Whether you’re playing at an online casino or a land-based venue, craps can be extremely confusing for a newcomer. Some of the most common questions asked about this classic table game concern the craps come out roll.
This blog post explains exactly how it all works, including the process of shooting the dice and placing bets on the come out roll.
Importance of the Come Out Roll
One of the top tips for craps beginners — far more important than knowing the best value bets — is to understand the come out roll. A craps game will seem extremely chaotic and confusing at first. You’ll need to play a few times and get to grips with things to fully understand what’s going on. But you can’t just jump in, not without understanding the pattern of play.
The come out roll is the very first action taken in craps, and it dictates which direction the game will follow. Players must first place their bets on the pass and don’t pass line before the shooter rolls to determine the point. This initial throw is known as the “come out” roll.
Who Performs the Come Out Roll?
Craps is much more interactive than a lot of other casino games. All players at the table can take a turn at rolling the dice.
Whoever is currently active is known as the “shooter,” and they’re responsible for performing the come out roll. In fact, they’ll continue rolling until they crap out. At that point, the dice pass to the left, and the process begins again.
Possible Outcomes
When rolling, there are three potential outcomes: Craps, natural, and point.
A natural is when the two dice equal either 7 or 11. Pass line bets win, and the shooter can continue rolling. On the other hand, throwing 2, 3, or 12 is known as craps, which is considered bad, as this is an automatic loss for pass bets. The shooter must now surrender the dice to the next player.
Rolling any other number establishes a point. Whether you’re playing live dealer craps or in a brick-and-mortar establishment, a button marked “on” is placed by the relevant number to indicate this.
Once a point is established, you’ll keep rolling until you match the same number. However, throwing a 7 before repeating the point number is not good for pass bets. This is called “sevening out” and it means the betting round is over. The dice are passed to the next player and a new come out roll takes place.
Come Out Roll Etiquette
There are certain rules around the come out roll that must be adhered to. For example, both dice must touch the back wall when thrown. This is to ensure a fair roll, minimizing the chance of someone being able to manipulate the dice.
Both dice must be thrown at the same time, using one hand. Should either of the dice accidentally leave the table, the roll will be declared invalid. At this point, the casino staff will inspect the dice for possible damage before returning to the game.
Dice are changed frequently, regardless of wear and tear, and are rarely used for more than eight hours at a time.
How To Bet on the Come Out Roll
Betting on the come out roll is quite simple. You’ll either choose pass or don’t pass for your wager, and both wagers pay even money. A pass bet wins when 7 or 11 is the result of the come out roll. Alternatively, if a point is set, you’ll also win if that number appears again before the shooter rolls seven. Losing numbers are 2, 3, and 12.
Don’t pass bets, on the other hand, are inverted. You win when the shooter rolls 2 or 3 and you’ll lose with 7 or 11. If the shooter establishes a point and fails to repeat the number before throwing a 7, you’ll also win a don’t pass bet. A 12 results in a tie.
Come Out Roll Betting Strategy
The most successful craps strategies (in terms of maximizing your bankroll, at least) involve the pass and don’t pass bets. The house edge of don’t pass is just 1.36%, while the pass bet is not much worse at 1.41%.
So, as a general rule, you should always stick to these bets (especially if you’re new to the game). However, when you’re dealing with the come out roll, these are the only possible bets you can make anyway.
Tactics
Ultimately, craps is a game of chance, just like any other. There aren’t any foolproof tricks to make money, so betting responsibly and for entertainment purposes is always encouraged. That said, there are definitely some distinct playing styles that certain gamblers favor.
For instance, a common strategy is to hedge your initial bet. Here, you’ll place your main wager on the pass line, with a 20% stake on “Any Craps.” This means you’ll win less money if your bet comes in. But such a cover bet helps to minimize the damage done when losing.
There are many complex betting systems available for online casino table games and craps is certainly no exception. But on the come out roll specifically, your betting options are quite limited, and you’re essentially just playing with odds of ±100 on the pass line.
Other Craps Bets
Although pass and don’t pass are the most mathematically sound wagers, there’s much more to betting in craps than these two options. Here’s a look at some of the most common bets.
Place Bets
Here, you can bet on a specific number, but only after a point is established. If your chosen number appears before the shooter sevens out, you win. The specific odds depend on which number you picked. Further, some casinos offer subtly different odds, so always look out for the best value.
Field Bets
These are bets placed on a single roll, and they’re pretty straightforward. If the shooter rolls a number between 5–8, you lose. On the other hand, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12 result in a win. 2 and 12 specifically will offer an enhanced return, while the other numbers commonly pay even money.
Come and Don’t Come
Once the point is set, you can place another pair of 50-50 bets at the craps table. Just like pass wagers, bets on come will win if a 7 or 11 appears before the shooter rolls the point number. Don’t come and don’t pass also share the same winning and losing numbers.
Come Out and Play at BetMGM
Now that you’re an expert in all things to do with the come out roll, why not register at BetMGM and play craps online? In addition to this thrilling table game, you can play other favorites like roulette, blackjack, and the latest video slots.
