The odds bet behind a come bet is the only wager in a casino with zero house edge. Understanding exactly what each payout ratio means — and why it differs by come point — helps you see the real value in this part of the craps table. Here is a breakdown of every number.
What does 2:1 mean for a come point of 4 or 10?
When your come bet travels to the 4 or 10, the odds you can place behind it pay 2:1. A $10 odds bet returns $20 in profit. The 4 and 10 are the hardest box numbers to repeat before a 7 appears — only three dice combinations make each of them, versus six that make a 7. The payout ratio reflects that difficulty exactly, which is why it qualifies as true odds with no house edge applied.
What does 3:2 mean for a come point of 5 or 9?
A come point of 5 or 9 pays odds at 3:2. A $10 odds bet returns $15 in profit. Four combinations make a 5 or 9; six make a 7. The ratio 3:2 mirrors that 4-to-6 relationship precisely. Again, no casino mathematical advantage applies to this portion of your wager.
What does 6:5 mean for a come point of 6 or 8?
The 6 and 8 each have five ways to roll, the most of any come point. That makes them the easiest to repeat, so the odds payout is the lowest of the three tiers: 6:5. A $10 odds bet returns $12 in profit. It still pays at true odds — zero house edge — because the ratio exactly matches the probability of a 6 or 8 appearing before a 7.
Why do the payout ratios change by number?
True odds must equal the actual probability of the outcome. The casino does not set these ratios arbitrarily. Because a 7 has six ways to appear and each come point has a fixed number of ways to appear, the payout must adjust to remain mathematically fair. The house earns nothing on the odds portion; its edge exists only on the flat come bet at 1.41%.
How does backing come bets with odds affect your overall edge?
Taking maximum odds behind the come bet dramatically reduces the combined effective house edge on the total wager. The flat bet carries 1.41%; the odds bet carries 0%. The more of your total action that sits in the odds portion rather than the flat portion, the lower your blended edge across the full wager. This is the core principle behind Come Bet Strategy: Using Odds to Cut the House Edge.
No strategy eliminates variance or guarantees a winning session. The math simply means you are giving the house as little as structurally possible. For a ranked comparison of how the come bet with odds stacks up against every other wager on the table, see The Best Low House-Edge Bets at a Craps Table — Ranked.
Does the payout tier change how you tell the dealer?
No — the process is the same regardless of which number your come bet is sitting on. You place chips on the layout and verbally request the odds. The dealer handles placement. The payout tier is determined automatically by the come point. If you want specifics on phrasing and chip placement, How to Place Come Bet Odds: Asking the Dealer the Right Way walks through exactly what to say.
Is the math identical on a pass line bet with odds?
Yes. The payout tiers — 2:1, 3:2, 6:5 — are the same on pass line odds as on come bet odds. The difference is timing and dealer involvement, not mathematics. See Come Bet vs Pass Line — Same Edge, Different Timing for a full comparison.
| Come Point | Odds Payout | Ways to Roll Point | Ways to Roll 7 | House Edge on Odds Portion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 3 | 6 | 0% |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 4 | 6 | 0% |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 5 | 6 | 0% |
Real-money online craps with come bet odds is legally available to players in states including New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and Connecticut through state-licensed operators. Check your state's specific laws before depositing. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.