By Daniel Whitmore · Updated
The craps come bet stands out as one of the most strategically sound wagers at the craps table, offering favorable odds and a constant engagement with the game's progression. Understanding how to effectively utilize the craps come bet can significantly enhance your playing experience and, potentially, your profits. This bet is placed after a come-out roll establishes a point, and it functions much like a pass line bet but with a few distinct advantages concerning timing and placement, making it a cornerstone for any serious player looking to leverage favorable probabilities in their craps come bet strategy. It allows for continuous action and increased winning opportunities as the game unfolds.
Unlike the pass line bet, which is resolved when the point is made or sevened out, the come bet initiates a new point number for itself once it's placed. This means you can have multiple bets active on the table simultaneously, each with its own point. The beauty of this bet lies in its ability to capitalize on subsequent rolls beyond the come-out roll, transforming the game into a more dynamic and multi-layered experience. For seasoned players, mastering the come bet is not just about placing a wager; it's about understanding the ebb and flow of probabilities and strategically positioning oneself for prolonged engagement and potential wins throughout a craps session.
Understanding the Mechanics of the Craps Come Bet
Placing a craps come bet is straightforward, but its interaction with the game's flow is what makes it powerful. After the come-out roll, and once a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) has been established, you can place your bet on the "Come" box on the table layout. When the next roll of the dice occurs, if a 7 or 11 is rolled, you win even money. If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, you lose your bet. However, if any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that number becomes the "come point," and your bet is moved by the dealer to the corresponding number in the "Come" section of the layout.
Once your bet has an established come point, it behaves similarly to a pass line bet with its own point. You win if the come point is rolled again before a 7 appears. If a 7 is rolled, you lose. The key distinction is that the come bet is initiated *after* the come-out roll's point has been set, allowing for subsequent betting opportunities. This independent nature of the come bet is what players leverage for continuous action and to increase their overall stake on the table, chasing favorable outcomes across multiple potential point numbers simultaneously. It’s a strategic layer that significantly distinguishes gameplay from solely relying on the pass line.
The payout for a winning come bet that has an established point is even money, meaning you win what you bet. For example, if you bet $10 on the come line and a 6 becomes your come point, and then a 6 is rolled before a 7, you will win $10. This consistent 1:1 payout is a significant draw for many players. Understanding these payouts is crucial for managing your bankroll and making informed decisions about when and how much to wager on this bet, ensuring you maximize potential returns on your strategic plays at the craps table.
The Strategic Advantage: Odds and Best Practices
The true power of the craps come bet is unlocked when you combine it with taking odds. After your come bet has established a point, you have the option to place an additional wager behind your come bet, known as "taking odds." This odds bet is paid at true probabilities, meaning it has a 0% house edge, making it the most advantageous bet in the casino. The amount you can wager on odds is typically a multiple of your original come bet, varying by casino. For instance, on a point of 4 or 10, the odds payout is 2:1; on a 5 or 9, it's 3:2; and on a 6 or 8, it's 6:5. These are the same odds as the pass line.
Leveraging these true odds significantly reduces the overall house edge on your come bet. A 2x odds bet on a come point of 6 or 8, for example, reduces the house edge on that specific bet from approximately 1.41% to around 0.40%. This drastic reduction is why experienced players always emphasize taking odds. By strategically placing come bets and then doubling down with odds bets, you are essentially placing a significant portion of your wager on a bet with no house advantage, relying purely on the roll of the dice to determine the outcome. This makes the craps come bet, when augmented with odds, one of the most player-favorable bets available.
When deciding where to place your craps come bet, consider the probabilities of each number. Points of 6 and 8 are the most frequently rolled numbers (after 7), appearing approximately 16.67% of the time each. Points of 5 and 9 appear about 13.89% of the time, and points of 4 and 10 appear about 11.11% of the time. While all points offer the same house edge when taking full odds, aiming for the 6 or 8 points might statistically offer more frequent wins once the point is established, though the actual outcome is always dictated by the randomness of the dice. Always ensure you understand the casino's specific rules regarding odds betting before you play.
