CrapsCentral Strategy: Mastering Come and Don't Come Bets
CrapsCentral Strategy: Mastering Come and Don't Come Bets Craps is one of the mo…
CrapsCentral Strategy: Mastering Come and Don't Come Bets
Craps is one of the most energetic and social games in the casino, and for many players the repeat action revolves around come and don't come bets. These bets let you participate after the initial come-out roll and, when used properly with odds, offer some of the best expected-value opportunities at the table. This article explains how come and don't come bets work, the math behind them, practical strategies, bankroll tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
How come and don't come bets work
- Come bet: A come bet behaves like a pass line bet, except it’s made after a point has already been established. The next roll becomes the “come-out” for your come bet:
- 7 or 11 = immediate win.
- 2 or 3 = immediate loss.
- 12 = push (barred—it neither wins nor loses; check the table for the 12 rule).
- Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes your personal come point. That come bet then wins if that number is rolled again before a 7, and loses if a 7 comes first.
- Don't come bet: The mirror image of a come bet (it’s like a don't pass made after the come-out):
- 2 or 3 = immediate win.
- 12 = push (some casinos use different bar rules; confirm with the table).
- 7 or 11 = immediate loss.
- If a number is established (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) the don't come wins if a 7 is rolled before that number, and loses otherwise.
Key probabilities and house edge
- Without odds, pass/come bets carry a house edge of about 1.41%. Don't pass/don't come are slightly better at about 1.36% because of the 12 push on the come-out.
- Odds bets (taking odds behind a come or laying odds behind a don't come) pay true odds—no house edge on the odds portion. Typical payouts: 4/10 pay 2:1, 5/9 pay 3:2, 6/8 pay 6:5.
- The overall house edge on a combined stake (base bet + odds) drops as you take larger odds. For example, with 3x odds the effective house edge can drop to well below 1% on the total amount at risk.
Why come/don’t come are powerful
- Flexibility: You can enter the game at any time instead of waiting for the come-out roll.
- Profitability with odds: Because odds have zero house edge, using maximum allowable odds is the most effective way to lower your expected loss per dollar wagered.
- Multiple points: You can have several simultaneous come bets on different point numbers, increasing opportunities to win while still maintaining favorable expectation when backed by odds.
Practical strategies
1. Base bet discipline
- Start with a fixed base unit (e.g., 1%–2% of your total bankroll). Make only the base bet on the come or don't come, then add odds as allowed.
- Avoid increasing the base bet after a loss (don’t use aggressive martingale escalation). Aggressive progression increases variance and risk of ruin.
2. Always take odds when possible
- The math is unequivocal: taking the maximum odds reduces the house edge on your total stake.
- Many tables offer “3-4-5x” or similar odds schedules (e.g., 3x on 4/10, 4x on 5/9, 5x on 6/8). If you can afford it, take the largest odds your bankroll and table allow.
3. Choose come vs. don't come intentionally
- Use come bets to play with the table (more social); use don't come if you prefer slightly lower house edge and don’t mind going “against” the shooter.
- Note: Betting don't come often makes you unpopular at a noisy table; socially, that’s a trade-off to consider.
4. Manage multiple come bets smartly
- It’s common to open multiple come bets to cover multiple numbers. That increases action and potential wins, but your bankroll must support the odds behind each.
- Keep an eye on total exposure. Multiply base bets times possible odds and ensure you never risk more than you planned.
5. Use “lay” don't-come odds cautiously
- Laying odds behind a don't come requires a larger stake to collect the true odds if you win (you lay more to win less). Understand the payouts before you place them.
Bankroll and variance considerations
- Even with low house edge, craps is volatile. Expect long swings. Size base bets so a typical losing streak doesn’t wipe you out.
- A practical rule: don’t risk more than 1–3% of your bankroll on a single base bet unless you accept higher volatility.
- If you want a low-variance approach, consider smaller base bets with large odds: the odds lower EV but increase variance per unit of total money at risk, so balance accordingly.
Table selection and rules to check
- Check the odds limit: higher maximum odds are better for value.
- Confirm the bar rule: some casinos bar 12 on don’t pass/don’t come; others use different handling. Know whether 12 is a push.
- Check minimums and maximums: ensure the table’s minimum base bet and odds structure fit your bankroll and strategy.
Advanced tactics and common mistakes
- Pressing after wins: Some players increase bets after wins (“pressing”) to capitalize on hot streaks. This can be effective in short runs but increases risk—use moderate press sizes.
- Hedging with opposite bets: Placing both come and don't come (or pass and don't pass) is sometimes used to neutralize action and lower variance, but it also increases commission and reduces the potential upside. It’s not EV-improving; it’s variance management.
- Avoid chasing losses: Don’t increase base bets aggressively to recover losses. Over time that strategy increases the chance of ruin.
- Don’t ignore payouts for odds: Some dealers/floors mistakenly pay odds differently; always verify payouts on 4/10 vs 5/9 vs 6/8.
Example: How to size a come + odds play
- Bankroll $1,000. Base unit 1% = $10. Place a $10 come bet on the next roll.
- If the come establishes a 6, and the table allows 3x odds, you can place $30 in odds behind your $10. If 6 hits before a 7, the base $10 pays even money and the odds pay 6:5 on $30 = $36, totaling $46 profit on a $40 total risk (base + odds).
- Because the odds portion is fair (zero house edge), your expected loss over time is driven mainly by the $10 base bet, which is small relative to bankroll.
Conclusion
Come and don't come bets are among the best building blocks in a craps player’s toolkit. They give you flexibility to join the action mid-shoot and, when paired with backing odds, produce one of the lowest effective house edges on the casino floor. The keys to mastering them are strict bankroll control, consistent base bet sizing, always taking as many odds as you can responsibly bankroll, and knowing table rules (especially how 12 is treated). With those elements in place, you’ll maximize your long-term expected value while keeping variance manageable and the game fun.
Play deliberately, keep the math in your favor, and enjoy the unique thrill that craps offers—one come and one roll at a time.
