Many aspiring craps players often face a common dilemma: how to find the “best” strategy that consistently leads to success at the craps table. The reality is that no single strategy guarantees a win every time, as the outcome of each roll is ultimately determined by chance. However, there are intelligent approaches that can help minimize your risk and potentially extend your playtime, allowing for more enjoyable and strategic gameplay. This is precisely where the renowned Craps Come Bet strategy steps in as a powerful solution for those seeking a more controlled and systematic way to engage with the game.
The video above features craps master and ten-year veteran ex-dealer, Chicago Mike, alongside Speaker 1, demonstrating this highly effective strategy. While the video offers a fantastic visual walkthrough, this comprehensive guide will delve deeper into the mechanics, advantages, and nuances of the Come Bet strategy, ensuring you fully grasp its potential. We will explore how this method can transform your approach to craps, making it more accessible and less intimidating for players of all levels.
Why the Craps Come Bet Strategy Stands Out for Smart Play
The allure of craps often comes with an underlying fear of losing your bankroll quickly, especially for those new to the game. Many traditional betting strategies can feel overwhelming or too aggressive, leading to rapid depletion of funds when the dice aren’t cooperating. This common concern can deter players from experiencing the thrill and communal energy that a lively craps table offers.
In contrast, the Craps Come Bet strategy offers a more measured and adaptable approach, designed to spread your risk across multiple numbers rather than concentrating it on a single outcome. By strategically placing Come Bets, players can build a presence on several points, creating various opportunities to win with each roll. This method inherently reduces the impact of any single “seven out,” a crucial element of risk management at the craps table. It is widely regarded as a cornerstone strategy for both beginners and experienced players alike, offering a balanced blend of offense and defense.
Understanding the Core Mechanics: Pass Line and Come Bets
To effectively utilize the Come Bet strategy, it is essential to first understand its foundational components, particularly the Pass Line bet. The Pass Line bet is arguably the most common and fundamental wager in craps, typically placed before the “come-out roll” initiates a new betting round. This bet wins if the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, and loses if it’s a 2, 3, or 12 (craps).
If the come-out roll is any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), that number becomes the “point,” and your Pass Line bet remains active. The goal then shifts to the shooter rolling the point again before a 7 appears. This initial bet serves as the anchor for many strategies, including the Come Bet approach, setting the stage for subsequent actions at the craps table. It’s simple, has a low house edge (1.41%), and provides a good starting point for any player.
Mastering the Come Bet
Once a point has been established by a Pass Line bet, you can then begin placing Come Bets. A Come Bet essentially functions like a new Pass Line bet, but it is placed *after* the point has been established on the table. When you place a Come Bet, the very next roll of the dice acts as its “come-out roll.”
If that subsequent roll is a 7 or 11, your Come Bet wins immediately. Should it be a 2, 3, or 12, your Come Bet loses. However, if the roll is any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), that number becomes the “come point” for your Come Bet, and your chip is moved by the dealer to that number box. Your objective then becomes for that specific come point to be rolled again before a 7 appears, just like a Pass Line bet. This mechanism allows you to effectively have multiple “pass line” type bets working simultaneously, each with its own come point.
Maximizing Your Winnings with Odds Bets
One of the most attractive features of both Pass Line and Come Bets is the ability to back them up with “Odds Bets.” These are additional wagers placed behind your original Pass Line or Come Bet once a point has been established. The crucial advantage of Odds Bets is that they pay out at true odds, meaning the casino has absolutely no house edge on these wagers.
For instance, if your point is 6 or 8, the true odds are 6:5. If it’s a 5 or 9, the true odds are 3:2. For a 4 or 10, they are 2:1. When you place an Odds Bet, you are essentially increasing your potential payout without giving the casino any additional statistical advantage. Chicago Mike frequently advises players to place “double what your place bet is” for odds, emphasizing that even modest amounts like “fifteen with thirty odds” are excellent starting points. This practice significantly enhances the strategy’s profitability while still maintaining a reasonable bankroll management approach.
Many casinos offer “double odds,” “triple odds,” or even higher, allowing players to bet multiples of their original Pass Line or Come Bet in odds. The video demonstrates this with a thirty-dollar odds bet on a fifteen-dollar come bet, showcasing how to maximize returns on established points. For example, if you have thirty dollars in odds on a point of nine, and the nine hits, you would typically turn that thirty dollars into sixty dollars, effectively doubling your initial odds wager. This makes the Come Bet strategy incredibly powerful for those looking to tilt the odds slightly more in their favor.
Step-by-Step: Implementing the Craps Come Bet Strategy
Putting the Craps Come Bet strategy into practice is relatively straightforward once you understand the sequence. The video illustrates this expertly, but here’s a detailed breakdown of how to execute it effectively, keeping in mind Chicago Mike’s expert advice:
- Place Your Pass Line Bet: Before the shooter’s come-out roll, place your initial wager on the Pass Line. For example, if your table minimum is $15, you might start with a $15 Pass Line bet.
- Establish the Point: The shooter rolls. If a 7 or 11 appears, your Pass Line bet wins. If 2, 3, or 12 appears, it loses. However, if a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 is rolled, that number becomes the point.
