The come bet in craps is one of the most fantastic bets in the game and knowing how to play it can amplify your night and those around you. It can also allow you to score huge wins and reduce the house edge to levels far below the average table game.
This guide will explain what is the come bet in craps, discuss how to win at craps and tell you how to play craps online.
How the Come Bet Works
After the shooter throws the come-out roll and establishes the “point”, players can wager additional bets like the craps “Come Bet.” The Come Bet automatically wins at 1:1 odds if the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11 with the very next roll and automatically loses when the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or a 12.
If the shooter then rolls a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, the bet moves to that number and this becomes your personal point. If you have made a pass line craps bet on the come-out roll, then, along with the original point, you will have two personal points. No matter what number becomes your personal point, the come bet is paid out at 1:1.
You are able to repeat this process until the shooter rolls a 7. The come bet essentially creates a game within the game and makes the game extremely exciting, especially when there’s a hot shooter who doesn’t know how to roll a 7.
Once you get your own personal point, that’s where the real magic happens. This is when craps odds are the best available in the casino and you have access to what many players call “free odds” or come odds.
Players are able to bet multiples of 1x, 2x, 3x, or even more on personal points in just about every establishment. Casinos in Las Vegas for example will allow players to wager 10x, 50x, and even 100x odds bets.
The real caveat is that these “free odds” bets are literally paid out at commission-free true odds. True odds reflect the actual odds of an event happening, meaning there is 0% house edge on these bets, making them the most powerful in the casino. The more you bet on the true odds, the more you reduce the casino’s house edge.
Example 1: Single Come Bet + True Odds
If the come-out roll is a 5 and you place a $100 come bet and the next roll is an 8, your $100 bet now shifts over to the 8. Now you are allowed to take advantage of the free odds and place an additional $500 on 8 at true odds of 6:5.
After inconsequential rolls of a 9, a 4, and a 6, an 8 is rolled and you are paid out a total of $1,300, a $700 profit, on your wagers. This is from winning $600 in profit on your true odds bet and $100 in profit from your original come bet that was moved to the 8.
Example 2: Pass Line Bet + Continuous Come Bets + True Odds
For many, this is the most common way they play craps, though how much players can take advantage of true odds varies based on the website or casino. This strategy is much more volatile than most but will reduce the house edge the most. Be prepared to bring a very large bankroll.
- You place $100 on the pass line and the come-out roll is a 5. The point is now 5 and your $100 bet stays on the pass line. You place an additional $100 on the come bet ($200 on the board).
- The next roll is an 8, which makes your $100 move to the 8. You place an additional $500 on the true 6:5 odds on the 8 and place another $100 come bet wager ($800 on the board).
- The next roll is a 9, moving your $100 to the 9. You place an additional $400 on the true 3:2 odds on the 9. You place another $100 come bet wager ($1,300 on the board).
- The following roll is a 4 and your $100 is moved to the 4. You place an additional $300 on the true 2:1 odds on the 4. You place another $100 come bet wager ($1,700 on the board).
- The 8 lands and you are paid out a total of $1,300 on your $600 worth of existing wagers on the number. The wagers are removed and the $100 come bet shifts to the 8. You decide to not take advantage of the true odds and place another $100 come bet. ($1,200 on the board)
- A 5 is rolled, winning $200 from your $100 pass line bet and shifting the $100 come bet to the 5 ($1,100 on the board). No come bet can be made.
- A 7 is rolled, which causes all $1,100 in existing wagers to be lost. You end the round with a $300 loss, having been paid out $1,500 from $1,800 in total bets.
Example 3: Common Breakeven Pass Line Bet + Immediate Come Bet Win
- You place $100 on the pass line and the come-out roll is a 5. The point is now 5 and your $100 bet stays on the pass line. You place an additional $100 on the come bet ($200 on the board).
- The next roll is a 7, winning $200 from your $100 come bet while simultaneously losing your $100 pass line bet. This results in a push.
When to Place a Come Bet
Players are allowed to make a come bet following the come-out roll. Players are allowed to make a come bet on every subsequent roll until the shooter rolls a 7 and a new round starts.
Players are excluded from making a come bet after the point is hit and must wait for a new point to be established without a 7 being rolled.
Many players opt to place a come bet after every single non-7 and non-point roll during a shooter’s round. Making this part of their craps strategy means they create multiple opportunities to score automatic wins and earn the chance to place true odds bets.
How to Place a Come Bet
- Wait until a point is established.
- Place a wager in the “COME” area of the craps table.
- Win at 1:1 odds when the shooter rolls a 7 or an 11. Lose when a shooter rolls a 2, 3, or a 12. Otherwise, the wager is moved to the number that was rolled.
- Players may take advantage of true odds and bet additional money on their own personal points. True odds are 2:1 on 4 and 10, 3:2 on 5 and 9, and 6:5 on 6 and 8. Multiplier limit on each number depends on each individual casino.
- Start again at step 2. All bets on numbers are lost when the shooter rolls a 7 though the come bet wins.
- Start over at step 1 after a 7 or the point is rolled.
Come Bet Odds
- The original pass line and come bet is paid at 1:1 if it wins. The house edge is a very small 1.41%, making it one of the best craps bets.
- Betting the free odds reduces the house edge, which is why casinos set a limit on how much you can bet. The house edge on the free odds bet is 0% thanks to the true odds you are able to take advantage of.
- When you are able to bet the free odds, you get the true odds of that number hitting before a 7 is rolled based on the following table.
Point Numbers | True Odds/Payout |
4 or 10 | 2:1 |
5 or 9 | 3:2 |
6 or 8 | 6:5 |
Advantages of the Come Bet
- Come bet shares the same low 1.41% house edge as the Pass Line bet, making it one of the best craps bets.
- Able to actively participate in the game after the initial point is set.
- Take advantage of free odds, reducing the overall house edge at most online casinos.
- Able to win at craps in a big way when there’s a hot shooter.
How to Play Craps Online
Follow these easy steps to get started playing craps online with BetOnline.
Join BetOnline
We recommend the BetOnline Casino, head to the homepage and click on the ‘Join’ button in the top right corner.Enter your Details
Type in your personal details and click ‘Create Account’.Go Through the Verification Process
It may require you to submit personal documents and/or click on an e-mail verification link. Click the ‘Banking’ button in the top right corner and follow instructions on the screen and make a deposit.Find the Table Games Section
Go back to the casino landing page and scroll down to the ‘Table Games’ section. Select Craps. You can play with limits anywhere from $1 to $2,000.
Conclusion
The come bet is one of the best craps bets and can allow you to score a win at craps in your next session.
Being able to reduce or nearly eliminate the house edge by max-betting the true odds after landing your come points can send your bankroll to the moon. It’s also one of the most fun ways to play, especially at an active table with a hot shooter.
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References
- https://www.venetianlasvegas.com/casino/table-games/craps-basic-rules.html# (Venetian Las Vegas)
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/craps (Britannica)
- https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/gamesense/guide-to-craps.html (MGM Resorts)