Come Bet in Craps: How It Works, Rules & When to Use It

What Is a Come Bet in Craps

What is the come bet in craps? 🎲  In the game of craps, a Come Bet is one of the most popular and strategic wagers you can make. It closely mirrors the Pass Line Bet but is placed after the come-out roll, once a point has already been established. For players who want to stay engaged throughout the game and take advantage of multiple betting opportunities, the Come Bet offers continuous action and favorable odds—especially when backed with free craps come bet odds bets.

When you place a Come Bet, it acts as a mini Pass Line Bet. On the very next roll, a 7 or 11 wins, while a 2, 3, or 12 loses. Any other number becomes your Come Bet’s “point”, and your wager is moved to that number on the layout. From there, you're hoping that number is rolled again before a 7. This simple structure makes the Come Bet an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned players who aim to reduce the house edge while keeping the table dynamic.

Basic Definition and Purpose

The come bet in craps is a wager that players can place after the come-out roll, when a point has already been established. It essentially acts as a new, independent Pass Line bet that starts from that moment forward.

Purpose 👇:
The Come Bet is designed to give players continuous action, even while waiting for the shooter to resolve their original point. It keeps the game flowing and increases player engagement.

💡 In simple terms: A Come Bet lets you start fresh — even in the middle of someone else’s game.

When You Can Place a Come Bet

You can place a Come Bet only after the come-out roll — that is, once the Pass Line point has been established.

• ✅ Allowed: After a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) is set
• ❌ Not allowed: During the original come-out roll

Players often place multiple Come Bets throughout a shooter's roll to stay in the action.

How It Differs from the Pass Line Bet

 While they operate similarly, the craps come bet has a few key differences 👇:

So while Come Bets resemble Pass Line bets, their timing and point mechanics make them distinct and versatile tools at the craps table.

Step-by-Step Example of a Come Bet Sequence

Here’s how a typical Come Bet plays out 👇:

1. A shooter establishes a point (e.g., 8) via a come-out roll.
2. You place a Come Bet after that roll.
3. The shooter rolls a new number (e.g., 5). Your Come Bet now “travels” to 5.
4. From now on, you want the shooter to roll a 5 again before a 7 to win your bet.

🎯 Win: The number you moved to (point) is rolled again
💥 Lose: A 7 is rolled before your number hits

Tip: Think of the Come Bet as starting its own mini-game within the main game.

Come-Out Roll for the Come Bet (Not the Table Come-Out)

While the table may already be deep into a shooter’s hand, each Come Bet begins with its own come-out roll — the next dice roll after you place your wager.

• Rolls a 7 or 11: You win immediately
• Rolls a 2, 3, or 12: You lose instantly (known as “craps”)
• Rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10: That becomes your Come Bet point

This personal come-out roll is independent of the table’s main game flow.

Establishing a Point for the Come Bet

Once your Come Bet survives its mini come-out roll, it’s moved to the rolled number, and that number becomes the Come Point. Now the dealer places your bet in that number’s box above your chips.

From there, your bet remains live until:

• ✅ The shooter rolls your Come Point again — you win
• ❌ The shooter rolls a 7 — you lose

You can add craps odds at this point (we’ll cover that in the next section).

Winning and Losing Conditions

Here’s a quick summary of how your craps come bet explained:

📌 Important: Once you place a Come Bet, it stays active until it resolves. It doesn't disappear unless a 7 (or your number) is rolled.

Odds on Come Bets

Adding odds to a come bet in craps is one of the smartest plays you can make at the table. It’s one of the few bets in any casino game that offers zero house edge — but only on the odds portion.

Let’s explore how this works and why it’s so powerful.

Adding Odds to a Come Bet

Once your Come Bet has moved to a number (say, 6 or 9), you have the option to place odds behind it. This is a separate wager that pays true odds — meaning no house advantage.

Payouts on Come Bet Odds:

💡 You can usually bet up to 3x, 5x, or even 10x your original Come Bet, depending on the table.

📉 Example: You place a $10 Come Bet. It moves to 5. You add $30 odds. If the shooter rolls a 5 before 7, you win $10 (Come Bet) + $45 (Odds payout at 3:2).

House Edge With and Without Odds

Let’s compare house edges with and without odds to see why they're such a key part of any solid come bet craps strategy.

As you can see, adding odds drastically reduces the house advantage.

💡 Tip: The more odds you add, the better your long-term edge — but make sure it fits your bankroll.

Table Limits for Come Bet Odds

Every casino table has specific odds limits, so it’s important to know what they are 👇:

• Single Odds: Only match your Come Bet amount
• Double/Triple Odds: Bet 2x–3x your Come Bet
• 5x Odds / 10x Odds: More aggressive tables
• 100x Odds: Rare, but found in elite Vegas rooms

📝 Check the signage at the table or ask the dealer what the odds limits are before betting. And remember — your odds bet must be placed behind your original Come Bet once it travels to a point.

