What Is a Come Bet in Craps and How Does It Work?

min read
Close-up of a pair of dice rolling down a craps table.
BetMGM Aug 30, 2022, 10:12 AM

Famously enjoyed by US soldiers during the Second World War, the game of craps went mainstream across the world once the war ended. Suddenly, casinos from Las Vegas to London had long, dashing craps tables surrounded by elated punters clapping and cheering for one another. While this is where it began to gain international recognition, the history of craps dates to the 12th century. 

It’s one of the few online casino games that comes with camaraderie between players. Regarded as one the best casino games to play, craps has evolved from the traditional table to the digital world. Focusing on strategies such as the come bet, this article aims to unravel the techniques of how to play craps at a casino.

What is a Come Bet and Don’t Come Bet in craps?

If you’re a beginner, come bets are the perfect place to start. This betting option allows you to participate without having to know the full rule book. The magic numbers are 7 or 11 – if either of these is rolled in the comeout, it results in an instant win. On the other hand, numbers 2, 3, or 12 lead to a loss.

To begin the round, a player must roll a point number of either 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. A come bet is only made after the point is set. From here, players can place the “true odds” on the bet to increase their payout. To win, players must avoid the elimination numbers and roll the same as the point number; once a point is set, the come bet can lose on a 7.

On the other side, there are don’t-come bets. Opposite to a come bet, players can win on 1, 2, and 3 during a come-out roll. Contrary to come bets, the number 12 is blocked due to it giving players an advantage over the casino. If 12 is rolled, it will result in a pushover to the next roll.

The key to don’t-come bets is that the table loses if the point is rolled before a 7. To put it simply, if 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, or 11 is rolled on the second round, it becomes a point and means a player can win if 7 is rolled before the set point number.

What Are the Strategies?

To be proficient in casino table games, it’s crucial to know the strategies that come with each move on the table. This helps you set your target and play smart – allowing you to understand when to back down and when not to. So, when you’re playing real online casino games, you can evaluate your odds and stay with the game’s pace while understanding your options.

A favorite come bet strategy for craps among regular players is always betting the lowest house advantage. This is because, during a come bet, the house has an advantage of 1.41%. So, by betting on the lowest house advantage, you’re betting before the shooter rolls the come out. This means the bet pays on a 7 or 11 and fails on rolls 2, 3 or 12. Another method is the “odds bet” strategy, which is the only method that results in the house having a 0% advantage. This entails placing an “odds bet” after the pass line bet, thus giving the player insurance of another roll. If the pass line doesn’t pay out, wait for the come out to roll a 6 or 8 – the two most common numbers rolled after 7.

Moving over to don’t come bet strategies, there are various techniques, such as “The Martingale strategy,” that you can use. This is where the player reduces winning bets by half or doubles the bet each time they lose. It may seem like a strange thing to do but don’t come bets have strong odds, and this method exposes players to a much higher rate of return.

What Are My Odds?

When you want to play at a casino online, it’s important to know the odds of each move. As previously mentioned, the point numbers of come bets are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. Although they’re in the same bracket of being a point, each number gives a different return. For example, numbers 6 or 8 pay 6:5, 5 or 9 pay 3:2, and 4 or 10 are 2:1. Each comes with a house edge of 4.76%.

On the other hand, the house edge varies on don’t come bet odds. Numbers 4 or 10 pay 1:2 and have a house edge of 2.44%, whereas 5 or 9 pay 2:3 and are 3.23%. Finally, 6 or 8 pay 5:6 and have an edge of 4%.

Play Real Online Casino Games at Betmgm

With hundreds of online casino games and live dealer casino games to choose from, BetMGM is bringing the authentic gambling experience to your digital device. With open craps and high point craps, as well as simplified craps, we offer some of the best online craps games available. So, register at BetMGM and experience playing your favorite games online in real-time with real players.

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Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.