betting the come line in craps

Betting the Come Line in Craps

The Come bet in craps is a thrilling wager that mirrors the Pass Line bet but with a twist⁚ you can place it after the point is established․ This dynamic adds another layer of excitement and strategy to your craps gameplay․

Understanding Come Bets

A Come bet, in essence, is like placing a Pass Line bet after a point has already been established․ It injects a new wave of action into the game, allowing you to participate even if you missed the initial come-out roll․

How Come Bets Work⁚

1. Point Established⁚ The game must already be in the point phase, meaning a point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) has been rolled on the come-out roll․
2. Place Your Bet⁚ Position your chips in the “Come” area of the craps table, typically located just above the Pass Line․
3. The Next Roll⁚ The very next roll of the dice after you place your Come bet becomes crucial⁚
   • 7 or 11⁚ Congratulations!​ Your Come bet wins, paying out even money (1⁚1)․
   • 2, 3, or 12 (Craps)⁚ Unfortunately, your Come bet loses․
   • Any Point Number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)⁚ Your Come bet will be moved by the dealer onto the corresponding number box that was rolled․ This becomes your “Come Point․”
4. Winning Your Come Bet⁚ Once your Come bet has a Come Point established⁚
   • You win if the shooter rolls your Come Point again before rolling a 7․
   • You lose if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling your Come Point․

Key Points to Remember⁚

• Similar to Pass Line, but Later⁚ Think of a Come bet as a delayed Pass Line bet, allowing you to join the action even after the point is set․
• Multiple Come Bets⁚ You can have multiple Come bets working on the table at the same time, each with its own individual Come Point․
• Odds Bets⁚ Just like the Pass Line, you can enhance your potential winnings on Come bets by placing “Odds” bets behind your Come bet once it has a Come Point․

Come Bet Strategies

Come bets, with their flexible nature, open doors to various strategic approaches in craps․ Here are a couple of popular tactics to consider⁚

1․ The Come Bet and Odds Strategy⁚

This strategy capitalizes on the low house edge associated with both Come bets and Odds bets․

1. Start with a Pass Line Bet⁚ Begin your betting sequence by placing a standard Pass Line bet․
2. Point Established, Place a Come Bet⁚ Once the point is set, place a Come bet of your desired amount․
3. Repeat Come Bets⁚ As the game progresses and you win, continue placing Come bets, potentially building up multiple Come bets with their own points․
4. Maximize Odds⁚ Whenever a Come bet lands on a Come Point, maximize your Odds bets behind it, taking advantage of the true odds payout․

2․ The Conservative Come Bet Approach⁚

For those who prefer a more cautious approach, this strategy focuses on minimizing risk while still participating in Come bet action․

1. Wait for a Hot Shooter⁚ Observe the game for a while and identify if the shooter seems to be having a good run (rolling multiple points)․
2. Place a Single Come Bet⁚ When you feel confident, place a single Come bet, avoiding multiple overlapping wagers․
3. Limited Odds⁚ If your Come bet establishes a Come Point, consider placing smaller Odds bets or even skipping them altogether to control your overall risk․
4. Withdraw if the Shooter Cools Down⁚ If the shooter starts rolling more 7s, consider withdrawing your Come bet and waiting for a more favorable moment․

Advantages and Disadvantages of Come Bets

Come bets, like any wager in craps, come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks․ Understanding these can help you make informed decisions at the craps table․

Advantages⁚

• Low House Edge⁚ Similar to Pass Line bets, Come bets boast a favorable house edge (1․41% without Odds, even lower with Odds), making them statistically attractive․
• Flexibility and Action⁚ Unlike Pass Line bets that are limited to the come-out roll, you can place Come bets at any time after a point is established, keeping you engaged in the action․
• Multiple Bets⁚ You can have multiple Come bets working simultaneously, each with its own Come Point, potentially multiplying your winnings during a hot streak․
• True Odds with Odds Bets⁚ Just like the Pass Line, you can take Odds on your Come bets, wagering on the Come Point repeating before a 7․ Odds bets pay at true odds, further reducing the house edge․

Disadvantages⁚

• Higher Variance⁚ While the house edge is favorable, Come bets, especially when combined with Odds, can lead to larger swings in your bankroll due to the increased action․
• Potential for Confusion⁚ Keeping track of multiple Come Points and their corresponding Odds bets can be challenging, especially for beginners․
• Requires a Point to be Established⁚ Unlike Pass Line bets that are active on the come-out roll, Come bets require a point to be set first, meaning you’ll miss out on potential wins on 7 or 11 during the come-out․

Managing Your Bankroll When Betting the Come Line

Successfully navigating the excitement of Come bets in craps requires a disciplined approach to bankroll management․ It’s easy to get caught up in the action, so having a strategy in place is key⁚

Set a Budget⁚

Before stepping up to the craps table, decide on a fixed amount you are comfortable wagering and, more importantly, potentially losing․ This amount should not impact your essential finances․

Define Bet Units⁚

Divide your bankroll into smaller “units․” This allows you to scale your bets proportionally․ For instance, if your bankroll is $200, each unit could be $5 or $10, depending on your risk tolerance․

Flat Betting vs․ Increasing Bets⁚

Consider whether you’ll employ a flat betting strategy, wagering the same amount per Come bet, or if you’ll adjust your bets based on wins or losses․ Be cautious with progressive betting systems (like Martingale) that can quickly deplete your bankroll․

Odds Bets and Bankroll Impact⁚

Odds bets are statistically advantageous but remember they require larger wagers․ Only take Odds that are within your unit structure and overall bankroll comfort level․

Know When to Walk Away⁚

Set win limits and, crucially, loss limits․ Discipline is key to responsible gambling․ If you reach your predetermined limits, walk away from the table․ There will always be another day to play․