Come and Don’t Come Bets: Expanding Your Craps Strategy

For many players on winneronline.net, the initial transition from the Pass Line to more complex wagers can feel like a steep learning curve. However, if you understand the Pass Line, you already understand the Come and Don’t Come bets. These are essentially “mini-games” that start after the main Point has been established. In the professional world of UK gambling portals, these bets are the primary tools used by seasoned players to cover more numbers while maintaining a low house edge. At Winner Online, we break down these essential wagers to help you navigate the table with confidence.

What is a Come Bet?

A Come bet is almost identical to a Pass Line bet, with one major difference: it is placed after the shooter has already established a Point for the table. When you place a chip in the “Come” box, the very next roll of the dice becomes the “Come-out roll” for your specific bet.

• Immediate Win: If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, your Come bet wins at 1:1.
• Immediate Loss: If the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12, your Come bet loses.
• Establishing a Come Point: If any other number is rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), that number becomes your personal “Come Point.” The dealer will move your bet to the corresponding number box on the layout.

Once your bet is moved to a number, you win if that number is rolled again before the shooter rolls a 7. If a 7 appears first, your Come bet is cleared from the table.

Understanding the Don’t Come Bet

The Don’t Come bet is the inverse of the Come bet. It is the version used by “wrong” bettors—those who are wagering that the dice will not hit the established numbers. Like the Don’t Pass Line, this bet offers some of the most player-friendly odds in the casino.

• Immediate Win: If the next roll is a 2 or 3, you win.
• The Stand-off (Push): If a 12 is rolled, the bet is usually a push (depending on the specific UK table rules), meaning you don’t win or lose.
• Immediate Loss: If a 7 or 11 is rolled, you lose.
• Establishing the Point: If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, that becomes your point. You are now betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before they hit that specific number again.

Why Use These Bets?

You might wonder why a player would bother with Come bets instead of just sticking to the Pass Line. The answer lies in volatility management and coverage.

By using Come bets, you can have multiple “active” numbers on the board at once. If the shooter enters a “hot streak” and rolls for a long time without hitting a 7, having several Come bets across different numbers allows you to collect multiple payouts during a single round.

Furthermore, Come and Don’t Come bets have a low house edge of approximately 1.41% and 1.36% respectively. This makes them significantly better for your bankroll than the high-payout “Proposition” bets found in the center of the table.

The Power of “Taking Odds” on Come Bets

Just like the Pass Line, the true professional advantage of the Come bet is the ability to Take Odds. Once your Come bet moves to a number, you can place an additional wager (the “Odds” bet) that pays out at true mathematical odds.

Because the Odds bet has a 0% house edge, it is the most valuable tool in your arsenal. For example, if your Come bet moves to the 6, and you back it with Odds, you are getting paid 6:5 on that additional stake. This lowers the effective house edge on your total money at risk, providing a much more sustainable way to play over a long session.

Strategic Differences for UK Online Players

When playing on a digital portal, there are a few technical nuances to keep in mind regarding these bets:

1. The “Off” Status During Come-Out Rolls: By default, in most live and RNG craps games, the “Odds” portion of your Come bets is “Off” during the shooter’s new Come-out roll. This means if a 7 is rolled, you lose your original Come bet, but your Odds bet is returned to you. You can usually toggle this to “On” if you want your Odds to stay active, but most players stick to the default for safety.

2. Managing Your Bankroll: It is easy to get carried away and cover every single number with Come bets. However, remember that a “7-out” will clear every single Come bet you have on the board. A common professional strategy is the “Three-Point Molly,” where you have the Pass Line and two Come bets active at once. This gives you three numbers to win on without over-exposing your bankroll to a single bad roll.

3. Don’t Come Discipline: Playing the Don’t Come side requires a thick skin. In a live dealer environment, you are essentially winning when the rest of the table is losing. On a digital portal, this social pressure is removed, making it an excellent place to practice this mathematically superior strategy.

Conclusion: Mastering the Flow of the Table

Come and Don’t Come bets transform craps from a simple “win or lose” game into a multi-layered strategic experience. They allow you to stay active on every roll and maximize the potential of the “Odds” bet, which is the cornerstone of professional play.

At Winner Online, we recommend starting with a single Come bet after the Point is established. Watch how it moves, see how the Odds are applied, and get a feel for the rhythm of the dice. By focusing on these low-edge wagers and avoiding the “Center” traps, you turn the game into a calculated exercise in probability. Stay disciplined with your stakes, manage your active numbers wisely, and respect the power of the 7.