As a seasoned craps player I’ve found that understanding the Come bet can transform your entire gaming experience. It’s one of the most exciting and strategic bets you’ll encounter at the craps table yet many players shy away from it due to its perceived complexity.
I’ll explain why the Come bet is essentially a Pass Line bet that you can make after the come-out roll. With favorable odds and multiple betting opportunities it’s become one of my favorite ways to maximize action at the craps table. Whether you’re new to craps or looking to expand your betting strategy knowing how to use the Come bet effectively can significantly improve your gameplay and potentially increase your chances of winning.
Key Takeaways
- The Come bet functions as a Pass Line bet made after the come-out roll, offering a house edge of 1.41% and even money (1:1) payouts
- Come bets win instantly on natural numbers (7 or 11), lose on craps (2, 3, or 12), and establish unique point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) when rolled
- Players can place multiple Come bets simultaneously, spreading action across different numbers and creating additional winning opportunities
- Come bets are always “working” and operate independently from the main game, allowing for strategic betting progression and continuous engagement
- Adding odds bets behind Come bets can reduce the overall house edge, with options ranging from 1x to 10x odds depending on table limits
- Success with Come betting requires proper bankroll management (recommended 20x minimum bet) and careful timing based on table conditions and shooter consistency
Understanding The Come Bet In Craps
The Come bet functions as a distinct wager placed after the come-out roll in craps. I place Come bets on any roll following the establishment of a point number on the Pass Line.
Here’s how Come bets work:
- Place chips in the Come area before any roll following the come-out
- Watch the next roll become my personal come-out roll
- Win instantly on a natural (7 or 11) rolled
- Lose immediately on craps (2, 3, or 12)
- Move bet to the number rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10)
When I make a Come bet, these key rules apply:
- Functions independently from the main game
- Creates a separate point number from Pass Line bets
- Pays even money (1:1) on immediate wins
- Remains active until resolved by winning or losing
- Allows multiple bets on different numbers
Here’s a breakdown of Come bet payouts:
| Scenario | Payout |
|---|---|
| Natural (7 or 11) | 1:1 |
| Point Number Hit | 1:1 |
| Craps (2, 3, 12) | Loss |
| Seven-Out | Loss |
The Come bet offers these strategic advantages:
- Spreads action across multiple numbers
- Creates additional winning opportunities
- Maintains continuous engagement
- Provides same house edge as Pass Line (1.41%)
- Enables systematic betting progression
I monitor my active Come bets through established position numbers while maintaining awareness of the shooter’s main point for complete coverage of all potential outcomes.
How Come Bets Work On The Craps Table
Come bets operate as an extension of the Pass Line bet with identical odds and house edge. I’ve observed that these bets follow a specific sequence of actions and payouts on the craps table.
Placing Your Come Bet
The Come bet placement process follows these steps:
- Place chips in the Come area after the shooter establishes a point
- Wait for the next roll to determine the outcome
- Watch the dealer move winning Come bets to their respective number boxes
- Maintain multiple Come bets on different numbers simultaneously
The dealer moves Come bets to these specific locations:
- Numbers 4 or 10: Top corner positions
- Numbers 5 or 9: Middle positions
- Numbers 6 or 8: Bottom positions near Pass Line
Come Bet Odds And Payouts
Come bet payouts follow this structure:
| Scenario | Payout |
|---|---|
| Natural (7 or 11) | 1:1 |
| Number Hit (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) | 1:1 |
| Odds Behind Come Bet 4 or 10 | 2:1 |
| Odds Behind Come Bet 5 or 9 | 3:2 |
| Odds Behind Come Bet 6 or 8 | 6:5 |
- Place odds after the Come bet moves to a number
- Remove odds bets at any time without restriction
- Receive true odds payouts with zero house edge
- Stack multiple odds bets behind different Come bets
- Match or exceed the original Come bet amount based on table limits
Come Bet Vs. Pass Line Bet
The Come bet operates as a parallel version of the Pass Line bet with identical rules but different timing. I’ll outline the key aspects that distinguish these two fundamental craps wagers.
