Most inexperienced players who decide to put their luck to the test by joining the craps table opt for placing bets on the Pass Line as those have greater chances of winning. If you are new to craps and wish to diversify your gaming session a bit, you can switch from placing Pass and Don't Pass bets to another multiple-roll bet type known as the Come bet.
This bet type is easy to explain as long as players understand how the Pass Line works. Besides, placing systematically only Line bets tends to become boring after prolonged periods of time as one is required to wait out numerous dice rolls with results irrelevant to their bet.
That is why it would be a good idea to incorporate the Come bet into your session's betting pattern. This way, you will not only diversify your play but would also turn some profit as the Come bet is among the least hazardous bet types in craps.
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The Come Bet Explained
In most general terms, the Come bet is like the Pass Line bet, the only difference is that players can place Come bets only after the come out roll of the dice when a Point has been established. So basically, the only instance when Come bets are not accepted, is on the come-out roll for the Pass Line.
If you take a look at the craps table layout, you will quickly notice there is one section labeled “Come”. This is where players are expected to place their chips when making Come bets. However, before a player proceeds to place their Come bet, they should check whether the plastic disk at the side is flipped and if it reads “On” or “Off” on top. If the disk is “On”, this would indicate the shooter has already “come out”. The fate of all Pass Line bets is determined and Come bets are now accepted.
The Come bet revolves around the same principle the Pass Line bet does.
Players place their bets in the Come box, win on 7 or 11 and lose when any of the Craps numbers (2, 3 or 12) is rolled. Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) can become the Point on the next roll. When this happens, the croupier will move your Come bet in the respective number's box. Let's assume the number 5 has been established as a Point. This is where the 7 comes back in the game. Players, who have placed their Come bet will win provided that their Come-Point number or 5 in this case is rolled before the number 7.
Odds for the Come Bet
The Come bet is among the most basic types of bets one can place at the craps table. Since its chances of winning are greater, it pays out even money meaning that if you place a $10 wager, you can win another $10.
However, as there is a built-in advantage for the casino, the odds for the Come bet are slightly biased at 251 to 244. Nevertheless, the Come bet, along with the Pass Line bets is among the most profitable options for players as its house edge is the lowest and stands at 1.41%.
A house edge of 1.41% is considered a good option, especially when compared to bets like the Yo-leven and Any Craps with their house edge of 11.11%. Still, there are ways to tip the scales in your favor.
For instance, you can combine your Come bets with the so-called Free Odds bets. If you are playing in a land-based venue, make sure you comply with the table's etiquette, however. If you wish to back your Come bet with odds, you should throw your chips in the Come box and indicate to the croupier these are to be used to back the Come bet. This way, the odds will be removed for the Come bet rolls and players' disadvantage will be greatly reduced along with the odds.
It is possible to back the Come bet by combining it with single (1x), double (2x), triple (3x), five-times (5x) and ten-times (10x) odds. The house edge is reduced with each increment of the free odds bets. Thus, if you combine your Come bet with a Free double-odds bet, the built-in advantage will drop to 0.85%, while a ten-times odds bet will reduce it to 0.18%.
Conclusion
Come bets, along with the Pass and Don't Pass bets, are among the most basic wagers players can place in a game of craps. These are the most suitable for novices who wish to play it safe and stick to less risky wagers with a lower house edge. Similarly to the Pass/Don't Pass pair, the Come bet, too, has its counterpart, the Don't Come bet, which works, in the same manner, the Don't Pass bet does, only a point has to be already established in order for you to place a Don't Come bet.
