What Are Come and Don’t Come Bets?
Come and Don’t Come bets are among the most powerful tools in an experienced craps player’s arsenal. They function identically to the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets but are placed after a point has been established, giving you a fresh “come out roll” within the current round.
Why does this matter? Because Come bets (with Odds) allow you to have multiple numbers working simultaneously, each with a combined house edge well below 1%. This is the foundation of the 3-Point Molly strategy and other advanced approaches that serious craps players use to maximise their table time and minimise the casino’s advantage.
The Come Bet: How It Works
The Come bet is placed after the table’s point is established. Once placed, the very next roll acts as your personal come out roll.
Step-by-Step Come Bet Flow
- Table has a point: The puck is ON and shows a number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10).
- Place your Come bet: Put chips in the Come area of the table.
- Next roll results:
- 7 or 11: Your Come bet wins even money immediately. (But remember — a 7 also means the table’s Pass Line bets lose.)
- 2, 3, or 12: Your Come bet loses immediately.
- Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10): Your bet moves to that number. This is now your Come point.
- Your Come point: Your bet sits on the number until either:
- Your number is rolled again — you win even money
- A 7 is rolled — you lose
Come Bet Statistics
- House edge: 1.41% (identical to the Pass Line)
- Overall win probability: 49.29%
- Payout: Even money (1:1)
Taking Odds on Come Bets
Just like the Pass Line, Come bets unlock the Odds bet — the only zero-edge wager in the casino. After your Come bet moves to a number, you can take Odds on that number.
How to Take Odds on a Come Bet
At a live craps table, place your Odds chips on the table and tell the dealer “Odds on my Come bet” or “Odds on the [number].” The dealer places the chips on top of your Come bet in the number box, slightly offset to distinguish them from the flat bet.
At online craps, there is typically an Odds button or area that appears once your Come bet travels to a number.
Come Bet Odds Payouts
| Come Point | Odds Payout | Example: £10 Come + £30 Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | Win £10 + £60 = £70 |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | Win £10 + £45 = £55 |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | Win £10 + £36 = £46 |
For complete payout tables, see our craps odds and payouts chart.
The Don’t Come Bet: How It Works
The Don’t Come is the mirror image of the Come bet — you are betting against the numbers, just like the Don’t Pass bet.
Step-by-Step Don’t Come Flow
- Place your Don’t Come bet in the Don’t Come area.
- Next roll results:
- 2 or 3: Your Don’t Come bet wins immediately.
- 12: Push — your bet is returned.
- 7 or 11: Your Don’t Come bet loses immediately.
- Any other number: Your bet moves behind that number. You now want a 7 before that number is rolled again.
Don’t Come Statistics
- House edge: 1.36%
- Payout: Even money (1:1)
Laying Odds on Don’t Come
Once your Don’t Come bet is behind a number, you can Lay Odds. You bet more to win less (because the 7 is more likely than your number). The payout is at true odds — 0% house edge on the Odds portion.
The 3-Point Molly: Come Bets in Action
The most popular use of Come bets is the 3-Point Molly strategy. This approach keeps three numbers with Odds active at all times:
- Place a Pass Line bet → Point established → Take maximum Odds.
- Place a Come bet → Travels to a number → Take maximum Odds.
- Place another Come bet → Travels to a number → Take maximum Odds.
- Stop. Three numbers with Odds are now working.
- If a Come bet wins, immediately place a new Come bet to maintain three points.
With three numbers covered by Odds bets, you have multiple ways to win on any roll whilst keeping the combined house edge below 0.5%. Detailed execution guide: The 3-Point Molly Strategy.
Come Bets During a Come Out Roll: The 7 Dilemma
One complexity of Come bets arises when a seven-out occurs or a new come out roll begins. If you have Come bets sitting on numbers and the table enters a new come out roll:
- Come bets on numbers: Your existing Come bets remain active. If a 7 is rolled on the come out, your Come bets lose — even though the 7 is a “natural” for new Pass Line bets.
