in Craps.
| Bet | House Edge |
|---|---|
| 2 or 12 | 13.89 percent |
| 3 or 11 | 11.11 percent |
| Horn Bet (combined) | About 12.5 percent |
This means that over time you can expect to lose roughly $12.50 for every $100 wagered on Horn Bets. By comparison, the Pass Line bet has a house edge of only 1.41 percent.
Frequency of Appearance:
- 2 appears once every 36 rolls
- 3 appears once every 18 rolls
- 11 appears once every 18 rolls
- 12 appears once every 36 rolls
- Any Horn number appears once every 6 rolls
Image Credit: Netfalls Remy Musser/Shutterstock
When to Make a Horn Bet
If your goal is consistent and profitable Craps play, you should rarely make Horn Bets. However, there are a few cases where it can make sense or simply add fun to the game.
Situations Where a Horn Bet Can Make Sense
- Protecting a Come Out Roll: Some players use a small Horn Bet during the Come Out roll to hedge against Craps numbers while hoping for an 11.
- Tipping the Dealers: Many players make Horn Bets “for the boys” as a tip. Dealers appreciate them because of the large potential payout.
- Entertainment Value: Horn Bets can make the game more exciting if you treat them as a fun side bet rather than a strategic one.
- Following a Hunch: If you have a feeling about a certain roll and can afford to lose, a small Horn Bet is harmless.
When to Avoid Horn Bets
- When you are on a limited bankroll
- When you are chasing losses
- As part of your regular betting routine
- When you do not fully understand the bet
Common Myths About Horn Bets
Myth 1: Horn Bets Are Due to Hit
False. Each roll of the dice is independent, and previous results have no effect on future rolls.
Myth 2: Horn Bets Pay More Than They Cost
Misleading. Although the payout ratios look attractive, three-quarters of your bet loses every time.
Myth 3: Professional Players Use Horn Bets
Rarely. Most serious Craps players avoid Horn Bets because the house edge is too high.
Myth 4: You Cannot Lose Much on a $4 Horn Bet
Not true. Repeated small bets add up quickly and can drain your bankroll faster than you expect.
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Smart Horn Bet Strategy
If you decide to include Horn Bets occasionally, follow a disciplined approach. Set a strict spending limit, make them occasional rather than frequent, and always use small amounts. Focus on the better bets first, such as the Pass Line, Come Bets, and Place Bets on 6 and 8.
Example Balanced Strategy:
- $10 Pass Line with full odds
- $12 Place Bets on 6 and 8
- $4 Horn Bet on the Come Out roll once per shooter
This keeps most of your money on strong bets while allowing a little extra excitement with minimal risk.
The Bottom Line
Horn Bets are fun but mathematically weak wagers. With a 12.5 percent house edge, they rank among the worst bets in Craps. If you want to stretch your bankroll and increase your odds of winning, you should avoid them most of the time. That said, if you understand the risks and enjoy the thrill, placing the occasional Horn Bet is perfectly fine for entertainment.
Key Takeaways:
- A Horn Bet covers 2, 3, 11, and 12
- The minimum total is $4
- The house edge is about 12.5 percent
- It wins about once every six rolls
- Even when you win, most of the bet still loses
- Use Horn Bets sparingly for fun, not strategy
Now that you know how the Horn Bet works, you can enjoy the action with full confidence and make informed choices at the Craps table.
Title Image Credit: serpeblu/Shutterstock
