Midnight Bet

Craps is full of colorful nicknames, and Midnight Bet is one you will hear often. It is a small side bet that is decided on the very next roll. Because the result is instant, it can feel exciting, but it also helps to know exactly what you are betting on before you put chips down.

What the Midnight Bet Means

A Midnight Bet is a one roll wager that the next dice total will be 12\. Players also call the 12 bet Boxcars, because the dice must show 6 and 6 and the pips look like two box-shaped cars. You place the bet in the center area of the table with the other one roll bets. It does not matter what the point is or which roll you are on. The next throw settles it.

Payout and Key Points

Most casinos pay Midnight at 30 to 1\. If you bet $1 and a 12 appears, you win $30 and you also get your $1 back. Key facts to remember:

It wins only on a total of 12, meaning two sixes.
Any other total on that roll loses the bet.
It is settled in one roll, so you can bet it again right away.
Table limits can be different from Pass Line limits.
You may hear Midnight, 12, or Boxcars, and they all point to the same wager.

Quick Example in an Online Casino

In online craps, you tap the 12 area to place a $5 Midnight Bet, then press Confirm. The next roll settles it instantly. If the dice show 6 and 6 for a total of 12, the usual payout is 30 to 1, so you win $150 and also get your $5 back, for $155 returned in total. If any other number appears, such as 7 from 3 and 4, the $5 bet loses and is removed automatically. You can place the bet again before the next roll.