The Aces bet in craps is a one-roll proposition that wins only if the next roll is 2, also called snake eyes. It usually pays 30:1. The true odds are 35:1 because there is only one winning dice combination out of 36, so the house edge is about 13.89%.
Quick Facts
- Aces means a total of 2.
- It is also called snake eyes.
- It wins only on 1-1.
- There is 1 winning combination out of 36.
- Common payout is 30:1.
- True odds are 35:1.
- House edge is about 13.89% at 30:1.
Plain Talk
Aces is the purest long-shot bet on the craps table. You are not betting on “low numbers.” You are not betting on “craps numbers.” You are betting on one exact result: both dice showing one pip.
That is why the payout looks large. A $5 Aces bet commonly wins $150 profit if 2 rolls. But every other roll loses: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 all kill the bet.
The Wizard of Odds dice probability table shows the core reason: two dice create 36 equally likely ordered combinations, and 1-1 appears once. The Wizard of Odds craps basics lists proposition-bet payouts and house edges, while public rule documents such as the Massachusetts craps rules show how one-roll wagers are defined and resolved.
This page is about the Aces bet by itself. For the broader family, read craps bets explained, Horn Bet, and craps odds.
How It Works
Aces is placed in the center proposition area. You do not put the chips there yourself at a live table. You hand chips to the dealer and say the amount clearly.
| Player Call | Meaning |
|---|---|
| “$5 Aces” | $5 on the next roll being 2 |
| “$5 Snake Eyes” | Same bet, different name |
| “$20 Horn High Aces” | A Horn High structure with extra money on 2 |
The bet resolves immediately on the next valid roll.
| Next Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 2 | Aces wins |
| Any other total | Aces loses |
The bet does not wait for a point. It does not work like a Pass Line bet. It does not care whether the shooter is on the come-out roll or already has a point. If the casino accepts the bet before the dice move, the next valid roll decides it.
Craps Table Example
You are at a $15 craps table. The shooter has the point of 8. A player near stick left throws in a red chip and says, “$5 Aces.”
The dealer places the chip on the Aces box in the center. The stickman confirms, “Aces.”
Three possible outcomes:
| Roll | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1-1 | Dealer pays $150 profit on the $5 bet |
| 1-2 | Bet loses, even though it is a craps number |
| 6-1 | Bet loses; 7 does not help Aces |
That last line matters. Some players see the center layout as a cluster of “crazy number” bets. The boxman does not. Each proposition is booked separately and paid according to its own square.
From the Casino Side:
Aces is fast, clean, and profitable for the house. The dealer wants the call to be clear before the dice are out. The stickman wants to know whether the player said Aces, Ace-Deuce, Any Craps, or Horn High Aces. Those are different bets with different payouts.
The boxman watches the booking, especially when several center bets are called at once. A player may toss chips and shout, “Aces, yo, and horn high.” That is where mistakes happen. Good dealers repeat the bet back before the roll.
Surveillance sees Aces as a simple one-roll prop: was it booked before the dice moved, did 1-1 roll, and was the correct payout made? The math is not complicated. The live procedure is where disputes start.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking Aces wins on any craps number.
- Confusing Aces with Any Craps.
- Forgetting that 2 has only one dice combination.
- Calling the bet too late, after the dice are already moving.
- Assuming a 30:1 payout means a fair payout.
- Making Aces repeatedly while ignoring total money burned per hour.
- Pressing the bet after a near miss, as if 1-2 makes 1-1 more likely next roll.
Hard Truth
Aces looks exciting because it pays 30:1. It is expensive because the fair price is 35:1. That missing gap is the casino’s cut, and it is not small.
FAQ
Is Aces the same as Any Craps?
No. Aces wins only on 2. Any Craps wins on 2, 3, or 12.
Why is Aces called snake eyes?
Because both dice show one pip. The two single pips are traditionally called snake eyes.
What does Aces pay in craps?
A common payout is 30:1. Some layouts may display the payout directly in the proposition area.
What are the true odds of Aces?
The true odds are 35:1 against. One combination wins and 35 combinations lose.
Is Aces a good craps bet?
No. It is a high-house-edge proposition bet. It can hit, but the long-term price is poor.
Can I bet Aces on the come-out roll?
Usually yes, if the house offers the bet and accepts it before the dice are thrown. It is still decided by the next valid roll only.
Does Aces stay up after it wins?
House procedure varies. Many proposition bets are paid and left up unless the player says “take it down,” but local rules and dealer procedure matter.
Deeper Insight
Aces is useful for teaching the difference between probability, payout, and house edge.
The probability is simple: 1 out of 36. The fair payout is also simple: because 35 results lose and 1 result wins, a no-edge payout would be 35:1.
The casino commonly pays 30:1. That means the player is shorted 5 units compared with true odds. That short payment creates the house edge.
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| Winning combinations | 1 |
| Losing combinations | 35 |
| Probability of win | 1/36 = 2.78% |
| Probability of loss | 35/36 = 97.22% |
| Common payout | 30:1 |
| True odds payout | 35:1 |
| Approximate house edge | 13.89% |
This is why Aces belongs in the same mental bucket as Boxcars and some Hop Bets. They are not impossible. They are just priced in the casino’s favor.
Formula / Calculation
P(Aces) = favorable dice combinations / 36
P(Aces) = 1 / 36 = 2.78%
Expected Value = (Probability of Win × Net Win) - (Probability of Loss × Stake)
For a $1 Aces bet paying 30:1:
EV = (1/36 × $30) - (35/36 × $1)
EV = $0.8333 - $0.9722 = -$0.1389
House Edge = -Player EV / Initial Stake
House Edge = $0.1389 / $1 = 13.89%
Formula Explanation in Plain English
Out of 36 possible dice outcomes, only one pays you. The casino pays 30 units when the fair no-edge payout would be 35 units. That difference turns a dramatic hit into an expensive long-term bet.
Related Reading
Start with the craps guide if you want the full table flow before touching center bets. Use craps odds and craps house edge to compare Aces against lower-cost bets. The craps odds calculator and expected loss calculator make the cost visible. For the same one-combination structure on the other end of the dice, read Boxcars Bet. If you are betting Aces because you believe a shooter is “due,” read why betting systems fail.