If the craps table looks confusing, you’re not alone. Come bets offer a clear way to join the action once a round is already underway, and understanding them makes the game more enjoyable.
This guide explains what a come bet is, how it works, and the rules you need to follow. Read on and you’ll feel more confident next time you step up to the table.
Ready to know how come bets fit into the flow of play? Let’s get started.
What Is a Come Bet in Craps?
A come bet is a wager placed after the first roll of the round, called the come out roll. It creates a new, individual wager for the player placing it, running alongside any pass line or other bets already on the table.
When you place a come bet, the next roll is decisive. If that roll is a 7 or 11 you win the come bet immediately. If it is a 2, 3, or 12 you lose straight away. If the roll is a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes your point for the come bet. The dealer marks your chips on the box for that number, and your bet then waits for that number to be rolled again before a 7 appears.
Players like come bets because they let you enter the play at any time and follow similar rules to the pass line bet, but starting from the moment you place yours.
How Do You Place a Come Bet?
Placing a come bet is straightforward. Wait until the come out roll has finished, then place your chips in the area on the table marked COME. Check the table for the minimum and maximum bet limits and make sure your wager fits within those. If you are unsure about the limits, ask the dealer before placing your chips.
Once your chips are down, the next roll is judged according to the come bet rules described above. There are a few possible outcomes on that next roll:
- If the roll wins immediately (for example, a 7 or 11 on the next roll), you are paid and your bet is resolved.
- If the roll loses immediately (for example, a 2, 3 or 12), you lose your wager.
- If a point is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the dealer will move your chips to the appropriate box number and your bet will remain active until that point is rolled again or a 7 is rolled.
The dealer handles moving the chips to the point box, so you do not need to reposition them yourself. Remember to gamble responsibly and stick to limits you can afford.
Come Bets vs Pass Line Bets: What’s the Difference?
Pass line bets are placed before the come out roll and determine the initial course of the round. If the shooter establishes a point on that roll, the pass line bet is resolved according to the point number or a seven out. This bet effectively follows the first phase of the round and remains active until it is won or lost.
Come bets are placed after the come out roll and behave like a new pass line bet from the moment you place them. Each come bet starts its own mini sequence: the next roll either establishes a new point for that come bet, wins immediately, or loses immediately. You can place multiple come bets during a round, and each one is resolved independently.
Both bets share similar odds and payouts and carry the same basic house edge, but they begin at different times within the same round, so they can coexist on the table. In practice this means you can have an initial pass line bet and, once the point is on, add one or more come bets to create multiple active bets that are settled separately.
What Are the Rules for Come Bets in Craps?
Come bets follow a clear two-stage structure that keeps them easy to follow even as other bets are in play.
The Two-Stage Process of Come Bets
In the first stage, the next roll after you place a come bet decides an immediate win or loss. The possible immediate outcomes are:
- A 7 or 11 pays even money.
- A 2, 3, or 12 loses.
In the second stage, if a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, that number becomes your point for the come bet. The dealer places your chips on the box number for that point so it is clear to everyone which number you are backing.
Once the bet is on the box number it stays active until one of two things happens:
- The point is rolled again, which pays even money.
- A 7 is rolled, which causes the bet to lose.
This arrangement means come bets effectively start fresh for each player, even while the main round continues. Each come bet is resolved separately from the pass line and from other players' come bets, so multiple come bets can be in play on different box numbers at the same time.
House Edge and Payouts for Come Bets
Winning come bets pay even money. The house edge on come bets is the same as that on pass line bets, approximately 1.41 percent. That figure reflects the small long-term advantage the casino holds over players and is standard for these core bets at the table.
Players may also place additional odds bets behind a come bet once a point is established. These odds bets have no house edge themselves and are paid at true odds, which can reduce the overall effective house edge on the combined wager.
Common Myths About Come Bets Explained
There are a few persistent misunderstandings about come bets that can steer players wrong.
One myth is that come bets are a secret route to better odds. In fact, their statistical profile mirrors the pass line bet, so they do not offer a superior expected return. Another is that patterns or betting systems can change the underlying probabilities. Every roll is an independent event, so past rolls do not alter the likelihood of future outcomes. Finally, placing many come bets at once does not increase your expected chances of winning; it simply raises the total amount at risk.
If you ever feel unsure about how much you have in play, it helps to step back and check your chips and limits before continuing.
Glossary of Key Craps Terms Related to Come Bets
Below are the core terms that will help you follow table action and communicate clearly with dealers and fellow players. These definitions are descriptive and intended to explain how bets and outcomes are commonly handled at the table.
Come Bet
A wager placed after the initial come out roll. A come bet either wins or loses on the next roll, or it establishes a point for further play.
If a point is established for a come bet, that bet moves to the corresponding box number and waits for that number to be rolled again before it can win, or for a 7 to be rolled which would make it lose.
Come Out Roll
The first roll of a round that sets the stage for pass line and don’t pass bets. It determines whether a point is established or whether certain bets resolve immediately.
Point
The number established for a bet when one of the following is rolled:
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 8
- 9
- 10
A point must be rolled again before a 7 for that bet to win. If a 7 appears first, the bet loses.
Even Money
A payout equal to the stake. For example, a £10 even money win returns £10 in winnings plus the original £10 stake, for a total of £20.
House Edge
The percentage advantage the casino holds over a bet across many plays. It is a long-term statistical figure and does not predict individual outcomes.
Dealer
The person managing the table, handling bets and moving chips to mark points. Dealers also enforce table rules and help resolve disputes, but they do not take sides in play.
Box Number
One of the individual areas on the table representing the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 where point bets are placed. Chips placed in a box number show which specific point a bet is waiting on.
Is a Come Bet Worth Making?
Deciding whether to place a come bet depends on your approach to the table. Come bets share the same mechanics and house edge as pass line bets, so they are a comparable option rather than a higher- or lower-quality choice. They can increase your involvement and give you more independent wagers running simultaneously, which some players prefer.
Think about how many active bets you want and how that fits with your budget. Keeping track of multiple come bets requires attention, because each one can become a separate point to watch. If you like being part of the action and can manage your stake levels, come bets are a sensible and perfectly standard way to play.
If you prefer, try small come bets first to see how they affect your pacing and total exposure at the table. If you have concerns about your play, support services are available to help you maintain control and stay within your limits.
Whether you choose to use come bets often or only occasionally, understanding their rules and how they integrate with the rest of the table will help you enjoy the game with confidence.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.