The come bet in craps carries a house edge of just 1.41% — identical to the pass line and one of the lowest in any casino game. Add free odds behind it and that edge drops even further, making the come bet one of the smartest wagers a craps player can make.
What exactly is a come bet?
A come bet is placed in the large COME area of the layout after the shooter has already established a point. From that moment it behaves exactly like a personal pass line bet. On the very next roll it wins instantly on 7 or 11 (a "natural"), loses on 2, 3, or 12, or travels to whichever box number — 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 — the dice land on. That box number is now your come point, and it must be rolled again before a 7 to pay out.
For a fuller walkthrough of the whole two-phase process, see our guide to how the come bet resolves across two rolls.
New to the table entirely? Start with what a come bet is — the beginner answer before going deeper.
How does the come bet resolve — and what trips players up?
The resolution has two phases. Phase one: the first roll after you place the bet. Phase two: subsequent rolls until your come point repeats or a 7 appears.
The single most common confusion: a 7 rolled during the point phase causes every traveling come bet to lose. That same 7 would have been a winner on a brand-new come bet placed before it. Timing is everything. We cover this specific scenario in detail in our piece on the seven-out and come bet confusion every beginner hits.
What are the odds and payouts?
The flat come bet always pays 1:1 (even money). The house edge on that flat portion is 1.41%. Free odds placed behind the come bet pay at true odds with zero house edge applied:
- Come point 4 or 10 → pays 2:1
- Come point 5 or 9 → pays 3:2
- Come point 6 or 8 → pays 6:5
Because the odds portion carries no house advantage, betting more in odds and less on the flat bet lowers your combined effective edge on the whole wager. Our come bet strategy guide on using odds to cut the house edge shows exactly how to size those bets.
How is the come bet different from the pass line?
Mechanically they are identical. The only real difference is timing. The pass line is placed before the come-out roll; the come bet goes in after a point is established. House edge: same 1.41% either way. See a direct comparison on our come bet vs. pass line page.
What is the Three Point Molly strategy?
It's a popular approach that combines a pass line bet with two active come bets, each backed with maximum free odds. The goal is to cover three box numbers simultaneously at the lowest achievable combined house edge. It's an intermediate strategy worth understanding once you're comfortable placing individual come bets. Full breakdown at our Three Point Molly strategy page.
One practical note on taking odds
Unlike pass line odds — which you place yourself — come bet odds must be requested verbally from the dealer each time your bet travels. Say something like "odds on my 8, please." Forgetting to ask means you're effectively playing at a higher edge than you need to. Don't leave that on the table.
Can I play come bet craps online for real money?
Yes, at licensed US operators. Real-money online craps is currently legal in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and Connecticut. Our online craps guide covering legal US states explains what to expect from both RNG and live-dealer tables, including how come bets function in each format. For state-by-state detail, see which US states allow real-money online craps in 2026.
Stick to state-licensed operators — they are regulated by state gaming authorities and give you real consumer protections. Offshore sites operate outside US law; casino.org's come bet overview also recommends licensed venues for US players.
Is the come bet actually worth making?
At 1.41% house edge, it's hard to argue otherwise. Pair it with maximum free odds and the effective edge on your total action falls well below 1% depending on the odds multiple offered. No craps bet is a guaranteed winner — the dice don't owe you anything — but the come bet gives you as good a mathematical position as the game allows.
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Ready to go deeper? Our complete craps rules and table layout guide is the best next step for players building a solid foundation.