The flat come bet carries a 1.41% house edge. That number is fixed and applies every time you place a chip in the COME area. But it tells only half the story. The moment you add free odds behind the bet, the math changes in your favor — sometimes dramatically. Understanding exactly how that works is the point of this page.
Why does the flat come bet have a 1.41% edge?
The come bet resolves on even money at 1:1. A 7 or 11 on the next roll wins; 2, 3, or 12 loses immediately; any box number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) becomes your come point. The casino's mathematical advantage on that flat portion is 1.41% — identical to the pass line. It makes the come bet one of the best wagers on the table. For a full side-by-side look, see our page on Come Bet vs Pass Line — Same Edge, Different Timing.
What exactly are free odds, and why do they carry zero house edge?
Free odds are a supplemental bet placed behind your come bet once it travels to a come point. The casino pays these at true mathematical odds — no house advantage applies to that portion of the wager whatsoever. The payout depends on which number your come bet landed on:
- Come point 4 or 10: odds pay 2:1
- Come point 5 or 9: odds pay 3:2
- Come point 6 or 8: odds pay 6:5
The flat bet still pays 1:1 even money regardless of the come point. The odds portion is what pays at the true ratio. For a deeper breakdown of those payouts by number, visit Come Bet Odds Payouts by Number: How 2:1, 3:2, and 6:5 Work.
How does adding odds reduce the combined effective house edge?
Think of it this way. The house edge on the flat portion stays at 1.41%. The house edge on the odds portion is exactly 0%. When you combine both amounts into a single total wager, the 0% odds money dilutes the effect of the 1.41% flat edge. The more you load into the odds portion relative to the flat bet, the lower the combined effective edge on your total money at risk. Taking maximum odds behind the come bet dramatically reduces the combined effective house edge on the total wager. The specific reduction depends on how much your casino allows you to place in odds — common multiples are 2x, 3-4-5x, or higher at some properties.
One practical note: come bet odds must be verbally requested from the dealer each time. They will not place them for you automatically. Players who forget to ask are effectively playing at a higher combined edge than necessary.
How does the come bet compare to other low-edge wagers at the table?
Even the flat come bet at 1.41% sits near the top of any craps value ranking. Back it with maximum odds and the combined figure falls well below most other table-game wagers. Our full ranking is at The Best Low House-Edge Bets at a Craps Table — Ranked.
What is the practical strategy for using odds effectively?
Always take whatever odds multiple the table permits. The odds bet costs nothing extra in edge. The only reason not to take maximum odds is bankroll management — odds bets do require additional chips and create more variance. If you want a structured framework for building multiple come bets with odds, our Come Bet Strategy: Using Odds to Cut the House Edge page covers the full approach, including the Three Point Molly.
Real-money online craps with come bets and odds is legally available to players in states including New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and Connecticut. Check your state's laws before playing for real money. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
No bet strategy eliminates the house edge on the flat come bet or guarantees a winning session. Free odds reduce the combined effective edge — they do not promise a profit.