- Back Your Pass Line with Odds: Once a point is established, place an Odds Bet behind your Pass Line bet. The video suggests placing double your original bet, so for a $15 Pass Line bet, you might place $30 in odds. This significantly lowers the overall house edge on your total Pass Line wager.
- Place Your First Come Bet: On the very next roll after the point is established, place a Come Bet in the “Come” box. As Chicago Mike demonstrates, using consistent bet sizes, such as another $15, keeps the strategy manageable. This new bet is now active for the upcoming roll.
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Establish a Come Point: The dice are rolled again.
- If it’s a 7 or 11, your Come Bet wins.
- If it’s a 2, 3, or 12, your Come Bet loses.
- If it’s a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes your Come Point, and the dealer moves your chip into the corresponding number box.
- Add Odds to Your Come Bet: Once a Come Point is established (e.g., on a 9, as shown in the video), immediately back it up with an Odds Bet. Again, doubling the original bet (e.g., $30 odds on a $15 come bet) is a common and recommended practice.
- Repeat for More Come Bets: You can continue to place additional Come Bets on subsequent rolls, repeating steps 4-6. The goal is to get multiple numbers working for you. Chicago Mike, the expert dealer, wisely advises against having “more than three” come bets out at once for optimal risk management. While the speaker in the video mentions aiming for six or even twenty, sticking to a maximum of three (plus your Pass Line bet) is a more conservative and beginner-friendly approach, aligning with expert recommendations for sustainable play.
- Pressing and Collecting: When one of your established points (either the Pass Line point or a Come Point) hits, you win. You then have the option to “press” your bet (increase it for the next round) or “collect” your winnings. The video demonstrates collecting winnings after a good roll, emphasizing that a profit of “five hundred dollars off this roll” is achievable even with moderate bets. Always consider your bankroll and current table conditions when making this decision.
Strategic Advantages and Risk Management
The Craps Come Bet strategy shines brightly when it comes to risk minimization and maximizing winning potential over an extended period. By spreading your wagers across several numbers, you reduce the impact of a single unfavorable roll. A “seven out,” which ends the betting round for Pass Line bets and Come Bets, becomes less devastating if you’ve collected winnings from multiple numbers before it occurs. This staggered approach to betting means you’re constantly creating new opportunities to profit, even if the shooter isn’t hitting the initial point frequently.
This strategy is also highly adaptable to different bankroll sizes. As Mike notes, “This is a strategy anyone can do. You don’t have to be rich like some people.” You can adjust the size of your Pass Line and Come Bets, along with their associated odds, to fit your comfort level and the table minimums. Betting “fifteen with thirty odds” is an accessible example that demonstrates how manageable amounts can still yield significant returns. The core principle of spreading bets and backing them with odds remains effective regardless of your initial investment.
Advanced Considerations and Expert Tips
While the basic Come Bet strategy is robust, understanding some advanced nuances can further enhance your gameplay. One such nuance involves the “bonus chase” or “all tall, small” bets, which are side wagers that reward players for rolling all the ‘small’ numbers (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) or ‘tall’ numbers (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) before a 7-out. The video briefly touches upon how being consistently on the Pass Line through Come Bets allows you to naturally participate in these exciting, high-payout side bets, adding another layer of thrill to your game.
When one of your Come Points hits, you have a strategic decision to make: should you press your bet or simply collect your winnings? “Pressing” means increasing your next bet on that number with some or all of your recent winnings, aiming for even larger payouts on subsequent hits. For instance, turning a $30 odds bet into a $60 odds bet if the number hits again. Alternatively, “collecting” ensures you lock in profits, safeguarding your bankroll. The video shows Speaker 1 and Chicago Mike deciding to collect after a profitable roll, securing their gains from a “good roll” that yielded five hundred dollars. The best choice often depends on your current bankroll, risk tolerance, and the shooter’s performance.
Furthermore, Chicago Mike’s emphasis on “you never want more than three” active come bets (in addition to your Pass Line bet) provides valuable guidance. While it might be tempting to get as many numbers working as possible, limiting your active bets helps manage exposure to the inevitable “seven out.” This expert advice highlights the importance of controlled aggression, ensuring you have enough coverage without overcommitting your bankroll. This measured approach is a hallmark of seasoned players and contributes significantly to long-term enjoyment at the craps table, providing an excellent foundation for mastering the Craps Come Bet strategy.
Shooting for Answers: Your Questions on the Best Craps Strategy
What is the Craps Come Bet strategy?
The Craps Come Bet strategy is an intelligent approach designed to minimize your risk and potentially extend your playtime by spreading your wagers across multiple numbers on the craps table.
What is the difference between a Pass Line bet and a Come Bet in craps?
A Pass Line bet is placed at the very beginning of a new betting round, before the first dice roll. A Come Bet, however, is placed after a point has already been established from an initial Pass Line bet, essentially starting a new ‘pass line’ type bet for subsequent rolls.
Why are Odds Bets important in the Come Bet strategy?
Odds Bets are additional wagers placed behind your Pass Line or Come Bets once a point is established. They are important because they pay out at true odds, meaning the casino has no house edge on these specific bets, which significantly enhances the strategy’s profitability.
How many Come Bets should a beginner typically aim to have active at once?
For optimal risk management and a beginner-friendly approach, experts advise against having more than three active Come Bets at once, in addition to your initial Pass Line bet.