How to Maximize Your Winnings with Come Bets
A highly effective strategy involves placing both a pass line bet and a come bet. After the come-out roll establishes a point for your pass line bet, you then place a come bet. If the come bet then establishes a different point, you can continue to place another come bet. This strategy allows you to have multiple numbers working for you simultaneously. For example, if your pass line point is 8 and your first come bet establishes a point of 6, you can then place another come bet. If this second come bet establishes a point of 5, you now have three distinct winning opportunities on the table.
Crucially, always remember to take maximum odds on your come bets once they establish a point. This is where the real value lies. If you are playing at a table offering 10x odds, and you have a $10 come bet on the 6, and a 7 is rolled (your pass line bet loses), but your come bet establishes the 6. You then place $100 in odds behind the 6. If a 6 is rolled before a 7, you win your original $10 bet at 6:5 ($12), plus your $100 odds bet at 6:5 ($120), for a total win of $132. This illustrates the power of combining the come bet with aggressive odds-taking, effectively turning a low-edge bet into a near-zero-edge opportunity.
Another tactic some players employ is the "come bet and then press" strategy. Once a come bet establishes a point and wins, instead of taking the full payout, they "press" the bet, meaning they increase the wager by the amount of their winnings. For instance, if you bet $10 and win $10 on a come bet, you might "press" it to $20 the next time it hits its point. This aggressive approach can rapidly increase your winnings when luck is on your side but also escalates your risk. It's a high-variance strategy best suited for players comfortable with significant swings in their bankroll.
Worked Example: Navigating Come Bets and Odds
Let's walk through a practical scenario to solidify your understanding of the craps come bet in action. The shooter rolls the dice for the come-out roll and establishes a point of 9. You have already placed a $10 pass line bet, which is now active. You decide to place a $10 craps come bet. The next roll is a 5. The dealer moves your $10 come bet to the "Come" area, and a 5 is now your "come point". You then decide to take full odds, which for a point of 5 is typically 3:2. You place an additional $15 (3x your $10 bet, assuming 3x odds are allowed) behind your come bet on the 5.
Now, two numbers are active: your pass line point of 9 and your come point of 5. The shooter continues to roll. Suppose the next roll is a 4. This number doesn't affect your existing bets, so the game continues. Then, the shooter rolls a 5. This is a win for your come bet! You win your original $10 bet at even money ($10 profit), and you win your $15 odds bet at 3:2 ($22.50 profit). In total, you've won $32.50 on this come bet. Your pass line bet on the 9 remains active. You can now immediately place another $10 come bet, and if it establishes a point, you can again take odds, continuing the cycle of opportunity.
Alternatively, imagine the same setup: pass line point of 9, $10 come bet on 5, with $15 in odds on the 5. But instead of rolling a 5, the shooter rolls a 7. This is a bad outcome for your come bet. You lose both your original $10 come bet and your $15 odds bet, a total loss of $25. However, your pass line bet on the 9 is still active. This demonstrates the inherent risk involved; while the odds bets offer great payouts with no house edge, they are still subject to the dice rolls, and a 7 can wipe out accumulated winnings or ongoing wagers. The key is to have a strategy for when to press, when to take winnings, and when to cut losses.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Craps Come Bet
How does the craps come bet differ from the pass line bet?
The craps come bet is placed after the come-out roll establishes a point, unlike the pass line bet which is placed before it. Your come bet then establishes its own point on the subsequent roll, allowing for multiple active bets and independent winning opportunities beyond the initial pass line point.
Can I take odds on a craps come bet?
Absolutely. Once your craps come bet has established a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), you can place additional "odds" bets behind it. These odds bets are paid at true probabilities and significantly reduce the house edge, making them crucial for maximizing winnings on your come bets.
When should I place a craps come bet?
The ideal time to place a craps come bet is after a point has been established on the come-out roll. This allows you to have a pass line bet working and then add a come bet to pursue other numbers, increasing your potential for wins throughout a shooter's turn.