Key Differences And Similarities
Similarities:
- Both bets offer a 1.41% house edge
- Both win on 7 or 11 and lose on 2, 3 or 12
- Both pay even money (1:1) on wins
- Both allow odds bets with true odds payouts
- Both move to point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
| Aspect | Pass Line Bet | Come Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Before come-out roll | After point is established |
| Point Numbers | Single point for all players | Individual point for each bet |
| Multiple Bets | One bet at a time | Multiple bets on different numbers |
| Bet Location | Fixed position on layout | Moves to number boxes |
| Working Status | Off on come-out roll | Always working |
| Bet Placement | Must be placed before shooter starts | Can be placed anytime after point |
The Pass Line functions as the primary bet while Come bets create separate mini-games within the main game. I track Pass Line bets against the shooter’s established point while Come bets generate their own individual point numbers on subsequent rolls.
Strategy Tips For Come Betting
Based on my extensive craps experience, implementing strategic Come betting enhances gameplay through calculated timing and risk management. Here’s my detailed analysis of optimal Come betting strategies.
When To Place Come Bets
- Place Come bets during extended rolling sessions with consistent shooters
- Add Come bets after establishing 2-3 numbers from previous Come bets
- Implement Come betting when the table momentum shows frequent point numbers
- Start Come betting with a larger bankroll (at least 20x minimum bet)
- Use Come bets during less crowded table conditions for easier bet tracking
- Make Come bets when seeking multiple simultaneous action points
- Skip Come bets during choppy table conditions with frequent seven-outs
- Hold off during crowded tables where bet placement becomes challenging
- Avoid Come betting with limited bankroll (less than 15x minimum bet)
- Pass on Come bets when the shooter shows inconsistent rolling patterns
- Stay away from Come betting during the last 15 minutes of a session
- Refrain from Come bets when unable to concentrate on multiple numbers
| Bankroll Size | Recommended Come Bet Action |
|---|---|
| 5x min bet | No Come bets |
| 15x min bet | 1-2 Come bets maximum |
| 20x min bet | 2-3 Come bets optimal |
| 30x+ min bet | 3-4 Come bets possible |
House Edge And Probability
The Come bet maintains a house edge of 1.41% on the initial wager, identical to the Pass Line bet in craps. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the probability distribution for Come bets:
| Outcome | Probability | House Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Win (7 or 11) | 22.22% | 1.41% |
| Craps Loss (2, 3, 12) | 11.11% | 1.41% |
| Point Numbers (4,5,6,8,9,10) | 66.67% | 1.41% |
When examining specific point numbers after a Come bet moves:
- Numbers 6 and 8: 5 ways to win, 6 ways to lose (45.45% win probability)
- Numbers 5 and 9: 4 ways to win, 6 ways to lose (40% win probability)
- Numbers 4 and 10: 3 ways to win, 6 ways to lose (33.33% win probability)
Adding odds bets to Come bets reduces the overall house edge:
- 1x odds decreases house edge to 0.85%
- 2x odds reduces it to 0.61%
- 3x odds lowers it to 0.47%
- 5x odds brings it down to 0.32%
- 10x odds minimizes it to 0.18%
I calculate the probability of winning a Come bet point by combining the initial probability of establishing a point (66.67%) with the specific point number probabilities. This creates a mathematical expectation where players win 49.29% of all Come bets placed, assuming optimal play and maximum odds taken.
Conclusion
The Come bet stands as one of craps’ most dynamic betting options bringing an extra layer of excitement to every roll. I’ve found it to be an excellent way to spread action across multiple numbers while maintaining the same favorable house edge as the Pass Line bet.
As with any casino game understanding the rules and optimal timing for Come bets is crucial. I recommend starting with a solid bankroll and placing these bets during favorable table conditions. With proper strategy and bankroll management Come bets can enhance your craps experience and potentially lead to more profitable sessions.
Remember that while Come bets might seem complex at first they’re simply Pass Line bets that start after the come-out roll. Master this concept and you’ll unlock a powerful tool in your craps arsenal.
