Mastering Come and Don’t Come Bets in Craps

While the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets form the foundation of any craps session, the Come and Don’t Come bets are what truly open up the table for advanced players. Often described as a “game within a game,” these wagers allow South African enthusiasts to stay active throughout a shooter’s turn rather than waiting for a new Come-Out roll. On a gambling portal like Winner Online, understanding these specific bets is the key to transitioning from a casual observer to a strategic player who can navigate the complexities of a multi-number betting spread.

The Come Bet: Your Personal Pass Line

A Come bet functions almost exactly like a Pass Line bet, with one major difference: it can only be placed after a Point has been established for the table. When you place your chips in the “Come” area, the very next roll of the dice acts as a “Come-Out” roll specifically for that bet. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, your Come bet wins even money immediately. If a 2, 3, or 12 (craps) is rolled, the bet loses. However, if any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that number becomes your personal “Come Point.” Your chips are then moved to the corresponding box on the table layout, and you win if that number is rolled again before the shooter rolls a 7.

The Strategy of Multiple Points

The primary advantage of the Come bet is that it allows you to have multiple numbers working for you simultaneously. For example, if the table Point is 6, you might place a Come bet that travels to the 8. Now, you win if either a 6 or an 8 is rolled. Many South African players use a “Three-Point Molly” strategy, where they keep placing Come bets until they have three different numbers covered. This creates a high-frequency win environment; as long as the shooter avoids the 7, you are likely to see one of your numbers hit, providing a steady stream of payouts to your bankroll.

Taking Odds on Come Bets

Just like the Pass Line, the real power of a Come bet lies in the ability to “Take Odds.” Once your Come bet moves to a specific number, you can add a supplemental wager behind it. This Odds portion is paid at true mathematical odds, carrying a 0% house edge. In the South African digital gaming market, where savvy players look for every possible advantage, backing up a Come Point with 2x or 3x odds is the most effective way to reduce the overall house advantage on your total action. It turns a standard even-money bet into a much more lucrative opportunity.

The Don’t Come Bet: Playing the Dark Side

The Don’t Come bet is the mathematical opposite of the Come bet and is often favored by “Dark Side” players. Similar to its counterpart, it can only be placed after a table Point is established. On the following roll, you win if a 2 or 3 is rolled, and you lose if a 7 or 11 appears (a 12 is typically a “push” or standoff). If a point number is rolled, your bet moves “behind” that number. In this scenario, you are now betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before they roll that specific number again. While it may feel strange to root for a 7, the Don’t Come bet actually offers a slightly lower house edge of 1.36%, making it a mathematically superior choice for disciplined players.

Laying Odds on Don’t Come Points

If your Don’t Come bet travels to a number, you have the option to “Lay Odds.” This is the reverse of taking odds; you must wager more than you stand to win because you are now the statistical favorite to win the hand (since a 7 is more likely than any specific point number). For instance, to win R20 on a Don’t Come Point of 4 or 10, you would need to lay R40. While it requires a larger upfront commitment, laying odds is another zero-house-edge move that provides a fair return on your capital. It is a preferred tactic for conservative players who prioritize high-probability wins over high-payout long shots.

Handling the “Seven-Out”

The 7 is the most important number in craps, but its impact depends entirely on which side of the bet you are on. If you have multiple Come bets established, a 7 (the “Seven-Out”) is a disaster, as all your active Come bets and their associated odds are swept away by the house. Conversely, for a Don’t Come player, a 7 is the ultimate victory, as it triggers a payout for every Don’t Come bet currently on the board. This divergence in outcomes is why craps tables are often divided into two camps of players. Understanding this dynamic helps you choose a style that matches your risk tolerance and your outlook on the game’s volatility.

Managing Your Bets on the Come-Out Roll

A nuanced detail that many players overlook is what happens to Come bets during a new table Come-Out roll. Usually, Come bets are “Always On,” meaning they can win or lose even if the shooter is trying to establish a new main Point. However, the Odds associated with those Come bets are typically “Off” (inactive) during the Come-Out roll unless you specifically tell the dealer to make them “Work.” In an online portal environment, you can usually toggle this setting in the game options. Being aware of these rules ensures that you aren’t surprised by a win or loss during the transitional phases of the game.

Why Use Come and Don’t Come Bets?

For the South African player, using Come and Don’t Come bets is about more than just excitement; it is about mathematical efficiency. These bets allow you to cover more of the table with a lower house edge than “Place” bets or “Proposition” bets. By focusing your play on the Line and Come areas and always backing them with odds, you ensure that you are playing the highest-return version of craps available. At Winner Online, we recommend these strategies for anyone looking to extend their playtime and approach the dice with a professional, long-term mindset.