Bonus Craps Rules and Gameplay

Bonus craps is three side bets you can toss on the table: All Small, All Tall, and Make Em All. Each bet wins when a specific group of numbers rolls before a 7 appears, and all three lose instantly when that 7 hits.

These wagers play out differently from standard craps side bets. Instead of resolving on a single roll, bonus craps bets can stay active across dozens of throws, building anticipation as numbers light up on the tracking board. Let's break down how each one works, what they pay, and if the numbers actually add up in your favor.

What is bonus craps

You'll see these three side bets at most craps tables. All three bets work the same way: you need certain numbers to show up before a 7 rolls. The second you get 7 hits, you lose everything.

Regular craps bets wrap up fast. One roll, maybe a few if you're on a point. These bonus bets? They can hang there for twenty, thirty throws. Sometimes they carry over across multiple shooters. That's where the tension comes from. You're staring at that board, watching numbers tick off one by one, praying the 7 doesn't show.

The casino gives you three choices: All Small, All Tall, and Make Em All. They all track different numbers, but the rule's the same: every single number has to hit before you get paid. Sounds easy, right? Wait till you're sitting there for ten minutes watching everything except that one last number you need.

The three craps bonus bets

All three bets work the same way at their core. You're betting certain numbers show up before the 7 kills your action. The only difference? Which numbers are you sweating?

All Small

All Small covers the low numbers: 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. You win when all five hit before a 7 shows.

Here's where it gets tricky. The 2 is your problem. Only one way to roll it (1-1), so it's always the last number sitting there mocking you. You might see 3, 4, 5, and 6 roll multiple times while waiting on that single 2. That bottleneck is what makes All Small challenging despite covering "easy" low numbers.

All Tall

All Tall flips it. You need the high numbers: 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Same rules apply. Same deal. All five before the 7.

The 12's your headache here, just like the 2 was for All Small. Only one way to hit 12 (6-6), so half the time you're stuck watching it refuse to light up while every roll feels like it's about to seven out. You'll see 8, 9, and 10 pop over and over. But that 12? Good luck.

Make Em All

Make Em All is both bets smashed together. You need all ten numbers (2 through 6, then 8 through 12) before that 7 kills you.

It's the toughest one to hit, which is why it pays the most. If you want the big payout, this is your bet. But finishing it? You need a shooter who's absolutely on fire for a solid stretch. You're betting the shooter hits every single number on the board (except 7) before crapping out.

How to play bonus craps

Placing these bets works a little differently than regular craps. Here's what happens.

When to place your bet

You can't throw these bets down anytime. Wait for a 7 to roll first. That 7 wipes the board clean and lets you bet again.

Once it's down and the dice start flying, your bet's locked. Can't add, can't pull it back, can't touch it. The wager stays locked until it resolves. That's different from odds bets, where you can change your mind whenever.

How bonus bets win

You win when these numbers all hit before a 7:

• All Small: Wins when 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 have all rolled
• All Tall: Wins when 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 have all rolled
• Make Em All: Wins when all ten numbers from both groups have rolled

You'll see a board that lights up every number as it rolls. Makes it dead simple to track what you still need. Online games do the same thing. Software updates your board automatically after every roll.

How bonus bets lose

A single 7 wipes out all active bonus craps wagers. It doesn't matter if you've hit nine out of ten numbers on a Make Em All bet. When that 7 lands, the sequence ends, and your bet loses.

There's no partial payout. No consolation prize for getting close. It's all or nothing. That's what makes it exciting and brutal at the same time. Picture this: the shooter's been rolling for fifteen minutes. You're one number away. Then boom. 7 shows and your whole bet's gone.

Bonus craps payouts and odds

Payouts change depending on where you play, but the basic setup is the same everywhere. Tougher bets pay better. Simple as that.

The exact payouts depend on where you're playing. Some spots pay better than others. Check the table before you bet—takes two seconds and might save you money.

Quick note: The 7 shows up more than any other number because there are more ways to roll it. That's why these bets are tough to hit and why they pay way more than regular action.

House edge on craps bonus bets

Here's where the math gets ugly. The house edge on these bets? Way higher than your regular pass line action.

A pass line bet carries a house edge of around 1.41%. Bonus bets usually sit somewhere between 7% and 13%, depending on the casino's pay table. That's a substantial difference over time.

The trade-off is straightforward. You're paying for the thrill and a shot at a bigger win. If you get this, you can enjoy these bets without fooling yourself that they're moneymakers. That higher edge? It's what you pay for the extra excitement and the chance at a fat payout.

Are bonus craps bets worth it

Are these bets worth it? Depends what you want out of your session.

• For entertainment: Bonus bets give you a different kind of rush than regular bets. Watching those numbers tick off while sweating the 7? Gets your blood pumping, especially when the table's hot.
• For grinding profit: The math doesn't favor bonus bets. Want the best odds? Stick to pass/don't pass and odds bets.
• For bankroll management: Think of bonus bets as something you throw out there once in a while, not your main play. Set aside a little cash just for these bets. That way, you can chase the big win without torching your whole bankroll.

Best way to play it? Throw bonus bets when the table feels hot, but don't build your whole strategy around them. They're side action, not a primary strategy.

Playing craps bonus bets online

Not every online platform offers bonus craps, but many crypto casinos include craps bonus bets in their table games.

Online craps makes a few things easier:

• Clear visual tracking: The interface displays which numbers you've hit and which remain
• Posted pay tables: Odds and payouts are visible before you bet
• Automatic updates: No need to watch the board manually; the software handles it

Platforms like JB offer crypto craps with clean interfaces and fast gameplay, making it easy to follow your bonus bet progress without visual clutter. The tracking boards update in real time, so you always know exactly where you stand.