Come Bet Explained

The Come Bet in craps is a wager you can place after the point number has been established on the Pass Line bet․ It functions as a separate Pass Line bet, mirroring its rules and payouts․ Once you place a Come Bet, it wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled, and loses if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled․

Understanding the Come Bet

The Come Bet in craps is a dynamic and exciting wager that allows players to jump into the action even after the initial “come-out” roll․ Unlike the Pass Line bet, which is placed before the point is established, the Come Bet is placed after a point has been set․ Think of it as a mini Pass Line bet that runs concurrently with the main action on the table․

Here’s how it works⁚

1. Point Established⁚ A point number is established on the come-out roll if the dice total 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10․
2. Placing the Come Bet⁚ Once the point is set, you can place a Come Bet by putting your chips on the designated “Come” area on the craps table․
3. The Next Roll⁚ The next roll after your Come Bet is placed becomes crucial․
   • 7 or 11⁚ If the dice roll a 7 or 11, your Come Bet wins, paying out even money (1⁚1)․
   • 2٫ 3٫ or 12⁚ If the dice roll a 2٫ 3٫ or 12٫ your Come Bet loses․
   • 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10⁚ If any other number is rolled, that number becomes your “Come Point,” similar to the point established on the Pass Line bet․
4. Come Point Established⁚ With your Come Point established, the goal now is for the shooter to roll your Come Point again before rolling a 7․
   • Come Point Before 7⁚ If the shooter rolls your Come Point before rolling a 7, your Come Bet wins, again paying out even money (1⁚1)․
   • 7 Before Come Point⁚ If the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling your Come Point, your Come Bet loses․

Benefits of Using the Come Bet

The Come Bet offers several advantages that make it a popular choice among seasoned craps players⁚

1. Flexibility and Extended Action⁚ Unlike the Pass Line bet, which is limited to the come-out roll, you can place a Come Bet after any point has been established․ This flexibility lets you join the action at any time during a game, riding the momentum of a hot shooter․
2. Favorable House Edge⁚ The Come Bet has the same low house edge as the Pass Line bet, which is 1․41%․ This relatively low edge makes it one of the most statistically advantageous bets in craps․
3. Multiple Points⁚ You can have multiple Come Bets working simultaneously, each with its own Come Point․ This allows you to cover more numbers on the table, increasing your potential for wins on subsequent rolls․
4. Odds Bets⁚ Just like the Pass Line bet, you can back up your Come Bet with an Odds Bet, which has no house edge․ Taking Odds significantly lowers the overall house advantage, making it a statistically sound move․
5. Controlled Risk⁚ Since the Come Bet functions independently of the original Pass Line bet, a losing Come Bet won’t affect your initial wager․ You can strategically manage your bankroll by placing smaller Come Bets alongside your main Pass Line action․

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

While the Come Bet offers strategic advantages, being aware of common pitfalls can help you make smarter bets and manage your bankroll effectively⁚

1. Overbetting Early⁚ It’s tempting to get caught up in the excitement and place large Come Bets right away․ Start with smaller bets, gradually increasing your wagers as you gain confidence and observe the table’s flow․
2. Neglecting Odds Bets⁚ Odds Bets are crucial for minimizing the house edge on Come Bets․ Always back up your Come Bets with Odds Bets, even if you choose a smaller denomination․
3. Chasing Losses⁚ Avoid increasing your Come Bets to recoup losses quickly․ Stick to your strategy, manage your bankroll responsibly, and don’t let emotions dictate your bets․
4. Misunderstanding the Rules⁚ Before placing Come Bets, ensure you understand the rules and payouts․ A clear understanding of when you win or lose will prevent costly mistakes․
5. Ignoring Table Dynamics⁚ Pay attention to the shooter’s performance․ If the table seems “cold” with frequent 7s rolling, consider reducing your Come Bets or switching to a Don’t Come strategy․

Advanced Come Bet Strategies

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of the Come Bet, consider these advanced strategies to enhance your gameplay⁚

1. The Come Bet Power Press⁚ This aggressive approach involves increasing your Come Bet after each win․ As you build momentum, you can potentially amplify your winnings․ However, it requires a substantial bankroll and a disciplined approach to avoid significant losses․
2. Hedging with Don’t Come Bets⁚ Combine Come Bets with strategically placed Don’t Come Bets to create hedging opportunities․ This approach aims to minimize losses during unfavorable rolls while still allowing for potential wins․
3. Come Bet Timing⁚ Observe the shooter’s patterns and consider placing Come Bets when you sense a potential hot streak․ This strategy capitalizes on favorable rolls and maximizes your chances of hitting consecutive winning numbers․
4. Come Bet with Maximum Odds⁚ Maximize your potential payouts by always placing maximum odds on your Come Bets whenever possible․ This strategy reduces the house edge and increases your profit margin over time․
5. Combining Come Bets with Other Wagers⁚ Integrate Come Bets with other strategic bets, such as Place Bets or Hardway Bets, to diversify your wagering portfolio and capitalize on various table outcomes․ However, carefully assess the risk and potential rewards before combining bets․

Maximizing Your Winnings with the Come Bet

To truly capitalize on the Come Bet’s winning potential, consider these tips for maximizing your returns⁚

1. Understand Odds Bets⁚ Always take maximum odds on your Come Bets․ Odds bets have no house edge, significantly increasing your potential profit․
2. Effective Bankroll Management⁚ Set a budget and stick to it․ Avoid chasing losses, and don’t bet more than you can comfortably afford to lose․
3. Table Selection⁚ Look for tables with higher maximum odds allowed․ This enhances your potential payout when you do win․
4. Practice Patience⁚ The Come Bet is a long-term strategy․ Don’t get discouraged by short-term losses; instead, focus on making smart bets consistently․
5. Know When to Walk Away⁚ Set win limits and loss limits for each session․ Discipline is crucial in craps, and knowing when to walk away, whether you’re ahead or behind, is essential for long-term success․

By combining a solid understanding of the Come Bet with these strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of success at the craps table․ Remember, responsible play and strategic betting are key to maximizing your enjoyment and potential winnings․