What Is a Come Bet and Don’t Come Bet in Craps?

If you’re learning how to play craps online, you should start with basic bets like the craps come bet and don’t come bet. The come bet craps wager is one of the simplest bets to make, and often the first bet you’ll make while playing at the top craps betting sites.

Let’s examine the come bet and don’t come bet odds and payouts, and a good craps come bet strategy for playing these types of wagers.

Craps Come Bet vs. Don’t Come Bet Comparison

Below you’ll find some basic comparisons between how to win, the odds, payout, and house edge between the craps come bet and don’t come craps wagers. But we’ll dive even deeper into comparing these bet types from there while explaining what is the come bet in craps.

What Is the Come Bet in Craps?

The come bet is a wager made that the point number will be rolled again. After the first roll, or come out, players may make a come bet as they are betting that the same number will be rolled again.

For example:

• The come out is rolled and the point is a 6.
• You make a craps come bet.
• Now, if a 6 is rolled again before a 7, your craps come bet pays out.

The opening roll has a 66% chance of being a point number, rather than a 7, 11, or losing number. 

Can You Bet on the Come Out in Craps?

Yes. A craps come bet also covers the come out roll or to “bet on the come”. If the first roll is a 7 or 11, the come bet payout is also live. This roll has a 22% chance of happening during the come out roll, and a 1.43% house advantage. 

When Does the Come Bet Lose?

Betting on the come bet can lose on two occasions. First, if the come out roll (opening roll) is a 2, 3, or 12. Your Come bet loses right away if this happens. Then, once a point is established, the come bet loses on a 7. There is a one in six chance of rolling a 7 after the point is established in the come bet odds in craps. 

Come Bet Odds

Come bet odds in craps will vary depending upon what number becomes the point after the come out roll. Six different numbers will pay out for potential winning come bets. The true odds for each option are:

• 6 or 8: The true odds are 6 to 5
• 5 or 9: The true odds are 3 to 2
• 4 or 10: The true odds are 2 to 1

The approximate chances to win on each number are 27.78% for a 6 or 8, 22.2% for a 5 or 9, and 16.67% for a 4 or 10. If we take the example of rolling a 6 or 8, the probability of 27.78% can be found as follows:

With two six-sided dice there are 36 possible outcomes. There are five ways to roll a 6 (1,5), (2,4), (3,3), (4,2), (5,1) and also five ways to roll an 8 (2,6), (3,5), (4,4), (5,3), (6,2). Therefore, 5+5 = 10 / 36 = 27.78%.

Come Bet Payout

The come bet payout in craps also varies by number. Examples are as follows:

• 6 or 8: The payout is 6:5 ($100 bet x 2.2 = $220)
• 5 or 9: The payout is 3:2 ($100 bet x 2.5 = $250)
• 4 or 10: The payout is 2:1 ($100 bet x 3.0 = $300)

Come Bet House Edge

The house edge on a come bet in craps is 1.43%. This is determined from the small imbalance in probabilities for the player and the house winning on the come out roll. Rolls of of 7 and 11 will win on a come out roll, while 2, 3, and 12 lose.

Come Bet Strategy for Craps 

No system can overcome the house edge because craps outcomes are purely random and independent. Starting with betting on craps come bets is a simple strategy for beginners that can be easily learned without knowing every rule for this popular table game.

However, more advanced players can incorporate these wagers into an additional craps come bet strategy.

1. 2-3 Come Bet Strategy

• After the point is set, place 2 or 3 come bets
• Spreads risk across multiple numbers while leveraging a low house edge with odds.

2. Come Ladder Strategy

• Place one come bet at a time. When it moves to a point, place another come bet, up to 3 bets total.
• This allows you to stack odds behind each as they move.

3. Martingale Strategy

• Double your base come bet after each loss (on the come out roll).
• Then reset to your original bet after a win.

What Is a Don’t Come Bet in Craps?

A don’t come bet in craps is the opposite position of the craps come bet. Don’t come bets win on 2 and 3, and push on a 12 for a come out roll. Once the point is established on the come out roll, they lose if the point is rolled before a seven.

Don’t come bets win when shooters crap out, meaning they roll a 7 before they roll the point number that is established from the come out roll. 

Don’t Come Bet Odds

On a don’t come bet, if a 2 or 3 is rolled, you win and are paid even money (1 to 1). A roll of 12 results in a push which equals no payout and no loss. Here is a listing of the odds for various rolls on the craps don’t come bet.

• 2 or 3: The true odds are 1 to 1
• 6 or 8: The true odds are 5 to 6
• 5 or 9: The true odds are 2 to 3
• 4 or 10: The true odds are 1 to 2

Don’t Come Bet Payout

The craps don’t come bet payout can be seen in the examples below and also vary by number rolled.

• 2 or 3: The payout is 1:1 ($100 bet x 1 = $200)
• 6 or 8: The payout is 5:6 ($100 bet x 1.83 = $183.33)
• 5 or 9: The payout is 2:3 ($100 bet x 1.67 = $166.67)
• 4 or 10: The payout is 1:2 ($100 bet x 1.5 = $150)

Don’t Come Bet House Edge

The house edge for don’t come bets in craps is approximately 1.36%, meaning that over time, the casino expects to keep $1.36 for every $100 wagered on this bet.

Don’t Come Bet Strategies for Craps

Craps don’t come bets have a house edge of 1.36%, lower than almost any other wager except a pass line bet. Don’t Come bets are popular among bettors who prefer to bet against the shooter. They may not be flashy, but they’re incredibly efficient for players who want low-risk action and better long-term results. If you’re the kind of player who cheers for the shooter to seven out, these are your go-to don’t come bet strategies.

1. Flat Don’t Come Bet With Single Odds

• Place a don’t come bet after the come out roll. Once a point is established, lay single odds behind it.
• Stick with just single odds to keep your bankroll steady. It’s slow and steady, but solid.

2. Three-Point Don’t Come System

• After the come-out roll, place a don’t come bet. Once that bet travels to a point, place another don’t come bet. Repeat up to three times.
• You can have 2–3 points working against the shooter, improving win consistency over time.

3. Don’t Come With Hedge Lay Bets

• Place a don’t come bet and hedge your exposure by placing lay bets on likely points (e.g. 6 or 8).
• Hedging reduces loss volatility, especially if the shooter is on a hot streak.

Playing Come Bets and Don’t Come Bets Online

Now that you know what don’t come and come bet craps wagers are, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice at the top craps betting sites. And, that’s exactly what you can do at Bovada, which allows members to bet on the come and play craps for free as they learn to play.

When you feel that you have a grasp on your craps come bet strategy, you can then start playing real money craps with just one click of your mouse. Additionally, first time players are eligible for some incredible welcome bonuses which can maximize your bankroll. With a smooth interface and gameplay, playing craps at Bovada is a winning bet.