Ready to level up your craps game and feel more confident at the table? Whether you’re a beginner or refreshing your skills, understanding how come bets work is a smart next step.
Come bets add an extra layer of opportunity during a round and can keep you involved after the initial roll. This guide explains what they are, how to use them and common pitfalls to avoid, all in plain language so you can follow along easily. Let’s roll.
What Is a Come Bet in Craps?
A come bet is a wager you can place once the game’s come out roll has finished and a point is on the table. It creates a fresh sequence of action for your chips: the next roll becomes your personal come out roll. If a 7 or 11 appears on that next roll, the come bet wins immediately; if a 2, 3 or 12 appears, it loses. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10) becomes your come point and your bet remains until that number or a 7 is rolled.
In effect, a come bet mirrors a pass line bet but is made mid-round. It’s a way to join the action once the main point is established without waiting for the next round to start.
How Do You Place a Come Bet at the Craps Table?
Placing a come bet is straightforward. Wait for the shooter to establish a point on the come out roll, then place your chips in the area marked “Come” before the next roll. You can slide the chips yourself into the come box; the dealer will track the bet for you.
Once placed, the very next roll determines whether the bet wins, loses or moves to a point. For example, imagine the table point is 8 and you place a £10 come bet. If the next roll is a 5, your come bet becomes a 5-point and stays on the table until a 5 or a 7 appears. If a 7 or 11 had come up instead, your £10 would have paid out immediately.
Come Bet Payouts Explained
Come bets pay even money when they win on the next roll with a 7 or 11, or when the come point is rolled again before a 7. So a £10 winning come bet returns £10 in winnings plus your original stake.
You can also add odds behind a come bet once it has moved to a point. Odds are a secondary wager that pays at true odds and varies by point: 2 to 1 for 4 or 10, 3 to 2 for 5 or 9, and 6 to 5 for 6 or 8. Because odds pay at the real mathematical rate, they reduce the house edge on that portion of the bet.
Keep in mind that the even-money portion and the odds portion are settled separately if your come point resolves.
When Can You Make a Come Bet?
A come bet can only be placed after the shooter’s initial come out roll has finished and a point is active. From that moment on, the come area is open and you can place a come bet before any subsequent roll. Players often add additional come bets after each new roll if they want multiple active points.
It’s common for players to stagger come bets to spread action across different numbers, but this increases the amount of money at risk at the table. Think about how many simultaneous bets you want and how that fits with your bankroll.
Come Bet vs Pass Line: What’s the Difference?
At first glance, come bets and pass line bets follow the same win/lose rules and pay the same on a win; the key difference is timing. A pass line bet is placed before the come out roll and rides through that roll and any resulting point. A come bet is placed after the point is set and effectively starts its own mini-sequence from the next roll.
Because of that timing, come bets are useful for players who join a game mid-round or who want fresh action without waiting for the shooter to roll again. Both bet types can also be backed with odds once a point is established.
Common Mistakes to Avoid With Come Bets
A frequent mistake is confusing come bets with other table options; this can lead to mis-placed chips or misread outcomes. Take a moment to make sure your chips are in the come box and that you understand whether the next roll will resolve or move the bet.
Another common issue is adding odds without understanding the payout mechanics. While odds reduce the overall house advantage, they increase the total exposure on the table. Some players also place multiple come bets quickly, which can deplete chips faster than expected.
Finally, mental tracking can become difficult when there are several active come points. Keep a clear view of which come bets are working for you and consider keeping stakes simple so you always know where you stand.
It helps to pause and reassess your approach during play rather than reacting to single outcomes. That steady approach usually leads to better, more controlled sessions.
Myths About Come Bets at the Craps Table
Several misconceptions circulate about come bets. One is that certain betting patterns can change the dice or the odds in your favour; in practice, outcomes are determined only by the roll and the established rules of the game. Another myth is that layered systems will reliably produce profit; systems can structure how you bet but cannot alter the fundamental mathematics of craps.
Some players believe placing many come bets raises the chance of a big win. In reality, it simply spreads your stake across more numbers and increases overall exposure. A clearer view is to treat systems and myths as ways to manage playstyle rather than routes to guaranteed success.
If a claim sounds too good to be true at the table, it usually warrants healthy scepticism.
Key Terms Every Player Should Know
Below are the core terms that help make sense of the rules and outcomes you’ll see while playing.
- Come Bet – A wager made after the main point is set that uses the next roll as its own come out roll.
- Pass Line Bet – The initial main bet placed before the shooter’s come out roll.
- Come Out Roll – The opening roll of a round that establishes the point for pass line and don’t pass bets.
- Point – The number set after the come out roll (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that defines the round’s target.
- Odds Bet – An additional wager placed behind a come or pass line bet once a point exists, paid at true odds.
- Seven Out – When a 7 appears after a point is set, which ends the round and resolves many bets.
- Even Money – A payout equal to your original stake (for example, £10 winning £10).
Frequently Asked Questions About Come Bets
Here are clear answers to questions players ask most often about come bets.
Can I place a come bet at any time?
You can place a come bet only after a point has been set during a round. It cannot be placed before the come out roll.
What happens if a 7 is rolled right after I place a come bet?
If a 7 appears on the very next roll after you make a come bet, that come bet wins and pays even money.
Do come bets offer better odds than other bets?
Come bets and pass line bets have comparable odds and payouts on the even-money portion. Adding odds behind a come bet changes the payout structure for that part of your stake, but no bet removes the inherent risk of the game.
Can I back up my come bet with odds?
Yes. Once a come bet becomes a point, you can place an odds bet behind it. Those odds pay at rates specific to the point number.
Is there a minimum age to play craps in the UK?
Gambling is permitted only for those aged 18 or over in the UK. Make sure you meet this requirement before playing.
How do I play safely with come bets?
Decide on staking limits and a time frame before you play, and keep wagers within those boundaries. Taking these steps helps maintain control and keeps the experience focused on enjoyment.
If you’d like, you can try a few come bet scenarios on paper first to see how wins, losses and odds interact before placing real chips on the table.
You’ve now got the essentials: what a come bet is, how it behaves during a round, how payouts work and common traps to avoid. With that foundation you can watch the table with more confidence and decide how come bets fit your style of play.
**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.