A natural is one of the cleanest outcomes in craps. Roll a 7 or 11 on your come bet's very first roll and the bet pays even money immediately — no waiting, no traveling to a box number. Understanding this single rule removes a lot of confusion at the table.
What exactly is a natural on a come bet?
The term "natural" describes a 7 or 11 on the come bet's very first roll. That first roll is the come bet's equivalent of a come-out roll. It determines one of three outcomes: the bet wins immediately (natural), loses immediately (craps: 2, 3, or 12), or travels to a box number for phase two. A natural skips phase two entirely. Your chips never leave the COME area before the dealer pays you.
For a fuller picture of how placement works before that first roll, see the Craps Table Layout — Where the COME Area Sits and Why It Matters.
How much does a natural pay?
The flat come bet pays 1:1 — even money. Bet $25, win $25. That payout applies whether the natural is a 7 or an 11. No distinction is made between the two. The simplicity is part of why the come bet carries a house edge of only 1.41%, identical to the pass line.
Why does the 7 win here but kill traveling bets later?
This is the most common point of confusion for new players. A 7 on your come bet's very first roll is a winner. That same 7, rolled while your come bet is already sitting on a box number, is a loser. Phase matters. The come bet resolves in at least two rolls: the first roll decides win, loss, or travel. After the bet travels to a number, a 7 ends your bet — and the shooter's turn.
For a complete walkthrough of both phases, read How the Come Bet Works: Two Rolls, Two Phases.
Does a natural apply to odds bets too?
No. You can only place odds behind a come bet after it has traveled to a box number. Because a natural resolves the bet before it ever travels, there is no opportunity to add odds. The even-money flat bet is the entire wager on a natural. That is one reason experienced players back every come bet with maximum odds once a point is established — it lowers the combined house edge on bets that do travel.
How does this fit into the bigger come bet picture?
The natural is just one of the first-roll outcomes. On that same first roll, a 2, 3, or 12 loses the bet outright. Any box number — 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 — sends the bet to that number, where it must repeat before a 7 to win. Knowing all three outcomes means no roll surprises you.
New to come bets entirely? Start with What Is a Come Bet in Craps? The Beginner Answer, then return here once the basic concept is clear.
For everything from table layout to bet types in one place, the Craps Rules and Table Layout: A Beginner's Starting Point is the logical next stop.
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