Come Bet vs. Pass Line Bet

Both the Pass Line and come bet in craps offer similar mechanics, but their timing and strategic application are very different. Knowing how they compare helps you play smarter and build stronger betting patterns.

Similarities in Mechanics

Let’s first look at what these two bets have in common:

• Both are "contract bets" — once placed, you can’t remove them.
• Both win on 7 or 11, and lose on 2, 3, or 12 on the first roll.
• Both allow odds bets once a point is established.
• Both pay even money on the base bet and true odds on the added odds.

So functionally, they behave the same — just not at the same moment.

Key Strategic Differences

Here’s where things diverge between the Pass Line and the Come Bet 👇:

📌 A Pass Line is your entry bet. A Come Bet keeps you involved as the round continues.

Why Players Use Both in Combination

Combining the Pass Line and Come bets is the foundation of many popular craps strategies. A typical player will start with a Pass Line bet. Once a point is established, they will follow it up with one or more Come Bets. Many experienced players use a combo craps come bet strategy:

• Start with a Pass Line bet
• Once a point is set, begin placing Come Bets
• Repeat to have multiple numbers covered

This creates a layered attack — like building a wall of offense against the house edge.

📊 Example Strategy Flow:

1. $10 on the Pass Line
2. Shooter rolls a point (say, 8)
3. Place a $10 Come Bet
4. Shooter rolls 5 — Come Bet moves to 5
5. Place another Come Bet
6. Shooter rolls 6 — new Come Bet moves to 6

Now you’re live on 3 numbers (5, 6, 8) — all at true odds!

This multi-bet system is common in both traditional craps and crapless and bubble craps formats.

Strategy for Using Come Bets

A successful come bet craps strategy blends math, timing, and discipline. Whether you’re playing live, online, or on a bubble craps terminal, knowing how and when to use Come Bets can give you a powerful edge.

Let’s break down the most effective approaches.

One Come Bet at a Time vs. Multiple Come Bets

There are two main styles players use:

One Come Bet at a Time

• Ideal for conservative bankroll management
• You wait until your active Come Bet resolves before placing another
• Keeps your exposure minimal
• Easier for beginners to track

Multiple Come Bets

• Place new Come Bets on consecutive rolls
• Often used with 2x or 3x odds behind each
• Offers higher board coverage (more numbers working for you)
• Riskier, but can produce consistent payouts

💡 Tip: Many pros stick to 3 Come Bets max at once, which strikes a balance between action and control.

Come Bet Ladder Strategy

This is a structured approach that mimics the Iron Cross but with better odds.

How It Works:

1. Start with Pass Line + odds
2. On the next 3 rolls, place a new Come Bet after each
3. Add odds as your bets move to their point numbers
4. Let them resolve — win or lose — and repeat the cycle

Benefits:

• Covers up to 4 numbers with low house edge
• Scales easily with different bankrolls
• Adapts well to long shooter rolls

📊 Here’s what it might look like in action:

🎯 Now you’re live on 5, 6, 8, and 9, all with added odds — maximum efficiency!

Risk Management and Timing

Managing your bankroll while using Come Bets is essential.

Tips for Smart Play:

• Use unit betting: Decide a base bet (e.g., $10) and stick to it.
• Limit exposure: Don’t have more than 20% of your bankroll on the table.
• Delay your next Come Bet if a shooter seems "cold" (too many 7s).
• Use Come Bets only after the Pass Line is placed — don’t overload early.

✅ Rule of thumb: Don’t chase losses. Come Bets are about long-term edge, not short-term wins.

Come Bet Myths and Misunderstandings

Despite being a core part of craps strategy, the come bet is often misunderstood — especially by beginners. Let’s break down the most common myths and why they don’t hold up.

“It’s the Same as Pass Line” — Not Quite

This myth exists because come bets and pass line bets have similar craps rules. But they’re not the same.

💡 Key Difference: Come bets act like mini pass line bets, but they happen mid-round — not at the start.

“Come Bets Are Too Complicated” — Actually Logical

Many players avoid craps come bets thinking they're too hard to follow. In truth, they’re just a time-shifted pass line bet:

• Instead of placing it at the start, you place it after the point is established.
• It follows the same win/loss rules on its initial roll.
• Then it “travels” to its own point, and you win if that number rolls before 7.

🎯 If you understand the Pass Line, you already understand 80% of how a Come Bet works.

“You Need to Be a Pro to Use Come Bets” — False

Come bets are often labeled as “advanced,” but they’re actually a beginner-friendly tool when broken down.

Here’s why 👇:

Truth: You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to understand how does the come bet work in craps — which this guide explains.