- Come bet Odds: Most casinos turn Come bet Odds “off” during the come out roll unless you request otherwise. This protects you from losing the Odds portion on a come out 7, though you also miss Odds payouts if your Come point is rolled.
This dual nature of the 7 — winning for the table but losing for your Come bets — is the primary risk of having Come bets active across rounds.
How Many Come Bets Should You Make?
| Number of Come Bets | Total Exposure | Risk Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (+ Pass Line) | 2 numbers with Odds | Low | Conservative players |
| 2 (+ Pass Line) | 3 numbers with Odds | Medium | 3-Point Molly — optimal |
| 3+ (+ Pass Line) | 4+ numbers with Odds | High | Aggressive players — more variance |
The sweet spot for most players is 2 Come bets plus the Pass Line (3 total points). This provides good coverage without excessive seven-out risk. Each additional Come bet increases your exposure to a single 7 wiping out multiple bets simultaneously.
Come Bet vs Place Bet: Which to Use?
| Factor | Come Bet | Place Bet |
|---|---|---|
| House Edge | 1.41% (+ 0% Odds) | 1.52% (6/8), 4-6.67% (others) |
| Odds Available? | Yes — zero house edge | No |
| Come Out Risk | Yes — can lose on 2/3/12 | No — goes directly to number |
| Controllable? | No — contract bet | Yes — can remove anytime |
| Number Choice | Random — determined by dice | You choose the number |
If you value control and want to bet on specific numbers, Place bets (particularly 6 and 8) are ideal. If you want the mathematical edge of Odds bets, Come bets are superior. Many players use both: Pass Line + Odds as the core, Come bets with Odds for additional coverage, and Place 6/8 for targeted number bets. Read our Place Bets guide for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I place a Come bet on the come out roll?
No. Come bets can only be placed after a point is established. During the come out roll, the equivalent bet is the Pass Line. Once the puck is ON, you can place Come bets freely on any subsequent roll.
What happens to my Come bet Odds during a come out roll?
By default, most casinos turn your Come bet Odds off during come out rolls. This means if a 7 is rolled, you lose the flat Come bet but your Odds are returned. If your Come point number is rolled, you win the flat portion but your Odds do not pay. You can request your Odds stay “working” by telling the dealer.
Is the Don’t Come bet better than the Come bet?
Mathematically, yes — the Don’t Come has a 1.36% house edge versus 1.41% for the Come. The difference is marginal (5p per £100 wagered). With Laying Odds, the Don’t Come’s advantage increases further. The trade-off is social — you are betting against the numbers, which can create tension at live tables.
Can I have multiple Come bets on the same number?
In most casinos, no. If your Come bet travels to a number where you already have a Come bet, the odds are paid and the new flat bet replaces the old one. Online craps platforms handle this automatically. This is why some players alternate between Come and Place bets for the same number.
What is the maximum number of Come bets I can have?
Theoretically, you can have Come bets on all six point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) plus a Pass Line bet on another number — giving you seven active bets. However, having this many bets active means a single 7 wipes out all of them simultaneously. Most strategic players limit themselves to 2-3 Come bets.
How do Come bets work in online craps?
Identically to live craps. Click the Come area to place your bet. After it travels to a number, click the Odds area to add Odds. The best UK online craps sites display your Come bets clearly on the number boxes with visual indicators for Odds.
Should I use Come bets or Place 6 and 8?
If you want the lowest possible house edge and are comfortable with the come out phase risk, use Come bets with maximum Odds. If you want simplicity and control (including the ability to remove bets at will), Place 6 and 8 are excellent alternatives at 1.52% house edge. A hybrid approach using both is perfectly valid.
What is the best Come bet strategy?
The 3-Point Molly — Pass Line plus two Come bets, all backed with maximum Odds. This gives you three numbers working with a combined house edge below 0.5%. The discipline is in stopping at three and resisting the urge to add more bets without Odds backing. Full guide: 3-Point Molly Strategy.
